Flying Duck Studio Lab is an ethical and inclusive creative studio whose goal is to share positive and inspiring story-telling by bringing top-notch productions to the world and working towards changing the industry for the better.
They specialise in animation and design, producing compelling, visually stunning, and story-driven content, with a team from all around the world and from their studio in Hebden Bridge, working on-site and remotely.
To learn more about what makes ducks fly, we spoke to Alixe Lobato, Creative Director & Founder.
How was your company born and where are you based?
We are located in Hebden Bridge, a charming small town in Yorkshire. However, our team operates in a hybrid model, with some members working remotely. We have one producer based in London and the rest of the team is dispersed across the UK, Europe, and the US.
Our studio was born out of a desire to do things differently. We wanted to create a space that prioritized content over technique, and that allowed us to spread our wings creatively. We've built a team that aligns with our ethical and diversity values, and we take pride in being experts in creativity and inspiring storytelling.
What was the biggest challenge to the growth of your company?
Building a solid foundation based on ethical principles has been a Herculean task for our company. We've had to invest significant resources to learn about the complex structures and documents required to achieve our goals.
Our aim is to become pioneers in the ethical creative business space and provide guidance to other companies on the same path. But it hasn't been easy. To this end, we've decided to apply to become a B-Corp, which has been a daunting challenge.
This certification has pushed us to follow stringent standards and understand the intricacies of ethical practices in every single aspect of our business. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to promoting ethical business practices and inspiring creativity in a responsible and sustainable way.
Which was the first huge success that you can remember?
Our first studio credit was on the documentary "Victim/Suspect," which premiered at the Sundance Festival. We were thrilled and pleasantly surprised by the recognition, as we take great pride in being part of such an impactful project.
At our studio, we specialize in designing title sequences and graphics for films and documentaries, among other things. However, this particular project is especially meaningful to us because it aligns with our studio's values and raises awareness of sensitive issues.
We don't want to give away too much, but we urge you to keep an eye out for the documentary when it's released in cinemas. We can't wait to share it with you.
What’s the biggest opportunity for you and your company in the next year?
At our studio, we have an exciting array of projects in the pipeline. However, we're particularly passionate about developing our own intellectual property (IP) and creating educational content that focuses on design, animation, and ethical issues for creative businesses.
We believe that education is crucial for promoting ethical business practices, and we're committed to using our expertise to inspire and guide future generations of creatives. Our goal is to create engaging, informative, and accessible content that helps people develop their skills and knowledge in these areas.
In addition to our educational content, we're also excited about developing our own IP. We're dedicated to creating unique, original, and meaningful projects that showcase our creativity and values.
We believe that by creating our own IP, we can make a more significant impact on the industry and push boundaries in exciting new ways.
Overall, we're thrilled about the possibilities that lie ahead. We're passionate about using our expertise and creativity to make a positive impact on the world and can't wait to see what the future holds.
Can you explain your team’s creative process? What makes it unique?
At our studio, we have a unique creative process that sets us apart from other teams in the industry. Our process begins with a deep understanding of our client's goals, objectives, and values. We believe that this understanding is crucial for creating projects that are not only visually stunning but also meaningful and impactful.
Once we have a clear understanding of our client's needs, we begin brainstorming ideas and concepts that align with their vision. We encourage all members of our team to contribute their ideas and perspectives, which often leads to unexpected and innovative solutions.
After we've developed a range of ideas, we move into the design phase. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, and we work tirelessly to create designs that are both visually appealing and functional. We incorporate feedback from our clients throughout the design process to ensure that we're staying true to their vision.
Finally, we move into the production phase, where we bring our designs to life. We have a team of skilled animators, motion graphics artists, and visual effects specialists who work together to create projects that are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.
Overall, our unique creative process is rooted in collaboration, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of our client's needs. We believe that these elements are crucial for creating projects that stand out in a crowded industry and make a lasting impact on audiences.
How does your team remain inspired and motivated?
At our studio, we believe that inspiration and motivation are key ingredients for creating exceptional work. We have several strategies that we use to stay inspired and motivated as a team.
Firstly, we encourage ongoing learning and development. We hold regular training sessions and workshops to help our team members stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and techniques. We also encourage team members to attend industry events and conferences, which provide them with new perspectives and insights.
Secondly, we foster a culture of collaboration and open communication. We encourage all team members to share their ideas and perspectives, and we value the diverse range of experiences and viewpoints that our team brings to the table. We believe that this collaborative environment leads to more innovative and impactful work.
Thirdly, we celebrate our successes and milestones as a team. Whether it's a project that's been particularly challenging or a significant achievement, we take the time to recognize and celebrate our accomplishments. This helps to foster a sense of pride and ownership among team members and encourages us to keep pushing ourselves to achieve even more.
Finally, we believe in the power of work-life balance. We encourage team members to take time for themselves and to pursue hobbies and interests outside of work. This helps to prevent burnout and ensures that team members come to work feeling refreshed and energized.
Overall, our team remains inspired and motivated through a combination of ongoing learning and development, collaboration, a celebration of successes, and a focus on work-life balance. We believe that these strategies are essential for creating a positive and productive work environment where our team members can thrive.
How has COVID-19 affected your company?
COVID-19 has certainly had an impact on our previous company, as it has for many businesses around the world. However, we were fortunate in that the nature of our work - animation and digital business - allowed us to continue operating during the pandemic.
In fact, we saw some growth during this time, as more and more businesses turned to digital solutions to reach their audiences in the absence of in-person events and activities. We were well-positioned to help these businesses by providing high-quality animation and digital content that could be shared online.
Additionally, we were already considering a shift towards a more remote work model before the pandemic hit. When the lockdowns and restrictions came into effect, we were able to pivot quickly and transition to a fully remote work environment.
Of course, there were still some challenges that we had to overcome, such as adjusting to the new work-from-home dynamic and managing team communication and collaboration in a remote setting. But overall, we were able to adapt to the new normal relatively smoothly.
Looking forward, we believe that the changes brought about by COVID-19 have accelerated the shift towards digital and remote work, and we are excited to continue exploring new opportunities in this space.
We remain committed to providing our clients with exceptional animation and digital content, while also ensuring the safety and well-being of our team members in this new work environment.
Which agencies do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
Our team gains inspiration from a diverse range of studios, including Aardman and other ethical animation studios, as well as smaller independent studios like Valleeduhamel, Snask, Giant Ant, and Oddfellows.
We admire Aardman's ability to create compelling stories and characters through stop-motion animation, and we look to other ethical animation studios for their emphasis on using sustainable and environmentally friendly production practices. The smaller independent studios we admire are known for their unique and innovative approaches to design and animation.
We also appreciate the way they prioritize ethical and sustainable practices in their work. As a studio with similar values, we look to all of these studios as examples of how to create impactful and meaningful work while also being socially responsible.
What is one tip that you would give to other agencies looking to grow?
One tip that I would give to other agencies looking to grow is to focus on building strong and lasting relationships with clients. This involves not only delivering high-quality work but also listening to their needs and concerns and being responsive and communicative throughout the project.
By doing so, you can establish trust and credibility with your clients, which can lead to repeat business and referrals. Additionally, investing in your team and providing opportunities for professional development can also help to attract and retain top talent, which is essential for growth and success.
How do you go about finding new clients/business? (Pitching, work with retainers, etc.)
At our agency, we use a combination of approaches to find new clients and business opportunities. One of our main strategies is to maintain an active online presence through social media platforms and our website, showcasing our work and highlighting our expertise in our industry. We also attend industry events and conferences, where we can network with potential clients and establish new business relationships.
In addition, we frequently pitch our services to companies that we believe would benefit from our expertise. We tailor our pitches to the specific needs and goals of each client, highlighting our ability to provide customized solutions that meet their unique requirements. We also offer retainer services to clients who require ongoing support and assistance, which has helped us establish long-term relationships with many of our clients.
Overall, we believe that the key to finding new clients and growing our business is to maintain a strong online presence, actively network and attend industry events, and constantly tailor our services to meet the specific needs of each client.
What’s your one big hope for the future of the industry?
One big hope for the future of the industry is increased diversity and representation in all aspects of the creative process, from hiring and staffing to storytelling and content creation. There has been a growing movement towards inclusivity and equity in the industry, and many companies are making efforts to prioritize diversity in their hiring practices and content creation.
Another hope is continued innovation and experimentation with new technologies and techniques in design and animation, allowing for even more immersive and engaging experiences for audiences. With advancements in areas such as virtual reality and augmented reality, there is great potential for even more creative and impactful storytelling in the future.
Lastly, there is hope for a greater emphasis on ethical and sustainable practices in the industry. More and more companies are recognizing the importance of reducing their environmental footprint and promoting social responsibility in their work. As awareness and concern for these issues continue to grow, we can hope to see greater strides towards a more sustainable and equitable industry.
Do you have any websites, books or resources that you would recommend?
Great question! At Flying Duck Studio Lab, we are always seeking new knowledge and resources to improve our skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends. Here are some websites, books, and resources we would recommend:
- The Animation Guild Blog: This website is a great resource for news, industry insights, and tips for animators and animation enthusiasts.
- The Illusion of Life: This book is a classic in the animation industry and provides an in-depth look at the history and techniques of animation.
- Procreate: This digital illustration app is a favourite of many artists and designers and offers a range of tools and features for creating digital art.
- Adobe Creative Cloud: This suite of software tools is essential for designers and creatives and includes programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.
