Festivals, Ferocity, and Forging New Paths with Kaho Yoshida | May 26, 2025
In this episode of Monday Meeting, host Kendall Hotchkiss speaks with Kaho Yoshida, an award-winning director and animator with a special passion for stop motion and mixed media animation, based in Vancouver and represented by Jelly.This episode includes:* Kaho's experience working with representation through Jelly, including how the relationship formed and the benefits of having agency support as a woman of color in the industry* The creation of her acclaimed personal short film "Tongue," inspired by her experience as an immigrant Asian woman in Canada and her complicated relationship with language and identity* Her approach to mixed media animation, combining stop motion elements (like plasticine tongues and resin saliva) with 2D cell animation for both creative and practical reasons* The challenge of self-funding personal projects while balancing commercial work, and how "Tongue" led to festival recognition including 25+ festival selections* Her recent work on a YouTube Doodle featuring origami animation, and how personal projects help artists get noticed for commercial opportunities* Insights into client education around stop motion production, the importance of detailed pre-production, and managing expectations around revisions* Her talk at Playground Festival about overcoming imposter syndrome by exploring the question "Why me?" with curiosity rather than self-doubt* The value of finding supportive communities like Panimation for underrepresented voices in animation* Advice for aspiring animators: "Make something that you want to get paid to make, because people don't know that you can make that thing unless you make it"HEADS UP! Monday Meetings will be taking a hiatus for the month of June and returning in July. We'll see you when we get back for SEASON 10! Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other insightful conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterKaho's "Tongue" shortKaho's "Yoodle"Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie
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The Art of Self with Danni Fisher-Shin | May 19, 2025
In this episode of Monday Meeting, host Kendall Hotchkiss chats with Danni Fisher-Shin, an art director, animator, and illustrator who recently joined Apple after years of freelancing and studio work in Los Angeles.This episode includes:* Danni's career journey from studying fashion design to discovering animation and motion graphics at Otis College* How Danni became known as "the Procreate girl" through her work with the digital art app, creating animations and teaching on Skillshare* The experience of transitioning from freelance to a full-time animator role at Apple, following years of independent collaborations with the company* Insights into Danni's creative process and how her Asian-American identity influences her artistic expression* Stories about pioneering animation pipelines for projects with Apple and Scholar studio, including music videos for artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Maren Morris* Danni's approach to selling physical merchandise at conventions and art fairs, creating a tangible extension of her digital artwork* Thoughts on navigating burnout by switching creative mediums and maintaining a playful approach to making art* Advice on finding your artistic voice by being authentic and creating work that reflects your true experiencesNext week we will have Kaho Yoshida an award winning director and animator, with a special passion for stop motion and mixed media!Join us for our next Game Night, Wednesday, May 28th at 7PM Pacific/10PM Eastern on Discord! Keep an eye out for this week's newsletter, and HEADS UP -Monday Meetings will be taking a break in June before returning in July for Season 10!Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other insightful conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterRyan Summers on F9 w/ VishalWe Are PlaygroundsDanni Fisher-Shin
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Splitting Niches vs Staying General | May 12, 2025
In this episode of Monday Meeting, host Kendall Hotchkiss continues our discussion about identity in the context of branding and motion design for multiple niches.This episode includes:* Whether to niche down or stay general in your creative business* Personal branding strategies for motion designers * How to communicate your value to clients unfamiliar with motion design* Building community over simply growing a following* Staying updated with industry changes without chasing every trend* Networking and building credibility both online and in-person* Creating personal projects that demonstrate your skills while developing your voice* Using newsletters and content curation to establish yourself in your nicheNext week's guest is still being confirmed. Join the upcoming Gartic Phone game night on May 28th at 7pm PST/ 10pm EST. Link in our Discord!Keep an eye out for the next newsletter that's dropping this week!Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other insightful conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterTessa UgaldeJen Van HornLee SmaltKons EydelmanGary V's Business Growth StrategiesGood Brief IOBehance/Adobe Career Resources
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Balance & Brand: When to Evolve | May 5, 2025
In this episode of Monday Meeting, host Kendall Hotchkiss leads an open discussion exploring the nuances of identity and branding in motion design.This episode includes:Insights on when to refresh your brand identity, explaining that small tweaks like copywriting adjustments or logo refreshes can be made without a complete rebrand when targeting a new audienceThe importance of aligning your brand with your core values and using experimentation to find what works for your audienceDiscussion about creating a comprehensive branding style guide with colors, fonts, and voice tone for professional client communicationThe concept of "Story Brand" as a resource for developing brand identity beyond just visuals Exploration of brand archetypes and how they can be used to position yourself in the marketplace The difference between personal branding and client branding, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling in bothAdvice on navigating multiple specialties and interests as a creative without diluting your personal brandTips for freelancers on approaching client communications authentically while speaking their language.Next week's guest is still being confirmed. The Monday Meeting newsletter will be published later this month with opportunities for listener spotlights and community participation. Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other insightful conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterThe Brief CollectiveStorybrandDash Bash 2023 Macaela VanderMost PresentationCreator Science episode (Chase Jarvis) Creator Science episode (Successor Question)BlinkMyBrainDash Bash 2023 Ariel Costa PresentationKon’s WebsiteF9 Collective (Wednesday 9:30am MT) Talk with Ryan SummersSNL Skit about US Metrics
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Give Yourself Permission to be Weird with Jason Jacobson | April 28, 2025
In this episode of Monday Meeting, host Lee Smalt welcomes creative director Jason Jacobson to discuss the art of pitching unconventional ideas and finding the courage to present concepts that push boundaries.This episode includes: Jason's 20-year journey from copywriter to creative director, and how his experience with improv comedy has shaped his approach to pitching creative concepts The value of the "chicken wing construct" - presenting ideas in escalating levels of boldness to gradually build client comfort with more adventurous conceptsWhy presenting multiple ideas is essential, with Jason noting "2/3 of my ideas are going to be cut, and that's okay" - creating resilience against rejectionInsights on psychology in pitching, including using premium options to make middle-tier options more appealing to clientsThe power of creating interactive experiences that invite audience participation, like installations that turn passive viewers into active participantsThought-provoking examples of successful bizarre pitches, including a concept featuring a pet camel that resonated surprisingly well with a technical college audienceThe reminder that "no one remembers controversy after two years" - encouragement to take creative risks in a world of short attention spansNext week kicks off the new theme of "Identity" with Kendall Hotchkiss hosting a discussion on how identity relates to illustration and branding in motion design.Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other resources from the motion design community, and sign up for the newsletter to stay connected with upcoming events and discussions.SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterJason’s book: “Buried in Beige”The Unfinished Swan Game
Monday Meeting is a weekly virtual gathering where motion designers, animators, and visual effects artists come together to discuss industry trends, share their experiences, and learn from one another.
This creative community provides a platform for networking, collaboration, and skill development. By participating in Monday Meeting, motion design professionals can stay up-to-date on the latest techniques, tools, and software while also expanding their professional networks and growing their careers in this exciting and dynamic field.
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