How did you get into the industry?
I visited AFDA, a Film school in Johannesburg, South Africa, when I was scouting out colleges after High School. For some reason, the animation department really attracted me. It might have been because I was obsessed with watching animation, or because they were in a dark underground lair - I was quite alternative back then.
Where are you based now and who do you work for?
I am now living in Cape Town, South Africa and I’ve been freelancing for the past 5 years.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
I would probably be in the movement industry, teaching yoga/pilates or in the food industry, making healthy farm-to-table food more readily available. This is something I’m still interested in doing at some point.
Can you explain your creative process? What makes it unique?
I can’t really say I’m a unique snowflake, since everything I’ve learnt is absorbed from the people around me. If anything, my unmedicated ADHD can make the creative process a little more convoluted than normal haha. For me it always starts with a very rough idea scribbled in a sketchbook, then hours spent looking for reference and battling the fear of getting started (I’ve gotten better at this by limiting my time spent looking at other people’s work).
I might then abandon ship for a day or two, before guilting myself into getting to the point. Then It’s straight to digital to figure out a complete style frame for the piece. Then I jump into the animation software and figure out the rough animation. When I’m happy I’ll take a few days off to breathe and then jump back in to clean up and colour the animation.
How would you describe your style?
Bold, colourful, graphic and fun
Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
There are many people who inspire me, but here are a few who’ve stood out over the years: Henrique Barone, Emanuele Colombo, Bee Grandinetti, Sarah Beth Morgan, Ben Marriot, Darya Semenova
What tips would you give to aspiring creatives looking for work?
Spend time honing your craft, do personal creative projects and really focus on building your skills, as well as what you want to say with your art. Be intentional! Try not to think of the audience too much. Your work will speak for itself and you will get the jobs you want as a result.
What tips would you give to other professionals to get more clients?
Find friends/colleagues to collaborate with on personal projects. In a small team you can achieve more than you might be able to do alone. Put out the work you’re looking to do more of, and that work will start coming your way!
An online presence is an obvious must, but don’t be afraid to cold email those studios you admire and share your new work with them whenever you can, even if they don’t immediately respond! It’s all about planting seeds!
What kind of tools/kit/software could you not do without?
Definitely my Wacom! I have a cintiq, but any good drawing tablet would do! The Adobe Suite kinda has it all in terms of Software, so I would stick with it if I have to choose, but I have been enjoying Toon Boom Harmony of late!
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
Living life! I cannot be inspired if I’m behind the computer all the time. I have to move my body, get into nature and allow it to fill the well and light a spark inside me. Observing people and animals, the way they move through life, has been a source of inspiration for me.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
It happened this year! Getting to work with my favourite artist in the animation/motion graphics world, Henrique Barone. I’ve also always wanted to be a frame-by-frame animator and after 11 years of working in the motion design industry and working on my drawing skills, I can finally report that most of my jobs are now done frame-by-frame!
What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?
The barrier to entry. Living in a third world country makes it painfully obvious how privileged one has to be to be able to work in the animation industry. I wish the access to equipment and knowledge was cheaper and more readily available for those who have the talent and work ethic, but simply don’t have the means!
It’s my goal with the initiative that I co-founded and organise, Motion Design Cape Town (https://www.instagram.com/motion.design.cpt/) to make information more freely available and create opportunities for connections to be made within our small local industry. One day I hope to be able to create learning opportunities for underprivileged minorities and bring them into the industry.
Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams is a must-have bible for animators, but I’d also recommend studying the anatomy for those who want to do character animation. There are several resources online, but my favourite was the course taught by Glenn Vilppu if you can get your hands on it.
Proko is also a fantastic resource for learning anatomy: https://www.proko.com/. Attend a regular figure drawing class in your area, if you have one! Learn how to draw objects in 3D space! A South African artist and Director named Gabriel Gabba has an amazing 1-on-1 Online Art School teaching drawing fundamentals: https://1on1artschool.com/
For motion graphics, I have a few go-to Youtube Channels:
EC Abrams: https://www.youtube.com/@ECAbrams
Ben Marriott: https://www.youtube.com/@BenMarriott
Tony Babel: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyBabel
School of Mation: https://www.youtube.com/@schoolofmotion
