Issue #78 | December 14th, 2025
Hello Reader 👋
There’s something about the end of the year that makes everything echo a little louder. Conversations linger. Projects hang in the air like dust in golden light. And suddenly, you realize: it’s time to pause.
That’s where I’m at right now.
2025 was a big foundational year for me. Animator Now, the vlog, the podcast, the community… I’ve been head-down, heart-in, laying bricks all year long. But when you’re too close to the wall, it’s hard to see what you’re even building.
That’s why I’m looking forward to this break — not to stop, but to step back. Regroup. Breathe. Reflect. The kind of pause that clears the fog and helps you remember why you started in the first place.
And that’s also why 2026 excites me so much. I feel like the foundation is finally in place. The scaffolding is ready. Now comes the real building — with focus, with clarity, and (hopefully) from a brand new studio space that actually feels like mine. Can’t wait for that.>
Something else I’ve been reflecting on is the podcast. It started as a private space for the community. But as the interviews kept coming — Kevin Parry, Cory Williams, and more incredible guests on the way — I realized: these stories, these voices, these golden nuggets… they deserve to be heard.
So starting in January, the Animator Now podcast is going public. I’ll be building a full strategy around it — interviews, solo episodes, behind-the-scenes thoughts. Not all video. Not always polished. But raw, useful, honest. Just like the best conversations should be.
And yes — a lot of it will be about freelancing, and making a living with animation in a world that feels like it’s changing faster than we can keep up. Studios collapsing into conglomerates, AI rewriting the rules, and animators caught in-between — waiting, hoping, or trying to make their own path.
If that’s you: don’t wait too long. Learn. Create. Launch something of your own. Freelancing isn’t the answer for everyone, but for many, it’s a way out of the waiting room. That’s why I’m doubling down on the freelance course I’m building. Because I’ve lived that life. And I’ve got stories — and shortcuts — to share.
If you interested in the Freelancing for Animators Course, you can subscribe freely by clicking the big pink button below 😊
Subscribe to the
Freelancing for Animators Course
Last thing before we jump in.
I had a moment recently. Feeding my 18-month-old, a soft playlist in the background. And then — that song came on. You’ve Got a Friend in Me. Toy Story. Pixar. The one that made me dream of animation 20 years ago.
But this time, it felt… distant. Like someone else’s dream. Not mine anymore.
And I started wondering: is it just me getting older? Or has something really shifted in the industry? Are the dreams we once had fading, or just changing shape? Is it my dream that’s changed — or has the thing I used to dream about faded away?
Pixar. Apple. Disney. Even music. They don’t hit the same way. Not bitter, not nostalgic. Just… different. And I don’t know yet if that’s a loss or a transformation.
If you’ve felt that too — reply to this email. I’d love to talk about it. Below is my vlog on the subject:
Anyway. Deep breath. Big year behind. Bigger one ahead.
Now let’s get into this week’s issue 👇
The Spotlight
Okay — this is a first.
I don’t usually feature ads here. But someone in the Animator Now community shared this one, and I just couldn’t ignore it.
It’s a Christmas ad for Intermarché, a grocery store chain in France. (Yes, the same place I actually shop from time to time — it’s been around for decades, very no-frills, very everyday.)
In France, we don’t really have a tradition of big emotional TV ads like they do in the US or Canada — you know, the John Lewis-type Christmas spots that people actually look forward to. So when something like this comes along, it really catches you off guard.
It starts in live action, with a simple setup. Then it shifts — almost imperceptibly — into a soft, animated fairy tale. A wolf. A deer. A spark of magic. And then back to live action again, tying everything together in a way that feels genuinely touching, not manipulative. 🎄
The animation is stunning. Disney-level stunning.
And as I was watching, something clicked — I realized that some of my former students were involved in this. Of course. The design of the wolf, the overall look, the attention to detail… it all pointed to Illogic Studio, the team behind the unforgettable Garden Party.
They did it again.
It’s not just technically brilliant. It’s emotionally sharp, narratively tight, and visually rich — all in under two minutes. Funny. Tender. Perfectly timed.
I don’t share a lot of ads. But this one feels more like a miniature film — and it’s one I’ll be rewatching.
🔥Here's some incredible BTS on Illogic's website https://www.illogicstudios.com/project/itm with the full on credit a the bottom of the page
🎬 Credits — Intermarché Christmas Ad
Agency: Romance
Production: Wizz
Director: Illogic
Producer: Théophile Dufresne
Head of Production: Yann Nicolas
Production Coordinator: Sacha Dupeyron
Script Consultant: Jean Marc Bouzigues
The Job Fair
- 2D Animator / Motion Designer - Klydo
Klydoclock is a clock that transforms timekeeping into a continuous visual art experience. Every minute is represented by a seamless looping animation from stylized character moments to abstract motion design. Our growing animation library is central to the product, and we collaborate with artists worldwide to expand it. We are currently seeking experienced freelance animators for ongoing, project based collaboration.
- 3D Animator - Alsayegh
We are seeking a talented and creative Animator to join our team and bring real estate developments to life through compelling visual storytelling. You will be responsible for creating high-quality animations, architectural visualizations, and promotional content for various real estate projects. This is a full-time remote position requiring strong technical skills and a keen eye for detail.
- Character Animator - Nam Studio
We're looking for a creative and versatile professional with 3D animation and AI character animation skills, capable of creating engaging and high-performance videos for TikTok and Instagram. This person can design characters, animate them, and—if possible—voice them, creating original, dynamic, and recognizable content.
The Random Stuff
📬 The one newsletter I actually look forward to
I don’t read many newsletters (books > inboxes, always).But there’s one I genuinely can’t wait to read every month — it’s from Andrew Wilkinson, an entrepreneur and investor I deeply admire. His writing is smart, clear, and full of golden insights if you’re into business, creativity, or building things that last.
Also, I'm a huge fan of his book Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire — a book about his life — and I’m already planning to reread it. It’s that good. He also have an incredible podcast with the same name where basically he talks to interesting people and get their cheat codes in life 👇
🖼️ Freeform (Mac users, this one’s for you)
I’ve been using Apple’s native app Freeform lately to design the mood board for the new studio, and I’m loving it. It’s kind of like Miro — but built into macOS and iOS, frictionless, and beautifully minimal. If you like visual planning or idea-dumping on a big infinite board, try it. It just works.
🎨 Why I’m obsessed with Figma lately
I used to live in Illustrator (motion design days). But for the past year, everything I design — from vlog thumbnails to the Animator Now brand — happens in Figma. It’s become a total workhorse for me. Lightweight, powerful, and the AI features are surprisingly useful. If you’ve never tried it, start with the free version and go from there.
Philippe Duvin
Founder, Animator NOW
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