I am an Emmy Award winning Story Artist, Animator and Illustrator, specializing in Animation and Motion Graphics for documentary films, from Concept Art and Storyboards to Animatics and full Animation.
My work for Documentaries has recently included:
Concept Art, Storyboards and Motion Graphics for Netflix series “Miss Americana”, Animation for the three-part Netflix documentary “Inside Bill's Brain” directed by Davis Guggenheim, Concept Art, Illustration and Animation for Showtime Documentary film “Sid and Judy”, Storyboard and Concept Artist / Background and Color Design for the 2018 Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize winner “The Price of Free”, directed by Derek Doneen; Artist and Animator for “What Haunts Us”, directed by Paige Tomalch, winner of the 2017 Best Documentary Feature Award at the Ojai Film Festival; Storyboard and Concept Artist for Davis Guggenheim’s “He Named Me Malala”, winner of the 2016 Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production.
I worked with director Benjamin Goldman on animated films for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s permanent exhibition “American Enterprise,” which debuted in 2015.
I create animated credits for films, and make illustrations for editorial and advertisting.
My recent work also includes illustrations for two children’s books, a biography of “Metallica” for tweens written by Soledad Romero Marino (Reservoir Books 2017) and “El Pequeño Circo de Asno y Camello” (Alba Editorial 2015), written by Judy Cantor-Navas.
As a Motion Graphics Designer, I’ve worked for NBC/Universal in Los Angeles (I earned two Promax Awards for On-Air Illustration), for MTV in New York, and for the cult Ibero-American animation network, The Locomotion Channel.
I draw, paint and work on international projects in my studio in Barcelona.
TESTIMONIALS
"David's creative spirit is able to capture a story of the human condition and render it in impressionistic strokes. When he sent me a few preliminary sketches for some animation scenes, they were so effective and conveyed in such a subtle way the suffering of our documentary's characters that I was able to use them to great results. I strongly recommend David as a versatile creator of visual images that convey a wide array of emotion."
— Chelo Alvarez-Stehle, Producer/Director/Writer, "Sands of Silence" Documentary
"Whenever I need a well-executed, witty, expertly done illustration, my first move is to email or call David Navas. His wide variety of styles works for everything from my editorial to advertorial needs, and he's communicative and easy to work with."
— Richard Martin, Editorial Director at Food Republic
“David’s talent and ability to really listen and understand what the client is trying to convey, made all the difference in the projects we have worked on. He is versatile, talented and very easy to work with. If you are considering him for a job, do not hesitate, as he will deliver beyond your expectations!”
— Elizabeth Carlisle, Art Director, Onboard Media, An LVHM Moët Hennessy Company
"David Navas is a true master of his craft. His vast knowledge of the arts is evident throughout his work. David’s experience includes, but is not limited to, motion graphics, animation, concept art, life drawing, painting, storyboarding - the list is endless. David is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met and puts his soul into every project. A constant dreamer, David’s imagination knows no limits. I recently secured funding for a film project and David’s amazing concept art was key to that success. You need David Navas in your life."
— Antonio Perez, Senior Producer, Author of “Luna”
"Durante los últimos 35 años la revista Quimera ha contribuido de una manera sustancial al análisis y la difusión de la literatura en lengua castellana. Puedo decir que en los últimos cinco años el trabajo gráfico de David Navas ha sido parte importante de ese proceso. Sus ilustraciones han retratado —de manera siempre personal, siempre sutil, siempre inquietante— la vocación de ruptura que guió el periodo de la revista en que me toco dirigirla. Y hay en sus obras el mismo uso a la vez crítico y respetuoso de la tradición que, según entiendo, conducen cualquier esfuerzo de la imaginación a la categoría de arte. Navas no solo es un artista plástico sino también un traductor, un puente entre lenguajes, un ejemplo preciso del cada vez más evidente diálogo entre la forma y la palabra."
— Jaime Rodríguez Z., Escritor, Poeta
"David is an outstanding creative executive with great sensibility and superior skills. I had the opportunity to work with David at The Locomotion Channel from the year 2000 to 2004. When David came to the channel he brought with him an immense array of tools both technical and artistic that help the channel launch it’s groundbreaking online strategy. In time, David’s role expanded to include all creative direction and technical aspects of the networks expansion into live events, in-house animation and live action production, on-air branded campaigns, advertising sales, music publishing and music video production.
Locomotion was a multi-premiered brand and had a special connection with its audience; David played a major role in helping the network achieve these goals."
— Rodrigo Piza, Senior Creative Director at Non Stop Digital S.A.
"David did the illustration for my book. I gave him a vague description of what I wanted, and David came up with an image that exceeded my expectations. He met all deadlines and stayed in constant communication throughout the process. I highly recommend David as an artist and designer. I've seen his other work and can vouch that he is highly creative, skilled, and professional."
— Mina Yang, Author