Leon Cruz

Assistant Professor of Instruction,
Virtual Production Artist
Email: lpcruz@usf.edu

Leon Cruz is a digital artist, animator, and educator with a rich background spanning both traditional fine arts and cutting-edge digital production. He specializes in 3D animation, character rigging, virtual production, and visual storytelling, grounded in a classical foundation of painting, drawing, and sculpting. Leon’s position is split between the School of Art & Art History and USF Innovative Education.​

Leon has worked on several major studio productions, including Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Snow White. His credits also include Mosquito State, which won Best Visual Effects at the Sitges Catalonia International Film Festival. His professional work reflects a deep understanding of both technical pipelines and artistic expression, bridging high-end production with a thoughtful, human-centered creative process.​

At USF, Leon teaches courses that focus on 3D animation, character performance, rigging, and visual development, using industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, and Substance Painter. He also brings experience in virtual production and real-time animation into the classroom, preparing students for the evolving demands of the animation, film, and game industries.​

Leon is dedicated to creating an inclusive, inspiring, and professionally relevant learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, experiment, and define their own artistic voice. Through project-based learning and individualized mentorship, he helps students develop the portfolios and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in creative industries.​