How to overcome nerves when completing a project for Hermès | Karlotta Freier

Summary

Carlotta, an illustrator and animator from New York, shares her journey on a significant project involving second animations, cut-and-os, and installations. It was her first time animating and directing such a large-scale project, which initially caused anxiety. However, she overcame this by embracing her natural sketching style, which led to a successful collaboration with a UK store and a shift in her artistic approach. Carlotta emphasizes the importance of curiosity and experimentation, which eventually made her a good fit for the 'Year of the Dragon' campaign, despite her inexperience in animation and direction. She discusses her creative process, the support from her team, and the value of not overthinking, allowing her to grow and produce engaging work.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Carlotta is an illustrator and animator based in New York who has worked on a large-scale project involving second animations, cut-and-os, and installations.
• 🚀 It was her first time animating beyond simple projects and her first time directing, which came with significant nervousness and a steep learning curve.
• 🌟 Carlotta's initial lack of confidence in her character design and storytelling was overcome by embracing her natural sketching style, which became her professional signature.
• 📚 A pivotal moment in her career was when a professor at university encouraged her to pursue her sketchbook style, which was her strongest work.
• 🔍 She learned to trust her instincts and approach professional work with the same mindset that she used in her sketchbooks, leading to more opportunities and positive feedback.
• 🌈 Carlotta's work evolved when she was forced to work quickly on a project, which allowed her to create without overthinking, resulting in a successful and well-received piece.
• 💡 The success of her experimental piece led to more opportunities, including a collaboration with a store in Brighton and later a significant project in New York.
• 🎭 She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and experimentation, which helped her break free from self-imposed limitations and grow as an artist.
• 🏆 Carlotta's work on the 'Year of the Dragon' campaign was a testament to her ability to adapt and excel in new challenges, despite her inexperience with animation and directing.
• 🤝 The collaborative nature of the project, including the support from her agent and the creative team, was crucial in bringing the project to life and overcoming her initial fears.

Q & A

What is Carlotta's profession?

Carlotta is an illustrator and animator based in New York.

What was the nature of the project Carlotta described in the script?

The project Carlotta described involved second animations, cut-and-os, and installations, making it the biggest project she had done so far.

What was Carlotta's first experience with animation like?

Carlotta's first experience with animation was animating something more than a 'wonky little GIF', which was a significant step for her as it was her first time animating anything substantial.

What was Carlotta's initial reaction to being given the opportunity to direct and oversee a large project?

Carlotta felt very nervous about the new tasks of directing and overseeing a large project, as it was her first time doing so.

How did Carlotta's professor influence her approach to her work?

Carlotta's professor saw her sketchbooks and told her that her strongest work was in her sketches, which led her to approach her professional work with the mindset of sketching and exploring.

What was the turning point for Carlotta in terms of her artistic style?

The turning point was when Carlotta was given a tight deadline by a store in Brighton, which forced her to create a piece without overthinking it, resulting in a drawing that was more centered on characters with bolder shapes and colors.

How did Carlotta's work evolve after the Brighton project?

After the Brighton project, Carlotta's work started to change as she began to experiment with new compositions and shapes, which led to her work becoming more dynamic and less stifling.

What was the significance of the 'Year of the Dragon' campaign for Carlotta?

The 'Year of the Dragon' campaign was significant for Carlotta as it was her first major project where she had to animate and direct, marking a new phase in her career where she could apply her skills in a larger scale.

How did Carlotta handle the pressure of working on the 'Year of the Dragon' campaign?

Carlotta handled the pressure by embracing her process of sketching and doodling, allowing herself to be curious and experimental, and not overthinking the solutions.

What was Carlotta's routine during her first vacation in New York while working on the project?

During her first vacation in New York, Carlotta woke up early every morning, made tea, and worked on the project until late at night or early morning when everyone else woke up, dedicating long hours to her work.

How did Carlotta's collaboration with the art director contribute to the success of the 'Year of the Dragon' campaign?

Carlotta built a trusting relationship with the art director, which allowed her to share her uncertainties and receive feedback, turning the project into a playground for trying new things and leading to a successful outcome.