Interview
Bill Elliott
Kong Studio Ltd, United Kingdom
Bill’s love for comics when catapulted him into founding Kong Digital and a signature 2D graphic monochrome style.
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.
I'm from North London and went and studied animation at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 2001. I began career at Disney Jetix. I've directed, designed and storyboarded throughout the computer games, advertising and T.V industry. Credits include Lego, Mr Bean: The Animated Series and Black Mirror. Since establishing Kong, I directed several Thomas & Friends online series, and award-winning commercials for IMAX. I've also directed a short film for comedian Touretteshero (Jess Thom), and was nominated for a British Animation Award for his short film Get Well Soon-Tarrant. In my spare time I love to paint and draws comics.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a digital designer/artist?
I grew up reading all sorts of comics and loved the old Ray Harryhousen movies. . When i was about 12 I picked up a copy of a book about the secrets of ILM special effects. This was pre-digital, and to see the stop motion process behind Empire Strikes Back blew me away.
3 What’s your favorite kind of digital design and why?
Our company (Kong studio) leans towards 2d animation so i guess thats my first love. However,we actively look to develop and try new and interesting styles with each project. I also still have a love of comic books.
4 To you, what makes a “good” design?
I predominantly work as our storyboard artist so Composition and narrative are key!
5 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
Personally I lean towards a graphic monochrome style. Tom (Kong's co-founder) has a beautiful colourful UPA influenced look. However, we are a collaborative medium and thus try to look to blend styles and influences for each new project.
6 Tell us about your design process.
script and/or idea is key. From there i will rough out a design or storyboard in tandem with developing a style. This almost always involves attempting to steal a look and coming up with something new in the process! If its a larger animation project the collaberation of various artists almost always creates a new and interesting look.
7 Where do you draw inspiration from?
Everywhere! Animation, cinema, comics, painting. Or the shape of a piece of plastic in the recycling. If it's in relation to an animation idea, it's bounced off Tom and our creative producer Emma. Form there the idea either develops or gets dumped!
8 What current trends in digital design (or really anything digital related) are you most excited about?
There is a terrifying amount of good content out there. I love the concept of creating animation in different formats. A colleague (Leon Nikoo - a fantastic motion artist) recently had an illustration exhibition in which using phone AR software the pictures were animated and came to life. That blew me away with the possibilities.
9 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2020 Vega Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
Its always lovely to receive an award! We are a young developing company and it shows we are doing something right!
10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2020 Vega Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Our BBC Ideas piece was another new style for us, and the subject (Lucy Hone gives us three invaluable tips on how to be more resilient in every day life) was powerful but ultimately uplifting subject. It was also relevant as it was made during and for the ongoing pandemic. Our second winner was the perfect antidote to Resilience. It was a colourful and fun Starwars IMAX ident with the theme of FOMO (fear of missing out).
11 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
As is so often the case, with both projects time was against us, and our ambitions outweigh the budget! Resilience was a particular challenge as we were exceptionally keen to do Dr Lucy Hone's story and advice justice. It was a painful piece, but ultimately uplifting.
12 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
It re-enforces our self belief and keeps us moving forward.
13 What are your top three (3) favorite things about the digital industry?
I love the collaboration We all want each other to do well, whether that be the freelancers we work with or fellow studios. I love the global nature of being digital, and of course I love the relentless new and exciting new work.
14 What makes your country specifically, unique in the digital industry?
The UK is a hive of creative animation output! London has always been a key animation hub, but thanks to the digital nature we now work with and for companies and freelancers across the UK.
15 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring Vega Award submitter, what advice would you give them?
Work harder than I did, be nice and most importantly, stay in touch! So many juniors i meet who we don't, for whatever reason, have work for, fail to stay in touch. Sadly, when you are busy, out of sight out of mind.
16 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the digital industry?
God, everything is on youtube now! It might be my age but i adsorb information better from a nice book. Also, draw in a sketchbook. You don't have to show it to anyone.....
17 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
There's a photo with me aged seven in a Manchester United Top. I dont know what i was thinking.....
18 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Yuri Gagarin. I mean, I feel ashamed being me next to him.
19 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Ha! Success? Wisdom? I'll let you know when i come across either of those.
20 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Dont tell anyone about the ManU top please.
