Jack Brown
Jack Brown is a London based animator and illustrator.
Curator’s note: Jack Brown has a track record of producing beautifully characterful, hand drawn animations for a host of clients within the music industry. From Gold Fir, Rejjie Snow and Ian Brown to most recently animating the music video for Tom Misch, along with co designer James Neilson. We’re huge fans of Tom Misch and his jazz and soul inspired grooves, having tuned in since his early Soundcloud days, so we were desperate to get the inside track from Jack on working on that project and the road leading up to it.
How did I get to where I am today? Well, I’ve always drawn a lot but never had the patience to sit and do one big drawing. So ironically my lack of patience led me to the most intricate, time consuming mediums out there of hand drawn animation. Saying that, I also get really deep into trying to figure out how something moves and when you do eventually figure that out, it’s the best feeling (it’s just also happens to be 12 hours later…)
I think the best animation out there isn't recognised for how smooth or how emotive it is (although that helps a lot) but on the design. From character design to landscapes, to fake branding on cartoon beer bottles, it will make or break the animation.
Regarding the industry and how these jobs come about, it’s still a bit of a hit and miss process. I think any freelancer would agree a large factor is just good timing. I’m not at the stage in my career yet where I’m putting Kanye on hold but theres definitely some great jobs that come through the door every once in a while. Just like the ‘Nightrider’ commission for Tom Misch.
I made some short looped videos for an artist called Rejjie Snow back in 2016 with the same fantastic illustrator that worked on Nightrider with me - James Neilson. Those were my first wide spread videos that got me a little noticed. This job for Tom seems to be another one of those jobs.
That said, it isn’t always smooth sailing. I have doubts every day about every aspect of everything. I like to think it's what makes a good artist? I’ve had few pretty tough pills to swallow over my career from projects being cancelled half way through to full music videos never being released. It happens to everyone in the industry and when you've spent weeks or months on a project that you’re proud of it can be completely devastating. Theres no advice I can give on this other than it will happen and don't take it personally (unless you did a shit job).
Looking through my work, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that working to music is almost essential for me. Even if I’m not making a music video, 99% of my ideas come from listening to music. For example, a fast bass line in a song might make me picture a dogs shadow running through trees, and if the song gets a bit trippy maybe that shadow turns into a dragon. Animation right?
Inspiration definitely comes and goes though and I still don't have a science for it. I often get good ideas listening to music when I’m on the tube or train. The drive comes from picturing the project completed in its best form. Finishing a project really is a chase-able high. It’s also quite rare.
Fast forwarding to the here and now… Quarantine has definitely made animation a more sought after medium for music videos. So in terms of lifestyle I’m just a little busier and going outside even less than I already was.
For now, I want to just keep trying to make the best work I can and not worry too much about getting loads of views. I do have plans to make a few live action videos down the line but thats top secret for now!
Generally speaking, it’s obviously a weird time for everyone and hopefully putting some nice little animations out there will take peoples mind off it for a couple minutes. To everyone doing real work, Thank you!
Quarantine selfie from the man himself. Great to see you’re keeping positive Jack!