CW: One of our ambitions for taking on new talent is to attract artists with varied experience working across different disciplines. Describe the journey that brought you to Found.

WB: Of course – let’s start from the very beginning then!

When I was 10 years old, a good friend of mine gifted me a cracked up floppy disk copy of Flash MX (now known as Adobe Animate). Without hesitation, I installed it onto our Windows ‘98 family computer. I started playing with ‘keyframing’, learning ‘tweening’ and ‘onion skinning’ techniques – I began drawing 2D stick figures frame by frame and recreating matrix scenes with epic slow-mo shootouts. Obviously, I elevated these with some pretty impressive DIY sound effects too…

Without fully realising it, I was building an understanding of the basic fundamentals of animation. Cut to 20 years later, I’m a Senior Motion Designer here at Found, using those same principles in my work every day. 

Taking my foundation learnings as a kid, I studied at London College of Communication and took an internship at a small production company, building 2D corporate explainer films. Although far from the most exciting work, it gave me a good foundation and respect for working to deadlines. I consolidated my animation skills there, and with a reel full of live projects I ended my internship and set off onto the next challenge.

CW: Outside influences and references are vital in forming our outlook on an industry, and they can stick with you along the way.  What has pushed you on and inspired you as you’ve progressed?

WB: Great work and craft. When I was coming to the end of my course at LCC I saw the graphics broadcast package that DixonBaxi had built for the Premier League. It was brilliant, with its playful motion theory and intricate fluid movements. I was desperate to work for them, so I reached out asking if there were any opportunities for a placement. It was not to be, and I was crushed, but continued to look for work, sending emails to various companies, eager to kick-start my career post-internship.

Eventually, I began working at an advertising agency called TBWA as a multidisciplinary designer – here I started to gain momentum with developing and honing my craft. I had the chance to work with some top class clients, along with dipping my toes into the world of 3D motion design. I loved it, and decided it was exactly what I wanted to do. 

CW: Making time to learn and push your skills is a difficult one to juggle for busy designers. How do you make it work and how important has setting personal targets and self-training been for you?

WB: Massively important. My job at TBWA wasn’t solely focused on 3D motion design, and I got increasingly restless, not progressing as fast as I would have liked to. I decided to start using my free time to improve my motion design skills. My target? Becoming a full-time motion designer. I started waking up early before work to do tutorials and learn new techniques in Cinema 4D and After Effects. 

A few months down the line I saw an advert on Instagram – DixonBaxi were looking for a Motion Designer. It was my chance to give it another shot. I sent my reel and to my surprise and delight I not only got an interview, but I got the job. It was the step-up in my career that I needed. The old saying is true, the harder you work, the luckier you get. 

From then on I was fully immersed in the world of 3D motion design. As the only 3D artist at DixonBaxi at the time, I was given both a ton of opportunities and challenges – and I learnt how to problem solve on the job incredibly quickly!

CW: You’ve had quite the journey so far! Having worked with big brands and at renowned agencies and studios, what got you excited about joining Found?

WB: Quality and collaboration. The downside to my work before Found was that I was missing out an important factor – collaborating and thinking with other 3D designers and exploring new techniques in Cinema4D and Houdini. I soon decided that I wanted to work for an established 3D focused studio where there were more like-minded designers, and Found was the perfect fit. The team here are so talented and driven – I was immediately welcomed in and given the space and investment to build upon my skills. 

To develop further, I took on personal projects at the weekends. Reaching out and collaborating with brands to build films for their product lines, I faced creative and execution challenges that have pushed my abilities. Found has helped facilitate these, giving me the platform to improve and grow. The wider team here work hard to understand our needs as evolving designers, and take care to provide training ensuring we stay up to date.

CW: You’ve taken the well-deserved step up to a Senior Designer position now, how are you finding it and where do you hope it’ll take you?

WB: I’ve moved on a little since animating stick figures via Flash MX on the family PC you could say! What’s great about stepping up to a Senior Designer position is that I’m still chasing the same feelings of excitement and fulfillment animation brought me all those years ago. Found continues to give me the platform to push my skills and grow in the world of 3D and I’m currently working on some amazing projects with a team of remarkable people.

Taking on a more senior role has given me new responsibilities – I’m leading projects, managing small teams and pushing studio innovation. I’m encouraging personal development and dedication, the importance of collaboration along with remembering to have a bit of fun with it all.

Above all else, I want to guide and encourage the next generation of designers and become the kind of Senior Designer I needed and respected along the way.

All imagery © Will Baldock