During Year 1, I wanted to explore mixed media, and what that could mean for me. Through experimenting with stop motion, pixelation and 2D, I know I want to work in a role that encapsulated hybrid forms of animation.
Awkward Animations
‘Awkward Animations’ a creative agency in London, work mainly in techniques such as pixelation and stop motion for global brands. It is refreshing to see techniques like this used on a large scale for corporate clients with the current climate of AI and as increased emphasis on efficiency. This says something about their ethos and creative approach.
Second Home Studios
Based in Birmingham, Second Home Studios have a long history of experimental stop motion projects for corporate clients. I see the commercial animation world as shiny and risk adverse, however what attracts me about Second Home is their ability to balance between corporate shininess and edge.
One project in particular ‘Make Me White’ in 2008 featuring Anita Rani, is a commercial pixelation advert about the dangers of skin whitening products. The brand use this stop motion technique to create a time lapse of a woman gradually being consumed by white paint. The project is of course a commentary on racism in the beauty world.
A + C Studios
A + C Studios is a stop motion studio based in both London and Margate. They have a unique use of hybrid animation. One example being their TKMaxx advert, that turns everyday kitchen objects into lively characters, such as flying toast and singing blenders. The role of character design is interesting in this context, as it requires the animator on set to understand how to apply animation principles such as follow through, anticipation to still life objects.