187 avsnitt • Längd: 80 min • Månadsvis
Design • Konst • Så gör man • Utbildning
The #1 podcast for designers who animate, animators who design, and anyone who is 3D-curious. We interview Designers, Animators, 3D Artists, Producers, Studio Owners and other folks related to motion design and creativity. We get deep into the geeky world of Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, Photoshop and Illustrator. We talk about the business and art of Motion Design. Dig in.
The podcast School of Motion Podcast is created by School of Motion: Design & Animation Training for MoGraph Artists. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Territory Studio’s creative minds behind Dune: Prophecy, Call of Duty Black Ops 6, and Vast Haven-1 spill the beans on designing for Hollywood, gaming, and the ever-evolving world of motion design.
Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/t...
Ever wonder how mind-blowing sci-fi interfaces, cinematic VFX, and hyper-realistic game graphics come to life? In this episode, Joey Korenman sits down with the brains behind Territory Studio—Marti Romances, Luke Kaile, Russ Gautier, and Liam Proniewicz—to talk shop. They’re the artists making blockbuster visuals happen, and trust us, you’ll want to hear what they have to say. If you’re a motion designer, VFX artist, or just someone who geeks out over killer design, this is a must-watch.
Hey, listeners! If you want to see the discussed works and fun behind the scenes shots, check out this episode on our YouTube channel!
Blender artist and motion designer Elijah Sheffield shares how he transitioned into 3D, built a standout demo reel, and turned personal projects into career-defining moments. Check out the corresponding blog post (with episode highlights) here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/elijah-sheffield-blender 👉 CHAPTERS 👈 00:00 Coming Up 00:22 Elijah Sheffield's Background and Early Career 01:29 Discovering Motion Design 03:32 College and Grad School Experience 13:30 First Job and Career Challenges 18:11 Finding the Motivation to Make Demo Reel Pieces 23:31 Transition to Freelance 26:41 Social Media's Impact on Career 34:52 Having a Freelance Plan 42:00 Pain and Rainbows of Freelance Work 44:18 Challenges and Rewards of Learning Blender 49:35 Finding a Style 55:16 Blender Learning Curve 01:03:28 Integrating Blender into Your 3D Pipeline 01:20:21 The Future of Blender 01:24:12 That's a Wrap!
🗒️ SHOW NOTES Artists: Elijah Sheffield https://www.behance.net/sweetboymotion# EJ Hassenfratz https://www.youtube.com/@eyedesyn/videos Myles Bolden https://mylesjbolden.myportfolio.com/ Jonathan Winbush https://www.youtube.com/@JonathanWinbush/ Norm MacDonald https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Macdonald Chris Smith https://csmithstudios.com/ Joey Korenman https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeykorenman Andrew Kramer https://www.videocopilot.net/
Studios: School of Motion https://www.schoolofmotion.com/ SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) https://www.scad.edu/ Pixar https://www.pixar.com/ DreamWorks https://www.dreamworks.com/
Work: Museum of History and Magic https://www.museumhm.org/ Killdozer https://www.instagram.com/sweetboy.motion/p/Cw0os46AIZN/ Spider-Verse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Across_the_Spider-Verse Ninja Turtles Arcane https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcane_(TV_series)
Resources: Greyscalegorilla https://greyscalegorilla.com/ Maya https://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription ZBrush https://www.maxon.net/en/zbrush Cinema 4D https://www.maxon.net/en/cinema-4d Blender https://www.blender.org/ Unreal Engine Course https://www.schoolofmotion.com/courses/unreal-engine-for-3d-artists Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ Demo Reel Dash https://www.schoolofmotion.com/courses/demo-reel-dash
Arnold https://www.autodesk.com/products/arnold/overview Eevee https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/render/eevee/introduction.html Grease Pencil https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/grease_pencil/index.html Clay Pencil https://pepeschoolland.gumroad.com/l/ibbls Donut Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0J27sf9N1Y&list=PLjEaoINr3zgEPv5y--4MKpciLaoQYZB1Z STL files https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STL_(file_format) Blender Market https://blendermarket.com/ Freelance Manifesto https://www.amazon.com/Freelance-Manifesto-Modern-Motion-Designer-ebook/dp/B071JRYMSG
In the latest episode of the School of Motion Podcast, host Joey Korenman sits down with industry veteran Joel Pilger—a name synonymous with success in the motion design world. With a career spanning over two decades, Joel has: - Founded and led Impossible Pictures, a top creative studio that grossed over $40 million and garnered major awards. - Advised leading independent studios worldwide, including Cream, Giant Ant, Laundry, Mighty Nice, Polyester, Sarofsky, and STATE. - Launched FORUM, a community where studio founders master the art of business together. Tune in as Joel shares invaluable insights on not just surviving, but thriving, in the evolving motion design landscape.
See the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/joel-pilger
🗒️ SHOW NOTES
Joel Pilger https://www.joelpilger.com/forum
Joel Pilger’s Podcast, Fabulist https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fabulist/id1657890871
Erica gorichow https://gorochow.com/
Hayley Akins http://www.hayleyakins.com/
Amanda Russell https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-russell-cream-studio/
Barton Damer https://www.linkedin.com/in/barton-damer-92a32918/
Jorge R. Canedo E. / Jr.canest https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrcanest/?originalSubdomain=ca
Ronny Young https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnyyoung
John LePore http://johnnymotion.com/
EJ Hassenfratz https://www.instagram.com/eyedesyn/?hl=en
Ryan Seacrest https://www.instagram.com/ryanseacrest/?hl=en
Beyonce https://www.beyonce.com/
Justin Barnes https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbarnesversus
Marty Romances https://test.martiromances.com
Andy Baker https://www.andyjbaker.com/
Dan Sullivan https://www.strategiccoach.com/
Cream https://wearecream.com/
Already Been Chewed https://www.alreadybeenchewed.tv/
Pep Rally https://peprallyinc.com/
Ordinary Folk https://www.ordinaryfolk.co/
OddBeast https://oddbeast.tv/
Territory Studios https://territorystudio.com/
Versus https://www.weareversus.tv/
Impossible Pictures https://www.impossiblepictures.com/
BlackBox Infinite https://blackboxinfinite.com/About
The Mill https://themill.com/
Psyop https://www.psyop.com/
Apple Vision Pro F1 proof of concept https://www.instagram.com/johnnym0tion/reel/C2c_cvWJ3KV/
Bible Project https://www.ordinaryfolk.co/project/bibleproject-god
Final Cut Pro https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/
Flame https://www.autodesk.com/products/flame/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription
Cinema 4D https://www.maxon.net/en/cinema-4d
Rive https://rive.app/
Unreal Engine https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US
Cavalry https://cavalry.scenegroup.co/
RevThink https://www.revthink.com/
Pink Floyd - The Wall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall
RFP/RFQ/RFI https://cobalt.net/rfi-rfq-rfp-whats-the-difference/
Kevin Kelly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Kelly_(editor)
Donald Miller https://storybrand.com/
2024 was a transformative year for motion design - from AI disruption to the evolution of real-time tools, emerging platforms, and a changing economic landscape. In this comprehensive year-end roundup, Joey Korenman, EJ Hassenfratz, and Aharon Rabinowitz break down everything that shaped our industry and peer into what 2025 might bring. We also asked some industry luminaries to weigh in, so you’ll hear from the likes of Buck, Scholar, Motion Hatch, Colosseum, Curious Refuge and more!
Get ready for candid insights on the state of motion design, software updates that changed the game, the impact of AI, and how artists are adapting to an ever-shifting landscape. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this conversation covers the trends, tools, and opportunities that matter.
Plus, hear our panel's bold predictions for 2025 - from the future of real-time rendering to emerging platforms and where the next big opportunities lie for motion designers.
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE: Best motion design work of 2024 The state of the industry and economy Major software updates (After Effects, Cinema 4D, Blender, Unreal) New tools and tech to watch out for The rise of AI and its impact on motion design The return of in-person events and meetups Predictions and trends for 2025
Head over to our blog post for links to everything we talk about: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/2024-review
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro 00:01:21 In the Beginning... 00:01:50 Defining Motion Design 00:02:51 Evolution of Motion Design 00:08:51 School of Motion Updates 00:12:34 Favorite Works of 2024 00:28:49 Shoutouts to Studios and Artists 00:37:40 Innovative Marketing Strategies 00:39:15 The Rise of Niche Studios 00:45:14 Advancements in After Effects and 3D Tools 01:17:37 Exploring Maxon Studio and Its Strategy 01:21:03 Grayscale Gorilla's Big Release 01:25:30 Adobe's Substance Integration 01:28:16 The Future of Generative AI in Textures 01:35:58 Blender's Growing Influence 01:52:42 Will Blender Take Over? 01:55:48 Cinema 4D vs Blender: Industry Adoption 01:59:37 The Rise of After Effects in Motion Design 02:04:47 Unreal Engine's Impact on Motion Design 02:25:59 Unreal Marketplace Missteps 02:31:03 Rive: The Future of Interactive Animation 02:40:54 The Return of 2Advanced 02:47:32 The Future of Lottie? 02:50:45 Exploring Womp: A New 3D Modeling Tool 02:55:49 Cavalry: The Houdini of 2D Animation 03:07:30 Other Motion Design News 03:16:50 Meetups Are Back: Highlights and Events 03:20:55 Tech Updates: Apple Vision Pro and Meta's Orion 03:23:19 Adobe vs. Procreate: The AI Debate 03:34:56 The Mo Economy: Trends and Predictions 04:05:55 The Rise of Rive in Animation 04:09:55 Future Trends in Motion Design 04:16:11 The Importance of Editing Skills 04:21:09 Effective Marketing Strategies for Freelancers 04:39:22 The Impact of AI on the Industry 04:54:08 AI's Impact on Creative Work 04:55:59 AI as a Tool for Artists 04:57:48 Historical Context and Future Predictions 05:01:51 The AI Plateau and Future Tools 05:22:11 2025 Predictions 05:34:49 The Future of AI Aesthetics 05:47:22 Economic Outlook for Motion Design 05:51:22 Niche Markets and Specialization 06:02:41 AI's Impact on the Artist Community
SCHOOL OF MOTION COURSES All Courses - https://som.bz/3SUg5Yb Guided Courses - https://som.bz/3LYmJef Instant Access Courses - https://som.bz/3AWv63C After Effects Courses - https://som.bz/42sBon6 2D Animation - https://som.bz/3VCBtme 3D Courses - https://som.bz/3ArdpZu Design Courses - https://som.bz/3NGyJC
From Flash to the future, in this episode of the School of Motion Podcast we dive deep with interactive design legends Eric and Tony of 2Advanced Studios. Check out the corresponding blog posts (with additional videos and design examples!) here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/2advanced
This week on the School of Motion Podcast, EJ chats with PJ Richardson, co-founder of Laundry Studio, to dig into the current state of 3D, creative burnout, and what it takes to succeed today.
In this episode of the School of Motion podcast, Joey chats with Yukai Du, a Chinese-born, London-based illustrator and animator, about her journey into art and animation. Yukai’s story is packed with insights for creatives aiming to carve out their own space in the industry—straight from someone who’s done exactly that.
See the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/y...
Meet Perception—a motion design studio trusted by Hollywood and some of the world’s biggest brands to bring sci-fi dreams to life. Ever wonder who’s behind the mind-blowing tech visuals in Black Panther or the holographic wizardry in Iron Man? In this episode of the School of Motion Podcast, Joey sits down with Perception founders Danny Gonzalez and Jeremy Lasky as they spill the ‘secret sauce’ that powers their studio’s success.
Check out the corresponding blog post for more info: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/p...
In this week's School of Motion podcast episode, Joey speaks with Chris Hardcastle and Ian Waters, the creators of Cavalry! They discuss Cavalry's unique features, including its powerful animation capabilities, and dive into how Cavalry differentiates itself from traditional animation software like After Effects. We also look into Cavalry ability to handle high-volume projects, its potential to revolutionize motion design workflows, and get a glimpse of their vision for Cavalry's future. Check out the podcast summary and corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/cavalry-animation
This week, Joey sits down with Hayley Akins, the founder of Motion Hatch to uncover smart strategies for building a motion design business! If you’re a motion designer or animator struggling with the business side of things—like finding clients, pricing your work, or just keeping your head above water—this episode is a MUST-LISTEN! Get the show notes on our blog: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/motion-design-business-hayley-akins
Let's talk about AI, by far the most popular topic that we get asked about at School of Motion. AI feels almost ubiquitous in our space and we felt it was important for us to dive in and examine it as objectively as we can. This is why Joey recorded a whole solo podcast episode to share his thoughts on the state of AI in our industry, what the long term impact could be, whether the use of AI will ever become acceptable, and so much more.
Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/ai-motion-design
In the latest School of Motion Podcast episode, Joey catches up with Connor Henkle, a motion design pro who's found his groove in sports and stadium graphics. Connor gives us a peek into his journey from dabbling in graphic design to becoming a go-to guy for electrifying visuals at sporting events. Check out the corresponding blog post (and more of Connor's work) here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/connor-henkle-sports-design
Join E.J. Hassenfratz and Jonathan Winbush on the School of Motion Podcast as they explore diverse toolsets, Unreal Engine, and the evolving motion design industry.
In this week's School of Motion Podcast, Joey sits down with our very own Aharon Rabinowitz, who looks back on his journey into the world of motion graphics and animation — and the potential future ahead. Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/aharon-rabinowitz
We were stoked to have design trailblazer and animator Beeple join us on the SOM podcast. He shares insights on the NFT boom, how AI augments artistic work, and offers valuable advice for up-and-coming designers. Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/beeple-nfts-ai
Discover how designer and art director Marcos Vaz masters client collaboration and creative problem-solving. Check out the corresponding blog post: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/marcos-vaz
Creative legend John LePore joins us on the podcast! Join us as we dive deep into current and future trends in motion and design.
If you're not familiar with the name John LePore, you're almost certainly familiar with his work. John has made creative contributions to Marvel Studios' Black Panther, the Hummer EV, and Pixar’s Lightyear. He has worked on over 25 Marvel Studios films, including designing the Marvel Studios logo! We were stoked to have him on the pod, as we explored John's illustrious career and his insights on designing the future.
See the full blog post here 👉 https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/john-lepore-motion-design-trends
Oscar Mar joins us on the School of Motion Podcast, where he shares his journey from designer to founder, blending business savvy with creative exploration in sci-fi entertainment. See the full blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/oscar-mar-parallel
Dive into web design with full-stack designer turned founder Ran Segall, as he dishes out on blending aesthetics, functionality, and business strategy to skyrocket your design approach. Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/design-web-motion-ran-segall
Check out the corresponding blog post and key takeaways here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/c... Dive into the latest episode of the School of Motion Podcast as we hang out with Collin Leix, the brilliant mind blending traditional artistry with the limitless possibilities of VR. Collin is a full time animator at Gunner, now part of the innovative crew at one of the hottest tech company's around, Duolingo.
We dive deep with Emmy award-winning designer and the Futur founder, Chris Do, as he unveils game-changing insights for creative professionals. Get the show notes: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/chris-do
From playing guitar in the underground music scene with his band Slowburn, Brady's journey shifted gears to tweaking pixels in LA and founding Texturelabs, an online tutorial and assets site. His transition from the world of music to the realm of visual arts is a testament to the fluidity of creative expression. Brady shares actionable tips and insights from his design journey — tips you can use today to amplify your own design projects.
Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/b...
In our latest podcast episode, Emma Gillette, a professional illustrator and instructor of the newly released Character Design Fundamentals course, shares her experiences and insights, providing actionable lessons for fellow artists and designers.
Check out the corresponding blog post: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/emma-gillette
Show Notes
People
Pieces
Homer Simpson 3D by Miguel Vasquez
Resources
In this week’s podcast we’re talking to Jerry Liu - Creative Director at Rive, and a man who has seen a lot in his motion design career. He’s done plenty of studio work, did a stint at Meta, made 7-figures selling NFTs, and now he’s deep in the fast-growing world of interactive motion design. In this conversation, Jerry talks transparently about his career, the NFT roller coaster he got to ride, and his thoughts on the future of this industry.
If you're curious about the thrill of designing for interactions or the potential opportunities that new tools like Rive can open for motion designers, this episode is an absolute goldmine.
Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/rive-future-of-motion
Show Notes
People
Studios
Pieces
Mark Zuckerberg: First Interview in the Metaverse
Made a simple interactive retro game menu with @rive.app
How to make a rainbow drawing mini-game in @rive.app
I recently joined the incredible team at @rive.app as Creative Director.
Fold-A-Face by Jeff McAvoy The Rive Guy
Rive and the future of interactive design with Guido Rosso
Motion Design as a Subscription Service? Austin Bauwens of Ravie Studio
Resources
We slice through the noise and focus on the real factors that will drive motion design success this year. And heads-up: It's more than just the latest tools and trends. :)
Check out the corresponding blog post: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/a...
SCHOOL OF MOTION COURSES
All Courses - https://som.bz/3SUg5Yb
After Effects Kickstart - https://som.bz/3ZNQnH9
Show Notes
How Freelancers Find BIG Clients on LinkedIn
People
Pieces
Google CEO says more job cuts are needed, CNBC
Duolingo cuts 10% of its contractor workforce, TechCrunch
Resources
Join us as we dive into the world of motion design with Simon Robson, exploring the evolution from early 2000s experimental scenes to today's AI-driven creative production. Get more info and explore Simon's work: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/simon-robson
Show Notes
Get ready for the School of Motion's annual end-of-the-year podcast extravaganza, featuring an epic and (record-breaking!) discussion.
Show Notes
People
Studios
Already Been Chewed Lovatt Studio Bad Decisions Studio
Brand New School DixonBaxi Laundry
Work
Man Orders Coffee with AR Headset
Marco Brambilla Animates the MSG Sphere for U2 Las Vegas Residency
Behind U2's Residency at Sphere Las Vegas
Go wide or go home—MARVEL SNAP is officially on PC
DixonBaxi Premeir League Design
Gorillaz presents… Skinny Ape (Immersive Live Performance in Times Square)
Laundry Studio Vegas Sphere Launch
David Ariew Coca Cola Pour for the Las Vegas Sphere
Non_Interactive – Software & ML
Runway Samples by Rowan Cheung
Star Wars by Wes Anderson Trailer | The Galactic Menagerie
Lord of the Rings by Wes Anderson Trailer | The Whimsical Fellowship
Tools/Resources
Stash Media Tendril & FutureDeluxe Partnership
Procreate Dreams: The 2D Animation Revolution for Digital Artists
Why did Adobe spend 20 BILLION DOLLARS for Figma??? Project Avalanche
Unreal Engine 5’s New Motion Graphic Tools Will Blow Your Mind! | Project Avalanche
Design giant Ideo cuts a third of staff and closes offices as the era of design thinking ends
After Effects feature summary (December 2023 release)
Rig once, use EVERYWHERE | Rubberhose 3 Rig to EGP Workflow
Why are After Effects artists freaking out about Skew? | Insane new time-saving tool
How to Land Big Clients: The Art of Mograph Biz Dev with Joe Nash
Unreal Engine Is Raising Its Prices, But There's a Catch
AI: An Artist’s Friend or Foe? | Dan Jeffries, CIO of Stability.ai (Stable Diffusion)
Text-Based Editing in Premiere Pro
Get Better Music Tracks for Video Editing with Adobe Remix | Premiere Pro Effects for Audio
Generate a vector graphic using a text prompt
The Future of (Mobile) VFX: Simulon has Arrived with Divesh Naidoo
Why THIS is the Future of Imagery (and Nobody Knows it Yet)
Artists Are Mad About Marvel’s ‘Secret Invasion’ AI-Generated Opening Credits
3D Gaussian Splatting from Hollywood Films!
Sarah Silverman Hits Stumbling Block in AI Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Meta
Let's get real about Rive. Guido Rosso, Rive’s CEO, pitches Rive as the next step in vector graphics and interactive design, a tool easy to pick up for After Effects veterans and powerful enough to dominate interaction design.
Get the full scoop here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/rive
Show Notes
After Effects to Code: Lottie from Airbnb
Doodles (31:00)
Dive deep into the future of visual effects with Divesh Naidoo, the founder and CEO of Simulon, in this fascinating episode. Discover the groundbreaking app that's making high-end visual effects accessible to anyone, anywhere. Learn about Divesh's journey of building a startup in South Africa, and hear his unique insights on the challenges and rewards of this process. From the nitty-gritty of software development to the broader vision for the VFX industry, this conversation is a must-listen for tech enthusiasts, creatives, and startup dreamers alike. Tune in and get ready to have your mind blown!
Check out the corresponding blog post: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/simulon
SCHOOL OF MOTION COURSES https://som.bz/3SUg5Yb
Show Notes:
Procreate Dreams is OUT—the 2D animation app from the creators of the legendary design app, Procreate. We got on the line with James Cuda and Claire Desus, the minds behind this game-changing software. Explore the journey from Procreate's humble beginnings to the iPad Pro revolution and the birth of Procreate Dreams.
Check out the interview breakdown over on the School of Motion Blog Page: www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/procreate-dreams
SCHOOL OF MOTION COURSES All Courses - https://som.bz/3SUg5Yb
Check out the School of Motion blog post for a deep dive: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/m...
Join us as we dive into the art of creative business development with Joe Nash, the ex-Director of Business Strategy at Buck. Joe dishes it out on building strong relationships, matching clients with perfect creative solutions, and mastering the business side of the evolving creative industry. This might be the most valuable podcast you listen to this year.
Additional links: - studios & artists:
Additional links: - resources & tools
If you follow “motion design Twitter”, you’ve probably encountered the work of Austin Bauwens, co-founder of Ravie Studio. At 21, running his own 8-person studio, Austin is a bonafide motion design influencer. In this interview Joey explores how Austin dropped out of college 2 years early to focus on Ravie and how he’s seemingly cracked the code of using social media to actually get client work. They’ll also dig into a business model that Ravie tried out, where they offered clients a subscription to motion design services.
Show NotesArtists
Studios
Work
"Do or Die" - Dream Manhunt Minecraft Animated Music Video
TOP 20 FREE Minecraft Intro Templates! - Sony Vegas, After Effects, Cinema 4D
Resources
In this week’s School of Motion Podcast, our Director of Community, Brittany Wardell interviews the founders of two studios leading the charge on Inclusivity in the motion design industry. Macaela VanderMost (Newfangled Studios) and Ricardo Roberts (Bien Studios) discuss how and why inclusivity became a part of their studios’ DNA, the steps they've taken to make that a reality, and the costs and benefits of prioritizing inclusivity in their work. Shownotes: Shownotes: Macaela VanderMost https://www.linkedin.com/in/macaela/ Newfangled Studios https://www.newfangledstudios.com/ Ricardo Roberts https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardoroberts/ Bien https://www.bien.studio/ Dash Bash https://www.dashbash.net/ Bien InMoDe Methodology https://thisisbien.com/inclusive-motion-design/ Newfangled North Star https://www.newfangledstudios.com/About/ Madison Avenue: The Advertising Revolution https://barcelona.tbs-education.com/news/madison-avenue-the-advertising-revolution/ AICP https://www.aicp.com/ Double the Line https://www.aicp.com/initiatives/equity-and-inclusion/double-the-line NothingAbout Us Without Us https://vimeo.com/event/3214781
Caleb Ward of Curious Refuge joins us to talk about how he made 2 movie trailers go mega viral with AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, D-ID and Eleven Labs.
Caleb recently released 2 Wes-Anderson-inspired trailers that mashed up Wes’s signature quirky style with Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Both trailers became viral hits, getting millions of views and spawning articles in The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Business Insider, and more.
In this interview, he walks us through how he made these films, and tells us what it’s like to go mega viral. We also dive into the future of creativity in the face of AI, and the complex ethical questions around all of this.
AI has finally come to the world of art, but what does that really mean for artists? Will it be the friend we’ve always wanted by eliminating monotonous tasks and speeding up workflows? Or will it turn out to be a foe and make digital artists obsolete? Joey sits down with Daniel Jeffries, CIO of Stability.ai, to discuss the real-world use cases of artificial intelligence and the moral, ethical, and philosophical ramifications of AI art.
In addition to our regular podcast format, we also made this episode into a video, so you can see the work and tools as they’re being discussed. Check it out on the School of Motion YouTube channel.
2022 may be remembered as the year things got back to “normal,” but also as a year of big changes, and our industry is no exception. The economy was booming, but now may be stalling. The rapid development of AI tools makes our jobs ever easier, but also might be stealing them away. In-person work and events have returned, but are people ready to show up? New tools are making serious in-roads against the established giants. Freelance rates had been booming for the past couple years, but a flood of tech layoffs may shake everything up.
School of Motion’s fearless founder Joey Korenman is joined by Creative Directors EJ Hassenfratz and Kyle Hamrick, former SOM Creative Director Ryan Summers, and an all-star lineup of studio owners and industry experts for their hottest takes on this year’s burning questions, including “can we even define what motion design is anymore?”.
In addition to our regular podcast format, this year we also made this multi-hour odyssey into a video, so you can see the work, tools and events as they’re being discussed. So get comfy and prepare your ears for a full recap on all things mograph for 2022.
Adobe recently acquired Figma for $20 billion. That's 'billion' with a 'b'. This transaction was the largest purchase of a private VC-backed company in history, and left wall street and many artists scratching their heads.
Why did Adobe do this historic deal? And, what does it mean for motion designers?
Building a career is like climbing a mountain. There are numerous obstacles ahead, and no guarantees that you’re on the right path. But what happens when you reach the peak and discover…there’s so much more you want to do? Nocky Dinh moved across the world to pursue her dream career, and she wasn't about to let a limited skillset keep her down. Find out what happens when she added 3D to her portfolio.
If you want to hear what a real VO session sounds like, then you've come to the right place! In this podcast you'll get to be a fly on the wall for a VO session lead by Jake and Joey. Along the way Joey is going to be dropping some golden nuggets of VO directing advice to help you direct VO like a pro the next time you need to.
Think about your career as an artist. Are you really where you want to be? Are you headed toward the top of the right mountain? The Design and Animation industry is constantly changing, which makes it hard to know if your career is headed in the right direction. What does the end of the road look like? Who are the artists you should aim to follow? And how can you, forging your own path in this subjective career, create your own legend? Join Aaron Ray as we discuss where your career can go.
We’ve had our eye on Chromosphere Studio for some time. They’ve consistently put out stellar work, with a keen eye toward the future of the industry. From new techniques to bold storytelling, these artists are building up their brand without taking their eyes off the prize. So how do you develop your career without losing focus on a passion project? We spoke with Kevin Dart and Theresa Latzko to find out.
The design and animation industry is rapidly evolving. As the tools of the industry become available to more artists around the world, innovation and growth follow. One of the most exciting developments has been the proliferation of cryptoart, but it is still an area rife with confusion and speculation. What do NFTs really mean for the future of our industry? We have Buck's Justin Cone here to discuss what's coming next.
Aside from just a hashtag overload, what does that all mean? What exactly are Octane and Redshift? Do you need a third-party renderer? Are you falling behind the curve?
Today EJ is going to chat with Chad Ashley from Greyscale Gorilla to help you understand the Render Engine Revolution.
How much money can you make in the creative world? No matter what career you’re aiming for, it can be hard to find a direct answer. So how can you find out the real dollar value of your work? That’s why we reached out to Carole Neal, the Marketing Director at Aquent. If you've ever been confused about your finances, you need to listen to this one!
Many artists don’t take time to develop their personal projects. They worry they can’t find an audience, or that there just isn’t enough time in the day. We’re joined by the wonderfully talented Sarah Beth Morgan, Taylor Yontz, and Rebekah Hamilton to share their journey in creating Between Lines, a short film that explores the harmful effects of schoolgirl bullying, and the long road to recovery.
All great art starts with design. Understanding the fundamentals of scale, contrast, and other principles allows you to create evocative and inspiring work that dazzles clients and elicits emotion. Once you have confidence in your design, you'll be amazed at how quickly the other pieces fall into place. We talked with The Futur's Greg Gunn to learn how design built the foundations of his art...and his career.
It's time for the annual marathon podcast episode with Joey, EJ, and Ryan Summers where we run down all of the big happenings in the industry that we like to call…Motion Design. After a year of starts, stops, and a few wild innovations, we’re going to need a minute to sort through it all. What were the challenges and triumphs of the past year, and what can we expect in 2022? Tune in and find out!
The motion graphics industry is in the middle of a massive talent crunch, but the hidden issue plaguing many studios isn't where to find a Houdini artist or where their next job is coming from—it's what to do with the jobs once the artist is in-house! How did this shortage of talented Producers come to happen? We sat down with veteran industry consultants Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson to find a solution to the producer problem. Don't miss this one!
How can you future-proof yourself as an artist? You've already learned After Effects and Cinema 4D. You read the industry feeds and follow the right people on social media. You're as "up to speed" as you're ever going to get...but new things keep appearing on the horizon. How can you make sure you don't get left behind? Join Jim Geduldick, the Director & SVP at Dimension Studio, as we open your third eye to the future of our industry.
You need to add motion graphics to your video editing tool belt. Even if you are studio-based, there's constantly new tricks to learn and master just to stay competitive. VFX and motion graphics can be your secret weapons, but how do you find the time to do it all? Premiere Gal's Kelsey Brannan is here to show you how to become a Jack(ette) of All Trades. You don't want to miss this one.
Do you need to go to school in order to build a lasting, fulfilling career as an artist? You'll certainly pick up some great techniques and meet a lot of cool people. But does that mean you can't find success as an artist unless you have a piece of paper on your wall? Reece Parker, freelance animation director and illustrator, is here to share the highs and lows of his journey through the industry.
David Jeffers started a music production company and an online record label as a pioneer of digital media. Then, just as his career was taking off, he suffered a tragic accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After the accident, David sought to turn this life-changing event into an opportunity. David's story isn't only an inspiration for overcoming hardship, but for the unyielding pursuit of your goals. We can't wait for you to share in his journey and gain some insight into your own.
When you're starting out as a freelancer, it's a shock to system to learn that your hopes, dreams, and even talent might not be enough to pay the bills. There comes a time when many artists decide to wade into the strange world...of the hustle. Nick Greenawalt—a Philadelphia-based motion designer—knew he needed to outwork the competition to make his career a reality. He's been able to work on projects he loves with clients of all sizes, and he's never stopped hustling.
Have you ever wondered what comes next for 2D animation? It's a style that never goes out of fashion, no matter how the trendy tides ebb and flow. From hit television shows to iconic video games and—of course—the best MoGraph around, the second dimension has a lot to offer. But where is it headed next? Join Danni Fisher-Shin, an Art Director at Scholar, to hear her experiences, her advice, and maybe a recommendation for some expensive coffee.
What's HUD got to do with it? Sitting at the nexus of Visual FX and Motion Design is the strange and wonderful world of Screen Design. Stephen Lawes is the Creative Director and Co-Owner of Cantina Creative, a Los Angeles-based visual effects and design studio. They've worked on enormous films and TV shows, from Furious 7 and Blade Runner 2049 all the way to the films and limited series of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The team has carved out a niche in the Motion Design world and made quite a name for themselves along the way.
If you're a motion designer in these modern times, you've likely thrown one or two videos up on social media. It can often feel like those side projects are just wastes of time, but that's not true. You're learning new skills, inspiring other artists, and—every so often—putting your work in front of the exact right audience to land a life-changing job. Join Peter Quinn as he discusses how he cracked the code on creating a viral video...and how it led to some incredible opportunities.
Have you ever thought of starting your own studio? How do you even begin? There are so many questions that many people don't get past step one, which is why we brought in an expert to share some much-needed wisdom. Mack Garrison is the co-founder and Creative Director of Dash Studios. He's not only an outstanding artist, but he has an intimate understanding of how our industry functions—and how it treats studios big and small. Grab a snack and listen up!
You've worked hard to build a freelance business as a motion designer. It seems like you've got this train firmly on track...until suddenly it's not. What causes a career to derail? How are you burning bridges. And can you rebuild them? Amanda Russell, co-founder and Creative Director of Cream Studios, shares her experiences on both sides of the hiring table. Don't miss this one.
Defining your style is one of the most challenging aspects of any creative career. Emonee LaRussa is the founder and CEO of Pamanama Studios LLC., a studio filled with a diverse set of talented artists from all over the world, collaborating with musicians to produce top of the line lyric videos. Her hard work has earned her two Emmys, as well as high end clients such as Ty Dolla $ign, John Legend, and Kayne West.
Building a career in motion design can sometimes feel like getting started in Cross Fit. There's a ton of new terminology, you have to buy specialized equipment, and you end up spending a bushel of money just to get started. It's hard to know how to take your career by the reins and steer it in the right direction. Our guest Remington Markham is a motion designer at Facebook, and he might just have the blueprint to help expand your career.
Do you have a logo? A set of colors that you use on your site, your social media handle, on – gasp – your business card? Your brand is more than just a collection of assets—it's your reputation, and sometimes it needs a refresh. The question of rebranding was recently brought up by Macaela VanderMost and the team at Newfangled Studios – and we sat them down to talk all about it.
Imagine you've spent the last few years building up a sizable portfolio for 3D work...but 2D is what your heart desires. Is it possible to rebrand this far into your career? Our guest today has DONE IT… and she is sharing her secrets. The multi-talented Monique Wray is here to spill the beans about how she made a fairly drastic change to her personal brand, the type of work she does, and the impact her work is having on the world.
Imagine if you had the chance to work with one of the greatest bands of the modern age. How hard would you work to get there...and what did it take? Bomper Studio’s Emlyn Davies and Josh Hicks challenged their team to learn how to produce high-end character-driven work, and that effort directly led to a contract...with the Foo Fighters.
Chris Schmidt is a really good 3D artist. He was one half of the wacky Greyscalegorilla team back in the early days of the site, and quickly gained a reputation for his MacGyver-like ability to rig things up in the most clever ways imaginable. Some of his tutorials were instant classic, and helped many artists learn their way around Cinema 4D. Now, we're talking to him about his new site, Rocket Lasso, and the future of 3D art and design. Check it!
Even if you don't pay close attention to industry news, you've likely heard of NFTs. Crypto art, led by a growing list of pioneering artists, is revolutionizing not only our industry but art as a whole. However, there have been some valid concerns raised over the viability of the market and the environmental impact of cryptocurrency. That's why we gathered to grapple with this topic and share our observations...plus what we’ve been hearing from artists and studios.
What do you do when you get a great idea? Not just something you enjoy thinking about, but a brain worm that burrows deep and won't let go. Even when we're confident that we have a handle on something great, the road ahead can be so daunting that we just give up. Today we're joined by Max Keane, creator of the new Netflix animated series Trash Truck, to hear about his journey from concept to reality.
Demo reels aren’t just a reflection of your past—they’re also a signpost to your future. The work you show can directly connect to the jobs you'll land...which adds all sorts of pressure to an already stressful task. We're getting real about reels and talking to Laura Porat, a freelance motion designer with a seriously impressive client list. In this conversation, we cover her most recent (and magnificent) reel, which was hyper-focused on the work she wants to find in her future.
Katie Menzies and Abel Reverter founded Cabeza Patata in Barcelona, Spain in 2018. There, they consider themselves artists first and motion designers second, with a focus on inclusiveness, positivity, and having a hands-on approach to motion design. Cabeza Patata just opened up their new studio where not only do they work for big clients such as Spotify and Google, but their studio is also a gallery—a place they open up to the community, teaching workshops for kids and adults alike, showing them how they can get their hands dirty creating art.
Mike Winkelmann is well known in the digital art world. His work is often provocative, sometimes downright shocking, but always has a style that is uniquely his. Better known as Beeple, Mike has demonstrated an incredible focus on his craft, releasing a brand new piece every day for over 5,000 consecutive days. Now he's revolutionizing the art world as a pioneer of crypto artwork...and we've hogtied him to a chair until he spills the beans on what any of that means.
Our mission at School of Motion is to break down the barriers to the Motion Design industry so that everyone can share their voice. That is a journey more than a destination, and we have a long way to go. Macaela VanderMost is a titanic talent, but she has faced some—unfortunately—all-too-common barriers to entry along the way. Listen to Macaela VanderMost's journey as a driven creative director.
2020 was...well, it was certainly a year. Not just for the MoGraph industry and for School of Motion, but for everyone. We know you don't need a recap of all the challenges and craziness that made this year what it was. Instead, we want to focus on the positive. While 2020 certainly presented a difficult road, we have seen our community emerge stronger and better than ever. On the 2020 End of Year Podcast episode, our founder Joey Korenman is joined by Creative Directors EJ Hassenfratz and Ryan Summers—along with a special guest—to talk about the artists, studios, tools, trends, and events that made MoGraph news in 2020…plus all the exciting plans (and bold predictions) for the coming year. This is a long one—but worth it—so grab a comfy seat and join us.
When we talk about motion graphics, we refer to motion and design. Our guest today, Cartoon Saloon, takes that approach to the next level with their animated feature films. From Secret of Kells to Song of the Sea to their new film, Wolfwalkers, their unique style stands out even in an incredibly saturated market. Join directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart as they discuss the new film and the art of motion.
What is the future of advertising agencies? As the world modernizes and the old methods give way to native, targeted, and subversive advertising, how is a studio meant to keep up? Strange as it may seem, the issues facing independent ad agencies are very similar to the evolution of the motion design industry. We're chatting with Creative Director Roger Baldacci of Strange Animal!
We've mentioned it a few times, but one of the most important steps in any project is the storyboard, and specialized artists work tirelessly to bring the story to life. Alex Quintas' career path took a few turns before she wound up creating artwork for some of the biggest animated shows on TV and streaming today, from BoJack Horseman to Paradise PD. Grab a snack and check this out!
Animated movies are a part of the fabric of our creative culture, and as motion designers, we share the same principles and design foundations. Our guest today helped shape the animation industry, creating iconic characters and unique worlds. He is an Academy Award-winning director, and he just released an amazing new animated movie on Netflix, Over the Moon. Strap in tight, because we're blasting off with Glen Keane.
Adobe MAX 2020 is on, and they just announced a slew of improvements to their After Effects 3D Workflow. We had a chance to sit down with Victoria Nece, Senior Product Manager for Motion Graphics and Visual Effects at Adobe, to discuss how this new workflow will affect the Motion Design community. More than that, we had a chance to discuss Adobe MAX, building a MoGraph career, and staying ahead of the competition.
Medical Illustration is a fascinating path for Motion Designers. This challenging work requires a clear understanding of anatomy, and the ability to toe the line between style and accuracy. We talked with Director Emily Holden of Campbell Medical Illustrations on how her studio brings the human body to life.
It is incredibly difficult to know where our industry is headed—almost as challenging as defining "motion design" itself. Where is animation or experiential or VR/AR going over the next five years—or even the next five months? Then there are the tools we use everyday, and the ones on our list to learn. Does anyone have the answers? We asked some industry experts to sit down and think about the future...and the results were inspiring. Check out this sneak peek from our brand new course, Level Up!
In the wild early days of the Internet, Motion Design was a much smaller community. Unless you had proper training, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the learning curve. With many people struggling to get their careers off the ground, one person decided to be their copilot. Andrew Kramer is synonymous with Motion Design. As an artist, a teacher, and a friendly cohort, Andrew inspired countless people to join this community. For the 100th episode of our podcast, we are incredibly proud to share his story, his wisdom, and his wit. Grab a seat, because your copilot has arrived.
Motion design can be used for a number of purposes. It can be an advertisement, a stunning piece of art, or even a moving message. Kentucky-based studio The Furrow partnered with some of the top artists in the industry to collaborate on a powerful project, providing information and insight into a changed world following COVID-19. We joined Creative Director Seth Eckert to talk about his journey into motion design, what it’s like to collaborate with other artists, and tips to succeed in an evolving industry.
One the of the hardest parts of freelancing is managing your risk. Lucky for Colin Hesterly, he's never been afraid of taking a chance. Whether it's crossing the country for a degree, landing an internship with Buck off a student film, or jumping headfirst into freelancing only three months into his career...Colin is ready to take the plunge. We finally managed to lock him down long enough to extract some golden nuggets of advice, so crank that volume and break out a pen and paper. Class is in session.
No one arrives in this industry ready to jump straight into freelancing. You don't instantly get the skills just because you downloaded the software. Nuria Boj put in the hard work—and the homework—to find and define her strengths as a designer/illustrator. Along the way, she's worked with some incredible studios and clients...including on a project near and dear to our hearts. Get ready to meet one fantastic artist.
What if you had an amazing idea for an animated series, but had no idea where to start? That's where Matthew Senreich and Seth Green began, chasing a funny idea across Hollywood to bring their dream to life. The end result, after 15 years and going on 200 episodes, was the legendary Robot Chicken. We sat down with Matthew to talk about his start with Wizard Entertainment, running rampant over pop culture, and his plan to dominate future. Don't miss this one!
Imagine setting out into the world as an artist, traveling from country to country, with each step in your career taking you further from home. Motion Designer Jiaqi Wang began her journey in China, but she's practiced her craft from Shanghai to Turin, Italy, to sunny Los Angeles, California. Still, she's only looking toward the future, and what tomorrow might bring.
At some point, every artist struggles to find their voice—that unique style that makes everything they do specifically theirs. We often talk about the structure of animation, or the foundational elements of motion design, but all of that is just the groundwork for your art. To learn more, we sat down director Cat Solen to learn how she found her voice in her new Adult Swim show, "The Shivering Truth."
Adult Swim is known for shows that push the envelope for both what you can show on TV, and how you bring your stories to life. "JJ Villard's Fairy Tales" is a twisted and hilarious take on the Grimm Brothers' famous works. In this episode, JJ joins us to discuss the incredible show, overcoming numerous setbacks, and what it was like to work with the cast of his dreams. If you're hoping for a creative career, don't miss this one!
Territory Studio has become one of the biggest players in the game when it comes to FUI work with huge feature films like Avengers-End Game and Guardians of The Galaxy under their belt. Lately, they have seen ventures into Experimental and Future Design by creating the UI for the cars of the future. In this episode, Co-Founder and Creative Director Marti Romances explains how the right mindset and smart business decisions can pave the way to success.
Youtube has become an incubator for content that blurs the lines between VFX studio and hobbyists with contributors creating some pretty impressive stuff with consumer gear. Daniel Hashimoto; AKA "Hashi" AKA "Action Movie Dad" has shown us what ingenuity, technical chops and a couple of cute kids can do with budget filmmaking. Oh, did we mention that Hashi happens to be Senior Content Creator at Red Giant Software?
Studio ownership is unforgiving when you consider the great effort it takes to get one up and running, never mind operating for a long period of time. Block & Tackle is one of the very few studios that have existed since the pioneer days of Motion Design, and they are still thriving. Owners Adam Gault and Ted Kotsaftis join us on this episode and talk about how they have maintained their sharp edge in the industry while producing an expansive collection of different looks and styles.
When you see slick, cutting edge digital design being used by big brands, your brain probably conjures up images of a bustling studio in a big city like New York or LA where the cost of living is astronomical and your lifestyle is limited to your surroundings. What if we told you that that same cutting edge design was being created in small-town America where living cost is palatable and there are more opportunities for you to have the life you want. Barton Damer, owner and Creative Director at Already Been Chewed Studio in Wylie Texas talks about how his nonconformist passion for skateboarding blossomed into creating a world-class studio that is very much off the beaten path.
Can you imagine being so good at imagining and creating FUI that Marvel comes to you to create it for their feature films like Iron Man 2 and Black Panther? What about taking it a step further and being so good that real-world companies come to you to for consulting on products that don't even exist yet? In this episode, Chief Creative Director John LePore talks about how Perception Studios is doing just that.
Do you have a favorite plugin that you can't live without? Have you ever thought about who the person was that created that plugin that has saved you countless hours of work? This special episode of the School of Motion Podcast has been pulled from our Expression Session vault. It features instructors Zack Lovatt and Nol Honig interviewing Adam Plouff who you may know as the mad genius behind Battleaxe; which, may we add, is responsible for the massively popular and useful plugins Rubberhose and Overlord.
Starting a motion design career is hard and leaves you with a lot of questions. There are so many hurdles that new artists stumble into; it can feel like there is no clear path forward. Joe Donaldson joins us on the podcast and breaks down how he balances work and life, all while riding a wave of continual success.
Today's podcast is pulled directly from VFX for Motion, hosted by course instructor and Stu's former colleague, Mark Christiansen. When it comes to pulling knowledge directly from the source, this podcast is the holy grail.
James Ramirez joins Joey in a one-on-one nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s. From a small Texas town to Los Angeles, James unpacks his career between his time at the legendary MK12 Studio to directing the Spider-verse titles and much more.
It was a heck of a year for the MoGraph industry, and for School of Motion.
SOM's 2019 Motion Design Industry Survey revealed greater participation, enthusiasm, opportunity and income than ever before; and SOM's business, course curriculum, core team, enrollment and online reach and engagement grew at exceptional rates.
Not to mention SOM's rebrand with Chris Do and The Futur, the brand manifesto video with JR Canest and Ordinary Folk, and the completely redesigned website coming soon.
On the 2019 End of Year Podcast episode, SOM founder, CEO and Podcast host Joey Korenman is joined by EJ Hassenfratz, 3D Creative Director, and Ryan Summers, 2D Creative Director, to talk about the artists, studios, tools, trends and events that made MoGraph news in 2019 — plus all the exciting plans (and bold predictions) for the coming year.
This one's long, but it's a must listen.
Allen Laseter Talks Productivity, Passion Projects, People Management, Motion Design, Direction, and Developing Your Own Style
Nashville-based animator, illustrator and director Allen Laseter didn't 'study' motion design; the famed creative, known for his bold, striking scenes and uniquely stylized characters, transitioned from live action with trial and error and online tutorials.
One day, after graduating with a BFA in Film, he was offered an animation project from a friend of a friend — and the rest, as they say, is history. Allen's since completed projects for the likes of Lagunitas, TED, Coke, Disney and School of Motion.
How does he do it? Almost exclusively in After Effects.
And now, with a new baby at home, how does he juggle his creative work, commercial direction and family life?
On Episode 81 of the School of Motion Podcast, our founder and CEO Joey Korenman and his guest Allen Laseter discuss the road to renown; developing your own style; After Effects animation; coordinating paid client and personal passion projects; billing for your services; working freelance versus studio employment; project and people management best practices; and Stanley Kubrick, School House Rock! and The Beatles's Yellow Submarine.
Some of the coolest work in the industry blurs the line between motion design and visual effects. School of Motion's VFX for Motion course teaches you to move in and out of these worlds with ease.
On Episode 79 of the SOM Podcast, we go behind the scenes of VFX for Motion, discussing in depth what went into the course's creation with the creator himself, Mark Christiansen.
The developer of the After Effects Studio Techniques series of books that helped launch a generation of visual effects artists, Mark has spent his career dedicated to creativity and mentorship — ideal for an instructor, online or off.
During his conversation with School of Motion founder, CEO and Podcast host Joey Korenman, Mark covers his work with LucasArts and Industrial Light & Magic, shares tons of tips on compositing in After Effects, and answers a variety of questions SOM tallied from its audience.
Will Johnson, creative innovator, co-founder, director and partner of industry-leading motion design studio Gentleman Scholar speaks with School of Motion founder, CEO and Podcast host Joey Korenman about the importance of passion and work ethic; the naming, creation, development, key differentiators and success of Gentleman Scholar; and much more.
Liz Blazer was a successful fine artist, but the fine art world wasn't for her. She chose to blaze her own path, telling stories through animation — like Ozzy Osbourne fighting Elton John to the death.
Now a famed filmmaker, art director, designer and animator, Liz has worked as development artist for Disney, director for Cartoon Network, special effects designer for MTV, and art director for Sesame Street in Israel. Her award-winning animated documentary Backseat Bingo was shown at 180 film festivals across 15 countries. But that's not all.
Liz is the authority on animated storytelling. She wrote the appropriately entitled Animated Storytelling, now in its second edition, and currently teaches visual arts at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she emphasizes the art of storytelling in pitching and delivering successful animation projects.
School of Motion founder, CEO and Podcast host Joey Korenman raves about Animated Storytelling (and its illustration, by Ariel Costa), and makes the most of his opportunity speaking with "Blaze" on Episode 77.
During her hour-long appearance, Liz speaks with Joey about her transition from fine art to animation; the importance of movement, breath and soul in art; animation's ability to "charm" and "suspend belief;" the creation of her award-winning animated documentary; how she ended up writing a book by accident; the differences between animation and motion design; the keys to compelling storytelling; and more.
Haitian American multidisciplinary artist and animator Handel Eugene personifies the very best of the superheroes he's maneuvered on behalf of Marvel films: like Black Panther, Handel is a master of advanced technologies; and, like Spiderman, he has that "Spidey sense" — for what works and what doesn't.
On episode 76 of the School of Motion Podcast Handel talks about how his tireless work ethic and precise work flow have enabled him to succeed in the increasingly competitive motion design industry.
http://schoolofmotion.com/podcast/handel-eugene-mograph-innovator-teacher-mentor-som-podcast-episode-76
To commemorate the 75th episode of the world's number-one motion design podcast, we speak with none other than Bradley G. Munkowitz, popularly known as GMUNK, a prolific Berkley-based director, designer and artist who's worked not only in motion design and animation, but also in graphic design, UI/UX, experiential design, live action direction, installation art, robotics, projection mapping, LED, and more. In his conversation with our podcast host (and founder and CEO) Joey Korenman, the genius GMUNK discusses the tempestuous world of commercial direction, his experimentations with psymunk (psychedelic art), inframunk (infrared photography) and other art forms, his use of hallucinogens, why and when he may move to Europe with his family, the key characteristics necessary for long-term success, and much more.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/famed-designer-director-bradley-g-munkowitz-gmunk-som-podcast
Ryan Honey of premier motion design studio Buck talks landing a motion design job, creativity and collaboration in the workplace, and more.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/studio-ascended-buck-cofounder-ryan-honey-som-podcast
Portland-based art director, illustrator and designer Sarah Beth Morgan discusses her new SOM course, Illustration for Motion
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/podcast-illustration-for-motion-course-sarah-beth-morgan
An Illustration for Motion exclusive podcast made public featuring Illustrator and Director Tuna Bora.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/tuna-bora-podcast-interview
An insightful chat with Giant Ant's Co-Founder Jay Grandin.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/jay-grandin-podcast-interview
In today's podcast episode we chat with Designer and Art Director Nidia Dias.
An interview with Earworm storytelling genius at Vox, Estelle Caswell.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/estelle-caswell-vox-interview
We sat down with Ordinary Folk, a new studio led by JR Canest, to chat about their recent launch, pain points, how they create such beautiful work, and even how faith plays a role in their lives.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/ordinary-folk-interview
Yann Lhomme drops a ton of insight into the changing landscape of marketing that studios now operate in. When every brand in the world is a media company how can studios and agencies help their clients navigate the world of video and motion design?
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/yann-lhomme-interview
There's a lot of buzz around motion design and how it fits into UI and UX. Zach Brown is leading the way with an app called Animator by Haiku.
Beeple, the godfather of everydays, digs deep into learning and where you should be spending your time and efforts to build your career.
Issara Willenskomer from UX in Motion stops by the podcast to chat about the exciting possibilities of UX design for animators.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/issara-willenskomer-interview
We are stunned to have our latest guest on the podcast. To say that Erin Sarofsky is a successful motion designer would be a severe understatement. As an Emmy Winner and Studio Owner, Erin is one of the most accomplished artists that we've ever talked to. If you've gone to the movies or turned on the television in the last 5 years there's a really dang good chance that you've come across her teams work.
As a woman-owned business, Sarofsky is on the cutting edge of social change and artistic achievement and we are thrilled to have Erin and Sarofsky Creative Lead Duarte Elvas on the podcast.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/sarofsky-interview
In this episode, Adrian and Joey reminisce a bit about what it was like to come up in the industry in the early 2000's. If you've been around the industry for a while, this one is going to make you nostalgic, and if you're just a few years in... you are going to learn a lot about the big changes that have shaped our industry over the past 2 decades.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/adrian-winter-interview
Get ready to meet Iria Lopez and Daniela Negrin Ochoa. They are the two creative minds behind the studio and have established Wednesday as a shop that produces beautiful illustrated work with a strong mix of traditional animation, 2D after effects stuff, and even a little bit of 3D.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/wednesday-studio-interview
We live in strange times people... it's not always easy and frankly, sometimes it's a bit dangerous to be too honest about your politics. In this conversation Erica and Joey explore this topic and we talk about what effects she's seen on her own career and other artists when it comes to mixing work and politics. We also talk about Patriot Act, the effect of tech giants on our industry and many other things so sit back and say hello to Erica.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/erica-gorochow-interview
Joel Pilger started his own studio, Impossible Pictures, in 1994 and wore many, many hats over the years. 20 years later he sold the studio, and then found himself at a crossroads, not sure what to do next. And then, he found his current calling which, in our opinion, suits him PERFECTLY. He's currently a consultant and partner at RevThink a consultancy for creative entrepreneurs including owners of Motion Design studios. His day-to-day involves helping studio and agency owners figure out how to grow their business, how to position themselves in the market, how to handle operations and finances, and all of the business lessons he learned in two decades of running a successful studio. He also runs a Jumpstart Accelerator for owners who need some help getting things past the painful startup phase, and you can find out about that and all the other cool things they do over there at RevThink.com.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/joel-pilger-interview
The Motion Design industry is always changing and evolving, and 2018 was no exception. From new tools to emerging artists this was a big year for our industry. In fact, this year more than any other year, it really feels like motion design is beginning to define itself in the creative world.
As such, we thought it’d be fun to sit down with our good friend Ryan Summers to discuss some of the biggest news coming out of the mograph industry in 2018. In the podcast, we talk about everything… from incredible projects to #chartgate. No stone is left unturned.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/motion-design-review-2018
In this episode, Sander van Dijk answers questions from... YOU, the School of Motion community. We collected tons of great questions and tried to pull out the ones that Sander could really dig in to!
See the Show Notes: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/sander-van-dijk-interview
Today we talk with Nick DenBoer about his unique entry point into the professional world of motion design, how he landed a dream gig working for Team Coco, and how his short passion project landed him at the Sundance Film Festival; and on the radar of gigantic brands and ad agencies. There is a lot for you to geek out on in this episode!
www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/nick-denboer-interview
On today's podcast episode we sit down with Hayley Akins. Hayley is the founder of Motion Hatch, a very cool online community that focuses solely on the business side of things. She's the host of the wonderful Motion Hatch podcast, and has recently released a Freelance Contract Bundle.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/hayley-akins-interview
TJ is currently an Executive Producer at Instrument, a VERY cool digital agency out in Portland, Oregon. Prior to that he was EP and co-founder at a studio called... Oddfellows, yes, THAT Oddfellows. Before that he worked in ad agencies, big post-houses, and everything in between. His experience in this industry has given him an incredible perspective on the economics of Motion Design. He's been on the client side, hiring studios, and he's also been on the vendor side, trying to woo and work with agencies and clients. In this conversation, TJ gets extremely specific with the economics involved at the studio level.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/tj-kearney-interview
50 friggin' podcast episodes. It's insane to think how many ridiculous Motion Designers have volunteered their time to appear on the podcast. Naturally, for episode 50 we wanted to make the podcast extra special, so we asked the talented Ash Thorp on to speak his mind.
On that podcast, we talk about the work ethic required to operate at the level of the best in the business. We talk about the way he organizes his work so he can be super productive. We talk about motivation and how an artist can deal with those moments when you're stuck on a project. And we also talk a lot about the double-edged sword of being a public figure in this industry or in any industry, really.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/ash-thorp
Film Riot is a YouTube channel with, at the time of this recording, 1.3 MILLION subscribers. It's an incredible resource that teaches you the art and science of film-making in a very entertaining way, and the mastermind behind it is Ryan Connolly. Ryan's a filmmaker, and I really think that word fits him well because after talking with him it's clear that he is obsessed with filmmaking and has been pretty much his whole life.
In this interview we talk about the brilliant model behind Film Riot, that lets Ryan and his crew fund and produce short films with an insane amount of production value… all without a studio backing them.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/ryan-connolly-film-riot
In this episode, we go into Ariel Costa's past and find out how he ended up finding his unique style, how he got on the radar of GIGANTIC bands, and what the economics behind animated music videos. He also drops TONS of wisdom about freelancing, balancing paid and unpaid work, and lots more. Seriously, this episode is PACKED, so get a notepad. Did we mention he's a Buck Alumni?...
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/ariel-costa-interview
On today’s podcast episode, we sit down with Simon Holmedal, a Motion Designer and Technical Director who spent a big chunk of his career at the legendary studio, Man vs Machine. Simon’s work is insane and there’s a good chance that you’ve drooled over his work in the past few years. Simon recently transitioned from MvM to work with some friends at a studio called Panoply.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/simon-holmedal-houdini-interview
Our guest today is no stranger to determination. Sergei Prokhnevskiy is a Ukrainian born MoGraph artist who was forced to leave his home as a refugee at the age of 12 along with his twin brother Vladimir. After landing in the United States (and not speaking any English) he would go on to work on MoGraph projects including the Fox Sports Robot for the Super Bowl.
Recently Sergei and Vladimir quit their full-time jobs to exclusively work on Ukramedia, an online Motion Design education site. On this episode, we’ll talk with Sergei about the transition to full-time MoGraph education and talk about his incredible life-story. This is a super inspiring episode.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/sergei-ukramedia-interview
In this week’s podcast episode we sit down with Paul Babb to discuss his role as CEO of Maxon. Along the way we’ll get to know a little bit about Pauls background and talk about why Maxon is ‘artist first’ instead of ‘feature first’. This is one of our favorite episodes ever.
We understand that learning Cinema 4D can be a challenge. So we asked EJ Hassenfratz and David Ariew to Answer common Cinema 4D questions from the School of Motion community.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/cinema-4d-questions-ej-hassenfratz-david-ariew
Mitch Myers is an art director, Motion Designer, and artistic celebrity in the Motion Design world. Mitch has done work for Universal, GoPro, the NFL, and Southwest Airlines.
On this podcast episode, Mitch talks about your worth and value as a Motion Designer, how to build a strong brand, and why consistency is important to aspiring MoGraph artists. Get your notepad out. You’re going to want to take a lot of notes.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/mitch-meyers-interview
In today's episode we sit down with Carey Smith the creative mastermind behind Division 05. Carey is arguably the best tutorial creator in the world and a huge advocate for learning Motion Design the 'right' way, with an emphasis on essential skills like composition, art-direction, and inspiration.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/carey-smith-division-05
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/monica-kim-interview
Today’s podcast guest is Terra Henderson. Terra is a freelance Motion Designer who has lived in Texas, New York, and Georgia. Despite growing up in a small Texas town, Terra pursued her dream of becoming a Motion Designer by moving away. After completing school at SCAD she took the ultimate professional leap and moved to New York City. Over time Terra has learned valuable lessons in networking, specializing, and the freedom of being freelance.
Terra’s laid-back perspective on work and life is a cool reminder that you don’t have to live in the biggest cities to be a successful Motion Designer. So, grab some kava and say hello to Austin-based MoGraph artist Terra Henderson.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/terra-henderson-interview
Yeah Haus's fun and colorful style is certainly a reflection of owners Michelle and Chad. In this podcast episode, Michelle Ouellette talks about the process of creating and maintaining the studio in Detroit. Along the way, we'll learn about Michelle's background in Graphic Design and Illustration. You're going to love this one.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/growing-mograph-studio-michelle-ouellette
In today’s episode, we talk with Angie Feret, a pioneering MoGraph artist, who uses her hobbies to rejuvenate her 3D work. Angie’ background in modeling (the real-life kind) and motorcycles led her to become a unique 3D artist and even a presenter for Maxon. Angie's first-hand experience with female discrimination is also a helpful reminder that our industry has a lot of room for improvement. We promise you’ve never met a 3D artist like Angie. This is a really fun episode.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/angie-feret-interview
What's it take to be a master of hand-drawn animation? In this interview we sit down with Rachel Reid, one of the best animators in the Motion Design world.
Rachel's work at Gunner, one of the hottest Motion Design studios on the block, has been seen all over the world. Her animation work has been staff picked by Vimeo, picked-up on Motionographer, and we frequently talk about her work here on School of Motion.
Rachel was kind enough to sit down and chat with Joey about her experience in the industry. In the podcast Rachel get’s into all of the details about her equipment and process. It’s fantastic insight into one of the most challenging disciplines in art. Enjoy!
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/rachel-reid-animator-interview
It’s pretty common knowledge at this point that the world of Motion Design education is changing. From online bootcamps to tutorials, the need for brick-and-mortar schools is slowly fading. You can thank this trend, in some part, to today’s guest Michael Jones.
Michael is the founder and CEO of MoGraph Mentor an online education platform that is designed to help Motion Designer’s grow their skills and become hirable in the modern era of freelance. The work Michael does at MoGraph Mentor has always been a huge source of inspiration for the team here at School of Motion so we thought it’d be fun to sit down and chat about what it took to create MoGraph mentor.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/michael-jones-mograph-mentor
In this weeks podcast we sit down with Andy Contiguglia for the second time to finish our two part series on legal questions for Motion Design. This week we’re talking about legal entities and it is fascinating. Get your pen and paper out.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/the-best-way-to-form-a-motion-design-business
Andy Contiguglia is lawyer with years of experience representing small businesses and freelancers in legal affairs around the United States. Andy was kind enough to come on the podcast and answer our burning legal questions for Motion Design. His brain has more legal knowledge than we knew how to handle so we broke this episode up into 2 parts. In part one Andy talks about contracts for Motion Design work. You owe it to yourself and your business to listen to this one.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/contracts-for-motion
We sat down with Brett Morris to talk about his career in the industry, including his time at Capacity. Brett has recently partnered up with his friend Steve Panicara to start their own studio, Ranger and Fox, out in Los Angeles. Brett's passion for Motion Design is intoxicating. This is definitely worth a listen.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/podcast/brett-morris-interview
In this episode Joey sits down with Ryan Summers to talk about the biggest stories in Motion Design from 2017. We talk about everything, from new tools to amazing MoGraph projects.
www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/motion-design-news-2017
We sit down with Nol Honing to discuss how his experience as a political Motion Designer led to teaching After Effects in college and online.
Have you ever messed up so bad on a Motion Design project that it makes headlines on the news? We’ll our guest today has. In today’s interview Nol Honing, the creator of our After Effects Kickstart course, tells us about his experience in the Motion Design industry.
Nol made a name for himself by working on political campaigns for high-level politicians like Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton. After working his way to the top of the political world Nol switched gears, by becoming a teacher at Parsons New School. As a contributor to Motionographer and Staff Pick awardee, Nol is no stranger to the MoGraph industry. He just so happens to be one of the most interesting people in the world.
If you’re anything like the normal Motion Designer than chances are you probably learned most of what you know online. Maybe you learned by watching tutorials on YouTube or maybe you took an online bootcamp like the one’s here at School of Motion. But you may have never thought about the process of creating tutorials…
This week we’re talking to the Motion Design Education extraordinaire, Jake Bartlett. To say that Jake Bartlett is just a tutorial creator would be an understatement. From creating classes for Skillshare to the Explainer Camp at School of Motion Jake has mastered the art of educating Motion Designers.
On this week’s episode we sit down with Jake to talk about his work in the industry. Along the way Jake shares insights into how he creates his courses and talks about Explainer Camp here at School of Motion. It’s a great interview with a great guy.
www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/teaching-motion-design-with-jake-bartlett
Imagine doing work for Google, Coca-Cola, and Facebook. That’d be pretty sweet, right? But what if you were tasked with raising 4 kids at the same time. Do you think you could do it?
David Stanfield is a director, animator, and designer in Charleston, South Carolina. For years he’s been designing 2D masterpieces for the biggest brands in the world while being a father.
On this podcast episode we talk to David Stanfield about how he balances family and work. Along the way David shares how he uses social media to get new gigs. It’s a super enlightening podcast.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/motion-design-family-david-stanfield
When you’re working on a Motion Graphic project usually the final video will be viewed on a phone or computer, or if you’re really lucky a theater screen. But what if you could have your work projected at a concert with thousands of people in the audience? That’d be pretty sweet, right?
Our guest today has done just that for HUGE artists like Lady Gaga, U2, and Niki Minaj. In the podcast Joey sits down with Casey Hupke and talks about his experience in the world of projection mapping for live events. In the podcast we get down into the knitty-gritty about how Casey puts one of these projects together from start to finish.
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/casey-hupke-projection-mapping
In the Motion Design industry the role of creative director and studio owner is glorified. The thrill of owning your own business and leading a team of artists is intoxicating, but what is the actual reality of running a Motion Graphics studio?
In this week's episode Joey sits down with Zac Dixon to discuss his experience as Creative Director/Owner at IV. Zac is super honest about the reality of owning a modern studio. No frills. No fluff.
In addition to his work at IV, Zac is the host of the incredibly popular Animators podcast, which you should absolutely subscribe to once you’re done listening to this podcast.
Check out the Show Notes here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/zac-dixon-interview
What's the real state of the Motion Design Industry?
At this point you’ve probably already seen the results our 2017 Motion Design Industry Survey. If not, go check it out...
In the survey we asked Motion Designers from around the industry about their experience. There was actually quite a bit of data that wasn’t included in the survey or infographic so we thought it’d be fun to put together a podcast sharing the results. In the podcast we talk about everything from the gender pay gap to the most popular After Effects channels on YouTube.
Prepare to learn something new...
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/podcast-motion-design-industry
Can drugs make you a better artists?
We'e been programed our entire lives to believe that only harm can come from drugs. The thought is, if it causes you to have a chemical reaction in your brain it must be bad for you, but maybe that's not always the case...
On this podcast we're talking with animator/director Caspian Kai about the potential benefits of psychedelics in Motion Design. Instead of drugs, Caspian likes to use the term tool, because psychedelics can be used as a tool to create some amazing art. The podcast talks about the physical effect of these different tools on your art. It's a wild ride and you're definitely going to learn something new.
Check out the show notes here:
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/caspian-kai-psychedelics
Have you ever had a director say 'I shouldn't have hired you...'? Our guest today is proof that hard work can get you anywhere. Andrew Vucko (pronounced Voo-co) is killing it in the Motion Design world. He's had big-name clients like Facebook, Toyota and Patreon. His work is consistently featured on Motionographer. And he's an all-around great guy. For Vucko, animation school was simply not an option. So how did he get to where he is today? And what advice does Vucko have for someone looking to get deeper into the Motion Design industry? All of these questions will be answered in this weeks podcast. So grab a snack, a comfy chair, and a notepad. Vucko's dropping knowledge bombs for over an hour. Check out the episode on our site: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/vucko-interview
Like design, animation, editing, directing, 3D, and much more. There’s a lot of work that goes into one piece, and often there’s a huge team behind some of the best work out there. But occasionally you’ll find a Unicorn in this industry, someone who can do a lot more than just design or animate.
In this episode of our Podcast we talk to Onur Senturk, a Turkish born director who is best known for his work on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo titles. Onur’s skills are not limited to directing alone, he also designs, animates, and he understands the most technical parts of using 3D software. In this interview Joey digs into Onur’s brain and tries to figure out how he comes up with the incredible visuals that he's known for, and how he juggles the conceptual and creative side of this field with the really technical side. They get into the nitty gritty of what it's like to direct for Motion Graphics, working all over the world, and even how much you can make being a director for MoGraph. If you're curious what it's like to direct in this industry you will get a ton out of this episode.
Check out the show notes for this episode here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/beyond-the-dragon-tattoo-directing-for-mograph-onur-senturk
Have you ever wanted to work with no pants on…
No commuting, no clients, just you and your creativity cranking out cool stuff and then making tutorials. Sounds like the dream, right? It totally is, and School of Motion is not the only place where that dream is a reality. There are quite a few places with people making a living off of tutorials including our good buddy Nick Campbell, founder of Greyscalegorilla.
In this episode Nick goes deep into what it’s like making a living off of creating amazing tutorials and other products to help the MoGraph community. He tells the story of how Greyscalegorilla got its start, how he built it into what it is today, and gives some great practical advice on how to take the leap into starting your own business. Hint: It’s not as simple as sitting in your PJ’s making cool stuff.
Check out this episode on our site: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/how-to-be-a-greyscale-gorilla-nick-campbell
DP's are like real-world 3D artists. Think about it. They have to take a three-dimensional world and use cameras and lights and objects and people to produce an image that is two-dimensional. It's a difficult task, and anyone who's ever opened up Cinema 4D understands the challenge in using 3D tools to create an image that isn't 3D.
Mike Pecci is a master of his craft. He's a Director and D.P. who has been creating stunning imagery for clients as varied as Bose and Killswitch Engage. In this episode of our podcast Mike talks about ways to think about camera and lighting (among other things) that have helped him learn to hone his image-making ability. All of this knowledge can be translated into 3D, and if you use Cinema 4D you're going to want to take notes.
Check out the show notes here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/lighting-and-camera-tips-from-a-master-dp-mike-pecci
Design sure is hard, ain't it?
That's one of the reasons we built Design Bootcamp. In that course we dig into the principles of design but, more importantly, how to apply those principles in the real world. Knowing color theory is great, but when you're looking at a blank screen in Photoshop it's not enough to know what a triad color scheme is... you need to have some tricks up your sleeve to make the design process happen on your client's schedule.
Part of the Design Bootcamp experience is the course podcast. All of our big courses have them, and we interview some of the industry's best artists so we can dig as much knowledge and as many workflow tips as possible out of them. Normally registered students of these courses get to hear these episodes, but we wanted to share some of the amazing content with you. In this episode, we've compiled some of the best tips from over 12 hours of Design Bootcamp podcast audio. You'll hear from Kevin Dart, Joe Donaldson, Bee Grandinetti, Ryan Moore and Andrew Brown of Gretel, Erica Gorochow, and My Tran. Check the show notes for links to their work, and check out Design Bootcamp for the full podcast series and an incredible Design education.
Check out the show notes here:
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/design-tips-from-designers
We’ve all been there…
You’re working on a project in After Effects and BAM, brick wall. After Effects just doesn’t have the feature that you need. It’s times like this that we all turn to places like aescripts + aeplugins, and to the real MoGraph heros, the plugin and script developers. They create the tools that we Motion Designers need to get our jobs done, or maybe just make our lives easier.
If you’ve ever used an AE plugin, script, or expression you’re going to want to check out this interview with Zack Lovatt. You might not know him by name, but you probably know some of the tools that he’s worked on, like Flow and Explode Shape Layers. In this episode of our Podcast Joey gets the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a plugin developer for After Effects. They talk about everything you could want to know about becoming a developer, from how to get started to how much you can make (hint; it’s more than just beer money), and even what the future of developing tools for After Effects might look like.
Check out this episode on our site: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/how-much-do-after-effects- script-developers-make-a-chat-with-zack-lovatt
Nuke is the better tool...
...for compositing. After Effects is king in many areas (like animation) that are important to us Motion Designers, but Nuke is a far more powerful tool for compositing things like VFX and 3D passes. Now, as a Motion Designer you might think that knowing compositing is a waste of your time, but if you’ve hung around School of Motion long enough you know that compositing is a super important skill that every MoGrapher should know at least a little bit of. Not only will you be able to land more jobs, you’ll also be able to think like a compositor which is a very valuable skill to have in your arsenal. Compositing Pro-Tips from a Master.
In this episode of our Podcast Joey is going to pick the brain of Hugo Guerra, who is an absolute compositing genius. Hugo is so good at what he does that he ran the entire Nuke division at The Mill in London. He also has a YouTube channel called Hugo’s Desk where he shows you how to composite like a pro. Hugo drops a TON of knowledge bombs in this one and by the end of it you’ll be itching to dive deep into the compositing world, and maybe even learn some Nuke yourself.
Check out this episode on our site: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/smoke-without-fire-compositing-pro-tips-hugo-guerra/
There is a TON of MoGraph work out there.
If you’re only checking it out at places like Motionographer (who we love very dearly), you’re only seeing the tip of a massive MoGraph iceberg. Our goal here at School of Motion is to expose you to as many sides of the industry as possible, not just the work that big MoGraph studios are putting out. Let’s talk Television….
In this podcast episode Joey talks to the very funny and extremely passionate husband and wife duo, Joke and Biagio. They run Joke Productions, a small studio that does unscripted TV programs, which is a very broad genre of film that covers everything from reality TV shows like Jersey Shore to documentaries.
Over the years these two have worked on all manner of unscripted film for networks like MTV, Oxygen, NBC, CNN, and many more. With all of that experience they give us a ton of insight into the process of producing unscripted television. They also have some very solid, actionable advice that you can use right away to break into the TV production word; from getting booked doing MoGraph for TV shows to designing with a kit mentality.
Check out this episode on our site: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/going-unscripted-world-producing-reality-tv/
When it comes to location L.A. is undoubtedly the best place for a motion designer to network and thrive, but that’s not to say that studios in other parts of the country are doing less-cool work. One great example is the team at Digital Kitchen. For years Digital Kitchen has been churning out incredible work and they just added one of the best MoGraph creative directors, Ryan Summers, to their team.
Ryan’s passions and hard-work have led him to work on projects for Guillermo Del Toro, Starbucks, and National Geographic, among many other incredibly cool clients. In this podcast episode Joey sat down with Ryan to discuss how he rose to the top of the MoGraph world. Ryan takes us on a journey from his upbringing in South Chicago, to his freelance career in L.A., to his homecoming at Digital Kitchen. This episode is packed full of helpful info and tips for freelancers and aspiring motion designers.
Check out this episode on our site: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/do-creative-directors-actually- create-anything-with-ryan-summers/
As a motion designer NAB isn't just a conference, it's really a rite of passage. With over 100,000 attendees there is no bigger platform to network with people from around the industry. It's an insanely huge event, and if you've never been to it you're going to want to listen to this Podcast.
In this episode Amy, Joey, and Caleb talk all things NAB and Vegas giving you all the tips and tricks you need to know to make it through Vegas (mostly) unscathed.
Check out this episode on our site: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/nab-2017-motion-design/
Think back to the last time you cut a reel...
It probably went something like this. You sat in front of the computer, picked out that perfect track of music, found all of your projects, brought them into After Effects, and then you had to make a TON of decisions....
What shot do I chose? When do I cut? Is there a better shot for this? Did I cut that too soon? What beat of the music do I cut on? Is that shot too long? Does that shot look good next to that other one? Is that shot too slow?
There's no expression or plugin to help you cut a good reel. You need to learn how to... Think like an Editor.
We've got a new Podcast episode ready for your ears featuring Mike Radtke, the Editor Extraordinaire from Digital Kitchen. This time Joey plays devils advocate to really dig into why we need editors in our industry, why MoGraphers don't do both jobs, and what a MoGrapher can learn from the editing world to get better at their own craft.
Check out this episode on our site: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/why-do-we-need-editors/
Our Podcast has always been interviews, but in this episode we're going to shake things up. This time Joey will be flying solo, giving you his most tactical, actionable Freelance tips that you can start using right now. Some of these tips are from our course, Freelance U, and others are from our first book, The Freelance Manifesto, which you can look forward to adding to your summer reading list in June of 2017.
Whether you're a veteran or just starting out by the end of this episode you'll be a more confident freelancer. You will get Joey's best tips on finding Freelance work, impressing your clients, and getting paid to do the work that you love. Keep a notepad handy, you'll want to write these down.
Check out this episode on our site: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/better-freelancer-right-now/
If you don't already know who Chris Do is, you need to. He is the CEO of Blind, a studio which he founded 21 years ago that's still going strong today. He's also the creator of The Futur where he teaches MoGraphers like you how to be a creative entrepreneur. He has a TON of experience in the creative industry, and he's more than happy to share his wisdom with you.
Our Industry is changing in big ways. Joey and Chris tackle some hard truths about the future of our industry, including why right now might not be the best time to start a studio. They also give you step by step instructions on how to land killer freelance gigs, and even tell you how to get hired at Blind. This interview is PACKED full of tactical, actionable advice that you can use right away.
Imagine a world without After Effects. Every time you sit down in front of the computer to animate you have to write code. Not just a few lines like you do with most expressions; hundreds of lines with variables, if-then statements, pixel dimensions, and crazy math formulas for your eases. This nightmarish way of animating has been, until very recently, the sad reality for app developers.
Airbnb has a new way of animating. Lottie, a new open-source tool, is a game changer for App developers and the Motion Designers that work with them. It takes your animation from After Effects (with a little help from Bodymovin') and spits out all the code you need, ready for use on a variety of platforms. In this interview Joey talks to Salih Abdul-Kareem and Brandon Withrow of Airbnb. They dig into all the details of how Lottie works, why it's needed, and the role of Motion Design at a company like Airbnb.
Check out the show notes: http://www.schoolofmotion.com/after-effects-to-code-lottie/
Producers do more than budgets. They are the conductors of the MoGraph orchestra... they do the dirty work so the artists can give total focus to their craft. They have to master the art of telling clients "no" without saying "no," they have to read the tea-leaves when it comes to budgeting and scheduling. And, of course, they are often the gatekeepers to getting booked as a freelancer.
Our guest today makes Producing look easy. In this podcast episode, Joey talks with Erica Hilbert, Producer Extraordinaire at The Mill in Chicago. She knows all about the art of wrangling a project; keeping everything on schedule and under-budget. This interview is a real eye opener for any artist who has never stopped to think about the importance of the Producer and what our lives would be like without them.
Dont forget to check out the show notes! http://www.schoolofmotion.com/the-conductor-producer-erica-hilbert-mill/
Motionographer does a lot for our industry... They inspire us, interview industry professionals, educate us, and put on the amazing F5 Conference. In this interview Joey talks to Motionographer Co-Founder Justin Cone about their Patreon campaign and the latest project Motionographer is heading up, The Motion Awards. Justin and Joey get deep into the nitty gritty about this new award, why the industry needs it, and what makes it different from all of the other award shows out there.
Justin also offers his wisdom on what makes great design, well, great. We'll give you a hint, it has nothing to do with originality. If you want more than that you'll have give this one a listen.
Don't forget to check out the show notes below for links to all of the studios, work, artists, and resources mentioned in this podcast.
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/enter-the-cone-zone-the-motion-awards/
Cinema 4D is one of those apps that you start learning and never stop. Frankly, most of the apps we Motion Designers use fall into that category. EJ Hassenfratz has built up a reputation as an amazing C4D artist and teacher. His tutorials have been featured on GreyScaleGorilla, he has presented for Maxon at various conferences, and his work shows that he can also walk the walk. Joey had the pleasure of chatting with EJ about the tutorial scene, how they both learned Cinema 4D, and the challenges of learning such a massive app (not to mention the challenges of understanding the 3D workflow in general).
EJ is gentleman, a scholar, and a beer enthusiast. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did. Make sure to check out EJ's work and more at EyeDesyn.com!
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/cinema4d-ej-hassenfratz/
Lilian Darmono is an Australian / Indonesian-Chinese artist living in London. To say she has a diverse background is an understatement. She is not only multi-cultured and well traveled, her illustration style is a constant exploration of new styles. Yes, she tends to be on the cute side of things, but why not? Sometimes we just need to say "awwww" and feel a bit fuzzy inside.
In this interview, I tried to dig into Lilian's talent to find out her secret... how does she combine colors so masterfully? How does she (seemingly effortlessly) jump from one style to the next?
Lilian speaks very candidly about her career as a designer and illustrator and how being a woman has shaped that experience. She doesn't hold back, and I think this conversation has an incredible amount of wisdom and actionable strategies in it.
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/nobody-born-designer/
Want to know what it takes to be a pro at sound design? To say that Frank Serafine might know what he's talking about is probably a huge understatement. Frank has been around doing sound design since before many of you were born. He's seen technology change they way that things are done, not just in audio, but in film also.
In this epic chat, Frank and Joey geek out over how he developed sounds such as the Light Cycles in Tron, massive Spacecraft in the Star Trek movie, and many others... all without the benefit of ProTools or other modern bells-and-whistles.
He has a TON of great tips on how to become a sound designer, whether you just want to add sounds to make your animations stand out or maybe even do it as a pro. Take a listen.
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/frank-serafine/
Ever hear of Houdini? No, not the magician, the software by SideFX. Joey got a chance to have a very nerdy talk with the super genius Christopher Hendryx about his work at Disney as an FX Animator.
Christopher was the lead artist in charge of Elsa's ice magic on a little film you may have heard of called Frozen. He created a very flexible and powerful rig in Houdini to create the effect, and shares a lot of insight into how he goes about making the insane visuals that he's responsible for.
He also talks with Joey about why Houdini is turning out to be the "software of choice" for FX, and how one might go about learning it.
Prepare yourself, things are about to get real nerdy. http://www.schoolofmotion.com/an-interview-with-the-brilliant-chris-hendryx/
Matt Frodsham is a Cinema 4D Black Belt. His reel is full of weird and wonderful work, much of it completed with his friends at the incredible Berlin-based Zeitguised. His work is abstract, provocative, playful, and extremely polished.
Check out his reel to see what strange places his mind has been whilst sitting in front of an insanely powerful multi-GPU computer-beast with Cinema 4D opened up. https://vimeo.com/121924175
In this episode Joey chats with Matt at length about his experience working with such an amazingly creative group of people, how he (and Zeitguised) balance doing work for the reel versus work for the meal, and about how he deals with burnout.
The goal of this interview was to paint a picture of what Matt's career looks like, and hopefully you leave inspired and ready to go get funky and weird with your own work.
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/matt-frodsham/
Want to know the secret to amazing work? Us too. Unfortunately, the secret is "work really really hard."
Working out of his home office in the capital of Slovenia, Nejc Polovsak is consistently turning out some of the most creative, polished, and beautiful 3D work in the Motion Graphics world.
What's really incredible about Nejc is that he's more or less self-taught. He never received a formal education in design, animation, or any of the hard-core 3D techniques he uses to make his work look so incredible.
Check out Nejc's reel. https://vimeo.com/125433577
In this episode Joey talks to Nejc about how he got so damn good at doing this stuff, and then really dis into his process, his favorite tools, and his style. By the end of this interview you'll feel incredibly inspired to go make something cool.
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/interview-twisted-poly/
New Zealand-based 3D Artist extraordinaire Rich Nosworthy is about as humble a guy as you'll ever meet. He single-handedly makes some of the coolest photorealistic 3D animations you've ever seen, and still finds time to be pestered with all kinds of questions from people who want to discover his secrets to killer work.
If you haven't already seen this... take a minute to check out this great piece he just released to promote the 99 Frames Competition.
In this interview, Joey asks Rich to take him from-start-to-finish through the entire process of making this piece. They get deep into modeling techniques, texturing strategies, VRay specifics... it gets geeky fast and it stays there.
Find out more about the 99 Frames competition as well as all of the resources we talk about in this interview by looking below at the Show Notes section.
Enjoy!
http://www.schoolofmotion.com/interview-with-the-almighty-rich-nosworthy/
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.