November 2026 Character Design Challenge

Character Design Challenge

Calling All Character Designers - the monthly Character Design Challenge competition is now open.

The Character Design Challenge is a bit like the Eleven Second Club, but for the art and craft of character design.  The competition was launched in 2015 and has over 25,000 thousand members.  

Entering the CDC is a chance to raise your game and get your work noticed. 

The Theme of The Month for November 2026 is "Circus of Wonders". It began on 8 November 2026 and the deadline for final submission is 2 December 2026. 

Matt Pritchett at the Chris Beetles Gallery

Last week the Daily Telegraph cartoonist Matt Pritchett (known simply as "Matt") gave a talk at the Chris Beetles Gallery in Piccadilly about his work and his creative process. 

Matt told some funny stories about the work he has done at The Telegraph over the past 40 years, and how the technology has changed in that time. But what stood out most was his description of how he comes up with ideas. 

Every day, Matt sits down at his desk with a big piece of paper and writes down the topics of the day. Then he writes down a series of jokes about those topics. 

Pete Western on Storyboarding

Pete Western visits Escape Studios

On Friday 30 October we spoke to BAFTA winning storyboard artist Pete Western to talk about Animation Jobs and Careers.

Pete Western has three decades of experience doing storyboards for film and television.  

What was Pete's advice on how to break into the industry as an animator and storyboard artist?

"Grab your opportunities, learn to get along with people, and listen carefully - especially to the director". But above all - "be adaptable".

King Bee, Martyn Niman and Animation Internships

Martyn Niman of King Bee Animation

Last week we spoke to King Bee Animation Founder Martyn Niman  about jobs and careers in the animation industry. 

Martyn Niman has been running King Bee Animation at Elstree Studios in North London for well over a decade, and has offered many internships and jobs to Animation Apprentice graduates over the years. What was Martyn's advice to students looking to break into the industry? "Be on Linkedin, have a great portfolio, and have your own unique voice and passion".

Blue Zoo's AI Manifesto

Tom Box and Blue Zoo's AI Manifesto

Blue Zoo - one of the UK's leading animation companies - is tackling the challenge of AI head on.

In May 2026 Blue Zoo published their "AI Manifesto", exploring the ways in which AI could be used legitimately at Blue Zoo to enhance the production process, but preserving the integrity of human artistry.

We talked to Blue Zoo founder Tom Box last week to find out more about how Blue Zoo is using AI in an ethical, sustainable way.

Anna Lord on Animation Jobs and Careers

Animation Producer Anna Lord 

Veteran animation producer Anna Lord joined us recently for a conversation about Animation Jobs and Careers, and the current state of the animation industry. 

Anna Lord has thirty years of experience working in the animation industry; her film credits include Quest For Camelot (1998) and Spirit: Stallion of The Cimarron (2002).  

What is Anna 's advice to animators starting out in the business? Do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door. 

Shelley Page Explains How to Break Into Animation

Shelley Page Key Talent Liaison at Locksmith Animation 

Shelley Page, Key Talent and Artist Liaison at Locksmith Animation in London, joined us last week to talk about opportunities in today's animation industry.

What is Shelley Page's key advice for students just starting out? "Be flexible" and - if you find a junior position - "take it!".

Wallace & Gromit Exhib'n at V&A Until 15 Nov 2026

Here at Animation Apprentice we're recommending this excellent behind the scenes exhibition of Aardman Animation stop-motion animation at the Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) in Bethnal Green. 

For our animation students, this exhibition is a superb opportunity to explore how Aardman Animation’s characters and worlds are brought to life.

Alex Williams Character Design Reel

Above is my character design reel, cut together by Miguel Teixeira.  This is a showcase of character design work on various projects I worked on over the years. Character design is one of the most enjoyable aspects of working on an animated film. To see more about character design at Animation Apprentice, follow this link. 

2D FX Animation Course with Joey Mildenberger

2D FX animation with Joey Mildenberger

We're recommending this excellent course in hand-drawn 2D FX animation with Disney veteran Joey Mildenberger.

Joey Mildenberger is a veteran of multiple Disney hits including Hercules, Treasure Planet and Atlantis. 

Joey is an expert in 2D FX animation - any animator keen to get into the 2D FX industry pipeline would do well to purchase Joey's course - currently on sale for $30. 

You can find the course here:
https://creatureartteacher.com/product/2dfx-animation-course-joey-mildenberger/

"Bollywoof" Trailer Released

The trailer for "Bollywoof", the film I worked on at DNEG last year, has just been released. Bollywoof tells the story of an English springer spaniel who gets lost in the streets of Kolkata, and has to find his way back to his family.  Bollywoof was directed by veteran director Frederic Du Chau ("Underdog", "Racing Stripes") and was produced by Newscope Films and DNEG. Preproduction and post were done in London; animation was completed in Hyderabad. Voice talent was provided by Olivia Coleman, David Jonsson, Rhys Ifans and Ambika Mod. 

"Ray Gunn" with Brad Bird at Soho House

Brad Bird and "Ray Gunn"

Last week we had the chance to meet "Incredibles" Director Brad Bird at a pre-screening of his new movie "Ray Gunn" at Soho House last week. 

The event was organised by Netflix for AMPAS and BAFTA members, two nights before the official premiere of Ray Gunn at the London Film festival. 

After the film, director Brad Bird took questions about the making of the film and then chatted with guests over drinks in the bar at Soho House.

Taku Kishimoto and The Art of Writing for Anime

Taku Kishimoto and The Art of Writing for Anime.

This week in Tokyo we were introduced by writer Taku Kishimoto to The Art of Writing for Anime.

What is the job of a writer for anime and manga? Japanese screenwriters write original stories, working with the director and producer to come up with new material.

Anime stories have a certain structure; successful writers for anime learn to follow this structure, but at the same time they must find originality and invention within this framework.

Kazuyoshi Takeuchi and The Art of Character Design

Kazuyoshi Takeuchi

Today in Tokyo Japanese animator and character designer Kazuyoshi Takeuchi introduced students to the art of Japanese character design, exploring manga, anime and Japanese design techniques. 

Kazuyoshi Takeuchi has over 75 animation credits to his name, including the legendary "Akira", which was the foundational moment of his career.  He described it as "a great honour" to work with Akira director Katsuhiro Otomo. 

Hikaru Yajima and The Art of Manga

Manga artist Hikaru Yajima and Baton no Hoshi

Today in Tokyo manga artist  Hikaru Yajima introduced the art of manga, an art form she adopted after leaving her corporate career. 

Manga forms much of the source material for Japanese anime, part of what gives Japanese animation its unique character and flavour.  

In today's workshop students had the opportunity to draw their own manga panels, with a theme set by Hikaru Yajima. 

Shirotomo Aizawa: Japanese Art, History & Culture

Shirotomo Aizawa on Japanese Art

Today in Tokyo the composer and multimedia creator Shirotomo Aizawa introduced his audience of animators to Japanese history, art and culture.  

Shirotomo Aizawa explained that Japanese culture was historically influenced by China, but grew and developed to have its own unique cultural identity. 

The origins of manga and anime can be found in Japan's unique cultural history and identity. 

Keisuke Mori and The Art of Voice Over for Anime

Japanese anime voice actor Keisuke Mori

Japanese anime voice actor Keisuke Mori gave a talk  in Tokyo this morning about his career performing voice overs for Japanese anime.  His credits include the 2018 film Mirai.

Voice actors have to have to be able to perform a wide range of voices in order to do multiple characters. Vocal range is the key, the ability to perform in multiple different voices and styles.

Keisuke Mori explained that his voice is an instrument, one that he has learned to play over many years of practice working in anime. 

Mitsunori Murata, "Akira" and Japanese Animation

Mitsunori Murata 

Today in Tokyo we learned from master animator Mitsunori Murata about the process of making animated films in Japan. 

Mitsunori Murata has worked over 50 Japanese animation films including the legendary "Akira", released in 1988, and Ghost in The Shell. 

How are animated films made in Japan? The answer is that the process is fundamentally very similar to how things are done in the west, but with some unique Japanese features. 

Animation Apprentice Goes to Japan

Digital Hollywood University

This September Animation Apprentice is heading to Tokyo, to take a close look at the current state of Japanese animation. 

We'll be attending animation lessons in Manga and Anime at Digital Hollywood University in central Tokyo. We'll also be visiting The Answer Studio (formerly Walt Disney Animation Japan) in Ogikubo.

Eric Goldberg Created "Disney Legend"

Animation legend Eric Goldberg has been officially created a "Disney Legend" by the Walt Disney Company.

Becoming a Disney Legend means receiving the highest honor that The Walt Disney Company can give to an individual.

The award started in 1987. It celebrates people who have made a significant and lasting impact on the history and legacy of Disney animation. 

I worked under Eric's direction both on the feature film Pocahontas and later on the cartoony "Looney Tunes - Back in Action", animated in the snappy Warner Bros style.  

Why Your Short Film Needs a Title

Put your title at the front of your film

Here at Animation Apprentice our students make a lot of short films, many of which go on to win festival awards.  Yet one simple element is surprisingly often missing: an opening title.  

While some experimental pieces intentionally dive straight into the action, most short films benefit from displaying their title right at the beginning.  Here’s why your title should be at the start of your film.