Meet Jimmy Taylor

An artist with a message to share.

TA: Hello, Jimmy. It is nice to finally chat with you. I have been looking forward to this conversation for a long time. I find your work as a background animator both memorizing and intriguing. I particularly like the 3D feel that you bring to your audience. It is as if you can pull the viewer inside the scene. Thank you for taking time from your busy day to share your words of wisdom with us. Perhaps the best place to start this conversation is at the beginning of your journey. So, can you briefly share with us how you arrived at where you are today?

Jimmy: I knew pretty early on that I wanted to be an artist. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. During my junior year in high school, my art teacher helped me create a portfolio of work that I could submit for art college. In 2014 I went to the Cleveland Institute of Art, and graduated in 2018 with a BFA in Animation. I spent a few years in Cleveland post grad working odd jobs, and doing freelance work. Ultimately, I decided to pack up and move to Los Angeles in 2022 after talking with 2 of my former colleagues and best friends who were in a similar boat as me. We all wanted to work in the entertainment sector of animation, and the best opportunities to do it were in California. I have been out here for 3 years, and definitely think it was worth it. 

TA: Absolutely. I love that you and your two friends demonstrated courage to pursue your dreams at such a young age. The beginning of a dream can be challenging; however, curiosity for knowledge plus persistency in pursuit of developing your skills and putting your work out there will pay off. Kudos to the three of you. Now that you have been living in Los Angeles since 2022, based on your experience thus far, where do you see the animation market going in the next five years?

Jimmy: It’s tough to say. There’s been a lot of shake up in the animation industry. I think a lot of studios, and companies are dancing with how to incorporate AI into their production pipeline. To be honest, it’s been a very uncertain time for a lot of animation workers. I think AI might be something that artists will have to coexist with on productions in the future. I think executives are going to try to find ways to utilize it to speed up production and cut costs in certain areas for labor. Ultimately, I’m hoping that AI appeal will fizzle out a bit in the animation studio sector, especially as artists try to fight for AI regulations in that space. I can definitely see AI being used more prominently by independent content creators in a more indie space. I don’t know. There’s a lot brewing there.

TA: I think you may have touch on an important point about the way executives think about utilizing AI. Cutting cost while increasing productivity seems like an obvious move many companies are making today. So, yes, we all must find a way to coexist with AI. As a traditional artist of paintings and pencil work, my friends and colleagues and I wrestle with competing with drawings and paintings done with an app. So, I like your term “coexist.” For me, there is space for all of it. As artists, we must find what it is that makes our work stand out and brings value to others despite what AI can or cannot do. What are your thoughts? If AI is to coexist with artists inside a creative community, what is its role in your opinion?

Jimmy: If AI is going to have a role in the creative community, I’d like it as an assistance tool for artists rather than a replacement. Personally, I think that role should be a visual referral point. At its most decent use that can cut out preliminary hassle work for struggling to find shot choices, color scripts, animation acting ref, etc.

TA: Wow. I love your answer. AI should be used more as a reference tool to help cut down production time rather than a creative tool creating something from nothing that is completely absent of the human touch. As you know, the animation community continues to evolve. Since we live in a digital world where we can connect with each other online, what are four exciting things that you have noticed about the online creative community?

Jimmy: In the animation community, there’s a lot of shared sentiment, and empathy for peers. There is a strong sense of support and encouragement for one another whether it’s a personal subject matter, or creative work to be shared. There is also a sharing of creative resources to help others become more informed and become stronger artists. In spite of a lot of artists being introverted, it’s a community that loves being amongst one another. There’s always some event to find where you can hang with other animation artists both in person, and online. Overall, it’s such a great, and wholesome community to be a part of.

TA: Well, Jimmy, it has been an absolute pleasure to have you share your words of wisdom with this audience. Thank you for your authenticity and candidness. Before I let you go, where can this audience find you and support you and your work?

Jimmy: You can find my website at https://jimmytaylordraws.com/. My social media pages: Instagram: jimbotheartist   Twitter/X: jimbotheartist

TA: Thank you, Jimmy for sharing your words of wisdom with us. I wish you continue success in your endeavors.