Otava Learning
Skylight & Learning To Learn
For 2 years I worked with the team at Otava to bring animation to their printed learning books. I was the sole animator tasked with bringing the wonderful character designs from Mari Luoma to life. Spanning several different books, the project required a blend of technical structure and creative spontaneity to keep the audience engaged as they grew with the series.
From Static Art to Scalable Rigs
Because this was a multi-year commitment, the foundation had to be rock-solid. I built custom rigs for the entire character roster, ensuring they were flexible enough to handle evolving requirements utilising a mixture of tools and scripts.
Scripted Dialogue, Unscripted Humour
While I was provided with a script for the dialogue, the visual "soul" of the videos was often left to my discretion. I was able to work in close conjunction with Mari to create additional props and supporting environments that would fit the aesthetic and gags I had come up with. I conceptualised and executed most of the physical comedy adding a layer of personality that wasn't always present on the page.
Additionally I was requested to provide some voice-over for the earlier videos and would otherwise make my own scratch recordings until the professional VO actors had completed their recordings.
Expanding the Universe
Beyond the core learning modules, the project demanded a variety of supplemental content. I produced additional standalone videos that lived outside the main curriculum, requiring me to maintain brand consistency while exploring different pacing. It was a marathon of a project that allowed me to act as both a technical rigger and a creative director for the visual storytelling.
Year
2023-2025
Role
Character Animation, Storyboard
Agency
Otava Learning
Character Rigs
Two examples of the character rigging. The rigs were all built in After Effects using a mix of DUIK, DeeKay Tool, Joy Sticks 'N Sliders and the latest edition to the toolkit was Limber 2.
Other Projects
Rampage Rally 3D Challenge– Personal, Motion
Chasm's Call 3D Challenge– Personal, Motion
Bits & Extra Bobs– Motion
Kinetic Rush 3D Challenge– Personal, Motion
Bridge of Betrayal Title Sequence– Personal, Motion
Eternal Ascent 3D Challenge– Personal
Cleverbuy – Social Campaign– Motion, Campaign
Digital Masters – SoMe Marketing– Motion, Design
tone X SOUNDBOX– Personal
Echt Vom Feld Brand Relaunch– Brand Identity, Motion, Packaging
Landscapes – 3D Environments– Motion, Personal
Slipped – Coming Soon– Personal, Motion
Der neue Schatten– Personal
Knife Lounge Branding– Brand Identity
VillaToWork Branding– Brand Identity
HeyWorkation Branding– Brand Identity
Advanced Motion Methods– Motion
CRIF Synesgy – Explained in 50s– Motion
Workvivo – Brand Video– Motion
Nothing good ever came easy.