John Summerson

John is a multimedia specialist on the Digital Education Team (non-credit). Focusing in video production, animation, and editing, John helps build educational multimedia for Penn State Extension

John has an MA in Documentary Animation from the Royal College of Art in London, UK and has a BFA in Animated Arts from Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. For 9+ years, he has worked as a freelance commercial animator and director for various clients, including Cartoon Network, the Oregon Symphony, and Aesop Rock. In his personal practice, he creates short animated documentary films. His work has been exhibited internationally, most recently in Budapest, Madrid, Berlin, London, and New York City, and has received several accolades, including the Grand Prize at the LG Art of the Pixel Competition and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA Film Award.

Additionally, John is a passionate educator and has taught animation in youth programs, in a detention facility, and at the undergraduate and masters levels.

He is also an avid pinball player, a collector of rare VHS tapes, and has a great recipe for falafel popcorn.