Blend 2017

Justin Cone (host)

					
						Andrew Kramer
					
Andrew Kramerhttp://videocopilot.netAt 20 years old, Andrew launched Video Copilot, a website where he published a series of “very exciting” After Effects tutorials. He went on to develop award winning plug-ins such as Optical Flares & Element 3D that are used by visual effects studios and designers around the world. As Video Copilot’s presence grew, Andrew was contacted by director J.J. Abrams, leading to many collaborations on films like Star Trek and Star Wars The Force Awakens. Andrew continues to publish training resources, talks and plug-ins, while pursuing his work in the film industry.

						Animade
					
Animadehttp://animade.tvAnimade is a London-based animation studio who believe in the power of character to bring a story to life. The talented team make eye-catching animations, unique digital experiences and boundary-smashing hybrids — all bursting with character. Co-founder and Director James heads up all Animade's digital output and leads the development of their innovative storyboarding web-app, Boords. Creative Director Ed's stripped-back design and well-timed, characterful animation has helped form the backbone of Animade's core principles.

						Bee Grandinetti
					
Bee Grandinettihttp://beegrandinetti.comHailing from the warm lands of Brazil, Bee has honed her skills across the globe. From São Paulo, to Stockholm, to London, she finds her happiest place freelancing and combining design and animation to create her lighthearted work, with characters full of personality and warmth.

						Carson Ting
					
Carson Tinghttps://chairmanting.comBorn and raised in Toronto, Carson Ting graduated with a BA in design and entered the world of advertising as an art director. He was named one of the top 200 illustrators in the world by Luerzer's Archive magazine, and voted as one of the top 5 most creative people in Canada by Marketing Magazine. He currently runs his own illustration studio in Vancouver. In his off time, he enjoys making his 2 year old daughter Audrey laugh and laughing loudly at his own jokes. 

						Erica Gorochow
					
Erica Gorochowhttp://peprally.coErica Gorochow is a Brooklyn based designer specializing in illustration driven animation for screens of all kinds. Over the last ten years she has worked across commercials, broadcast, music videos, interactive, games and gifs. Her work has been recognized by the the likes of Vimeo, Fast Company and Apple. In the past she has written for The Creator’s Project and Motionographer; and has taught at NYU’s ITP grad school.

						Illo
					
Illohttp://illo.tvIlenia Notarangelo and Luca Gonnelli are partners & directors at ILLO, a design and animation driven studio based in beautiful Italy. They currently lead a gang of 10 made of designers, animators, coders and a french bulldog named Pinguino (literally, Penguin). Their primary focus is simplifying technology by invading the world with colourful geometric motion graphics or live action set design. They recently created Algo, an automated video engine transforming live data into motion design videos that you can call “self-driving videos”.

						John Black
					
John Blackhttp://www.cypher.audioJohn Black is the founder of CYPHER, a creative sound design and original music studio that has been consistently producing since cypheraudio.com launched in 2000. He has collaborated with some of the motion industry’s top designers, directors and studios on a broad range of award winning projects, from curated experimental pieces to direct to client commissions. Both alone and with a team of collaborators, CYPHER continues to evolve and permeate, actively obscuring the division between sound design and music. 

						Oddfellows
					
Oddfellowshttp://oddfellows.tvChris Kelly & Colin Trenter are founders & Creative Directors of Oddfellows, an award winning creative studio specializing in design and animation. They thrive on projects that match purpose with play, partnering with select clients who have big ideas in need of careful handling. They take complex concepts and make them accessible and entertaining - driving millions of clicks, views and conversations.

						Patrick Osborne
					
Patrick Osbornehttp://www.bighappyaccident.comPatrick, originally from Cincinnati, graduated from Ringling College in Computer Animation. Later, he worked on films like I am Legend and Surf’s Up at Sony Imageworks. In 2008 he moved to Disney Animation where he animated on Bolt, Tangled, and Wreck it Ralph, and was head of animation on the Oscar-winning Paperman. After co-heading animation on Big Hero 6, he directed his own short Feast which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Recently, he received a second Oscar nomination for his Google VR short Pearl. He lives in Silver Lake with his wife Ali.

						Robert Valley
					
Robert Valleyhttp://pearciderandcigarettes.comThough born and raised in North Vancouver, Robert Valley has been designing and directing animation all over the world since the early 90s. You can see his handy work in the Gorillaz music videos, Beatles Rock Band commercial, Aeon Flux, Tron Uprising, Metallica's newest video Murder One, and in his latest film Pear Cider and Cigarettes -- which was recently shortlisted for an Academy Award for best animated short. Robert is currently directing the Gorillaz next album release, coming soon. 

						Sander Van Dijk
					
Sander Van Dijkhttp://sandervandijk.tvWhen I hear about meaningful ideas, I feel compelled to communicate them for the betterment of humanity. I do this through geometry, motion and emotion. Purpose breathes life into abstract forms that have the ability to amplify a message and evoke a human response. I also turn my workflows into tools so that they can empower others within the community. And I’ve come together with friends to co-found BlendFest, a festival that brings our talented and growing community together in one place.

						Tuna Bora
					
Tuna Borahttp://tunabora.comTuna Bora has a BFA from Otis College of Art And Design, and has worked as a designer & art director for companies such as Sony, Nickelodeon, and Disney Japan. Her humorous, worldly, and multi-disciplinary work is recognized in areas of content creation, advertising, independent publishing, galleries, print, and games. Her contributions to the the illustration field have been celebrated by many including IdN, American Illustration, the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal, and multiple Communication Arts Awards of Excellence.