Meet The Team
Founder & Instructor
Instructor - Ricardo Jimenez
For over 15yrs Ricardo (Richie) has been working in the Animation / 3D industry for several companies throughout Phoenix, AZ, and out of state as a stand-alone micro-studio (RJ Animation). His work contains projects such as the 4K/IMAX TV series “Space Unraveling the Cosmos”, featured on Discovery Channel and Netflix. Animation projects for companies like Avnet Technology Solutions, Frito-Lay N. America, Food-net exchange, and several others as a multimedia artist..
Digital Painting
Instructor - Julio Macias
Macias has several years of experience in the animation industry working in his micro studio Shatter Works, specializes in providing videos, custom graphics and animation services. He also is currently teach at GCU Digital Painting & Animation.


Workshops Certified TA's

Tricia Spilker
recently graduated from Grand Canyon University in April 2022, Tricia has been continuing to work on new projects in various design methods, both in 2D and 3D areas. Beside personal works, she assists with RJ Animation in ensuring every part of the contents makes sense and that solutions can be found in every design obstacle.

Genevieve Ruiz
is a 3D Animator and Modeler. She is an alumnus from GCU and loves to make stories come to life through animation. Her dream is to be a part of projects that can make a difference in people’s life.
She is an animator for the “Fishing for the Soul” project and is excited to breathe life into the “Fishing for the Soul” characters.