Ash Thorp
Ash Thorp presented his set of tools in a combination with his recent work. With each set of tools he demonstrated what techniques helped him to bring the desired results. He covered a lot of topics ranging from photography to software and 3D rendering.
Currently one of the greatest stars of motion design at all. A renowned designer, director and illustrator from California whose primary focus is film- and computer game-related projects, including the design of subtitle sequences, visual concepts for Hollywood sci-fi and the design of interactive interfaces. In addition, he shoots his own films often inspired by comic books and futuristic topics. His most recent projects include work for Blade Runner 2049 or Ghost in the Shell. Besides this, he produces his own podcast about motion design and other topics, and has co-founded the Learn Squared educational website, where he teaches several online courses himself.
Memo Akten
Memo Akten presented his breath-taking digital art projects that are heavily focused on AI and machine learning. In what he called a lecture of maths he demonstrated the algorhytmic processes in his provoking experimental projects that are both quirky and entertaining.
A visual artist and researcher of Turkish origin whose work and academic research are dominated by the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, neuron networks, generative image modelling as well as lights and lasers, drones, sound installations and illusory performance features. He has co-founded and worked at the Marshmallow Laser Feast studio, held exhibitions at a number of prestigious galleries worldwide and, in his work, often explores the topics of personal freedom and impacts of new technologies.
John Likens
John Likens presented his path from a beginning designer in New York City that had guts to get a job at one of the best design outlets and worked very hard to get among the best ones. He talked about creating fictional user interfaces, being burned out and finding inspiration at different projects. He also presented his most recent and award-winning work on film title design.
John Likens is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on design and animation for film and television. Recognized with winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Graphic Design and Art Direction, a SXSW Title Design Award and a spot on Shots’ Rising Stars list, he’s well known for crafting memorable visuals. His passion for film has led him to design cinematic title sequences for Deadpool 2, or the award-winning titles for Netflix’s Godless, among others. John’s work also includes the holographic UI designs for Iron Man 3 or RoboCop. He also provided design direction for the Netflix documentary Mission Blue and art directed Red Bull’s first feature documentary Blood Road. Before Method, John worked as a freelancer in many top NY studios including The Mill and Framestore.
Peter Burr
Peter Burr presented his art projects that combine computer graphics and animation whilst exploring different media like virus applications and other interactive outlets. He presented his thinking behind the abstract generative artworks that touches the subjects of dystopia and society.
Peter Burr is a New York-based artist that experiments with computer animation. His images and environments hover on the boundary between abstraction and figuration. Burr has in recent years devoted himself to exploring the concept of an endlessly mutating labyrinth. His practice often engages with tools of the video game industry in the form of immersive cinematic artworks. These pieces have been presented internationally by various institutions including MoMA PS1 in New York and The Barbican Centre in London. Previously Burr worked under the alias Hooliganship and founded the video label Cartune Xprez through which he produced hundreds of live multimedia exhibitions and touring programs showcasing a multi-generational group of artists at the forefront of experimental animation.
Illo
The Italian directors duo from Illo showcased the studio's projects and culture, both of which have a strong sense of a minimalist, playful style and an interest in technology. They also presented their self-initiated projects and development of the video automation process.
The Turin-based studio was founded by Ilenia Notarangelo along with her partner Luca Gonnelli. Illo has created work for clients such as Airbnb, Spotify, Bloomberg, UEFA or Algo – an automated system that, thanks to a smart use of coding, can independently create animations for the online media as new data are obtained. Illo places emphasis on continuous education and generating new ideas, which has become a key feature of the Turin-based studio's culture.
Dvein
The Barcelonian duo of directors Teo Guillem and Carlos Pardo showcased their work under the label of Dvein. Their engaging talk goes well behind the scenes of their projects and presents their experimental work process as well as their playful directing style full of balancing stupid ideas and saying “Why not“ quite often.
They are engaged in both commercial and cultural projects, where they make use of their sense for experimenting. They primarily combine various film camera and live visual effect techniques with sophisticated computer simulation. Their distinctive visual style has found resonance in clients like National Geographic, Canal+ and the F5 New York creative festival, to name a few.
Kurzgesagt
Daniela Görzen presented the animation and design process behind the popular illustrated videos explaining science and more. Going all the way back to the very first video that set up the channel and showcasing the development of the style that's characteristic for Kurzgesagt today.
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell is a Munich-based animation studio and YouTube channel with a unique perspective on design, colour and storytelling. The studio specialises in illustrated and animated science videos on topics such as space, technology, biology, history and philosophy. With more than 7.7 million subscribers and 25,000 daily views, Kurzgesagt is currently the most viewed channel in Germany and one of the largest science and knowledge channels on YouTube.
Troika
Kevin Aratari from Troika talked about the agency focus on design thinking that helps them to find the right balance of strategy and creativity in a variety of projects ranging from broadcast identity packages to sports branding and most recently fan experiences.
A 20-year veteran of the entertainment media industry, Kevin is passionate about the opportunities offered by the dramatically changing media environment, and strives to be on the edge of change for both Troika and its clients with an eye on what’s next. Kevin’s background has touched visual effects for feature films, theatrical and television marketing, and brand design for some of the biggest box office hits and leading brands in entertainment and sports with giants like ESPN, HBO, UFC, Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. With a fan-centric perspective Troika’s craft is a blend of art and strategic thinking to create a holistic and meaningful brand experience that builds highly engaged, loyal audiences.
Gysin-Vanetti
The Swiss designers showcased their approach to existing objects of visual communication in public space. By dismantling physical objects and twisting them with into a generative patterns to build a completely new viewer experience. Moving further to work with elementary digital displays they took the viewer experience even further.
Andreas Gysin and Sidi Vanetti are an artist duo exploring images and patterns using the type geometries of multipurpose displays. What characterises the projects is that their intention is to not modify the layout or visual organisation of the chosen hardware or medium. They work with what the existing has to offer. Within these hard constraints they search for infinite visual permutation. Using only prevailing forms, Gysin-Vanetti build images, animations and generate patterns. They build temporary interventions or permanent installations in public spaces or in exhibitions. Their experimental approach give new life to unexpected media like the mechanical train arrival panel at Zurich Main Station.
Cabeza Patata
The talk of creative duo Cabeza Patata presented their approach to creative work and their wonderful world of illustrated and animated characters. They presented how to create work for big clients from a small apartment and how to treat stereotypes in character creation.
Cabeza Patata is an illustration and animation studio formed by Katie Menzies and Abel Reverter. They are building a world of playful yet strong characters that pop up everywhere with their bold colours and no-nonsense attitudes, from street murals in Barcelona to 3D animation and illustration for Spotify, Apple or New York Times. As Cabeza Patata grows, so does their interest in using different media; experimenting with VR, textile patterns and craft workshops, and 3D printing their characters. Their approach to character design mostly comes from people-watching. They find fun positions and situations everywhere and they enjoy exaggerating them in their characters, creating something a bit absurd and light- hearted from the everyday life.
Entagma
Manuel Casasola Merkle and Moritz Schwind presented their project Entagma. After dipping a bit to theory of computer generated image, visual programming and processing tools they focused mostly on the advanced possibilities of Houdini sotware and the boundaries between design and advanced CGI.
With commercial background at Aixsponza, a Münich-based studio, they are both technology magicians enthusiastic about software solutions for demanding and complex projects in the Houdini 3D system. The topics they address in their tutorials at the Entagma website include the most advanced simulations, complex computer graphics and sophisticated procedural design.
