In Motion With…. Timo Lenton

12 months ago by

In this series we’re shining a light on some of the people who breathe life and action into design, Aotearoa NZ’s motion designers. 

This week we sat down with Timo Lenton on his motion design career journey, Houdini, and advice for those just starting out in motion design.

Brought to you in collaboration with our friends at Motion Designers Guild of Aotearoa

Design Assembly is the home of Aotearoa NZ design. We bring together designers and provide opportunities to connect, grow, and be inspired throughout the year. Join as a member, become a DA Friend today!


Can you tell us a bit about your career journey? Where did you start out and what was it about motion design that drew you in?

As a kid, I was obsessed with animated films and everything that went into making them. I loved watching the behind the scenes features on DVDs almost more than the films themselves.

I got started by studying graphic design and then diving into a 3D animation program.

I spent a few years working at Cirkus Animation with Marko, which was an awesome experience. But I never quite felt like I fit the mold of a traditional animator, especially when I saw the work of true masters in the field.

Eventually, I stumbled upon motion design and realized it was a better fit for my creative vision. With its focus on dynamic visuals and storytelling, I’m finally able to bring my skills and interests together in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling.

I spent eight years in London working with some great places like MPC, The Mill, DNEG, and Territory. I also did some work for BBC, ITV, and MTV, which helped me get better at broadcast design. I worked on all kinds of projects during this time, from feature films and TV shows to TV ads.

I’ve been back in New Zealand since 2019, freelancing, and still taking on exciting and challenging projects.

Working with Watermark Creative has given me even more opportunities to work on diverse and complex projects including some interactive jobs.

My career has been a journey of exploration and growth. I’ve had the chance to refine my skills, meet amazing people in the industry, and work on some truly amazing projects.

What are your favourite types of motion design projects to work on?

I love working on projects where I get to team up with other creative minds. It’s really cool to bounce ideas back and forth with designers, animators, and other specialists. Collaborating like this is a great way to bond with your team and overcome creative hurdles together.

Aside from the benefits of teamwork, I also love creative problem-solving. Whether it’s coming up with a fresh concept, figuring out how to pull off a particular effect, or streamlining the production process, it’s a great way to flex your creative muscles and push yourself to try new solutions and approaches.

Is there a notable project you’re especially proud of?

It was lucky timing when another Motion designer and I got the chance to work on the prison line up scene for Guardians of the Galaxy. My job was to create the HUD elements that showed up on screen. This meant designing cool graphics, making 3D models, and collaborating with a compositor to fit everything into the live-action footage.

Working on a huge project like this was a major accomplishment for me, and something I’m really proud of.

Talk to us a bit about the art of using Houdini for simulation work, which, we’ve heard, feels a bit like witchcraft to some motion designers. 

Over time, I’ve become more and more focused on 3D work. I started out with Maya, then spent a long time using C4D. These days, I’m really into Houdini, which I switched to about two years ago.

I used to do a lot of generative design using Processing, which is a programming language based on Java. This experience definitely helped when I started working with Houdini.

One of the things I love about Houdini is how well it handles complex tasks. Whether it’s simulations, dynamic effects, or intricate geometry, Houdini makes it all look easy. This is a huge advantage over other software, like C4D, which might struggle with these kinds of tasks.

Another great thing about Houdini is its flexible, iterative approach to design. With Houdini, I can make quick changes to my designs and get feedback from clients. This means I can refine and improve my work without wasting time or resources starting from scratch.

In your opinion, what makes a good motion designer and do you have any advice around what makes someone excel in the industry?

It’s good to possess a broad range of skills and knowledge in various areas. These include graphic design, animation principles, storytelling, typography & video editing.  The ability to combine these skills to create visually appealing and captivating motion graphics and animations is key.

Alongside technical expertise, creativity and innovation are also vital to generate fresh, unique ideas that engage viewers and communicate the intended message.  Additionally, collaborating with other creatives, accepting feedback, and effectively communicating with others is invaluable.

Staying up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and techniques is essential. Continuous learning, skill improvement, and remaining adaptable is important too, given how quickly project needs and client requirements can evolve.

What sort of advice would you share to anyone just starting out in their motion design career?

As creatives, we often place a tremendous amount of pressure on ourselves to consistently generate new and groundbreaking ideas, leading to potential harm to our mental health. Social media, while an incredible resource for inspiration, can exacerbate this pressure, with platforms showcasing an endless stream of stunning work from our peers.

However, the algorithms driving these platforms can lead to an overwhelming sense of sameness, causing creative fatigue. To combat this, it is essential to seek inspiration from the real world, taking time to step away from screens and immerse ourselves in the physical world around us.

Also.. exercise.

Lastly, where can we follow along with your work?

Instagram: @red_juice_design

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