We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Briaca Duesette. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Briaca below.
Briaca, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
If I could change one major thing in the education system, it would be to center creativity, curiosity, and tech-forward skills at the core—not just as electives or afterthoughts. We’re still pushing kids through a system that was built for the industrial age, when we’re in the middle of an AI-driven, content-creator-led, digital economy. That disconnect is hurting our kids.
I didn’t grow up with access to animation, coding, or anything remotely creative inside the classroom. Everything I’ve learned from launching Animation Discovery Studio to building characters and teaching kids how to bring stories to life was self-taught and driven by passion. And I remember feeling like I had to squeeze creativity into the cracks of a system that didn’t make space for it.
One memory that sticks out: I was in a class presentation in high school, and I went above and beyond I made a whole video instead of a poster board. My teacher said, “That’s impressive, but that’s not what I asked for.” And I thought, Wait, so creativity has limits here? That moment stayed with me. Fast forward to today, and I’m literally building a company where kids are praised for doing the unexpected, where they get to create characters and become directors of their own story.
That’s why I believe every student should have the chance to learn skills like animation, storytelling, and design because they don’t just teach art; they teach critical thinking, tech literacy, and confidence. They teach students how to see themselves as builders of the future. And that’s something the education system needs a lot more of.
Briaca, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hey y’all! I’m Briaca Duesette, founder and creative director of Animation Discovery Studio, based in Detroit. We’re on a mission to make animation fun, accessible, and a powerful tool for learning especially for underserved communities who are often left out of the creative tech conversation.
How I Got Started:
I didn’t grow up wanting to be an animator I didn’t even know what animation really was. I was 30 years old when I realized that “animation” and “cartoons” were the same thing. That moment changed everything for me. I thought, Why didn’t I know this sooner? And more importantly, How many other people especially kids from underserved areas are missing out on this creative world just because no one’s ever shown them it exists?
That question turned into action. Even without a background in animation or education, I taught myself, leaned into my creative instincts, and built a studio from the ground up one that invites kids to imagine, create, and lead.
What We Do:
At Animation Discovery Studio, we provide:
• Hands-on animation workshops in schools, rec centers, and community spaces
• Career pathway programs for youth aged 7–18
• Custom storytelling curriculum infused with technology
• Creative services for organizations and campaigns looking to tell stories through animation
We’ve run over 50 workshops just this past summer, and the demand is only growing.
The Problems We Solve:
• Access: Most kids in underserved areas don’t get to play with animation tools or storytelling in school we bring it to them.
• Awareness: So many young people don’t even know animation is a career path. We open that door.
• Engagement: We use animation to make learning exciting and relevant. Kids leave our workshops saying, “I didn’t know I could do this!”
What Makes Us Different:
We’re not a cookie-cutter program. We’re Detroit-rooted, community-built, and tech-savvy. We mix creativity, culture, and technology in a way that makes kids feel seen and powerful. Plus, we use tools like iPads, Keynote, and AI to help kids produce animations quickly and confidently even if they’ve never drawn before.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m proud that we’ve grown so fast in just a year. I’m proud of our team—especially our intern-turned-lead instructor, Charlie—and of the impact we’ve had in so many schools and organizations. And I’m especially proud that my 11-year-old daughter, Jaia, is officially our co-founder. Watching her help teach and lead younger kids is the real magic.
What I Want You to Know:
Animation Discovery Studio isn’t just a studio it’s a movement. We’re here to ignite creativity in communities that the industry often overlooks. Whether you’re a parent, educator, nonprofit leader, or someone who believes in the power of storytelling, we’d love for you to be part of this journey.
Because animation isn’t just for kids and it’s never too late to learn something new.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A Lesson I Had to Unlearn:
That everything had to be perfect before I started.
Whew this one took some time. I used to think I had to have the “right” credentials, the “perfect” equipment, or wait until I was a so-called “expert” before I could teach animation or build a business around it. But the truth is, if I had waited on perfect, Animation Discovery Studio wouldn’t exist today.
The backstory? I was 30 years old when I found out animation and cartoons were the same thing. That simple realization lit a fire in me. I started teaching myself animation using what I had no fancy studio, no formal background just curiosity and commitment. I launched my first workshop with minimal resources, but the kids showed up, connected, and created anyway. That moment taught me that starting scrappy is still starting, and impact doesn’t wait on perfection.
Now, I lean into progress over perfection, and I teach my students to do the same. Because you don’t need to have it all figured out you just need to be willing to learn, take action, and grow as you go.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Showing up consistently and making the experience unforgettable.
I didn’t have a big name, a long resume, or a traditional background in animation but what I did have was heart, hustle, and the ability to make kids (and partners) feel seen, heard, and empowered. I built my reputation by delivering high-quality workshops, being reliable, and keeping the energy fun, relatable, and impactful.
Word spread because people could see the results. Schools and nonprofits noticed how much their students grew not just in animation skills, but in confidence, creativity, and collaboration. And I didn’t just show up to teach I showed up to build relationships, ask questions, take feedback seriously, and constantly improve the experience.
Also, I was never afraid to tell the real story that I started learning animation at 30 and built this studio from scratch. That authenticity connected with people, and it made our brand stand out.
At the end of the day, I built my reputation by doing the work, staying consistent, and making sure every program felt like something special for the kids and the organizations that brought us in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.animationdiscoverystudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animation.discovery.studio/profilecard/?igsh=MTE3bnNqd2M1NWp2Yg==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briaca-duesette-185952252?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/qt2YvuwFjBI?si=7KlkRwRcvj1E9P5V