Brian Thieme

Science Communication · Illustration & Motion

Resume

Wixom, MI · LinkedIn

Illustrator and motion designer with 15+ years of experience making complex subjects clear, from astronomy and energy systems to public health. I produce animated explainers, scientific illustration, data graphics and interactive teaching tools, and work closely with subject experts to get the details right.

Download PDF

Science & Education Communication

Motion Designer Nonprofit & Foundation Clients

2016 – Present

  • National Association of Community Health Centers (2025): Four-part animated series on health centers as resilient power hubs.
  • I Vaccinate (2020): Three animations addressing parents’ vaccine concerns, including the PAST Model for care providers.
  • Kresge Foundation (2018): Explainers on financial guarantees, energy service agreements and microgrids.
  • Collective Energy (2023, 2024): Animated videos.
  • Action Factory / Voters Not Politicians (2016 – Present): Started as a VNP volunteer, creating animation, print and social graphics explaining redistricting for Proposal 2, which Michigan voters passed in 2018. Continue as a contractor with Action Factory, the agency that grew out of VNP.
  • MESSA (2020): Explainer on prescription plan benefits.

Interactive Explainer Moon Phase Explorer

2026

  • Designed and built an interactive model of lunar phases and eclipses with linked orbit, Earth and side views, using agentic development.

Publications Warren Astronomical Society

2017 – 2018

  • Edited, designed and laid out the monthly science newsletter, coordinating volunteer writers.
  • Won the Astronomical League’s Mabel Sterns Newsletter Editor Award (2018).

Public Outreach Warren Astronomical Society (member)

Ongoing

  • Public astronomy outreach events; astrophotography and eyepiece sketching.

Scientific Illustrator Citizen Sky (volunteer)

2010

  • Created an astronomical illustration of the eclipsing binary star Epsilon Aurigae, featured in two NationalGeographic.com articles.

Experience

Senior Motion Designer CVMedia

2012 – Present

  • Take client videos from concept and storyboard to final delivery, often explaining technical, industrial and sustainability subjects, such as a 3D explainer on Ford’s 10R80 transmission, animated in Blender from client CAD files.
  • Produced two short animated explainers for Meijer’s scholarship program. The client reported a dramatic increase in enrollment afterward.
  • Develop a distinct visual language for each project within client brand standards, guiding clients through iterative review rounds on deadline.
  • Build custom After Effects plugins and production tools to automate repetitive work. Hired as a contractor; promoted to full-time after one year.

Web Development

Developer & Designer Independent Web Apps

Ongoing