Ricardo Serrano - Freelance Motion Designer

Uses Illustrative aspects for his work

Although most of my PDP elements have been about studios, I think it is important to broaden the horizons and get feedback and advice to do with my work from someone who is freelance and therefore maybe has more of a style than a corporate studio as discussed in our previous years through the discussion forums.
 Personally I feel that over the years of doing the course, I have used the aspect of my drawings and analogue work the develop the projects I make, and I think it would be interesting to speak to a designer who works in a similar way, and discuss the projects that he underwent too.
I have emailed him to ask whether I can visit and I hope he responds as I know that this would be a good way of getting feedback from someone who is more independent and to compare the two.

Mighty Giant Studio

Concept Drawing for 'Racing Legends' for the BBC
 (http://www.mightygiant.co.uk/work/racing-legends/)

When looking at some studios to possibly visit for my PDP, I have come across this Studio based in the Northern Quarter in Manchester called the 'Mighty Giant' who's work I find really inspiring as there's such a mixture of aesthetic but each piece still contains an aspect of personality.
I feel like their feedback on my project would be particularly helpful as it would provide some insight into whether my piece with the collage element does in fact show the development of memories within somebody's life, or whether this is something I could improve on.
A particular piece that caught my eye was a piece by the studio for the BBC as it contains a mixture of analogue and digital methods, with collage elements and drawn materials. I find that this is a style I myself like approaching and therefore I feel that their advice particularly on my current project, will be really useful.
I have contacted the studio via their email on the website, however so far haven't heard anything back, with the studio being in high demand with current projects etc. I have also given the alternate option of sending them my work for an email form of feedback.

Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood

I chose to visit the Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall today, as part of the research for my Dissertation as well as my current project. For my dissertation I felt that the visit could help me to show how the education system and your upbringing within childhood effected creativity, and to see the changes within history. In addition to this, I also wanted to collect some research as to what childhood memories I should show within my project, and what sort of toys my Grandma would've played with etc. I think that this is a great experience for both of these subjects.
I found it fascinating that despite the education system in their museum going back into Victorian times, I noticed that not an awful lot has changed. The educational side of things was based entirely on reading, writing and arithmetic, and then introductions of the sciences. Whereas, the Art & Design aspect interestingly wasn't around till later on. The drawing side of things also was used more as a visual aid more than anything else to help certain individuals learn.
It almost seemed ironic that although Art wasn't seen as a real subject, it was used to illustrate and teach other subjects in the education system.
As well as finding information about what best toys etc. I found some aesthetic material that I can compare to my own project.

Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood

I chose to visit the Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall today, as part of the research for my Dissertation as well as my current project. For my dissertation I felt that the visit could help me to show how the education system and your upbringing within childhood effected creativity, and to see the changes within history. In addition to this, I also wanted to collect some research as to what childhood memories I should show within my project, and what sort of toys my Grandma would've played with etc. I think that this is a great experience for both of these subjects.
I found it fascinating that despite the education system in their museum going back into Victorian times, I noticed that not an awful lot has changed. The educational side of things was based entirely on reading, writing and arithmetic, and then introductions of the sciences. Whereas, the Art & Design aspect interestingly wasn't around till later on. The drawing side of things also was used more as a visual aid more than anything else to help certain individuals learn.
It almost seemed ironic that although Art wasn't seen as a real subject, it was used to illustrate and teach other subjects in the education system.
As well as finding information about what best toys etc. I found some aesthetic material that I can compare to my own project.

The Hologram Gallery - Matlock Bath

I happened to stumble across this gallery in Matlock Bath that contained Hologram images that I found interesting and inspiring. The set out itself was quite interesting in the fact that there was mysterious music, and the gallery itself set out in an 'S' format so that there was plenty of room to look at the pieces from different angles, but still with flowing viewing of the audiences.

I liked the fact that these pieces are about questioning what is 3D and what is 2D, and the very difference between them. The gallery itself describes the pieces as:

 'A fusion of photography and reality'

Although I found the pieces interesting, I also found it quite unnerving of how real the images seem. Especially as you're able to see such things at such a close distance. What's inspiring is the fact that such things could perhaps both be 3D and 2D in one. The fact is that they are 2D materials, and contain flat surfaces, but the actual image from the different angles shows that there are some 3D aspects that can be captured. I think this links in a way to my animation, as although the photos that I used are purely 2D images and illustrations, I also know that there is a 3D aspect, with animation I'm producing being a 3D open version of flatter images previously used.

Centre Screen

Even though I have looked into the Centre Screen Studio beforehand after having had a tour of their studio with uni, but I have found that in particular with the project that I am currently undertaking, I've found that collage aspects and the aesthetic that I have been working with reminded me of the work that we were shown when we visited Centre Screen.
As a studio Centre Screen are proud of what they have produced and their ways of adapting with current technologies, they produce educational pieces for museums, but make them interactive, and find ways of making installations that produce emotional reactions from their audiences, and this fascinates me.

I think I'd like to contact the Studio in order to get feedback on my current project, because I feel like my own collage animation piece could also produce emotion, and their advice could be quite valuable for this.

Grizzle - Motion Design & Animation Studio London

Screenshot from their piece for Copa90
(http://grizzle.london/work/motion-graphics/copa90-comments-intro)

When looking into studios that link to the development of my own practise, I found 'Grizzle' who describe themselves as an 'independent Animation and Motion Design Studio'. Working with a range of brands and clients, Grizzle's work has inspired me into my own practice as it links to the 2D animations I've leaned to more over the course.
Alot of the design concepts made by the studio are based on drawn aspects and illustration and seem to adopt a similar working method than I feel I have been doing through sketchbooks and drawn concepts.
I really like the idea of using drawings and physical elements as the very basis of the animations and Motion Design pieces as I feel that is how I work best, and for it to be shown in a professional environment is a positive aspect to see.

I enjoy looking at the storyboard aspects of the pieces that they have made as it really gives an insight as to what the original idea included and how the raw elements of the animation came together as a whole. This example video I'd seen was the animation sequence they had produced for Copa 90- the studio's website includes the briefs which I find fascinating as it shows what sort of briefs they get in the industry and allows me to have an insight as to what is involved and what clients actually ask for.

"Youtube channel sensation Copa90 needed an animated intro for their weekly show Comments Below. Hosted by Poet & and David Vujanic aka Vuj, the pair discuss the weeks goings on in the world of football.
The brief was inspired by Roy of the Rovers comic strips and strangely; the old animated intro from BBC kids show Grange Hill. Dah, dah, dah daaaaaa.
During the course of the animation we track Poet and Vuj as they embark on their way to the studio, naturally via Wembley stadium for a head to head shoot out between the two hosts.
Illustration for the project came from the immensely talented Roger Wade.
And, if you’re wondering where the inspiration and reference for Poet’s kick/shoot scene came from – we spent hours watching replays of thisfamous moment in footballing history by David Beckham as he secured England’s place in the 2002 World Cup."








Copa90 - Comments Below Intro from Grizzle on Vimeo.