Maxim Yakovlev
Maxim Yakovlev
Motion Designer
Motion Designer
Somewhere in Central Asia now
Available for work
About me
About me
I’m a motion designer with over five years of experience, most recently as a Senior Motion Designer at Wargaming.
If you're into cinematic keyframes, bold compositions, or shader graphs that feel like small magic tricks - well, same. I’ve built trailers, branding packages, Twitch overlays, in-game cinematics, you name it. My work blends visual polish with purposeful timing - because no amount of sparkle matters if the rhythm is off.
And when I’m not animating? I’m teaching. I wrote and produced a motion design course for Yandex, helping new designers understand the why behind the craft - not just the buttons to press. Education and mentorship aren’t side projects for me; they’re part of how I stay sharp.
Experience
Experience
Digital Nomad
Freelance
Sep 2024 – Present
Motion Designer
Delivered high-end 2D/3D motion design for clients across gaming, tech, and streaming industries - tailored to brand voice and audience needs
Collaborated directly with agencies and creators, from concept to final render, ensuring visual consistency and tight turnaround delivery
Designed custom Twitch overlays, stream alerts, and branding packages that balance aesthetics with usability and platform compatibility
Integrated AI tools (Runway, Midjourney) and real-time workflows to speed up production while exploring fresh visual directions
Digital Nomad
Freelance
Sep 2024 – Present
Motion Designer
Delivered high-end 2D/3D motion design for clients across gaming, tech, and streaming industries - tailored to brand voice and audience needs
Collaborated directly with agencies and creators, from concept to final render, ensuring visual consistency and tight turnaround delivery
Designed custom Twitch overlays, stream alerts, and branding packages that balance aesthetics with usability and platform compatibility
Integrated AI tools (Runway, Midjourney) and real-time workflows to speed up production while exploring fresh visual directions
Belgrade, Serbia
Wargaming
Sep 2022 - Sep 2024
Senior Motion Designer
Created high-quality motion graphics for trailers, social media content, and in-game assets, aligning visuals with brand and narrative goals
Collaborated closely with marketing, design, and development teams to deliver compelling visual content across platforms
Edited and enhanced video content to elevate storytelling, pacing, and overall production quality
Developed a versatile design approach by working across multiple styles, formats, and target audiences within the gaming industry
Belgrade, Serbia
Wargaming
Sep 2022 - Sep 2024
Senior Motion Designer
Created high-quality motion graphics for trailers, social media content, and in-game assets, aligning visuals with brand and narrative goals
Collaborated closely with marketing, design, and development teams to deliver compelling visual content across platforms
Edited and enhanced video content to elevate storytelling, pacing, and overall production quality
Developed a versatile design approach by working across multiple styles, formats, and target audiences within the gaming industry
Remote
Yandex
Aug 2023 - May 2024
Author of Motion-Design Course
Developed educational content for online motion design courses, balancing technical depth with clear, accessible explanations
Created structured lessons and hands-on assignments that helped students grasp and apply complex design principles
Collaborated with curriculum teams to ensure educational consistency, learner engagement, and real-world relevance
Translated industry experience into practical knowledge, mentoring aspiring designers through step-by-step guidance and feedback
Remote
Yandex
Aug 2023 - May 2024
Author of Motion-Design Course
Developed educational content for online motion design courses, balancing technical depth with clear, accessible explanations
Created structured lessons and hands-on assignments that helped students grasp and apply complex design principles
Collaborated with curriculum teams to ensure educational consistency, learner engagement, and real-world relevance
Translated industry experience into practical knowledge, mentoring aspiring designers through step-by-step guidance and feedback
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Lesta Games
Dec 2020 - Sep 2022
Motion Designer
Designed motion assets for in-game events, promotional videos, and UI animations, with a strong focus on player engagement
Worked within established art direction while bringing original visual ideas that aligned with gameplay and audience expectations
Optimized animation pipelines and file delivery for real-time game engines and cross-platform distribution
Participated in creative reviews and iteration cycles, contributing to team-wide improvements in visual storytelling and motion quality
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Lesta Games
Dec 2020 - Sep 2022
Motion Designer
Designed motion assets for in-game events, promotional videos, and UI animations, with a strong focus on player engagement
Worked within established art direction while bringing original visual ideas that aligned with gameplay and audience expectations
Optimized animation pipelines and file delivery for real-time game engines and cross-platform distribution
Participated in creative reviews and iteration cycles, contributing to team-wide improvements in visual storytelling and motion quality
Education
Education
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
2016 – 2020
Bachelor's degree, Applied IT in Economics
Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace and Instrumentation
For my bachelor thesis, I explored how gamification can be used to boost engagement and motivation in education. By combining research with real-world case studies, I examined practical ways game design principles can be applied in the classroom to create more immersive and effective learning experiences.
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
2016 – 2020
Bachelor's degree, Applied IT in Economics
Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace and Instrumentation
For my bachelor thesis, I explored how gamification can be used to boost engagement and motivation in education. By combining research with real-world case studies, I examined practical ways game design principles can be applied in the classroom to create more immersive and effective learning experiences.
Ede, Netherlands
Sep 2019 - Dec 2019
Internship, Business Communications and Sustainable Development
Christelijke Hogeschool Ede
I completed the Business Communication Erasmus+ program at Christelijke Hogeschool Ede in the Netherlands, where I sharpened my communication skills with a strong focus on international and intercultural contexts. The program combined real-world projects with practical training - everything from public speaking and business writing to navigating cross-cultural communication in global environments.
Ede, Netherlands
Sep 2019 - Dec 2019
Internship, Business Communications and Sustainable Development
Christelijke Hogeschool Ede
I completed the Business Communication Erasmus+ program at Christelijke Hogeschool Ede in the Netherlands, where I sharpened my communication skills with a strong focus on international and intercultural contexts. The program combined real-world projects with practical training - everything from public speaking and business writing to navigating cross-cultural communication in global environments.
Recommendations
Recommendations
Grigoriy Pavlov
Video Production Team Lead at DPS Games
Maksim is a fast learner and a strong communicator, always ready to take on high-responsibility tasks with confidence. His passion for 3D design goes beyond work - it’s part of his daily mindset and creative lifestyle.
Grigoriy Pavlov
Video Production Team Lead at DPS Games
Maksim is a fast learner and a strong communicator, always ready to take on high-responsibility tasks with confidence. His passion for 3D design goes beyond work - it’s part of his daily mindset and creative lifestyle.
Andrei Alekseev
Deputy Video Team Lead at Wargaming
I've had the pleasure of working with Maksim for over a year and can confidently recommend him as an outstanding professional. He consistently meets deadlines, stays up to date with the latest tools and technologies, and brings both creativity and reliability to every project. Beyond his technical skills, Maksim is a supportive and enjoyable colleague - someone I’m genuinely proud to work alongside.
Andrei Alekseev
Deputy Video Team Lead at Wargaming
I've had the pleasure of working with Maksim for over a year and can confidently recommend him as an outstanding professional. He consistently meets deadlines, stays up to date with the latest tools and technologies, and brings both creativity and reliability to every project. Beyond his technical skills, Maksim is a supportive and enjoyable colleague - someone I’m genuinely proud to work alongside.
Dmitrii Evdokimov
Lead Cinematic Director at Owlcat Games
Maksim is a highly skilled motion designer with a strong eye for detail and a constant drive to push creative boundaries. In every project, he goes beyond expectations - consistently proposing innovative technical solutions and exploring new ways to elevate the work.
Dmitrii Evdokimov
Lead Cinematic Director at Owlcat Games
Maksim is a highly skilled motion designer with a strong eye for detail and a constant drive to push creative boundaries. In every project, he goes beyond expectations - consistently proposing innovative technical solutions and exploring new ways to elevate the work.