A look at my self-taught journey into animation.

Bee and Flower Boy

My first experience animating. The first steps of where I’ve always seen this creative journey going: to create a 2D universe for the artists I am most heavily inspired by, the creative boundary pushers who I base many of my illustrations around; the way I envisioned their music and how these visuals would look if it were down to me. But for now, an experiment, learning the ropes.

LUMBERJACK

My second animation, inspired by one of my favourite Tyler, the Creator song ‘LUMBERJACK’, a better look at what I’d ultimately like to achieve in creating music videos. I directed my favourite section of the song, a short 2 second long moment where, since first hearing the song, I have had one very strong, constant visual of a gigantic Tyler crashing through the pavement as he leans in towards the camera. I had previously illustrated this moment but felt it a good source of inspiration to work on this new animation discipline.

pgLang Studios

My third animation, a concept advert for an invite-only Studio ‘pgLang Studios’, inspired by the old Gorillaz lore videos and their own universe’s ‘Kong Studios’. I also wanted to experiment with the sound design of the video, so it’s best to watch this one with headphones. The animation features artists Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar and collaborator/ pgLang Founder Dave Free, as the video gives each character a brief introduction. The video is meant to exist in the same universe that many of my illustrations are based in, so would be the sort of thing you’d come across as part of a Skwaam-directed album rollout.

Nate’s Story

A current work in progress, an introduction to one of my original characters Nathan Walker, and his uncle Ronnie Walker (via a camera on the security drone). This particular story is inspired by an illustrated comic panel I made a few years ago, set in the lore created by many illustrations of a large collection of characters and scenarios. The overall premise is a planet recovering from an almost extinction level event, resulting in a world with zombified humans, giga-sized animals, out-of-world cells invading. A large amalgamation of the media I was interested in during my teenage years. Once again, I wanted to add the dimension of sound to the video so this is best watched with headphones as well.

DJ Oblig Album Promo

My first commissioned animation. Second-time collaboration with acclaimed Grime DJ DJ Oblig, Brief was provided by the client and I’m glad I was able to deliver despite my short experience with animation.

WANG$AP

Another passion project in progress. Another piece based around the long trail of previous illustrations featuring A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator as their collaborative identity ‘WANG$SAP Boys’. In the majority of pieces I have created featuring them has them escaping some sort of chaotic scene, here is no different; it’s definitely a more challenging task to create but I’m enjoying fleshing out this 2D world I’ve been building up.