Dan Clouston Illustrations: Characterisation and Influence on my Animation

For this reflective task, we have to consider what characterises and influences our individual styles of animation, and to consider which animators we admire and why.

I have Language and Communication Disorder, so I need things to be made more clear to me to understand. I suppose that through animation, I can turn my disability into an advantage, as in making something clear to me, I can make it clear to a vast majority of people.

Clarity is the key aspect I strive for when animating, therefore I believe that clarity and ease of communication are what characterises my work. I always try to ensure that the animation I am making can be understood, and enjoyed, by anybody. I feel that clarity is one of the most important things to consider in animation. If an animation is too complicated or opaque, the viewers' enjoyment may be compromised.

My views on animation are reflected in my art and animation styles. My character designs are straightforward, allowing the viewer to easily identify with the character. When animating, I make use of limited animation and bold movements to ensure that the appeal of the character is not lost or otherwise detracted.

In terms of influences on my animation, the work of Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera have been sources of inspiration to me for their clarity and devotion to characterisation since I was very young. More recently, I have been influenced by the work of Frederator Studios for their straightforward design and crisp animation.

Adventure Time with Finn and Jake - Produced by Frederator Studios

I am also regularly influenced by Japanese animation studios such as Studio Ghibli, A-1 Pictures, Madhouse and Wit Studio. As with the previously mentioned studios, these Japanese studios also make clarity their operative word, while also producing work that is arguably more dynamic than that of their western cousins.