Almost as a rebuttal to the over-saturation of computer animation in everything from TV to advertising to film, a trend is emerging for beautifully executed hand-drawn animation. Whether it's the work of BLU or the Yellow Sticky Notes guy or even the Amazing Sand Artist, these great pieces of home-made artwork are popping up all over YouTube.
The one featured in this post is one of my favorites. I saw it at the Academy Awards screeners (it was nominated for best animated short). Penwork is by James Braitwaite, a young New York animator who visualized a conversation that his friend (and producer) Jerry Levitan had as a young boy with John Lennon. It's an actual recording of the conversation.
Hand-Drawn Animations of John Lennon
Penwork by James Braitwaite
Trend Themes
1. Hand-drawn Animation Trend - The trend of beautifully executed hand-drawn animation is emerging as a rebuttal to the over-saturation of computer animation.
2. Home-made Artwork Trend - Great pieces of home-made artwork, like hand-drawn animations, are popping up all over YouTube.
3. Visualized Conversations Trend - Visualized conversations, like James Braitwaite's animation of a conversation between Jerry Levitan and John Lennon, are becoming a popular form of storytelling.
Industry Implications
1. Animation Industry - The animation industry can capitalize on the trend of beautifully executed hand-drawn animation as an alternative to computer animation.
2. Youtube Industry - The YouTube industry can benefit from the trend of great pieces of home-made artwork, like hand-drawn animations, being shared on its platform.
3. Storytelling Industry - The storytelling industry can embrace the trend of visualized conversations as a unique and engaging form of storytelling.