School of Motion Podcast

Chris Do on Creative Work: The Design Economy, Remote Work, and Evolving Skill Sets

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

Karin Fong on Art Direction, Mentorship, and Legendary Title Design

We go 1:1 with the one and only Karin Fong—Emmy award-winning director, designer, and founder of the creative agency Imaginary Forces. Check out the corresponding blog post here: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/karin-fong  

Textures, Photoshop, and the Creative Journey with Brady Erickson

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://...

Character Design and Artistic Growth: Insights from Emma Gillette

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 Emma Gillette People Brent Adams Sam Nielson Maike Plenzke Maxine Vee Cory Loftis Pieces SpongeBob SquarePants Encanto (...

NFT Success and The Future of Motion with Rive CD Jerry Liu

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 design...

How to Win in 2024 | Thoughts and Tips for Motion Designers

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 motionmondays.com How Freelancers Find BIG Clients on LinkedIn People Justin Harder Peter Tark...

The Past and Future of Motion: Simon Robson on AI, Evolution and Staying Curious

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 Joshua Davis (Praystation) OneDotZero Jamie Hewlett Lightwave Cinema 4D Imagination Studio MK12 NorthBoySouth Creating Motion Graphics Cinema 4D Workshop C.O.F.F.E.E. Ebeling Group Ben Rad...

2023: The Year In Mograph

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  EJ Hassenfratz Ryan Summers Austin Bauwens Amanda Russell Sekani Solomon Marina Nakagawa Jonathan Winbush Nick Forshee Justin Cone Joe Nash Chad Ashley Hayley Akins Kelsey (Premiere Gal) Barton Damer  Louis Wes Sara Beth Morgan Zak Lovatt Don Allen Drug Free Dave Eve Paints Southern Shotty Tr...

Rive and the future of interactive design

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 Rive Guido Rosso Kurt Hartfelder Jerry Liu Hernan Torrisi JcToon After Effects to Code: Lottie from Airbnb Haiku Duolingo Doodles (31:00) Bubble.io Gunner F...

The Future of VFX: Simulon has Arrived with Divesh Naidoo

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 ...

Procreate Dreams: The 2D Animation Revolution for Digital Artists

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/...

How to Land Big Clients: The Art of Mograph Biz Dev with Joe Nash

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 & art...

Motion Design as a Subscription Service? Austin Bauwens of Ravie Studio

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 subscri...

Can Motion Design be Inclusive AND Profitable?

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 VanderMos...

Going Viral: Behind the AI-Generated Wes Anderson Trailers for Star Wars and LOTR

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 mad...

AI: An Artist’s Friend or Foe? | Dan Jeffries, CIO of Stability.ai (Stable Diffusion)

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 m...

2022 Year in Review

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 flo...

How to get Adobe to buy you for $20 billion in 3 easy steps...

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?

Pushing Past Your Limits with Nocky Dinh

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.

Listen as We Direct a REAL Voiceover Session

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.

Legwork or Legend? The Career of Aaron Ray

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. 

Animating the Unreal with Chromosphere

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.

NFTs and the Future of Motion with Justin Cone

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.

Animating for a Good Cause with Nicolaj Larsson

Doing personal projects is a great way to experiment and flex your creative muscles. Personal projects can also be part of a strategy of beefing up your portfolio or reel, especially if you're just starting out in the industry. Our guest today is Nicolaj Larsson, the founder and creative director of the Copenhagen based studio ccccccc.tv.

Which Render Engine is Right for You with Chad Ashley

If you've been on social media looking at 3D renders, you've probably seen something like this in the description: #octane #octanerender #gpu #gpurender #redshift #redshiftrender 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 Do Designers Get Paid with Carole Neal

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!

How to Stand Out in Your Job Search

Do you ever wonder why you don't hear back when you send a demo reel or a resume for a prospective job? While there isn’t a secret sauce for separating from the pack, there are some tried and true methods for putting your work front and center. We’re bringing Frank Suarez on today to talk about what he thinks makes for standout work.

Unique Jobs that Need Motion Design

Are you still looking for work? If you can’t find a job in commercials, film, or with a studio, what else is out there? Our community of artists is incredibly versatile, but often we put on blinders outside of our preferred lanes. There is a world of work out there in the most unlikely of places, and it can be just as satisfying—and lucrative—to take on. Today, we’re honored to welcome Leeanne Brennan to talk about the uncharted territory of uncommon design and animation gigs.

Were We Wrong About Studios? Giant Ant’s Jay Grandin Responds.

You may have listened to our end of the year podcast where we covered the evolving relationship between artists and studios in the age of NFTs, mid-six-figure freelancers, and social media fame. Listening back, we wondered if maybe the picture we painted was a bit bleaker than the actual reality. And we weren’t the only ones who felt that way. Jay Grandin—co-founder and creative director of Giant Ant—had some words to say about it, and you're gonna want to hear this!

Leeanne Brennan

Dreaming of Apple - A Director's Journey

Have you ever wanted to direct for the biggest name in tech? Is it even possibly to juggle design and animation with a directing career? What is it like to work in After Effects and Cinema 4D in the morning and step onto a set at night? We sat down with Shane Griffin, an artist and director out of New York, about running the Apple live event for the launch of the M1 Max chip. Don't miss this one!

How Personal Should a Personal Project Be?

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.

Yes, You Are a Designer

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.

The Year in MoGraph 2021

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!

Solving the Producer Problem with RevThink

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!

Living In The Future with Jim Geduldick

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.

How Video Editors Can Gain Superpowers - Premiere Gal Kelsey Brannan

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.

How to Skip School and Find Success as a Director - Reece Parker

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. 

Quadriplegia Can’t Stop David Jeffers

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 you...

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Battling Impostor Syndrome with Dr. Dave

Imposter Syndrome is one of the more insidious parts of, well, everyone's life. From famous musicians to iconic actors to the first man that walked on the moon, we all experience this sensation from time to time. As artists, we often feel it even stronger since our work is so subjective. How do you overcome the fear that you just aren't good enough? We asked Dr. Dave Landers how we can quiet that voice inside our heads.

Do the Hustle with Nick Greenawalt

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. 

Newer Software for 2D Character Animation - Danni Fisher-Shin

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.

Designing the UI of Tomorrow - Stephen Lawes of Cantina Creative

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 quit...

Being the Smarterest Artist - Peter Quinn

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. 

How to Start a New Studio with Mack Garrison of Dash Studios

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!

Don't Burn Bridges - Staying Hireable with Amanda Russell

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.

Finding Success from East to Kanye West - Emonee LaRussa

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.

A Blueprint to Expand Your Career with Remington Markham

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. 

Ready, Set, Refresh - Newfangled Studios

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.