Chris Georgenes, founder of Mudbubble.com and a DesignMaster Training instructor, has built a successful career as an animator for web and broadcast media. In this interview, he shares insights on Flash animation, character design, and finding your unique artistic style.
Georgenes, whose clients include Sesame Street, Lucas Arts, Macromedia, and Macmillan, discusses the power of avatars in web design. He explains that well-crafted avatars can significantly enhance branding and marketing by providing an engaging and interactive experience for website visitors. Avatars reflect a company’s image and demonstrate a commitment to delivering a superior user experience.
One notable project involved creating an online avatar for the rapper Nelly. Georgenes humorously recounts the challenge of embodying a hip-hop persona as a 37-year-old Caucasian father. He immersed himself in BET, mimicking Nelly’s gestures to authentically capture the artist’s body language.
Discussing the evolving landscape of animation, Georgenes notes that companies are increasingly open to using animation for broader audiences. He shares an anecdote about a kitchenware company enthusiastically embracing Flash animation to enhance their website. This shift indicates a growing recognition of animation’s potential to engage and sell to diverse demographics.
Addressing common questions from Flash developers, Georgenes points out that many inquiries focus on fundamental techniques. He believes that mastering these basics unlocks creative potential, enabling developers to explore more complex effects and animations.
Georgenes emphasizes the importance of finding one’s unique style. He compares approaching Flash to molding clay, encouraging animators to experiment and push boundaries. He advises against being constrained by the software’s limitations, urging artists to view Flash as a tool to realize their creative visions.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, Georgenes recounts a pivotal moment during his time at the Hartford Art School. Initially focused on hyper-realism, he created detailed and dynamic drawings. However, a simple, quickly-made etching of a woman profoundly impacted his artistic perspective. His professor lauded the etching’s subtlety and emotional resonance, teaching Georgenes that understatement can be more powerful than overt realism. This experience shaped his artistic philosophy and underscored the importance of subtlety in art and life.
Looking ahead, Georgenes envisions a bright future for Flash animation in television broadcast and the burgeoning handheld market. He believes that advancements in Flash technology will further expand its reach across various media, making the possibilities limitless.