craig zacok is…
a playful polymath & caring collaborator.
focused on creating human-centered experiences.
trying to provoke more curiosity in our culture.
Amazon made a bold entry into the 4K streaming market with a campaign featuring Gary Busey. The Amazon Fire TV was one of the first 4K streaming USB sticks, setting it apart in the crowded marketplace.
Roles
3D Motion Designer • Compositor
- Created 3D rendering and a one-to-one replica of the park model.
- Assisted with simulated interaction shots for UX lockup.
Microsoft Windows Movie Maker was finally getting an update! The design initiative required started with visual storytelling through a product vision video experience featuring a variety of ordinary user stories in sometimes not so ordinary ways.
Stats
- Featured brand new Windows Fluent Design
- 350k week of views on the Windows YouTube channel
Roles
3D Supervisor • Compositor
- Responsible for all 3D assets and scenes
- Facilitated proxy animation pipeline and specs for compositing
- Helped with a few 2D user interaction shots
A video showcasing design collaboration and product vision for HoloLens in the B2C and entrepreneurial space. The project focused on architecture, interior design, and iterative planogram store layouts, highlighting collaborative possibilities.
Roles
3D Supervisor • Motion Designer • Compositor
- Created 3D motion design, character rigging, animation, and layout.
- 3D-tracked scenes for integration.
- Directed art style, animation scope, and interaction of avatars.
Launched Microsoft Sway with a creative video featuring a young presenter and an octopus. This endearing narrative highlighted the new presentation tool, making it approachable and engaging for all users. The video garnered 1.6 million views, significantly boosting the product's visibility and appeal.
Roles
Motion Designer • 3D Supervisor • Art Director • Voice Over
- Simulated user interaction UX screens.
- Animated designs following new Fluent Design Principles.
- 3D-tracked scenes for screen integration.
- Provided all 3D assets for integration and 3D printing.
- Voiced the narration.
Explored animated actors for playful AR experiences with HoloLens, providing contextual storytelling. This vision video helped stakeholders adopt new interactions through 3D UX before it became mainstream.
Roles
3D Lead • 3D Motion Designer
- Managed pipeline for converting 3D scans of actors into modular assets.
- Designed simulated 3D GUI for actor placement and interaction.
- Assisted with scene tracking for 3D integrations.
Showcased the Amazon Echo smart speaker in a sleek, minimalist campaign that emphasized its key features. The product was presented without gimmicks, highlighting its standout qualities.
Roles
Designer • Motion Designer
- Designed and laid out messaging.
- Created subtle effects to highlight the product and embellish type messaging.
A high-octane, gritty spot for ESPN's draft commentary fully realized in a 3D environment. The campaign enhanced the broadcast with an intense visual style, drawing viewers into the draft experience.
Roles
3D Motion Designer
- Created a 3D environment with shading, lighting, and color reference for compositing.
- Assisted in tracking and placing motion graphics within the 3D scene.
Kelley Blue Book's first national broadcast campaign utilized 3D projection mapping to reimagine the brand. Advertising agency Doner and Leviathan combined a TV spot with visual pyrotechnics to breathe new life into the 86-year-old KBB.
Roles
3D Motion Designer • Compositor
- Designed and animated projection VFX, lighting, and transitions.
- Established pre-production and post-production pipelines for adjustable art direction.
- Modeled and animated various mechanical components.
- Composited lighting effects and 3D transitions.
A humorous commercial featuring Alec Baldwin highlighting the benefits of the Capital One Venture Card. The ad combined wit and visual effects to emphasize the card's advantages amidst Baldwin's busy travel schedule.
Roles
3D Motion Designer • VFX Artist • Compositor
- Created 3D scenes, lighting, and simulated animations.
- Composited various shots and 3D transitions.
- Animated the 4th wall-breaking simulated Hulu UX interaction.
Ubisoft transformed the Los Angeles Theater to launch Splinter Cell: Blacklist at E3. Leviathan created an immersive game trailer that spanned the theater’s giant screen, LED panels, and surrounding surfaces, offering a grand and captivating reveal for the game's latest installment.
Roles:
VFX Artist • 3D Designer
- Created simulations of smoke, sparks, and debris for interaction with the physical space.
- Retopologized raw lidar scan of Los Angeles Theater for projection replica and 3D use.
- Enthusiastic fan of the Splinter Cell reboot.
Launched a new toy line with Star Wars branding, creating engaging storylines and settings. The campaign showcased the toys' personalities and adaptability through movement and character-driven narratives.
Roles
3D Motion Designer • Art Director
- Assisted in 3D previs animatic and edit.
- Created 3D environments, modular character animation rigs, and scene lighting.
- Animated characters, cameras, and established the 3D pipeline for compositing.
Envisioned the next generation of the Xbox dashboard with innovative light/dark modes and VR integration. The project explored clean futuristic designs and immersive game environments, pushing the boundaries of user experience.
Roles
Designer • Art Director
- Developed various styles and layouts for light and dark modes.
- Explored VR-integrated game environment spaces.
Fused digital and physical art with an electronic music experience for Amon Tobin's ISAM 2.0 tour. Leviathan contributed visuals, including natural elements, to enhance the live performances.
Roles
Designer
- Designed concept features for specific segments.
- Explored novel 3D interactions based on song themes.
Microsoft's stores around the globe feature iconic large format video walls. This experience required unique and adaptive layouts in specific arrangements for each store. Campaigns featured immersive video experiences with dynamic transitions and region-specific messaging.
Stats
- 27,000-pixel LED video walls
- 116 stores globally
- 18 campaigns
- 25+ artists and designers (3 time zones)
Roles
Senior Art Director • Experience Designer • Associate Creative Director
- Led a team of 25+ artists across multiple time zones and languages
- Concepted stimulating visual campaigns in alignment with Microsoft’s and third-party partner goals as well as adhering to compliance
- Directed 10 dedicated campaigns as well as 8 refresh campaigns for seasonal content
- Was responsible for campaign vision, direction, scope, and timeline deliverables