Elliot Ruddy, Motion Designer and Independent Creative Director, Motion Design ltd
Hey, I'm Elliot 👋, a Motion Designer, Director and Animator from Sligo based in Dublin. I am currently working full-time as an independent Motion Designer and Creative Director.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Instagram.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I found a major passion for motion design accidentally whilst learning VFX, eventually funnelling my career completely away from live-action work and diving deep into full CGI and 2D animation, where I now spend almost 100% of my time.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I love how close-knit the motion design industry is. You can often find yourself in Facebook groups or connecting on LinkedIn with the best motion designers in the world. The people make the industry, and there's no real cut-throat dog eat, dog energy; everybody is looking out for one another and trying to make the industry better as a whole. There are no 'trade secrets'; there are tons of transparency and help to learn new techniques and up-skilling.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
It was actually advice that I received this evening from somebody I greatly respect, and it was "Go, do you". It came off the back of a difficult conversation but sparked so much thought and inspiration.
In a world full of constant ear-bashing and copycatting: cut out the noise, don't pollute your creative process by looking to other people's work first - look within, disconnect, look at other art forms for stimulation, listen to some music; don't just go watch other motion designer's projects.
Original thinking is always a difficult concept to master, but when it happens, you feel truly accomplished, a feeling I will now always continue to strive for.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Often it's the difficulties I face that inspires me the most. When I go a prolonged time without creating work that I'm satisfied with, I get frazzled. I force myself into self-reflection and internal meltdown, often coming out the other end with a clear vision of what I feel I need to create to prove my worth to myself. I think it's the fear of wasted potential that pushes me forward the most.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I'm proud to say that I followed a career I'm truly passionate about.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Connecting over LinkedIn or Instagram.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Probably sticking true to my opinion when it comes to working, but also being honest with myself and holding myself accountable for any mistakes or hiccups along the way. They're learning points and part of the journey.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Don't be so strict with your time; creative processes can't be forced. So, don't panic if ideas haven't come to you yet. The worst thing you can do is try to force out bad ideas, just be patient and stop putting yourself under pressure.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I most admire those who help others learn, the people who share their secrets for the industry's greater good.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I'm a big petrolhead, so I love driving! But spending time with my family and girlfriend and disconnecting from work is definitely one of my must-haves.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
In all honesty, it's probably had a positive effect, and I think when live-action production shut down, there was a huge rush of animation as people started to rediscover motion design.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I don't have a mentor, nor have I mentored anybody. However, a mentor is somebody I would love to meet as of yet.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Just keep pushing through. The software can be overwhelming at the beginning, especially 3D software; just keep absorbing as much related content and tutorials as you can and task yourself with projects that aren't from tutorials. You'll run into so many issues and dive deep into forums to overcome issues you never thought you'd have, but in my opinion, that's the only way to truly learn.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of persistence or lack of passion. Everyone gets hit with rejections or tough pills they have to swallow, but persisting and not breaking down in those instances is where you'll learn the biggest lessons and come out the other end a stronger, more experienced person. I also think it can be very difficult to learn something you're not truly passionate about; most people don't have the patience to follow something they find 'boring'.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"One for the meal, one for the reel." - a very clever little phrase that pretty much sums up the motion industry.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Buck, Oddfellows, Bold Studios, and DB Bags.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I ultimately don't know how to define success, and it certainly isn't pure material wealth. The closest thing I could define as success would be a small portfolio of work that I feel I am truly proud of.