Animating Across the Country: Chris Myers '99
Chris Myers, AAC alum, is the Lead Narrative Animator on the recently announced 1001 Threads of Mizan – an upcoming 1-to-3-player co-op action-adventure video game developed by MBC Studios and published by MBC Game Studio. Graduating from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1999, Chris attributed his nationally renowned creative career to the foundation he built at AAC.
Chris had a unique path in his undergraduate education – he first attended a state school, but transferred and ended his college years at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. He described how AAC offered him something a state school could not – access to a 3D program called Strata Pro. In the mid 1990s, access to that technology was a game changer and ultimately drew him to transfer.
The College Years at AAC
As a first-year student, Chris loved the creative community at AAC. “Everyone was talking, living, and breathing art. My roommates were artists, too, so I could walk into the next room at 2 a.m. and ask for a critique. I loved that. I quickly made great friends and fell in love with Cincinnati,” he says. Chris later met his wife at AAC – he was the first student she met on her way to her first class! Now twenty-four years into their marriage with a twenty-year-old son; the couple has lived in Savannah, Georgia, Los Angeles, California, and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Post Grad Life
Post-grad, Chris landed his first animation job two weeks before graduation. “AAC had given me the knowledge and portfolio to make the most of that opportunity,” Chris says. He started as an animator at Architechnology, a Cincinnati company that produced architectural animations and other 3D videos.
“I was thrilled to be working in 3D full time, and I stayed there for four years. Eventually, I decided to shift gears and earned my MFA in Animation, which led to my first job in video games. I spent 10 years with Activision in Los Angeles, working as an animator on five Guitar Hero games and four Call of Duty games. I later moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where I served as Animation Director on Dune: Awakening. Today, I’m the Lead Narrative Animator on the recently announced 1001 Threads of Mizan.”
Chris described his proudest moment this year as the announcement of his current project. “We announced 1001 Threads of Mizan and showcased a playable demo at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany. After spending so much time with a project behind the scenes, seeing people play it and respond so positively was incredibly rewarding.” The game is an open-zone action-adventure game for up to three players and is inspired by One Thousand and One Nights and Arabian folklore.
Advice for Young Artists
When asked would advice he would give to young artists today, Chris emphasized patience with the journey. “It’s a strange time to be an artist, especially when you’re just starting out. I work hard to keep learning and embrace new technology, but I still believe a strong foundation in art and storytelling is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. The tools will change, but learning how to observe, communicate an idea, and tell a compelling story will serve you throughout your career.
“Read widely, keep a journal, and stay curious about things beyond art… Make time for traditional art, and surround yourself with people who are creating. You’ll learn from their work, their questions, and their enthusiasm. And don’t spend so much time talking about what you’re going to make that you never make it. Give your ideas a chance to become something real.”
“You’ll learn more from making the work than from waiting until you feel ready.”
– Chris Myers, ’99
Check out more about Chris’ new project, 1001 Threads of Mizan!
