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Kwame Nyong'o

Animation professor

Education

  • M.F.A., illustration, Academy Of Art University
  • B.A., fine arts, Haverford College

Credentials

  • Professor of animation, 2021–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  • Animation director and producer, 2009–20, Apes in Space, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Adjunct professor, 2019–20, United States International University (USIU), Nairobi, Kenya
  • Creative partner, 2014–17, Ogilvy and Mather Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Curriculum development team member, 2011–12, The Aga Khan University Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), Kenya and Tanzania
  • Lecturer of animation, 2010–11, Nairobi Institute of Technology (NIT), Nairobi, Kenya
  • Animation department, 2006–08, Tiger Tinga Productions, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Art instructor, 2002–08, African Sky Art Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Project coordinator and animation trainer, 2004–06, UNESCO, Kenya
  • Art department intern, 1999, Industrial Light & Magic, San Rafael, California

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • African animation friendship award, Cairo International Animation Forum, Egypt, 2019
  • Three bronzes for: Media, Pharma/Health/Wellness, and Activation/Promo categories for 01 Pajeta's "The Most Eligible Bachelor" campaign, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, France, 2017 and 2018
  • Ogilvy Pipe Award, Kenya, for 01 Pajeta's "The Most Eligible Bachelor" campaign, 2017
  • Winner of Best Animation, AMAA's, Nigeria, 2012
  • OSCAR selection committee member, Kenya Film Commission, Kenya, 2012
  • TANDAA ICT Grant program evaluator, Kenya, 2012
  • Head of State Commendation (HSC), Kenya, Republic of Kenya, 2011
  • Winner, Best Animation Production, Kalasha Awards, Kenya, 2011
  • SIGNIS East Africa Talent Award, Zanzibar International Film Festival, Tanzania, 2011
  • Facilitator, "Animation Day" at Kenya International Film Festival (KIFF), Kenya and Egypt, 2011

Organizations

  • Member, Creative Content Task Force, ICT Board of Kenya, Kenya, 2011–12
  • Chairperson: Animation Association of Kenya (A3), Kenya, 2008–12

Publications and presentations

Publications

  • Author and illustrator, The Yummiest Githeri, Kenya, 2018.
  • Author and Illustrator, I Love Ugali and Sukuma Wiki, Kenya, 2013.
  • Author and Illustrator, A Tasty Maandazi, Kenya, 2006.
  • UNICEF's Sara, Kenya, 2005.

Presentations

  • Panelist, KingsTOON, Jamaica, 2016
  • Animation research, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom, 2012
    Consultancy research on African animation in East Africa for Bournemouth University. This two-month study involved live and virtual interviews in addition to online research. It resulted in a detailed compilation of voice recordings, essays, films, images, text, and scripts for the university's animation department on the state of the animation industry in Africa.
  • Guest speaker, Animation Expo, Uganda, 2010.
  • Event organizer, "Genesis" Animation Workshop, Kenya, 2009
  • Guest speaker, TEDx, Kenya, 2009
  • Guest lecturer, Stamps School of Art & Design, University of Michigan, USA, 2009
  • Workshop facilitator, WAPI, British Council, Kenya, 2008