Dan Kennington
Q&A | Dan Kennington
Creative Director
Turner Duckworth
Published
Sept 2024
We sat down with Dan Kennington currently a Creative Director based in the UK, spanning over a decades worth of experience in branding and motion design.
Creating award winning work with studios such as Jones Knowles Ritchie, Found Studio and where he currently resides, Turner Duckworth he graciously shares wisdom from his time in the industry and envisions the future of motion design.
01
Who or what inspired you to begin a career in motion design?
Having studied industrial design at university I have always been drawn to 3D. Whilst in the design world I brought it more into the work we were doing, then really got interested in the different types of animation styles and how we could use them across different brands.
“Often times you see a great idea without really nice keyframes, or style and beauty without the thinking. When you get both I think that's where really good work is created.”
02
What challenges in motion design have you faced?
Having solid rationale for the way things should move, but executing it in a creative way with high production value. Often times you see a great idea without really nice keyframes, or style and beauty without the thinking. When you get both I think that's where really good work is created.
“There has always traditionally been separate styles of animation and experts in those fields, but using multiple styles cohesively together is a real challenge within the industry.”
03
Is there one thing no one is talking about in motion design?
For me its the merging of so many styles to work together, there has always traditionally been separate styles of animation and experts in those fields, but using multiple styles cohesively together is a real challenge within the industry. New technologies will shape how studios work in the future.
04
Which branded piece of motion do you think has made the most impact?
For me its Film 4's identity. The simple of idea of film reel, but executed in an incredible way was like nothing I had seen before, it still holds up today as a best in class example of lovely thinking and execution merged together.
“Whether it was a new car launch or working on a rebrand, I love all the texture and detail that goes into car design.”
05
Is there a brand you would like to work with in the future?
Anything to do with cars! Whether it was a new car launch or working on a rebrand, I love all the texture and detail that goes into car design. Bringing it to life using lighting and animation is something I would love to do in the future.
