Find out more about Greg → https://www.jdgstewart.co

Today, I'm speaking with Greg Stewart — one of the founding members of Ordinary Folk, and now Lead Animator at The Bible Project.

I've known about Greg for a long time — Ordinary Folk are without doubt my favorite motion design studio. But I remember watching Greg for the first time in a Holdframe workshop, and since then, I've really connected with his way of thinking.

We spoke about:

His early career and fast liftoff
History and origin story of Ordinary Folk
His time there, working with Jorge, and his eventual move away
A lot of detail on workflows, process, and working with teams
Levels of detail in motion — ways of seeing
Technical side of motion: rigging, systems
The balance and integration of that with art direction and creative direction
Towards the end — a deep dive into how he's using Cavalry

As always, if you appreciate the show, share it or leave a rating wherever you're listening. I hope you enjoy this interview with Greg Stewart.

Summary

In this conversation, Greg Stewart, Lead Animator at The Bible Project, shares his journey from studying theology to becoming a prominent figure in motion design. He discusses his experiences at Ordinary Folk, the importance of collaboration, and the balance between technical skills and creative direction.

Greg reflects on the significance of storytelling in animation and how his personal goals have evolved over time, emphasizing the value of faith and artistry in his work. He shares his journey in animation and collaboration, detailing his experiences working with a creative team and the growth he experienced through collaboration.

He discusses the importance of art direction, team dynamics, and the processes that contribute to successful projects. Greg also explores the integration of new tools like Cavalry into his workflow, emphasizing the benefits of dynamic rendering and Google Sheets for efficient project management. He concludes with reflections on the future of motion design tools and the joy of problem-solving in the creative process.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to The Bible Project
04:24 The Transition from Ordinary Folk to The Bible Project
07:28 The Excitement of Working on Bible Project
10:13 Balancing Art and Technical Skills
13:36 The Importance of Conceptual Thinking in Motion Design
16:20 Navigating Complexity and Simplicity in Motion Design
38:01 Building a World Through Animation
41:17 The Importance of Pre-Visualization
44:13 Navigating Early Career Decisions
47:59 The Freelance Journey Begins
52:45 Shifting Goals and Personal Growth
57:53 The Dynamics of Teamwork at Ordinary Folk
01:10:32 Exploring Animation Techniques and Intentions
01:13:24 Balancing Creative Integrity and Technical Execution
01:16:09 The Dynamics of Team Collaboration in Animation
01:17:07 Establishing Effective Processes in Animation Projects
01:20:18 Incorporating Freelancers and Diverse Styles
01:23:05 The Importance of Pacing and Quality in Animation
01:25:50 Transitioning to New Tools: Cavalry in Animation
01:33:13 Integrating Cavalry into Workflows
01:44:47 Dynamic Rendering and Google Sheets Integration
01:58:29 The Joy of Problem Solving in Motion Design