Artist Spotlight w/ Amanda Godreau
Nov 15, 2022
First, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! My name is Amanda, and I’m a multidisciplinary digital artist focused on Art Direction & Design.
I currently run my freelance practice between the East Coast, but grew up in Puerto Rico until I left for college shortly after Hurricane Maria. In my day to day, I love thrifting and have a huge appreciation for interior design and architecture. My work these days mainly revolves around 3D design but is heavily influenced by photography, typography, and branding.
A big part of my ethos is investing in and creatively uplifting future-forward brands. Creating work that’s both beautiful and functional is a huge cornerstone of what makes me creatively joyful.
I started my freelance career during the pandemic, and it was really intimidating to only know names on screens and faces above the shoulders via video chat when everyone knew each other pre-pandemic. I can empathize on how that might be how many recent grads feel as well.
Can you tell us about your experience and the role you are primarily filling?
I first encountered animation as a freshman in college at Ringling College of Art and Design where I graduated from the Motion Design program spearheaded by Ed Cheetham. I’ve worked with brands such as Apple, Spotify, and Meta, among others. I also create work through Web3 on SuperRare. This creative work lives digitally but also travels through galleries in Lisbon, Montreal, and New York.
Within the world of motion design, I’ve been super fortunate to be a part of teams in different capacities, from storyboarding to animation and compositing. These days I focus on what I’m most passionate about, which is Concept, Design, and Art Direction.
If you could speak directly to the resourcing gods and powers that be, what would be your ideal project?
This is a tough question. I think any project that has a good set of people to work with is an ideal project for me. I’ve found that no matter the brief, the biggest impact, at least for me, is that feeling of collaborating and creating something with a group of people who tap into that design and animation spirit in a collaborative way. I feel the most engaged when I’m learning from other people and seeing how all the pieces come together. If I absolutely had to choose a project, I really would love to craft something alongside an Architecture, Furniture, Beauty, or Interior Design brand. A title sequence has been on my bucket list for a while as well.
Do you have any dream clients?
Hmmmm, I don’t think I have a dream client per se. As a design-driven person, I really like working with all different types of brands. It allows me to do what I love the most, which is to approach every project from a new perspective. When I look at the studios and brands that I creatively admire the most, I find myself noticing that it’s the push and drive to innovate that inspires me creatively. It’s something I carry a lot of respect and admiration for. My dream client would be a brand that embraces that spirit of curiosity and exploration.
Lastly, do you have any memorable stories, life lessons, or tall tales you can share from your adventures as a freelancer?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a freelancer and as a person is learning how to give myself some grace. I started my freelance career during the pandemic, and it was really intimidating to only know names on screens and faces above the shoulders via video chat when everyone knew each other pre-pandemic. I can empathize on how that might be how many recent grads feel as well.
Support and community play a huge role in that for me. I have been really lucky to have been supported by an amazing online community. I would say the biggest life lesson that I’m continuously learning is understanding that, at the end of the day, we are all humans and not machines. We make mistakes, we evolve, and we grow. In an industry where content is 24/7, and social media runs wild, it can feel overwhelming.
We are constantly peering into what people are presenting as their best selves. Learning to give yourself time to recharge, regroup and be at a place where you can make art that creatively fulfills you is a lifelong journey and process.
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