Dan loves telling stories.
He designs joyful products like the first AI tutor for elementary schoolers; creates award-winning animations that have played in international film festivals and amassed billions of views; edits videos for major brands including Nickelodeon, Fox, and Mattel; and juggled for like 30 seconds one time, but you weren't there, so you'll just have to take his word for it.
Featured projects
Super Teacher
Super Teacher is the first AI tutor for elementary school students, of which I’m the Head Product Designer. I lead the design of the app across a mobile app and web app used by children, parents, and schools; as well as a platform for educators to design their own interactive conversational lessons. I also write lessons myself, animate and edit ads and marketing materials, and illustrate artwork and graphics for the lessons themselves.
Cool School
A children's show featuring live actors, cartoon characters, puppets, and more. Produced by Driver Studios, of which I was the VP of Product and Creative. Since the show began in 2011, it's been viewed more than two billion times on YouTube; featured cross-promotions with companies including Sesame Street, PBS Kids, and Curious George; and encompassed a read-along app and a series of books.
NWAR
An animated detective series that I write, direct, illustrate, and animate. It screened at the 2014 New York Television Festival, and played at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater as part of their monthly Channel 101 video competition from 2014-2017, setting the record for longest running show.
For Kinder Times
An award-winning educational brand featuring collaborations with children's music legends Raffi and Laurie Berkner, which includes animated music videos, albums, educational resources, books, and more. I’m a co-founder and creative lead of the project.
Animation and video
As the founder of Dan Markowitz Studios, I’ve been a longtime partner of HarperCollins Publishers, producing and adapting over 50 books into animated versions; co-founded and led creative of For Kinder Times, an award-winning educational brand featuring collaborations with children's music legends Raffi and Laurie Berkner; produced videos and content for TV shows and series including Sesame Street, Impractical Jokers, The Birds & The BS, and more; and directed and edited award-winning short films and series that played at international film festivals.
Featured animation and video
The Bear Out There
Animated HarperCollins children’s book adaptation. I was provided the static illustrations, and brought it to life with motion graphics, video editing, voiceover, and sound/music.
Sesame Street: E is for Engineer
Sesame Street live-action segment which appeared on TV. I handled all the post-production: video editing, audio editing, sourcing of stock footage and assets, and more.
Adventure to Fitness: Space
Hybrid live-action/animation series. I planned pre-production and co-directed the film shoot, then handled all post-production: video editing, green screen keying, character animation, motion graphics, audio, illustration, and more.
Board to Death
Stop-motion short that I designed and animated myself. Played at numerous international film festivals and won several awards, including a $10,000 prize for best student animated film.
Thomson Reuters
Motion graphics that I animated for the international news/financial company Thomson Reuters, including title cards, transitions, bumpers, and more.
What If, Pig?
Animated HarperCollins children’s book adaptation. I was provided the static illustrations, and brought it to life with motion graphics, video editing, voiceover, and sound/music.