About
3D and motion artist, photographer and filmmaker. Over a decade of visuals for broadcast, digital and live events.
I'm Ricky Mantilla, a 3D and motion graphics artist, photographer and filmmaker with over a decade of experience producing high-impact visuals across broadcast, digital and live event platforms. The work spans photorealistic 3D animation, hard-surface rendering, fluid and dynamic simulation and visual effects, paired with photography and cinematography that bring real-world authenticity to every project.
Today I run growth video at ARMRA, shipping up to 300 performance variants a month across TikTok, Meta, YouTube and TV, and lead Motioncraft, my own studio, for brands like C4 Energy, DedCool and Everyday Dose. Before that: 3D for Cirkul's Super Bowl commercial, product storytelling for Frida, Nasdaq bell-ringing visuals on the Times Square tower for Real, and two years directing design for a hospitality group across Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
I've photographed New Year's Eve in Times Square, built game art for High 5 Games and animated a lyric video for Sony Music, and was named among the top ten lifestyle photographers in Los Angeles. I work in Cinema 4D, Redshift and After Effects, with X-Particles, Red Giant and Greyscalegorilla close at hand, and I'm fluent in English and Spanish.
- Based in
- Tampa Bay, FL
- Focus
- 3D · Motion · Video · Photography · Strategist · Creative Director
- Since
- 2014
- Availability
- Limited availability
Experience
Full résumé ↗- Sep 2025 — PresentFull-time
Manager of Growth Video · Editor
ARMRA · Remote
Performance video across TikTok, Meta, YouTube and TVC, 60–300 variants a month, with creative strategy set alongside Growth, Media Buying and Brand. Led launch content for ARMRA Colostrum Soda, the brand's first ready-to-drink product, and built 3D and AI-assisted asset pipelines that cut concept-to-first-cut time by 60%.
- Apr 2024 — PresentContract
Motion Graphic Designer
Large-format animation for Real's Nasdaq bell-ringing, run on the Times Square tower display. 3D and motion for executive presentations, including CEO keynote visuals at RISE Las Vegas for 1,000+ attendees, and the stage and promo package for the inaugural Banff Springs Summit.
- 2017 — PresentFreelance
Founder & Creative Director
My studio. Nutrabolt / C4 Energy's NYC digital billboard for the Knicks' 2026 championship; paid static and video campaigns for DedCool and Everyday Dose, built for Meta and TikTok; creative strategy, brand build-out and organic and paid video for Lace Health; the App Store promo for B.Spot.
- Jun 2024 — Feb 2025Full-time
Motion Graphics & Multimedia Designer
Cirkul · Tampa, FL
3D animation for Cirkul's 2025 Super Bowl commercial with Adam Devine, seen by 20M+ viewers. Led motion design for a MrBeast collaboration that lifted YouTube and social engagement 45%.
- Feb 2022 — May 2024Full-time
3D Motion & Graphic Artist
Frida · Miami, FL
50+ 3D motion videos in Cinema 4D and Redshift for product storytelling across digital campaigns. Turned early-stage concepts into high-impact renders for the product teams, designed static and motion brand assets for e-commerce, social and advertising, and developed social video concepts that raised retention and engagement 8x.
- Jan 2020 — Jan 2022Full-time
Senior Designer
Breakwater Hospitality Group · Miami / Fort Lauderdale
Directed a cross-functional design team on 100+ marketing assets for South Florida venues: grand openings, seasonal campaigns and brand activations. Full branding and identity systems for new restaurant and nightlife concepts, 3D motion graphics in Cinema 4D and Redshift for launch events, official lifestyle and event photography for The Wharf Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and paid video behind 100+ events and promotions.
- Jul 2016 — Feb 2018Full-time
Production Artist
High 5 Games · New York, NY
Production art across 30+ game titles on Unity, iOS and Facebook: 100+ build-ready assets to platform spec, retouching and optimisation of character and environment art for mobile and web, and 3D concept art pitched for new game features.
- 2016 — 2018Contract
Freelance Photographer
Times Square Alliance · New York, NY
Photographed New Year's Eve in Times Square, from the talent and celebrities on stage to the crowd, processed and published in real time on the night. Storefronts and environments around the square for social and web.
- Apr 2016 — Jul 2016Full-time
Digital Media Producer
Ascentus · Orlando, FL
Digital media production and distribution end to end: marketing materials, website spotlights, e-mail marketing and the social media plan.
- Oct 2014 — Dec 2014Freelance
Designer / Animator
Lyric video for a Dillon Francis single, in partnership with agency MRY and Adobe. Concepts developed directly with the artist's team, then styled and animated in 2D.
- Jul 2013 — Jun 2015Internship
Adobe Student Representative
Adobe · Full Sail University
Drove awareness and engagement for Creative Cloud on campus: workshops training students in design techniques, aesthetics and tools, social campaigns across personal channels, and sponsored events.
Education
- 2013 — 2015
Bachelor of Science, Digital Arts and Design
Full Sail University · Winter Park, FL
