As the CCO at Ember Lab, Mike is responsible for the studio’s content development and art direction. In addition to Ember Lab’s core members, he leads a multinational team of artists as they create the compelling artwork and animations that drive the success of its projects. His primary goal is to meld different creative ideas, artistic disciplines, and technical backgrounds into an authentic experience with a cohesive visual aesthetic. A talented film director, Mike’s captivating style is reflected in the studio’s commercial portfolio and independent projects.

Mike began his career as a digital artist while living abroad in Japan. His talents allowed him to become the creative director for a resort holding company in Tokyo. Mike attended Temple University in Japan and Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts with an emphasis in directing.

Mike’s personal mission is to convince all Ember team members to join him in his daily workout at the gym.

As COO of Ember Lab, Josh Grier assembles and manages highly creative teams of skilled artists, designers, and programmers who develop digital media experiences. He serves as the interface between creative teams, pushing the limit of the studio’s innovative capacity and technical skills. Working closely with Mike’s creative vision, Josh brings the narrative of the story to life as the writer of Ember Lab’s film and game projects. Under his operational leadership, the studio has produced animated commercials for brands including Coca-Cola, Major League Baseball, and Hisense. 

Prior to co-founding Ember Lab, Josh worked at the Disneyland Resort, managing the Good Neighbor program and Disney Stores, where he gained valuable marketing and operations experience. He is a graduate of Northwestern University with a BA in Economics.

Among the many hats Josh wears, he most enjoys being a father to his two children.