In this open discussion episode, host Kendall Hotchkiss leads a candid conversation about navigating challenging client relationships on pro bono projects!This episode covers:Pro bono work requires boundaries too: Even volunteer projects need contracts, timelines, and scope definitions to prevent scope creep and maintain professional relationshipsThe contract as your bouncer: Setting up agreements after a project starts is still valuable - frame it as helping everyone get organized rather than creating frictionDesign by committee challenges: When working with clients who have some technical knowledge but lack expertise, lead with questions about their goals rather than telling them what's wrongTime as leverage: When there's no payment involved, your availability and timeline become your primary negotiating tools for maintaining boundariesThe 50% rule for resistance: If clients consistently push back on expert recommendations, especially on accessibility standards, you may need to accept their limitations and focus energy elsewhereWalking away professionally: Always have a referral ready and offer project files when exiting a difficult engagement - how you leave matters as much as how you startClient communication strategies: Mirror client language back to them, keep emails brief with links to detailed notes, and break feedback into specific review rounds to manage expectationsUpcoming Events:Next week's guest: Haley Akins from Motion Hatch!Garlic Phone Game Night: December 3rdOpen call for volunteers: Monday Meeting is seeking hosts and behind-the-scenes help for 2026Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting Newsletter
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How Jake Bartlett Found His Flow | Nov 10, 2025
In this episode, host Kendall Hotchkiss welcomes Jake Bartlett, and they discuss his journey from motion designer to educator, his latest course launch, and his embrace of AI tools for creative work.This episode covers:Animation Principles course launch: Jake's new course focusing on 8 core principles of motion design (condensed from the original 12 Disney principles), featuring projects like the Ease-N-Out Burger animation made with Blender and After Effects' Advanced 3D render engineGenerous course giveaway: Jake offered free access to his Animation Principles course to all live attendees, demonstrating his commitment to education and community supportAI-powered tool development: Jake's exploration of vibe coding with Claude AI and Claude Code to create After Effects scripts and extensions, marking a significant shift in how motion designers can build custom toolsCareer evolution through generalist experience: How starting as a generalist at a production company (doing motion design, editing, camera work, and graphic design) helped Jake identify his passion for kinetic text and animated lyric videosLyric video specialization: Jake's journey to becoming known for lyric videos, culminating in work for Norah Jones and establishing a niche that combined his motion design skills with his music backgroundSoftware exploration beyond After Effects: Jake's experiments with Blender, Rive, Figma, and interest in DaVinci Resolve's Fusion, while maintaining After Effects as his primary toolYouTube content strategy: Jake's spontaneous approach to video creation based on excitement rather than strict planning, and his upcoming 30-day series covering every panel in After EffectsEfficient production workflow: How Jake optimizes his home studio setup with integrated camera, lighting, and teleprompter to streamline the tutorial creation process from recording to editingTeaching as ultimate career path: Jake's progression from full-time motion designer to freelancer to full-time educator, discovering that teaching was his true passion after trying different rolesUpcoming Events:Game Night: Wednesday, December 3rd - Gartic Phone and other games (watch for announcement in Monday Meeting channels)Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterJake’s YouTubeJake’s website“Level Up” Free SOM CourseNorah Jones - Flipside (Lyric Video)MUTEMATH - Walking Paranoia (Lyric Video)Plastic Planets - Useless (Official Lyric Video)The Pink Dust - Night Vices (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)The Pink Dust - Open Your Eyes (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)Jordyn Jones - I'm Dappin (Lyric Video)
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Render, Roast, Repeat | Nov 3, 2025
In this open discussion episode, host Jen Van Horn chats with community members sharing Halloween stories, Adobe MAX updates, professional wins, and seasonal projects.This episode covers:Halloween and seasonal celebrations: Community costume sharing including K-pop Demon Hunters and sensory rope bunny looks, plus discussion of declining trick-or-treaters and the rise of trunk-or-treat events replacing traditional door-to-door visitsAdobe MAX announcements: Firefly boards emerging as collaborative mood boarding tools combining inspiration collection with AI generation, Content Aware Fill advances enabling 3D subject rotation, and increased availability of sneaks content for remote attendeesIndustry alternatives gaining ground: Affinity design suite now permanently free for all users with newly added vector trace functionality, challenging Adobe's market position for design-focused workflowsProfessional wins across the community: First-time live panel moderation at major industry events, unexpected client partnerships from social media posts, recovery milestones enabling return to full creative work, and Monday Meeting team expansion with new editors and hostsPersonal project momentum: Custom streaming setups with animated alert boxes and Arduino integration, year-end business strategy development for 2026 launches, hand-drawn animation work for independent films, and TA positions providing skill refreshersVisit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterAdobe MAX SneaksThe Lemelson FoundationMotion Hatch's Creative and Coin Community
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The Real You vs The Rendered You | Oct 27, 2025
In this open discussion episode, host Jen Van Horn leads a conversation about self-identity, authenticity, and the pressures motion designers face to mask their true selves, with insights from Kendall Hotchkiss, Lee Smalt, Moe Murdock, Sam J, Landon X. Jenkins, and Cameron Butterfield.This episode covers:Mental health and self-identity: How disconnecting from your creative identity during layoffs or industry changes can be catastrophic for mental health, with discussion of practices to maintain authentic creative habitsJob security myths: Why full-time positions aren't truly stable since employees are ultimately numbers to companies, and how freelancers often develop better resilience through managing multiple client relationshipsAI as masking tool: The concerning trend of creatives using AI to craft opinions rather than developing authentic perspectives, with warnings about AI providing false information to please usersGender dynamics in creative work: How women in motion design face unique challenges with over-apologizing, downplaying expertise, and balancing confidence with authenticity in professional settingsScarcity mindset dangers: How fear-based decision making leads to over-promising on deadlines and saying yes to wrong projects, requiring conscious checking of motivationsPractical authenticity exercises: Ten actionable steps for maintaining creative authenticity including truth sketches, honoring creative instincts, sharing works-in-progress, and creating art not meant for postingUpcoming Events:Next week: Open discussion format for November planningVisit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting Newsletter
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You Deserve a Grant, Not Just Exposure | Oct 20, 2025
In this open discussion episode, host Lee Smalt shares insights from his experience as a Minnesota State Arts Board grant reviewer and leads conversations about funding creative projects, film festival submissions, and navigating AI's impact on independent artistic work. This episode covers:Art grant fundamentals: How state arts boards evaluate applications based on qualifications and narrative strength rather than artistic merit, with grants ranging from $2,000-$10,000 for individual artists and up to $400,000 for organizationsGrant reviewer perspective: Lee's two-year experience reviewing 60+ applications annually revealed that successful grants require clear budgets, realistic timelines, and strong community impact narratives rather than artistic credentialsFilm festival strategy: Understanding that festival submissions require significant time and financial investment, with entry fees ranging $25-$150+ and competitions often favoring established filmmakers or specific aesthetic preferencesNarrative crafting for grants: The importance of articulating why your project matters, who it serves, and how it contributes to cultural preservation or community engagement beyond personal artistic expressionAI's role in creative work: Discussions about using AI tools strategically for ideation and reference while maintaining human craftsmanship and authenticity, with concerns about oversaturation and the need for "meat" in artistic workBalancing artistic vision with audience: The challenge of staying true to creative instincts while remaining accessible to audiencesTactile art resurgence: Growing interest in hands-on, mixed media work as a response to AI-generated content, emphasizing physical craftsmanship and human imperfection as differentiatorsUpcoming Events:Game Night: Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:30pm PST (Gartic Phone)Next week: Personal identity and masking discussion, hosted by Jen Van HornVisit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!SHOW NOTES:Monday Meeting PatreonMonday Meeting DiscordMondayMeeting LinkedInMondayMeeting InstagramMondayMeeting BlueskyMondayMeeting NewsletterCall For Entry and Application Management for the ArtsGlobal Open Call for Artists
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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