This workshop will introduce and explore the foundational techniques of stop-motion animation, offering students a hands-on creative experience. The goal is to inspire confidence in experimenting with the medium and to empower participants to apply these skills in their future work.
Shape & Shadow is the animation studio of Hayley Morris, an artist and animation director based in Vermont.
At Shape & Shadow, we specialize in mixed media and stop-motion animation, creating stories that come to life through rich textures, handcrafted details, and thoughtful storytelling. Our work offers a variety of applications including commercials, music videos, projection design, miniature fabrication, and short-form animation for documentaries and feature films.
We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with clients such as MTV, Netflix, Sesame Street, and Burt’s Bees, as well as work with musicians like Explosions in the Sky, Iron & Wine, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Hilary Hahn - creating visuals that complement their music and creative vision.
Hayley’s approach to animation is deeply rooted in experimentation with physical materials—paper, fabric, fibers, found objects, and natural elements. She strives to tell stories that are both playful and poetic, blending character-driven and abstract elements with a tactile, sensory quality. In an era dominated by digital media, she values the presence of the artist’s hand in her work, and mixed media and stop-motion animation offer the ideal way for her to explore these ideas.
When not animating or crafting, Hayley enjoys spending time with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter.
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