We recently connected with Dylan Casano and have shared our conversation below.

Dylan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Of course it’s always easy to look back on a satisfying career and think to yourself, “gosh, I’m so glad my parents said this” or “I’m so glad my mom made me do that everyday.” But these reflections can be unsettling to budding creatives who followed the same advice but still struggle to get their careers off the ground. In hindsight of a successful career, everything looks like it was the right move.

Now—more than 12 years into my animation career, I still remember one thing my parents did that, in hindsight, was definitely the right move. When I was applying to college and pursuing my dreams of becoming an animator, my parents completely discouraged me from studying animation whatsoever.

Why was this good advice? I can explain; way back when I was beginning to apply to College, every fabric of my being was screaming to be an animator. It was my passion, the thing that gave me purpose and energy. But my engineer parents both agreed that I should not pursue animation as a major, and “If you’re going to do art,” they said “you should take Graphic Design because there is more money in it.”

And so I heeded my parents’ advice, studied Graphic design for the next 6 years, got a BFA in it too. And it turned out that this thing I had pursued initially based on my parents’ advice, I had a knack for. That said, I still dearly missed animation, so I would seize every chance I had to animate. After I graduated, I found myself at a design job that I didn’t love, desperately applying to an internship to make flash banners. I got the job and eventually became a part of the motion graphics team. It turns out, I’m happiest when putting animation to my design.

“Entertainment” or “traditional” animation is what most people think of when they hear the word “animation”, motion graphics is an expression of some of the same skills, but focuses on marketing and helping people and companies spread their messages. Working in motion graphics and marketing allowed me to build a secure career doing what I loved.

In the end, I’m glad I followed my parents’ advice. Studying graphic design first while having a passion for animation led me to deftly combine my niche interests to create a long career in marketing. Being the storyteller I am, on my own I would have pursued a traditional animation path, I might not have developed the marketing and design skills that now help me tell stories and bring others’ passions to life.

Dylan, 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?

I’m an Animation Director, Illustrator, and Designer who collaborates with companies to bring their brands to life. I’ve had the pleasure of working with industry leaders like Google, Apple, Meta, Riot, and many others, adding character to their products and helping them promote what they’re passionate about. I bring the same level of passion to telling their stories as they have in creating them.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot in my career was going from employee to employer. There’s a significant difference between creating for clients as part of a company and doing it while running your own business. The toughest challenge was balancing the creative marketing work with the need to market myself and keep the business thriving. Fortunately, this change came at a time when I was ready to embrace it, and I haven’t done it alone. I’m deeply grateful for the support of my artist community, who have been invaluable on this journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. This pivot taught me that the most rewarding part of my journey isn’t just about the art itself, but about growing alongside a community that shares the same passion and drive. Embracing this challenge has made me a better creative and a stronger business owner, and it’s a shift I wouldn’t trade for anything

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is channeling the imagination I had as a kid into something meaningful that helps others tell their stories. There’s a special satisfaction in seeing how my work can bring life to a brand and make a real impact on a business. Creativity thrives when it’s fun, and I believe that if you’re not enjoying the process, it shows in the final product. So, in many ways, while I’m working I’m contractually obligated to have fun.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dylancasano.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylancasano/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylancasano/

Image Credits

The portrait was taken by Photographer Danielle Spires.