tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post5665308870431620911..comments2024-03-13T23:42:25.845-07:00Comments on Animondays: I'm Not a Designer But I Play One on TVDavid B. Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12611160893518781463noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-5032164399159339792009-09-12T02:16:15.682-07:002009-09-12T02:16:15.682-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-34593171746169731192009-04-25T05:55:00.000-07:002009-04-25T05:55:00.000-07:00I've just decided that I should like to be called ...I've just decided that I should like to be called a "Journeyman Animator".Elliot Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15952897418341461593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-34711211456373920282009-04-23T12:11:00.000-07:002009-04-23T12:11:00.000-07:00Whoa! That was a huge surprise to see my name in ...Whoa! That was a huge surprise to see my name in there Dave. Thanks!<br /><br />And by the way, your designs are awesome. They are super funny and appealing.<br /><br />For me, moving out to LA was all about the opportunity and education. I love and miss NY quite a lot. I grew up in New Jersey and all of my family is there. My wife is from NJ and all of her family is on the east coast as well. We both see ourselves ending up back on the east coast at some point. And I want to take everything I've learned here back to NY and dive right back into NY animation.<br /><br />One of the biggest differences here in LA is that most people pick an area of expertise and stick with it and perfect it. There are exceptions to that of course, but I think this is generally true. I miss bouncing back and forth from designing to animating to painting bgs. The ability to do that was a key in keeping steady employment after graduating from SVA.<br /><br />That doesn't happen quite as much here in LA, but I do try to keep my door open for any freelance that might let me use those muscles I don't use everyday.<br /><br />Oh.. and I call myself a "cartoonist". I just happen to work in animation, currently as a character designer. :)<br /><br />And here's my 2 cents about "good" design. For me, it's all about communication. Aesthetic is subjective. I feel that Beavis and Butthead is just as well designed as any of the other design notables... Sleeping Beauty, Samurai Jack, Ren and Stimpy. ... I narrowed that down quite a bit to try to make a point :) Let's see if I catch some flack for that one.<br /><br />Thanks again for the mention.Uncle Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01782789250885810557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-63441930874802691642009-04-22T10:28:00.000-07:002009-04-22T10:28:00.000-07:00I thought NY Animation was made up of "Technicians...I thought NY Animation was made up of "Technicians"? Just jokes. :) <br /><br />One of the things I look forward to most about working with members of our community is the moment when I stumble upon someone's hidden talent. People in artistic fields seem to crossover so often into other mediums of self-expression. Nothing's cooler than discovering that someone who's an amazing Animator can also sing some sick karaoke or peeking into a Production Coordinator's really cool, really inspiring sketchbook.Linda Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06900569556420925136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-30820172427240555402009-04-20T16:30:00.000-07:002009-04-20T16:30:00.000-07:00Oh, forgot to add... love the designs. :)Oh, forgot to add... love the designs. :)Jim Mortensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08153849272626017413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-35735131270905799692009-04-20T09:58:00.000-07:002009-04-20T09:58:00.000-07:00My vote is for "Animation Director", for a couple ...My vote is for "Animation Director", for a couple of reasons..<br /><br />For one, in my experience here in LA there are Directors and Show Creators that step in and do their own character designs sometimes. That's the fun of being a Director - you can choose to do something yourself (if you'll enjoy it) rather than hand it off. Not necessarily a whole show's designs, but a couple of characters. I know it's pretty common for a show creator to do a couple of episodes' storyboards to. I'd say "Director" encompasses all.<br /><br />Building on that, "Animation Director" sounds a lot more impressive. And I bet that in NYC that brings connotations that you could (and have) take a project all the way from pre-production to post-production, whether it's a show episode or a short film or an interstitial. So in there, you can decide what parts of the production you want to get your hands on and what you can hand off to people with potentially more specific skillsets.<br /><br />That said, I'm more of a generalist in my current gig too. So there are pockets of LA that let you have the ability to get your hands in lots of things.Jim Mortensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08153849272626017413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-44370707084395562382009-04-20T09:22:00.000-07:002009-04-20T09:22:00.000-07:00Chuck Jones used to call himself a graphic artist....Chuck Jones used to call himself a graphic artist.<br /><br />I used to think that was a good term but animation artist is much better.<br /><br />It suggests many skills in such a specific field.Nelson Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10353020328626822506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-84953172008977983312009-04-20T09:17:00.000-07:002009-04-20T09:17:00.000-07:00Couldn't wait to get to a good stopping point with...Couldn't wait to get to a good stopping point with today's work so that I could head over here to see what this week's discussion would be, Dave. Great stuff...<br /><br />With regard to character design, I personally like to see that an artist's work is progressing and evolving over time. A good designer never rests on his or her laurels, and I believe that the truly inspired designers in our craft display their artistic and professional growth in their work.<br /><br />I love to see an artist's work change as their influences change. That evolution is the exciting part, for me.<br /><br />There are varying levels of talent in our field in all areas, for sure. But the most important asset is the desire to learn and grow in ALL facets of the craft. To get better!<br /><br />Your designs do have a consistent sense of fun and warmth to them. <br />You can tell that you're having fun drawing them, which I love to see.<br /><br />Salut! :)Dagan Moriartyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16635479454596191904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-62256148318669263972009-04-20T08:39:00.000-07:002009-04-20T08:39:00.000-07:00At one time I referred to myself as a turd polishe...At one time I referred to myself as a turd polisher.<br /><br />These days, the term animation artist fits better than animator.<br /><br />I agree with you guys about character designs, btw. Some of the new shows coming out already look dated. Professionally designed, yes, but you can tell they won't make it past a season or two, because their look is not unique.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16581487681954406675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-66194009906376062152009-04-20T07:33:00.000-07:002009-04-20T07:33:00.000-07:00Actually, I was commenting on the quality of your ...Actually, I was commenting on the quality of your work rather than the clarity of your post : )<br /><br />And I am agreed 100% about slick and formula.<br /><br />It seems to me (particularly in the US) that commercial character design inspiration come from a very small pool.<br />It's incredibly frustrating to me.Elliot Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15952897418341461593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-74668755738213292512009-04-20T07:27:00.000-07:002009-04-20T07:27:00.000-07:00I like the term "animation artist" as a catch-all ...I like the term "animation artist" as a catch-all term, if I had to pick but one. I HATE the way everyone who works in animation is called an animator. That's so incorrect. <br /><br />I realize I could have been clearer, but I do like my designs, Elliot. And, of course, I'm super glad the client liked them. I think I have the ability to create some "character" or warmth in my designs. I just know I'm not technically perfect or sophisticated... but, I don't see that entirely as a weakness. <br /><br />In some ways, I'm glad my designs are not slick. For me, slick often equals "formula." And, in a way, not being trapped in a formula approach can let one stumble upon fun designs that a more structured knowledge might not allow for.David B. Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12611160893518781463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-47964586553760317572009-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:002009-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:00"Does "artist" encompass all?"
I don't think it d..."Does "artist" encompass all?"<br /><br />I don't think it does, actually.<br />There are many, many people who work in animation who aren't artists - not everyone can be.<br />Not every graphic designer or illustrator is an artist either.<br />They may be talented and technically proficient, but it doesn't make them an artist.<br /><br />However, this doesn't mean you are not a hard working professional doing specialised work in a difficult field.<br /><br />I like the term "animation worker" but I usually tell people I'm a brain surgeon.Elliot Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15952897418341461593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738814364413384768.post-69164283871133579712009-04-20T06:05:00.000-07:002009-04-20T06:05:00.000-07:00Regardless of how you feel about them, these are m...Regardless of how you feel about them, these are mostly charming and the bear is very fun.<br /><br />On a related note.<br />So many folks in animation do what they think are character designs, when in fact they are just drawings.<br />To be a character, it has to have CHARACTER.Elliot Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15952897418341461593noreply@blogger.com