Brandon Sugiyama

Brandon Sugiyama is a Professor of Motion Media Design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah, GA since Fall 2021. A multidisciplinary designer, he specializes in 3D animation, motion graphics, and visual storytelling for media, film, and live events. Recognized with an Emmy Award for his work on Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, he has contributed to high-profile projects including TED Unplugged, HBO's Game of Thrones, and documentary series like The Age of Aerospace.

• Education:
  • B.A., Motion Graphic Design, SAE Expression College
  • Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Journalism, The City University of New York

His research interests focus on integrating motion design with narrative storytelling across platforms, including explainer videos (Answered by Vox), documentary visualization (Firestorm, Midsummer in Newtown), and immersive event branding for TED and Quibi. He has led technical teams to develop particle simulations, animated maps, and interactive interfaces for clients like Microsoft, Sony, and The New York Times.

Awards & Recognition

• Emmy Award, Outstanding Motion Design (2019)
• John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship, Stanford (dates unspecified)

Professional Experience

Prior to SCAD, he served as lead animator for Patriot Act (2018–19), freelance art director at Vox/Quibi (2020–21), and held roles at Electronic Arts, Medtronic, and agencies like Gunshop. His work has been featured at the Tribeca Film Festival and recognized as New York Times Best of Multimedia.