Study Task 5 - Create your Brand

I have created a consistent brand across all social media platforms;

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gaps_artist/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gapsart

DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/gaps-art

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabbi-slater-6087681a2/


And I have a Website that has, a blog and an online portfolio:

My Website

I have also created a business card that is also consistent with my brand and is very appealing:

Business Cards and Website

I have been designing my business cards for a couple of weeks now and I think I have a final version that I am happy to print.

This is my final version of my business cards:

I designed the mermaid character as my logo for all my social media accounts, to keep consistency but also show my personality through a simple design. I think it communicates my personality and the fact I am a character designer.

In other news, I was able to obtain a domain name and create a website for myself and it is now live!
My Website!

Very happy with it and I will continue to improve and update it for the foreseeable future.

The Royal Television Society Award Ceremony.

On Wednesday the 26th of February, I was invited to the RTS Award Ceremony to support my fellow coursemates as their films had been nominated for the Animation award.

After our University won the award, we were able to mingle with the animation judging panel.

They gave us great insight into the industry, what they look for in recent graduates and that the animation world of the UK is changing for the better. I asked them where the best place to pitch a young adult animation tv series would be, they told me that the BBC are looking for diverse animation for young adults, Channel 4 are constantly looking for young and upcoming practitioners and also suggested that I can always pitch to Netflix, which is something that I have been considering for a long time.

After this experience, I want to work hard on my film to just get nominated for this award, it can open up a lot of opportunities and it is a great way to keep connected with the animation world.

Study Task 3 - Networking

We have been instructed to update and find professionals in the world of animation through LinkedIn. I decided to use my email that is associated with my art Instagram account, as I intend to use this email when applying for creative jobs, taking commissions, etc.

I used the same picture I use for all my social media and my website, to keep my brand consistent.

My LinkedIn profile


I have also made a few professional connections; animation studios in both in Cornwall and the West Yorkshire area as well as professional character designers and storyboard artists.


12 Networking Events that I could possibly attend.

These are some of the festivals that I could attend as they are either in Leeds or are close by that I will be able to visit.

Manchester Animation Festival
Thought Bubble
Leeds International Film Festival
Bradford Animation Festival
Leeds Young Film Festivals

And here are some international or more expensive festivals that I would like to attend someday:

Cardiff Animation Festival
London International Animation Festival
Raindance Film Festival
Anima: Brussels Animation Film Festival
Animex International Festival of Animation and Computer Games
Britsh Animation Awards
Bradford Animation Festival
Edinburgh Animation Festival 


Here is a list of people who I have tried to make contact with on LinkedIn:

Jason Robbins 

Studio Director at Engine House (Animation Studio in Truro, Cornwall)

Mike Richter  

Director at Engine House 

Natasha Price 

Producer at Engine House Animation Studio

Truro, United Kingdom

1st degree connection

Tim Birks  

Senior Character Animator at Doodle Productions (Animation Studio in Birmingham)

Katie Gascoyne 2nd degree connection 2nd

Recruitment and Talent Coordinator at Blue-zoo Animation Studio & Community Manager at AnimDojo

London, United Kingdom

Jez Hall 2nd degree connection 2nd

Director at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio

Guildford, United Kingdom

Fernanda Valverde 2nd degree connection 2nd

2d Lead animator at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio

United Kingdom

Matthew Tea 2nd degree connection 2nd

Director at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio

London, United Kingdom

Chloé Deneuve 2nd degree connection 2nd

Character Animator

United Kingdom

Sam Potter 1st degree connection 1st

Lead Animator at Blue-Zoo Animation Studio

United Kingdom

• Alex Thomas
•  1st degree connection1st
• Alex has a account

Freelance Storyboard Artist/2D Animator

• Antonio Stappaerts
•  1st degree connection1st
• Antonio has a account

Freelance Concept Artist & Illustrator

Study Task 4: Exit Strategy

The first year out of University will be tough and unpredictable,  I am wanting to work for studios so I can gain experience and connections in the animation world, then start pitching my own animated tv series in the far future. I have a clear check list of things I need to do before and after I graduate:

1. Search for jobs, internships and opportunities in the Yorkshire, Manchester and Nottingham area.
2. Look in to housing in previously stated areas.
3. Create a website/online portfolio.
4. Update/rewrite CV.
5. Look into self-employment options.
6. Set up commissions prices and slots.
7. Look into online shops or way to sell art online to get passive income.

Study Task 2: Scan the Horizon

1. Where do you would like to work, short or long term?

I would initially like to work in a professional animation studio either as a runner or a junior animator, then work my way up into either a character designer or storyboard artist role. I would like to work in a studio environment for at least 5 years then hopefully move on to freelance work.


2. What do you know about your dream role?

I know that you cannot just jump straight into the role straight from uni (or that it is very unlikely that it will happen). As I stated previously I want to get my foot in the door in regards to animation. I understand that I need to have a good relationship with a studio or be known in the industry for my skills. I also need to improve my portfolio regularly and make sure that I make it diverse and appealing to improve my chances of getting my dream role.

Character designers outside of London make a starting wage of £27,000 and can progress to £34,000, however, this all depends on the studio and on the project.


3. Who do you know that might help you get that foot in the door?

I have met people at some networking events (art festivals and animation festivals) and I have managed to get some business cards of some people, however, I do need to find more people to network with and keep those connections, which will help me obtain a job.


4. Networking opportunities based upon where you want to work?

As I will be in the Yorkshire area after Uni, I want to attend Thought Bubble and Manchester Animation Festival again as they were both very eye-opening and was a great way to find out what was going on in the animation world. During my time in university, I want to attend the Leeds Young Film Festival, as there is always animation featured and visiting industry professionals.


5. Anything else that may be related to your moving on from LAU?

I am planning on staying in the Leeds area, so I am wanting to find work in the Yorkshire area, however, I am aware that I might have to commute to Manchester, York or further in order to get the studio work I initially want. I also have plans in the far future to eventually move back to Cornwall: I am aware that there are some animation studios that I could apply for but I am hoping when I get to that stage in my life I will be a freelancer.

Year 3 - Study Task 1 - Review you presence

My practice

What do you do and why do you do it?

I am a character designer and storyboard artist. I love creating characters and telling stories with them, exploring how they would interact with each other and in the world around them. 

How do you do it?

I like working both traditionally and digitally; I usually thumbnail and sketch with pencils and fine liners then bringing those drawings into Photoshop and digitally colouring and finishing my work.


Your skill set

What skills do you have?

I have a good understanding of anatomy, drawing expressions and appealing character design, five-year plus experience with Photoshop and compelling story-telling skills.

I want to specialise in character design, story-boarding and maybe script-writing.


Your plans for the end of the course

Do you want to get a job in a studio?

I want to get as much industry experience as possible, so yes I do want a studio job. I understand that it is important to just get your foot in the door, so I will be willing to be a gofer, a junior animator, a PA, etc anything that will give me studio experience until I am able to get a job in my desired field.

If I am able to get a job as a character designer or storyboard artist straight after university, that would be great too.

Have you considered freelancing?

I would eventually like to work as a freelancer, however, I think it is important to establish industry connections before working independently.

Perhaps something else?

I would like to work on my own projects; create a graphic novel, pitch an animated television series and furthering my social media presence. Maybe starting a Youtube channel dedicated to art and animation.

Your online presence

Do you need to change your approach to social media?

Yes. I do need to be more active not only on my already established social medias but also expand on to others. I also need to have consistent branding on all platforms.

Study Task 10 - Showreel

My Showreel for 2019.

I have seen a huge improvement in character design and storyboarding over this year but I can also seen a big need to improve my animation skills as well. However, over this year, I have definitely come to realise that I excel more in pre-production than actual production and this is the area I want to focus on more.

Character Design Challenge - Alebrijes

I entered the Character Design Challenge for their 51st challenge: Alebrijes.

Alebrijes originate from Mexico and they're actually a relatively new addition to Mexican culture. First created by Pedro Linares as sculptures of non-existent animals that he saw in his dreams; a donkey with butterfly wings, a rooster with bull-horns, etc. The whole idea of alebrijes is that they can be whatever you imagine them to be and that they are sort of your spirit animal when you pass over to the afterlife.

I decided to combine two of my favourite animals to create my own alebrije; a wolf and a deer and then I decided to mix in eagle wings as well.

Initial sketch

I tried to go for a realistic wolf look but it looked really strange with the unnatural colour palette:

I decided to go extremely cute and simple instead:

And I toned down the colour palette to compliment the style better.

Study 9: Collective Enterpise

My team was formed of; Cara, Jess, Rhys and myself.

We decided to create a collective that focused on finding work for freelancers, particularly animation freelancers and artists. As we are all wanting to focus on pre-production and that it is hard to find work for such freelancers.

I did research into how to start a company, looking into studio spaces in Leeds, Wakefield and Manchester, as well as software necessities, desktop computers and laptops.

We also created a website for our collective; "The Hungry Artist Collective"

https://carajeal.wixsite.com/thehungryartist?fbclid=IwAR2xAqM01UX3pjWcuHmWKpEJVybp2jn3kDwHl2DSmJ8JNmbQBu8qfnqep8Y

            Logo designed by Rhys.

I really like the idea of this collective and I would like to explore this idea more.

Study Task 2: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse

Into the Spider-verse

One of the most talked about films in late 2018 and for very good reason. This amazing 3D/2D hybrid animated film came surprisingly from Sony Animation Studios (who also brought out the hated "The Emoji Movie" and the even more hated "Peter Rabbit 2018). 

The film tells the story of Miles Morales, a character that has only be known in the comics and had a very small cameo in the 2018 Spiderman game, and his story of becoming his universe's Spiderman.

It is revealed that there are many different universes and each one has there own version of Spiderman and due some very extraordinary circumstances 6 of them are brought to Miles'. 

Each of the Spiderpeople has different styles, not just costumes and fighting styles but animation style. Peter Porker is inspired by old school Looney Tunes and is animated accordingly, SpiderNoir is coloured in black, white and grey and Penny Parker is heavily inspired by anime. 

This blend of different type of styles and animations makes this a truly unique experience for any animation fan but it is also an engaging and entertaining story with a lot of charm. Miles chemistry and clever banter with the rest of the cast make the character dynamics so fun to watch and seeing him grow and accept his role as Spiderman is an endearing way of telling the story of Spiderman.

Study Task 8: Working Freelance/ Self Employed

If I work as a freelancer I will need to create a professional portfolio and post it on a professional website. 

I understand that it is important to keep up a social media presence on Instagram and Facebook, and on Art specific websites like Artstation, Deviantart, etc.

I am also aware that YouTube is a popular and good way to create a passive income by creating videos, which is something I have been considering for a long time.

On average freelance artists usually charge between £15-£25 per hour, this will be an outline for me to keep in mind.

I wrote out a commission contract that I can use in the future, I made sure to cover myself in regards to copyright and social media rights over the work I create. 

Study Task 2: Steven Universe: Battle of Heart and Mind/ Change your Mind

Steven Universe: Season 5 Finale

Steven Universe has been a leading modern cartoon for everyone, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. The most recent season has had huge character arcs and reveals that the fans have been waiting for almost the five years that the show has been on the air.

Battle of Heart and Mind was the show the conclusion to the confrontation between the Crystal Gems and the Diamonds. Steven has allied himself with Blue and Yellow Diamond to reason with White Diamond. When that doesn't go to plan Steven must find another way to get through to White Diamond...

In this Season finale, the Crewniverse (The crew that works on SU) went all out on animation, characters and story writing. As a big fan of the show for many years, this episode was a treat as a viewer and as an aspiring animator. 

The most talked about scene is definitely when the protagonist Steven fuses again with his gem side. This scene was animated by veteran Disney animator James Baxter; many had speculated that this scene had used a 3D model of White Diamond to get the panning shot, but it was all done by hand which is truly impressive.  

Study Task 7: Social Media Pro

Social Media that I use:

Instagram:  I use Instagram quite regularly, I check it every day several times and I try to post my art 3 times a week and to reach a wide audience.

Deviantart: I have a Deviantart "Core" Membership, which helps you gain a bigger audience on the site, I post quite regularly on the site, I try to post every week but due to uni work it is probably once a month. 

Facebook: I hardly ever post on my art facebook page, I only post when I post on Instagram but I don't always remember to link the posts to the Facebook page.

I want to engage with my audience more and get feedback on my art.

Things that I want to do to help gain a larger audience:

- Be more active on Instagram to gather more followers and to gain a bigger audience.

- When my Instagram reaches 100 or 500 followers I will post a video on my Youtube Channel.

- Create a proper Youtube Channel for my art.

- Post a video on self-improvement for 100 followers on Instagram.

- I also plan to do the "Mermay" challenge, to post a picture of my art every day and at least one video of me creating one of the pieces of art for my Youtube Channel.