Emmy Winning Dayton Grad Up for Big Brain Award

Jonathan Dayton class of 2000 graduate Justin Katz is on a winning streak.

With five Emmy Awards already under his belt, the 30-year-old motion design director, producer and editor at Flock of Pixels is a finalist in the Design category for the 2013 Big Brain Award, according to Phoenix New Times.com.

Katz, who holds degree in film and animation from the Rochester Institute of Technology, told Phoenix New Times that his interest in animation began in early childhood. 

"I'm pretty sure I made a South Park version of Macbeth for my high school English class," he recalled in the blog. "I would do all different kinds of stop motion on Post-it notes."

He is also listed at the top of the Phoenix New Times' "Top 100 Creatives of 2012" and boasts A-list clients such as American Express, Massage Envy, and Coldstone Creamery. 

To view some of Katz's award-winning work, click here.

Winners will be announced April 27 at the Monarch Theatre in downtown Phoenix.