Saira Mathew
About Saira Mathew
Saira Mathew serves as the Executive Creative Director and Senior Vice President at Brandlive Studios, where she oversees the creative direction for hybrid events and experiences. With extensive experience in visual effects and animation, she has held key roles at notable companies such as Pearl Studio, Laika, and Industrial Light & Magic.
Work at Brandlive
Saira Mathew serves as the Executive Creative Director and Senior Vice President at Brandlive Studios, a prominent platform for hybrid events and experiences. Since joining in 2021, she has overseen the creative arm of the organization, ensuring the artistic and technical execution of projects aligns with client visions and industry best practices. Saira leads a diverse team of art directors, designers, animators, editors, filmmakers, and producers to create engaging visual content and narratives. She also collaborates with marketing and sales departments to develop internal marketing campaigns and works closely with the product team to build a library of creative assets.
Previous Experience in Visual Effects and Animation
Saira Mathew has extensive experience in the visual effects and animation industry. She worked as a Visual Effects Supervisor on 'The Monkey King' at Netflix Animation from 2020 to 2021. Prior to that, she was a Visual Effects Supervisor at Pearl Studio for five months in 2020. Her career includes significant roles at various studios, including Executive Producer and VFX Supervisor at Wieden + Kennedy, and Lighting and Compositing TD at Industrial Light & Magic. Saira's background also encompasses positions at Blue Sky Studios, Psyop, and Tippett Studio, contributing to her expertise in the field.
Education and Expertise
Saira Mathew holds a Master of Fine Arts in Computer Animation from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, which she completed from 1993 to 1995. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, studying there from 1989 to 1993. Her educational background has provided her with a strong foundation in both technical and creative aspects of visual effects and animation, enhancing her capabilities in her professional roles.
Leadership and Team Management
In her role at Brandlive Studios, Saira Mathew leads a team of creative professionals, including art directors, designers, and animators. She is responsible for spearheading and managing content strategy for projects of varying scales. Saira forecasts and manages expenses to meet budget requirements, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, as she works closely with global partners to meet diverse project needs and align with client expectations.
Career Timeline and Notable Positions
Saira Mathew's career spans over two decades in the visual effects and animation industry. She began her career at Tippett Studio as a CGI Effects Animator and Lighting TD from 1995 to 1998. Over the years, she held various roles, including Lighting and Compositing TD at Industrial Light & Magic, Look Development Supervisor at Psyop, and CG Supervisor at !haTke!. Her experience includes significant contributions to projects at renowned studios such as Laika and Blue Sky Studios, showcasing her versatility and depth of knowledge in the field.