Jason McCombs (RadioactiveArtist)
Creative Director | Experiential, Broadcast, and Production Systems
Detroit Metro Area
radioactiveartist@gmail.com
248-761-2538
radioactiveartist.com/portfolio
linkedin.com/in/jason-mccombs-44843417
SUMMARY
I lead creative direction and production across broadcast, live events, and immersive environments, building visual and production systems that operate consistently across motion, physical space, and media platforms.
For more than 25 years, I have developed visual identity systems, motion design, environmental graphics, media day environments, and large-scale event productions, translating creative vision into executable systems that hold up under real-world constraints. My work integrates creative, technical, and operational layers into unified systems that scale across teams, platforms, and environments. I also implement AI-assisted workflows as controlled production tools, accelerating iteration while preserving flexibility for revision and delivery.
CORE CAPABILITIES
- Creative direction and art direction
- Experiential design and live event production
- Environmental graphics and large-format display systems
- Motion graphics, animation, and broadcast design
- Brand systems and campaign development
- Scenic design and fabrication coordination
- Production direction and workflow development
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Vendor management and contract oversight
- Budgeting and production planning
- Media systems, projection, and live event presentation
- Digital, social, web, print, packaging, and paid creative
- Post-production, compositing, and visual effects
- Presentation development and stakeholder communication
- AI-assisted creative production workflows
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RadioactiveArtist
Founder / Creative Director | 1995 to Present
- Lead creative direction across broadcast, live events, experiential environments, and brand systems for national and regional clients
- Build multi-surface visual systems spanning motion, print, projection, LED, and physical installations
- Maintain a long-term embedded creative partnership with FanDuel Sports Network, delivering motion systems, show packages, environmental graphics, and broadcast content
- Collaborate with brands and agencies including VW, Audi, GM, Epic Games, and Blizzard
- Produce motion graphics, animation, compositing, campaign visuals, packaging, and branded content across digital and physical platforms
- Develop environmental graphics, product visuals, large-format display systems, and live event design assets
- Coordinate with fabricators, printers, and production vendors from concept through final output
- Integrate AI-assisted workflows into motion and design systems to accelerate production while maintaining system flexibility
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Senior Motion Graphics Designer, On-Air Marketing and Promotions (Contract) | 2015 to Present
- Lead visual identity development, motion graphics, and promotional design across broadcast, digital, social, outdoor, and live-event environments
- Design and produce on-air identity systems, sports graphics, show launches, seasonal campaigns, and promotional assets across multiple platforms
- Develop and maintain visual systems used across broadcast, in-arena environments, media day shoots, and marketing initiatives
- Collaborate with producers and stakeholders on scope, messaging, scheduling, and budget-aware execution
- Create large-format outdoor advertising including billboards, signage, and vehicle wraps
- Produce motion graphics and design assets for in-arena LED boards and live game presentation systems
- Contribute to two major network-wide rebrands and help define updated visual systems across multiple teams and properties
- Design and execute media day environments for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Lions, including scenic design, LED systems, animation development, crew coordination, and on-site production
- Build custom animation packages and 3D environments, handling final color, compositing, visual effects, and motion design for broadcast delivery
- Re-engineer agency-delivered After Effects toolkits into scalable production systems, reducing update time and eliminating redundancy across high-volume deliverables
- Specify and influence hardware and system upgrades to improve performance and production efficiency
Theatre Bizarre
General Manager | 2010 to 2022
Stage Manager | 2001 to 2010
- Directed large-scale immersive production serving 5,000 attendees per night with more than 1,000 performers, crew, and volunteers across a multi-floor venue
- Owned budgeting, contracts, vendor management, scheduling, and full event execution
- Built and led a 50+ department leadership structure with centralized operational and budget oversight
- Directed branding, marketing, communications, website content, and audience experience across all platforms
- Managed vendor negotiations, performer payroll, venue agreements, security operations, and production logistics
- Established operational systems that supported long-term scale at the Detroit Masonic Temple
- Expanded the organization into year-round programming including pop-ups, installations, convention appearances, and public activations
- Led staging logistics, performance flow, and live show execution during earlier growth phases
- Oversaw set design, construction coordination, stage management, and multi-stage programming
A Craftsman’s Legacy
Art Director | 2014 to 2017
- Defined and led the creative vision for a weekly PBS television series, establishing the graphics package and visual identity
- Designed and produced intro, closing, and interstitial systems
- Aligned visual execution with narrative and editorial direction across episodes
- Maintained visual consistency while adapting to diverse subjects and storytelling formats
The Adventureman’s Guild
Co-Founder and Creative Director | 2019 to Present
- Co-founded and lead a membership organization centered on immersive programming, skill-building, and expedition-based experiences
- Direct all creative output including identity systems, printed materials, workbooks, communications, patches, and event visuals
- Design and produce large-scale events, multi-day expeditions, and structured member experiences
- Oversee operations, budgeting, logistics, and coordination across multiple chapters
- Develop workshops across disciplines including welding, archery, blacksmithing, camping, fly fishing, and motorcycle expeditions
- Build internal systems, documentation, and member-facing materials that support scalable growth
SELECTED ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wonderland Detroit
Co-Writer / Director / Producer | 2009 to 2010
- Created and led an original immersive theatrical production from concept through execution
- Wrote the script, directed rehearsals, and led casting, scenic design, costumes, and live production
- Designed projection systems, animation, and 3D mapping for performance
- Built a full venue environment including stage, lighting, sound, and modular scenic systems
- Engineered a mirror-bounce projection system to achieve proper throw distance under tight spatial constraints
- Delivered a self-financed production that sold out, was held over, revived, and filmed
StreamDynamics
Media Specialist | 2009 to 2019
- Designed video interface layouts, display graphics, trade show assets, and advertising materials
- Supported encoder systems, hardware builds, product testing, and on-site technical operations
- Developed testing and troubleshooting protocols for media delivery systems
NBC 24 Toledo
Art Director | 2008 to 2009
- Managed station identity, news graphics, and promotional design
- Maintained workflow between editorial and design teams
- Produced advertising across television, web, print, and digital billboards
- Expanded internal graphics capabilities and restored in-house technical support
Sanctum.FM
Event Producer / Show Host | 2010 to 2016
- Produced live events and radio programming while developing brand identity and promotional materials
- Managed talent booking, venue logistics, technical coordination, and execution
- Created marketing assets across digital and print platforms
- Led live streaming operations and audience experience development
Marche du Nain Rouge
Event Producer | 2013
- Produced end-of-parade event including planning, lighting design, permitting, and vendor coordination
- Managed contracts, venue logistics, and fire permits for pyrotechnics
- Curated programming and executed live event operations
EARLY CAREER FOUNDATION
Midwest Video
3D Graphic Artist / Multimedia Director | 1997 to 2000
- Built the company’s motion graphics and multimedia department from the ground up
- Defined workflows, hardware specifications, and production infrastructure
- Launched DVD production capabilities and expanded service offerings
- Represented the company at NAB, working directly with vendors to evaluate and secure technology
- Produced animation and multimedia content across print, web, and television
Trillium Teamologies
3D Animator | 1998 to 2004
- Produced animation for large-scale events including the Detroit Auto Show
- Created content for sports and in-arena display systems
- Designed visual elements for LED and scoreboard environments
MVP Collaborative
Motion Graphic Artist | 2000 to 2003
- Established the company’s first in-house motion graphics department
- Built workflows, infrastructure, and production pipelines from the ground up
- Produced animation and compositing for automotive and broadcast clients including Audi, VW, and General Motors
EDUCATION
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts
Certificate, Broadcasting and Communications | 1996 to 1997
Schoolcraft College
Graphic Design Coursework | 1995 to 1996
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Avid Certified Editor
- Lightwave Masters Class
- Adobe Photoshop Certification
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- 11-time Michigan Emmy Award Winner
- Telly Award Recipient
- Knight Arts Challenge Grant Recipient
- Make Magazine Editors’ Choice Award Recipient
- Speaker, Burning Man Global Leadership Conference
- Theatre Bizarre recognized in “100 Things All Detroiters Should Do Before They Die”
- Publication: From Underground to Detroit Icon: Theatre Bizarre with Jason McCombs
SPEAKING AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Burning Man Global Leadership Conference
Invited Speaker | San Francisco, CA | April 2017
Presented on building and sustaining large-scale volunteer-driven arts organizations, including leadership structure, production systems, and scaling creative communities into operational frameworks.