Matthias Lechner

About

In 1970 I was born in Mannheim, Germany. I spent my youth in an idyllic south-German setting. In 1990 I moved to Hamburg to find my place in the awakening German animation industry. Later, I studied classical animation in Dublin, Ireland and moved as an "animation nomad" to Hamburg, Seoul, Copenhagen, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Los Angeles. For 30 years, I have worked as an Art Director and Production Designer on a number of European and American animated features films. My passion lies in exploring a cross between drawing and cinematography. Currently I work as Production Designer for Netflix Animation. I live with my wife, daughter, 2 cats, a dog and a Guinea pig in Ventura, CA. Specialties: Production Design, Art Direction, Location Design, Development, Workbook, Layout

Experience

• Production Designer at Netflix Animation
  Jun 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 2 mos

• Walt Disney Animation Studios (7 yrs 4 mos)
  • Art Director
    Aug 2013 - Jun 2019 · 5 yrs 11 mos

  • Visual development consultant
    Mar 2012 - Jul 2013 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Freelance Concept Artist

• Rainmaker Entertainment Inc (1 yr 3 mos)
  • Art Director
    Mar 2011 - Feb 2012 · 1 yr

    Art Director for feature: "Escape from planet Earth" (release Spring 2013)

  • Concept Artist
    Dec 2010 - Feb 2011 · 3 mos

    Concept art and development.

• Production Designer at Thilo Graf Rothkirch's Cartoon Film
  Jan 2008 - Feb 2011 · 3 yrs 2 mos

  Production Designer on several animated features.

• Art Director at Vanguard Animation
  Aug 2006 - Dec 2007 · 1 yr 5 mos

  Art Direction of a 3D animated feature.