Studio View – BLINKINK

As part of an event organized by MACA, I had the opportunity to visit the Blinkink studio, which sparked my desire to work there in the future! Of all the projects at Blinkink, the one I was most interested in was undoubtedly stop-motion animation production. During my visit to the studio, I found the layout very cozy and inspiring.

In 2023, I interned in the visual department of an internet company in China. The work environment consisted of individual desks equipped with computers. While this setup was practical, I felt that it was not conducive to stimulating creativity. During my internship, it also became clear to me the limitations of the Internet industry. I had to follow strict instructions from upper management and was unable to explore my personal artistic style. Work was based solely on the current needs of the operations team. Over the course of three months, I gained an in-depth understanding of the workflow of an Internet company and the day-to-day work of the visual department. Although I appreciated the straightforward way of working, I eventually realized that the rigid structure did not appeal to me, as I craved more freedom to express my personal style and creativity.

During my visit to the Blinkink studio, I was impressed by the spacious and vibrant work environment. The studio is filled with a variety of creative works, including animated posters, puppets and sets, creating an inspiring atmosphere. The presence of skylights allows natural sunlight to pour in, further enhancing the workspace. I find the environment comfortable and conducive to creativity, which is why I particularly appreciate the Blinkink studio setup.

During the presentation, I had the opportunity to watch an animated film that Blinkink produced for the Winter Olympics, which combines 3D and stop-motion animation techniques. This caught my attention and interest because I had previously thought that stop-motion animation might not be as prominent in the marketplace as 2D or 3D animation. However, this presentation showed me the fascinating potential of stop-motion animation in combination with other media. It made me realize that stop-motion animation is much more versatile than I thought.

I also learned that large-scale stop-motion projects often require strong teamwork, which is something I really enjoy. During the LIAF festival, I worked closely with my classmates on a project called Drunk, and I found the collaborative process very rewarding. I love the team atmosphere and the creative synergy that results, and I hope my future job is to be able to participate in team stop-motion animation.

During my vacation I also learned about stop-motion animation studios in China. The market for stop-motion animation in China is obviously much smaller than in the UK at the moment, but the studios are producing projects at a professional level. I think at this stage I can bring more experience to whichever stop-motion studio I commit to, so I think it’s possible to submit a CV in the UK and China at the same time.