Adventures: Pixar Lecture with Mark Andrews

Yesterday a couple design friends and I attended the AIGA lecture series. This time, the design lecture was focused on Pixar, and the directer from Brave, Mark Andrews, came to speak! Not only was his talk amazing and inspirational, but his sense of humor made his talks more interesting. He showed the audience how much effort he puts into every bit of his work and the amount of dedication he puts into it. The lecture started out with him introducing himself and telling everyone about his back story in animation, including getting shot down by Marvel comics. He then told us about his opportunities to work in both the animation side of story boarding as well as motion picture. Motion picture films are harder because you need to go along with when the sunsets and rises, while in animation, you do not have to worry about the lighting changing. After that Andrews showed us a video of the story board that he created for the first Spiderman movie. He told us that when he draws, he gets really into what he's doing, he becomes the audience of his own art and makes sound effects for them as well. Next he showed us a story board that he created for The Incredibles. This set was called the tone setter, where the one scene helps portray how the rest of the movie would feel--whether it would be serious or more comical. The next story board that was shown was for the movie, John Carter. This time, we were shown how the story board was transformed into motion picture. After all these videos, he saved the end for questions that anyone had. A question lead him into telling the audience that the once you get something started, you should keep moving on with it or else you will lose the idea. He also told us that in order to be good at something, you need to keep practicing it. Andrews did not let anything or anyone stop him from drawing no matter how many times he got shot down. No one can tell you no but yourself.

As he went on answering questions, I felt that one of the most important piece of information he gave us was something that I learned in class, be inspired and to keep looking for things that inspire you. If you are stuck on something, take a break, rest your head, and continue later. A tired brain does not produce something you want. Ideas come best when your head is relaxed. Keep a sketchbook near your bed so that when you are about to sleep and an idea comes up, you can quickly write it down. Even when you wake up in the morning, an idea comes up, write it down.

Lunch Holy Grill before heading into the lecture.

Entering the building!

Got there early so we were able to get close up seats.

Highlight of my day, getting my Pixar infographic signed!

Group photo with Mark Andrews! (Missing Judy)

Though the lecture was not within graphic design, it was something I really wanted to attend because I have a fascination with the arts in general, as well as Pixar. Also, many different art forms somehow intertwine with each other, a lot of what Andrew's talked about applies to designers. Stay inspired, folks!