What does it take to forge a career in animation?
Lydia Evans and Riley Mclaren – animators, teachers and longtime collaborators – are the co-owners of Chunk Motion, a successful design studio. Their recipe for building a career in animation? Hone in on your talents and take the time to explore until you find the perfect fit. Lydia fell in love with animation as a child after watching the extras on a Jackie Chan movie. Staying true to her dream, Lydia followed her passion for animation to Deakin University where she explored the different types of animation and happened upon her niche. ‘Throughout university I discovered motion design, a subset of animation that really seemed to make sense in my mind,’ she says. Riley was also drawn to motion design, but not until he’d explored all other options. ‘I have always been a creative person, but I couldn’t nail down exactly what I wanted to focus on,’ he says. While at Deakin, Riley and Lydia collaborated on their third-year production project and this shaped their creative relationship. The project, The Rusty Hook, was selected to be screened as part of the official selection at the Melbourne International Animation Festival and the Australian International Animation Festival. Upon graduation, Riley started a full-time role with a video production company and Lydia worked as a freelance motion designer. After this they freelanced side-by-side, building their businesses together and eventually created their own motion design studio. Their portfolio now includes video content for Gami Chicken, Australia Post, Digital Innovation Festival, Prostmate and more. Riley says his time at Deakin University taught him about collaboration. ‘The most important skill that I learnt throughout the course was communicating and forming connections with other students,’ he explains. ‘It’s these connections that help you to create a sustainable career. ‘Being good at what you do is one thing, but finding likeminded people and forming friendships with people in neighbouring fields can help put you in people’s brains,’ Riley says. ‘When they need an animation, you want them to instantly think of you.’ If you see a future for yourself in animation, Lydia suggests you jump straight in. ‘Just make stuff for the fun of it and you’ll learn so much,’ she says. ‘This industry is wonderfully supportive and everyone is bursting to share how they made something, to recommend resources and advice.’ Lydia speaks for herself and Riley when she says animation is a fantastic career. ‘It can be challenging at times but it is exceptionally rewarding to see your creations go out into the world.’
Ready to build your animation career?
Follow your passion: deakin.edu.au/create