about
my story
Daniel Welynn is an animation educator, artist, and creative director with experience spanning higher education, animated film production, visual development, and design. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Animation at Dakota State University, where he teaches animation and design, mentors students, and contributes to curriculum development.
His background includes leadership roles in media arts programs, independent production work, book cover and web design, and a wide range of teaching across animation, storyboarding, motion graphics, character design, and digital media. He holds MFAs in Visual Development and in Animation and Visual Effects from Academy of Art University, and his work has been recognized through exhibitions, film festivals, and juried screenings.
Daniel Welynn, award-winning animator, animation director, and educator, brings a 20-year vision to life in the BlackFyre Cycle—a YA dark fantasy series.
Featuring intricate worldbuilding, complex magic systems, and horror-infused character. He has won awards for animation and directing, with works screened at several acclaimed worldwide festivals. Holding an MFA from Academy of Art University, Daniel shapes storytelling through 2D tradigital animation, blending cinematic techniques with narrative depth. After two decades nurturing BlackFyre - originally envisioned as animated miniseries—he now crafts immersive prose worlds drawn from mythology, history, and chilling lore.
From his Brandon, South Dakota studio. When not writing dark fantasy, he educates emerging artists in animation fundamentals.
experience