emojinal Times

 Bit of a throwback to when I worked on emojitown in 2022. I came on board as a creative producer around episode 36 - helping to shape the interpretations and animation from the scripts, sadly not able to write on the show (although that was the plan if the second season was greenlit!)

I did get to do a couple of voices - but a lot of my creativity went into the thumbnails, especially for the compilations (as they tended to be thematic rather than episode specific) some of my favourites below.

The idea was to create imagery that worked as an engaging YouTube thumbnail, whilst also working as a standalone piece of art or titlecard.

(I didn't 'create' these - they were made by the wonderful animation studio, but I would brief them and sometimes give preliminary character designs and layout sketches of what I was imagining.)

A bit of a Souls-like themed bossfight thumbnail - with a touch of Monster Hunter.

Horror thumbnail, some Stranger Things references as well as the Mystery Inc. gang from Scooby Doo

Superheroes - I designed most of these personas from scratch (Jo's came from E33 Superheroes and Jess' was loosely based on her look from the same episode.)

More superheroes - again, only Unicorn Man and Poophead had existing designs (from a previous compilation thumbnail.)

A really fun Spider-Man reference in this one for the Fleas episode.

Thanksgiving compilation. I just thought what is the most disruptive thing Poophead could do for the holiday.

Julia compilation - had fun leaning into her artist roots for the different styles in the background.

Far from the only thumbnails I worked on - but it's fun looking back on the show after so long.

Omchat

Updates on the illustration I did for the Omcha tea labels. My work has started rolling out on the products!

I got some beautiful official product photos from owner Meg, and it's really amazing to see my images sitting within context on a real product. That people can buy!

photos provided by Omcha.

Get That (Tea) Bag!

 It's been a lengthy time chipping away at the list of designs - but the Omcha label project is finally complete!

I have yet to see any of the images in print or packaging - but I will share as soon as I get any updates.

It was a lovely project and I'm happy to have been commissioned to make them.

Do please buy some tea from Meg, if you are so inclined. Depending on when you're reading this - it might even come with one of my illustrations on it!

Omcha.co.uk - people and planet friendly teas and events.

Omcha Branding Project

Following on from the success of the animated brewing guide, I have been commissioned to make a series of bespoke packaging labels for all the tea varieties and blends in the Omcha range - to keep a consistent visual language with the imagery I already made. 

It's an exciting (if slightly daunting) project, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity. In short time my illustrations will be on packaging for people to purchase around the world!

partial list of illustrations

I'm already working through a large list of possible labels that I've been given - which will be used for current or future tea products.

Some work in progress images. The range is expected to launch around June 2025.

Omcha Tea Guide

 I'm so happy to announce that the final version of the animated tea brewing guide is now available!

Watch now at OMCHA.CO.UK

This was a great project and I look forward to future collaborations with Omcha!

NEW SHOWREEL

This is my 2016 showreel, which also handily gives a rundown of most of the projects I've been working on during late 2015-16.

Showreel - Ali Lightfoot (2016) from Ali Lightfoot on Vimeo.

Hotting Up

I was pitched a brief, by a company, based on an pro-NHS campaign. They wanted me to come up with some ideas on how to animate the script they'd written.
I sent a written treatment and they requested some style boards for further consideration.
Below are my rough designs (they wanted a specific style):

 

Blitzkrieg Bop

I've been tasked, by a band, with designing a logo.

At present I've been given some sample images - one explicitly being the lightning bolt design they want - depicting some classic comicbook-style imagery. Including some pop art and Kryptonian sigils.

I'm awaiting to hear back about a few queries I've had, including colouring, etc. Since I'm unsure if the logo I've been provided is their existing design or just another example piece (it does look a lot like it belongs to Black Adam.)

In the meantime, I've been doing some rough edits on the design and playing with colour variations. Also investigating typefaces, as they would like the band name included in the design.

I'm having to be careful since the colours most of the example images are using are the classic red & yellow, which - when applied to a lightning bolt - basically give you the logo for The Flash.

Examples of potential typefaces. Some may need a little more tweaking than others.

Fight For Your Right...

I recently applied to work at another company that responded asking me to complete a design exercise audition type thing.
I just learnt today that I didn't get an interview, so I've decided to publish the design I did for them.

I had to jazz up a plain text television pitch, for a new show, ready to be sent to a major network. The content of the document is strictly confidential (so I've blurred out the details) but, for context, I will say it was a kinda "teen tropical holiday/party themed reality show".

 

I wouldn't normally use such a garish colour palette, but it fit with the subject matter of the show.

Preliminary sketches & ideas.

 

Tiny Twelve

It has been some time since I've heard from the company that requested this test commission, so I'm assuming I have not been selected.
To that end, I am publishing my design.

It's a likeness of Peter Capaldi (in costume as the Twelfth Doctor) in the established style of the company. I'm quite pleased with it, even if they obviously feel it's not enough to hire me over.
 

Face Off

I applied to a company that creates stylised likenesses of celebrities for use on a variety of products, their response was to request that I demonstrate my capability to create imagery in their established brand style.

I have begun working on something.

Having tweeted it without context, people have managed to identify the individual in question. Which is a good sign.