Our final portfolio review of 2021 is all about getting started in the world of animation. Whether you’re a student, a grad or just simply in the first year of your career journey, this is a chance to meet industry professionals, get advice and feedback and get to know some fellow emerging creatives.

This is our first review dedicated to the art of animation, so whether you have a passion for character design, or are looking for tips to sharpen up your latest walk cycle, we have a host of expert reviewers ready to share their advice and insight.

Have a read below to find out how to get involved.

The session will take place over Zoom on Thursday 16th December 2021, from 5pm to 8pm GMT. There are only a limited number of places available, so make sure you sign up to register your interest.

The event itself is fast-paced: In breakout rooms of three emerging creatives and one reviewer, you will get the opportunity to show and discuss work, and get advice and feedback. This will then rotate, so you get to meet several reviewers throughout the evening.

Please note that the session is open to those looking to work in animation, with no more than one year of experience in this field. You will be required to submit an example of your work in your application (e.g. one to two projects or pieces of work that capture what you do), but don’t worry if this isn’t a polished portfolio.

Dev Joshi, senior creative, Animade
After graduating from Ravensbourne’s Motion Graphics course in 2017, Dev went on to freelance in Dubai before joining award-winning animation studio Animade as an intern, and then full-time creative. Known for their buoyant and charming animation, Animade look to find the personality in every project, and above all, to make the world a bit more characterful.

See more from Dev here, and read more about Animade here.

Stew Harvey, senior creative, Animade
Also working at Animade is Stew Harvey, who joined the company in 2016. Stew is a classically trained animator, specialising in character design and animation. Animade has a decade of experience in bringing campaigns to life for Facebook, Google, It’s Nice That and Dunkin’, as well as charities such as Bloody Good Period and Aidsmap.

See more from Stew here, and read more about Animade here.

Stephen Middleton, creative director, Art&Graft
Stephen joined Art&Graft as a junior designer in 2012, rising up the ranks to becoming creative director last year. Art&Graft is an independent, award-winning team of ambitious and talented creative minds. In the past, they have created distinctive visual campaigns the likes of Facebook, Apple, Virgin Media and Google.

Read more about Stephen here, and read more about Art&Graft here.

Ere Santos, senior animator, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Currently based in Vancouver, character animator Ere’s latest credits include films such as Ron’s Gone Wrong, Addams Family 2 and the upcoming Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse 2. Having initially studied mathematics and computer science, it was Ere’s love of film, computers and performance that led him to teach himself animation online – later going on to join Pixar as an intern before working with studios such as DNEG and MPC.

Read more about Ere here, and read more about Sony Pictures Imageworks here.

Katy Wang, animation director, Blinkink
Katy is an animator and animation director based in London, and represented by Blinkink. Graduating from Kingston School of Art in 2017, she brings playful characters to life through bold colours and textural brush strokes. In the past she has worked for brands such as Absolut, Penguin Books and Headspace.

Read more about Katy here, read more about Blinkink here, and read her Creative Lives interview here.

This session is open to students, grads, or those within the first year of a creative career. You are only eligible to register if you are:

• Not in full-time creative work
• Within the first year of your career
• Based in the UK
• Aged 18 and over

Please note that you will be required to submit an example of your work in your application. Register your interest by midnight, 29th November via the link below.

Registering for this event does not guarantee a place. Those invited to attend will be emailed a week before the event, and will be asked to pay a £5 deposit. This is to confirm your attendance, and will be refunded after the session.

Attendees are selected based on their eligibility, so please be assured that if you are not invited, this is not a reflection of the quality of your work.

We hope to see you there!