Meet our new animation director
Melanie Gohin
We asked Melanie a few questions to find out how she started her career and what inspires her!
Where did you grow up and have you always been into drawing?
I grew up in a small town, near forests and fields, called Fosses in France. I was in a musical environment, my parents and my two sisters all played an instrument. My own instrument was a pencil. I’ve been drawing since I was very little and even if my drawing rhythm varied at times I never stopped 🙂
At what moment did you realise you wanted to animate?
Very late haha. I knew I wanted to do something artistic, but I had to wait until my very first animation class to genuinely know that I had made the right school choice and that I deeply loved making things move. After that, I learnt that animation is not just animation, but it can also lead to illustration, modeling, photography, editing, sound and so much more. A whole new world.
Did you go to college?
I went to a private school teaching frame by frame animation. This school is the Institut Sainte Geneviève in Paris. Then I needed to learn to use computer animation tools. I went to e-artsup and I discovered motion design.
Did you go straight into the industry? Or did you do other jobs along the way?
After school, I didn’t know how to find clients. My first year as a professional was a horrible experience until I got hired by the Blackmeal studio. They have an incredibly lovely team. For five years, working on all those projects taught me so much more than I could have expected. And I became confident enough to go freelance again 🙂
Whose work inspires you?
Impossible not to talk about a classic, the Ghibli studio!
Today there are so many amazing artists who inspire me with their drawings, comics, photos or films. For example, one of the short films that I liked and remember the most is “The Lonely Orbit” directed by Frederic Siegel and Benjamin Morard. For their poetic and sweet illustrations, let’s also mention the work of Anastasia Suvorova and Maggie Chiang.
What do you love most about working in animation?
Technically maybe my favorite part is finding the right movement, when things are still rough I can focus entirely on forms and pace. For me, this is the most spontaneous step.
Besides, I’d say that creating art with positive vibes is something that inspires me. I love when people feel relaxed, happy or filled with love thanks to a work of art.
What would be your dream job / project?
I’m not sure I have one particular dream project, rather several. I enjoy working on different types of projects. But there are several key words that come to mind: Nature, animals, simple shapes, cute things, happy vibes, travel, magic, mix media or augmented reality (as if animation is part of our living world!), music projects, short films, small looping animations, relaxing things, useful projects, and more.
