We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Morgan O’Brien. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Morgan below.
Morgan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?
To tell you about the most influential creative leader I ever worked under, I first need to take a few steps back, and share the story of how I got that specific job… as it was nearly a disaster.
When I left college around 2007 the Animation scene was shifting dramatically. I entered the Industry hell-bent on becoming a 2D-Traditional Animator, at a time, when 2D animation was on a downturn. Walt Disney Studios shut their 2D Animated Feature Department and countless others followed suit.
I also wanted to stay routed to my home town Galway, a place where Animation jobs were practically non-existent.
So for a couple of years post-college, I branched out. I bought a copy of ‘CS5 for Dummies’, taught myself how to use Illustrator, Indesign and Photoshop and invested time in developing my illustration style. Back then I worked predominately traditionally in watercolours and colouring pencils. The graphic design work barely paid any bills and the illustration work was simply to bolster my portfolio but I had all but abandoned my dreams of an Animation career.
Often breaking into the industry is 90% perspiration and 10% luck. One day, out of the blue, I received an invitation, to apply for a job in a new studio in Galway. They had seen my watercolour Illustrations and my design work and thought I could be a good fit for their project. I jumped at the opportunity and swiftly booked an interview.
On the day, it didn’t start well. I left home and cycled in the rain the 6km across town to the studio. I arrived very early, just to be safe, and lucky I did as somewhere along the route I lost my glasses. I had taken them off because the rain was so heavy. Back home I went to get a spare pair. I raced to the studio a second time, ran up the stairs, with only moments to lose, dried myself off and shook the hand of the interviewer.
It wasn’t what I expected. They brought me to a desk, and said, ‘Can you use a Mac computer?’ ‘Yes,’ I lied. (I couldnt even turn one on, having only ever used a PC.) They supplied me with a drawing tablet. ‘You know how these work right?’ “Of course’ I fibbed. Eager to appear confident. I had never used a tablet. I did all my digital work with a rickety mouse and an old laptop that was forever overheating. ‘And you can paint animation backgrounds?’ ‘No problem!’ Which was the opposite of true. All my work was notoriously void of backgrounds, as I always preferred drawing characters.
I was given a test. I had to copy a watercolour-style animation background digitally in Photoshop. I’m not sure how long I spent, I can’t even remember how the background turned out but I got the job and had the opportunity to work under a really wonderful Art Director.
I gave that role my everything. Worked as hard as I could. I learned so much over the course of a year and made lots of mistakes in the process. The Art Director was very patient and kind. Extremely knowledgeable and above all made me feel part of the team. That role was transformative. I regained my confidence at a time when a bad superior could have destroyed my last fibre of hope of making it in Animation. The greatest takeaway from that working relationship was the fact that I was shielded from criticism, whether from the Director or Producers. My mistakes albeit minor ones, were absorbed by my Art Director. ‘We will fix that.’ ‘We won’t do that again’. I was never personally exposed or blamed.
Years later I am the one interviewing artists and offering first opportunities. I’ve never forgotten how lost I personally felt at the time, how bad interviews can go, but how positive an impact one single patient leader can have on a person’s creative journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Morgan O’Brien, I am a married, father of two based in beautiful Galway Ireland. I have over 20 years of experience in the Animation, Publishing and Design Industries. I am currently the Head of Animation at Telegael. My responsibilities include Art Direction, Animation Direction, IP Development and Project Management.
In addition, I am an Author and Illustrator of Children’s Picture Books. Creator of the popular ‘Matchstick Mouse’ book series.
My tongue-in-cheek bio usually reads ‘By day he creates award-winning animated films and television series. By night he befriends monsters, fights crime and plays Sudoku with mice.’ This best explains the duality of my work life.
By day…I’m very humbled to work with a fantastic company and lead a team of the most talented artists out there. We co-produce animated features and animated series. My department’s focus is Pre-Production Design and Story Development. If you see something on screen it has to be designed. And we do it all from our studios in the West of Ireland. Working with all the major streamers and broadcasters in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, every day is a new challenge. Every project, is a unique opportunity to grow creatively and reach new audiences with our stories.
I started my Animation career as a Background Painter, after originally training as a traditional Animator.
(An important bit of advice for new artists in the industry is any job is a good job. Don’t miss out on opportunities because you are waiting for the dream job or the right fit. Jump in. Learn. Make mistakes. Earn experience. You never know where your career will take you and what opportunities will open up when you are the hardest worker in the room, whether it’s making coffee. Filling paperwork or drawing.)
Working in Background Painting led to Storyboarding, Writing, Layout Design, Prop Design and eventually my favourite – Character Design. By the time I transitioned into Art Direction, I had at one stage or another worked in every role of the Animation pre-production pipeline. To date, I have played a part in over 30 animated series and feature films. These days, as Head of our Animation Division I draw a little less and give notes a little more. But am grateful for every opportunity the role affords.
My night… In my spare time, I am an Illustrator and Writer and also have a line of popular colouring books.
Children’s illustration has always been a passion of mine, I spent many a year waiting for a break in the publishing industry only to one day realize, why wait? Since 2021 I have produced and published 9 Picture Books and over 20 colouring books. The books are sold all over the world and I continue to be humbled by the reaction they receive, in particular Matchstick Mouse who remains my all-time favourite creation.
My foray into colouring books was a happy accident. I took part in the creative challenge Inktober for two years and ended up with a box full of ink drawings. I decided to package them together and the first two colouring books ‘Matchstick Mouse: A Halloween Colouring Book’ and ‘Matchstick Mouse An Autumn Colouring Book’ were born.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As a creator of content designed primarily for children, there is a responsibility to ensure that the stories we tell, and the worlds we create promote positivity, acceptance, love and above all encourage creativity.
I think it’s easy to underestimate children’s media and the pivotal role it plays in developing future generations.
The content children are exposed to when they are young, whether it be on YouTube, streaming platforms, or as in my day, the pile of VHS and DVDs you had at home, mould a child’s understanding of the world around them and do so at the most sensitive stage of their development.
When kids are finding themselves and discovering their place in the world they need to be protected and nurtured.
My goal is to continue to draw, write and create. I continue to be inspired every day and enthusiastically never want to stop.
My mission is to only create, and share positivity. The world can be hard enough as it is. My artwork is simple. Matchstick Mouse, Worm and Cat Beetle bake cakes, knit and collect berries. But I hope their adventures, reignite in the viewer, whether young or not so young, that feeling we all had in our childhood. That anything is possible.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In no uncertain terms, we are at a crossroads.
AI-generated media has suddenly and irreversibly exploded onto our screens. And without due diligence, appropriate legislation and most importantly transparency and artistic integrity AI has the potential to consume the creative industries.
I am not fearful though. Creativity is not something that can be trained, or copied. It cannot be programmed. Creativity grows from the smallest of moments, absorbing in its lifetime specs of happiness. Fragments of inspiration. Songs, words, colours, feelings.
I’m confident human creativity will survive and thrive. As long as we all protect it. Please support real artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.morganobrien.art
- Instagram: @morganobrienart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-o-brien-art/
- Twitter: @morganobrienart
Image Credits
All Artwork © Morgan O’Brien