Takeover Tuesday with Millie Woodcock
Q&A with Millie Woodcock: a freelance illustrator and designer who also animates for Lambda Films.
Q&A with Millie Woodcock
Read time: 5min
Madison Caprara:
So, how did you get into the illustration and motion design game? Did choosing it as a career path click immediately or did it take some self-exploration?
Millie Woodcock:
As a kid, I had always loved drawing my favorite cartoon characters. Once I realized that this was an actual job, it stuck with me and I always wanted to go into an animation career. Illustration as a job came a little later after I studied animation, and then motion graphics came even later after I graduated. Motion graphics took a bit more self-exploration, I never really felt like I could fit in with traditional animation techniques and really took to the graphical styles of motion graphics. I had a few intern jobs after graduating, then managed to get a full-time role as a motion graphics animator. I’ve been working as an animator now for seven years and started freelancing three years ago.
Madison Caprara:
What kind of education did it take to get you where you are today? Looking back, are you for or against pursuing a formal education?
“Moth” — Illustrated by Millie Woodcock.
Millie Woodcock:
I did a BA in animation at Norwich University of the Arts. I think formal education is really down to the individual person. I don’t think I would have had the self-motivation at 18 to learn what I needed to learn with online courses. However, there are now so many online options run by industry professionals that it seems much easier to learn online. There weren’t as many of these when I went to University. There isn’t a right or wrong path into the industry.
Madison Caprara:
What are the best and worst aspects of working in the animation field?
“there isn’t a right or wrong path into the industry.”
Millie Woodcock:
The best part of my job is being able to work on many different projects, which means I get to explore different styles and approaches. I tend to get bored on a project if it lasts too long. Working in the commercial field of motion graphics keeps me on my toes as I don’t tend to be on a project that lasts more than a couple of months.
The worst aspect is that sometimes you can get some really tight deadlines where you feel like you don’t have time to think and consider your approach.
Madison Caprara:
Tell us a little more about your aesthetic. It’s so fun and almost...serene?
Millie Woodcock:
Thank you! I feel like my aesthetic is always developing. I do love playing with shapes, specifically in my character designs, I also love to play with proportions and perspectives.
Madison Caprara:
What is the craziest client or project experience you’ve had thus far?
“Attention Everyone” — Designed and Illustrated by Millie Woodcock; With Very True Story.
Millie Woodcock:
I have one that was a crazy project in a good way!
I was approached by the team at Very True Story to storyboard and design an animation that was scripted by 4th Graders. It was so much fun to bring their story to life.
Madison Caprara:
What is your all-time favorite animation or illustration and why?
Millie Woodcock:
It’s hard to pick but one of my all-time favorite animations is, My Moon, directed by Eusong Lee.
The story and design are both amazing, I never get bored of watching it.
Madison Caprara:
Are there any new trends that newbies (or even veterans) should be focusing on, in your opinion?
Millie Woodcock:
I feel like I’m seeing a lot of noisy gradients. I’ve even started to add them to my own work because I like how it looks. But, I don’t think it’s super important to have to focus too much on trends. If you see something you like, take inspiration from it and give it a go.
“I don’t think it’s super important to have to focus too much on trends. if you see something you like, take inspiration from it and give it a go.”
“Opposites” — Illustrated by Millie Woodcock.
Madison Caprara:
How has the pandemic affected your access to work?
Millie Woodcock:
I’ve been lucky to not have a decrease in work. I live in a small town and I think the pandemic opened up more remote freelancing work too.
Madison Caprara:
Do you foresee an increasing or decreasing demand for animators and illustrators now and in the coming years?
Millie Woodcock
At the moment, I feel like there has been an increased demand for animation work. I think where physical filming has been difficult to do during the pandemic, these projects have moved over to animation instead.
Madison Caprara:
Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
Millie Woodcock:
I get inspiration from many places; being able to travel and socialize helps refresh my brain a lot, so this year I have found it a struggle to get the motivation to create personal work.
I also get inspiration from all of the artists I follow on social media; looking through my Instagram feed can help motivate me to create something. I now have a dog, he has occasionally inspired me to create some illustrations that feature him.
“don’t let imposter syndrome get in the way of putting something out there for people to see.”
Madison Caprara:
Do you have any closing advice, points, or statements you would like to share?
Millie Woodcock:
I personally struggle to finish personal pieces, so a piece of advice I really need to follow for myself is to finish something and move on. Don’t let imposter syndrome get in the way of putting something out there for people to see.