Eric Patrick

Eric Patrick serves as Associate Professor and Director of the MFA in Documentary Media at Northwestern University's School of Communication within the Department of Radio/Television/Film. His innovative work merges animation with ethnographic storytelling to explore cultural narratives and social issues.

Education:

• BUS in Studio and Media Arts, University of New Mexico
• MFA in Experimental Animation, California Institute of the Arts

Research Focus: Patrick pioneers animated ethnography through experimental techniques like rotoscoping and 360° film environments. His practice examines how animation can document lived experiences, particularly in urban settings and refugee contexts, while creating educational visualizations for complex policy topics. This interdisciplinary approach bridges visual anthropology, documentary filmmaking, and data communication.

Creative Output Trends: Recent works demonstrate a consistent commitment to socially engaged animation, evolving from early commercial projects like Blues Clues toward independent documentary hybrids. His 2012-2020 output shows increasing sophistication in using animation to visualize abstract concepts (tax policy, healthcare systems) and human experiences (migration, urban transit), often employing immersive formats like 360° film and video installations.

Major Honors:

• Guggenheim Fellowship
• Peabody Award
• Clio Awards
• NIH Center for Reproductive Health grant
• Multiple Black Maria Film Festival awards
• Best Documentary Film at Short Movie Club Festival (2021)
• Best Animation Short at Stop Motion Film Festival (2021)

Academic Leadership: As MFA Director, Patrick mentors documentary media students while securing competitive grants including the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund. His NIH-funded reproductive health animations exemplify applied research translating academic expertise into public health resources. He teaches specialized courses spanning analogue/digital animation, projection mapping, and children's media production.

Production Context: Patrick leverages Northwestern's advanced production facilities—including cutting-edge animation studios and performance spaces—to realize his creative vision, often collaborating with clinical labs and external partners for projects requiring interdisciplinary expertise.