We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James Wignall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James below.

James, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

If the school career advisor had suggested that I would end up making a living from my creativity, I would have died laughing! The creative industry just wasn’t even talked about back in the early 90s UK education system.
Hard to believe given the UK’s rich history in the arts, theatre and not to mention eccentricity!
Like many kids of this era, we were left to find our own way. I always loved making things move by drawing flick books, which then graduated to SNES Mario Paint (yes!) and further down the line, Photoshop.
Luckily, all the skills I had learnt in my spare time were easily transferable when software became more accessible. The real change came when I went to University, and I was able to teach myself how to animate in After Effects. After a lot of late nights in front of the screen, I managed to string together a (very amateur) show reel of personal projects. With my VHS show reel in hand, I applied for animation / creative jobs and local studios, and to my surprise, one replied! Needless to say, I left a lasting impression by giving the interviewer (and later on, boss) a stinking cold, which was then passed around all his family. Not a tactic I would recommend, but there I was, my first job in the creative industry and (just about) being able to cover rent, with some money leftover for a Pot noodle.

James, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a director / animator / creative (we wear many hats!) based in the UK, but working internationally. In essence, I’m a problem solver, trying to come up with visually creative solutions to help companies get to where they want to go, or tell a story in an interesting way. Technology is constantly evolving, but it’s always your ideas that set you apart, and if you can make people smile with them, even better!
Over the years I’ve been very blessed working with a lot of major companies, as well as small, and even happier to call them friends rather than clients. I really care about what I’m making, and I think the people you work alongside really appreciate that.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

NFTs have had an interesting ride over the last few years, that’s for sure!
Personally, I think there is a space for them in some shape or form, but the problem we had was the deluge of low quality, insidious cash grab projects, that polluted the space. Seriously, did anyone see any visual merit in the BAYC art style?!
I love the idea of being able to support artists whose artwork I really like, enabling them to give value to what they do while making a living. If implemented in the right way, NFTs can be very empowering for an artist. Hopefully some kind of NFT 2.0 and right a lot of the wrongs and some folks can think past the .jpg analogy.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When somebody just clicks, and you share the same sense of humour! This is true in terms of both the work you create, but also the people you work with. Being in a studio with a group of friends is the best environment for creativity!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mutanthands.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mutanthands/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswignall/
• Twitter: https://x.com/mutanthands