Game development is exciting, messy, creative, and—let’s be honest—sometimes a little bit messy. That’s why we’re glad to have Harvey Newman on board. He helps bring more structure, focus, and flow to the process.
Harvey is our Animation Director Consultant, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the game industry. He has worked with studios around the world, helping teams improve their pipelines, bring characters to life, and stay focused on what really matters… making great games.
Harvey brings years of hands-on experience, not only in animation but also in guiding teams through complex production challenges. He supports artists and developers through every stage of development, offering clear feedback, structure, and practical solutions when it matters most.
Let’s walk into his journey, what he brings to the table, and how he’s helping us (and our partners!) optimize the game development process from start to finish.
If you’ve ever seen Harvey’s YouTube channel, you’ll know what we mean when we say he’s a powerhouse of animation knowledge. With tutorials, masterclasses, live Q&As, and tips covering everything from Maya to Blender, character animation to industry insights, Harvey’s built a space that’s equal parts technical and inspirational.
What sets Harvey apart is his ability to break down complex animation workflows into practical, easy-to-understand steps that make sense whether you’re new to the field or have years of experience.
At Devoted Studios, Harvey brings that same helpful energy to our projects. He supports our artists, gives clear feedback, and helps teams avoid getting stuck in production bottlenecks.
Honestly, I just love helping characters feel real. That moment when an animation clicks and suddenly the player feels something? That’s the magic. If I can help teams hit that moment more often, I’m doing my job.
When Harvey talks about “optimizing the pipeline,” he means making the whole process run more smoothly. That means finding the spots where things slow down or get confusing, then fixing them so teams can spend more time on animating, creating, and building the game.
When I jump into a new project, I’m looking for the choke points, the places where good ideas get stuck. Once we clean that up, teams can focus on the fun stuff: making great animation, telling better stories, and building something they’re proud of.
As our Animation Director Consultant, Harvey helps us and our clients:
His goal is to make the animation process more efficient, collaborative, and rewarding for everyone involved.
One of the things Harvey’s big on is changing how we think about animation in game development.
Too often, animation is treated as a phase that happens after design, after art, and just before polish. But Harvey sees it as something much more central—and way more powerful.
A lot of people still treat animation like it’s just the thing you do after the art’s done—but the truth is, animation can shape the whole experience. It’s not just about movement it’s about feel, response, timing. If you think about it early, everything else gets better.
At Devoted Studios, we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we bring Harvey into the conversation early—during concept development, pre-production planning, and throughout live projects. His insights help us think ahead, avoid costly revisions later, and make smarter creative decisions right from the start.
Game projects can get intense. There are deadlines, feedback rounds, and lots of moving parts. Having someone like Harvey around helps teams stay focused and calm.
He doesn’t just give advice and disappear. He sticks with the team, joins meetings, reviews animation passes, and works side by side with art directors to keep things moving in the right direction.
I don’t believe in just showing up with a checklist and leaving. I like getting in the trenches with teams—reviewing shots, jumping on calls, figuring things out together. That’s how good games get made. Shoulder to shoulder.
That mindset resonates across every project he touches. From early planning to final polish, Harvey helps our teams feel supported, seen, and ready to push for the best work possible.
Harvey’s influence goes beyond the projects he works on directly. His advice and support shape how we work as a studio and help our artists grow.
I always say: stay curious, share early, and don’t be afraid to get things wrong. Animation’s not about getting it perfect on the first try—it’s about testing, playing, learning. That’s where the real growth happens.
We see this every day. Harvey makes it okay to ask questions, take risks, and learn from mistakes. He helps us build a creative space where people feel confident to explore ideas and improve their work.
Thanks to him, we’re not just creating better animations. We’re growing as a team, building trust, and enjoying the process along the way.
At Devoted Studios, we believe that people like Harvey make all the difference. Not just because of their experience or skill (though he has plenty of both), but because of their ability to uplift others, bring clarity to chaos, and genuinely care about the work they do.
He might be reviewing animation passes, coaching a team, or streaming live tutorials to his YouTube community—but Harvey is always focused on one thing: making great games and helping others do the same.
If you’re working on a project that needs animation support, creative feedback, or a fresh pair of eyes on your pipeline, there’s a good chance you’ll be working with Harvey. And trust us—you’ll be in good hands.
I’ve been doing this for a while now, and what keeps me going isn’t just the games, it's the people. If I can help a team move better, think clearer, or feel more confident in their work, then I’m exactly where I want to be.
Want Harvey to take care of the animation side of your game? You’re in good hands. As our Animation Director Consultant, he partners closely with studios to bring clarity, energy, and top-tier animation to every stage of development.
Get in touch with us at Devoted Studios—we’d love to chat about how Harvey (and our team) can support your next project.
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