McKinzie launched his career after earning a BS in Film Science from RIT’s School of Film and Animation, working as an animator, interactive media designer, and Creative Director in Los Angeles and Chicago. As Head of the Interactive Media Department at Orbis Broadcast Group, he led major projects for clients including PepsiCo, the NBA, Better Homes and Gardens, Johnson & Johnson, and numerous nonprofit organizations. He later founded his own company, Erickson Multimedia, where he created the opening sequence for the 2007 Chicago Emmy Awards and developed Ace Clean, a character featured with Marvel’s Iron Man in a national campaign by the Alliance for Consumer Education to teach children about health, hygiene and Disease Prevention. He also worked in commercial game development, serving as 3D Art Director on Cooking Mama: Cook Stars for the Nintendo Switch.

Since completing his MFA in Computer Graphic Design at RIT, McKinzie has taught courses in level design, animation, game modification, and interactive media, shaping core parts of the IGM curriculum. He designed and expanded cornerstone courses such as 2D and 3D Animation and Asset Production, Level Design, and Game Modification, where student teams have published dozens of mods for titles like Skyrim, Stardew Valley, and Divinity: Original Sin 2. He leverages his industry background to connect students with professional workflows, team-based production practices, and the realities of game development.

Beyond the classroom, McKinzie leads initiatives that extend student opportunities and community impact. He spearheaded the AT&T ROC Jr. Game Dev Camp, a partnership with AT&T and the Boys & Girls Club that introduces underserved youth to game development through hands-on experiences in RIT’s labs.

McKinzie’s work has earned recognition with awards such as the Magnum Opus Gold Award and the APEX Grand Award, and he has presented nationally on educational games, interactive design, and digital media engagement.