Sound and vision
Experimental motion designers Connor Campbell and Harry Butt joined forces to create this year's striking visual Christmas campaign, inspired by flickering candlelight and reflections
Can you tell us about your interpretation of The Royal Exchange’s ‘Tis the Season’ Christmas campaign?
We’ve taken the concept of ‘radiant light’ and explored a multitude of interpretations of this through reflections, luminance, bright glows and dancing gestural light forms.
What have you been inspired by for this?
Our research took us first to the elegant, gestural forms of light in the real world, taking inspiration from flickering candlelight, reflective materials and imagining what light could look like in motion when multiplied and pulled through an abstract digital snowstorm. Slow shutter speeds, rippling glass and ethereal light orbs played a key role in the development of our animations.
Can you tell us more about the work you do in terms of your style, inspirations and practice?
As a motion design practice, the work we make always has experimentation at its core. In the initial stages we play around with the 3D, 2D and real-time digital tools we have until we get to a place that feels interesting. From there we develop these sketches into more considered forms that go on to become the final output. Working loosely at the initial stages of a project allows us to develop the briefs we receive into something more unexpected, adapting our practice each time.
Where did you study?
[Campbell] I studied graphic design at Edinburgh College of Art and have only recently, in the last few years, brought animation into my practice through self-tuition. Now it forms almost exclusively the output of my studio, with a graphic design background playing a key role in each project we take on.
What have been some memorable commissions you’ve had?
Visualising a 48-minute ambient track by electronic artist Daniel Avery using an oscilloscope to live-capture audio reactive forms and sequence them into the full music video.
Who are some of your favourite artists/designers?
Two artists that spring to mind are Ryoji Ikeda and Ian Cheng. Both have a unique way of working with animation.
What would be your dream brand to collaborate with?
[Campbell] I’ve been lucky enough to work with a lot of my favourite musicians, creatives and brands since starting my own practice two years ago, but if anyone from [American independent entertainment company] A24 is reading this, get in touch, please!
