Guest Spotlight: Antti Palosaari, an Animator with a passion for mythology & history

Antti Palosaari , Age 28, Where are you based? Tampere, Finland, remote ??

Job title: Freelance a(ntt)imator, illustrator

Hobbies: mythology & history related things, atm exploring medieval crafts

Link to portfolio: https://anttimation.com/

Favorite project: https://anttimation.com/sampo-animated-series

Personal Journey:

• What sparked your interest in illustration and motion graphics, and how did your journey begin in the field?

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I also used to make stop-motion Lego animations as a kid. So it was only natural, I guess! I started with an internship at Squeezed Media in London, followed by a couple of in-house roles before going freelance.

• You humorously mention being a "non-award-winning" animator. How have experiences, even those not recognized with awards, shaped your approach to animation and illustration? Are there particular challenges or lessons learned that have contributed to your growth as a creative professional?

Looking at some award-winning campaigns from the last year that feature fucking terrible AI imagery, these awards look like such non-achievements and I take pride in not belonging to that club, haha. Always aiming to produce the highest quality of work but with no BS. As a freelancer/entrepreneur, I’ve become familiar with the whole production process beyond just the creative – understanding clients and their needs, which is something I wouldn’t understand as an in-house designer.

Finnish Mythology on YouTube:

• Your YouTube channel delves into the dark and fascinating mythology and history of Finland through animated videos. What inspired you to embark on this unique exploration?

These are videos that I would want to watch myself but no one had made them. So I was left with no choice! And to be perfectly honest, it is also a growing source of revenue for me so there’s that motivator too.

• Can you walk us through your typical creative process when tackling an episode of History of Finland? How long does it take you to produce one video? What are your favorite motion graphics to use?

The videos are rather simple technically, being ten-minute episodes so I try to get away with as little heavy lifting as possible. So it’s just line illustrations that are animated using the Stroke effect (Quickdraw plugin) and camera moves. The main focus is the research and fact-checking, and then presenting the history in an informative yet entertaining form.

• As the creator behind the YouTube channel, how do you anticipate its evolution in the future? Are there any specific themes or emerging trends that you plan to explore or showcase?

It has seen pretty decent growth in the past year and I intend to continue that trend! I want to make it a bigger part of my business and hopefully be able to commission animations from other artists in the future!

Balancing Work and Passion:

• Your spare time is also dedicated to animation and illustration, particularly exploring history and mythology. How do you balance your professional work with personal passions?

I take one day of the week, Friday, for personal work only. But tbh it’s not enough, I have so many things going and even more that I want to do…

• How do you believe this niche expertise adds value to your work, both in terms of professional projects and your personal explorations on platforms like YouTube?

It definitely helps to stand out from the mass of motion design, however, I’m only starting to contact potential clients within that niche.

• What advice would you give to aspiring motion designers who are just starting their journey and want to specialize in history and mythology?

I’ll let them know when I find massive success, haha. But really, whatever one’s passion, why not bring it to motion – most likely not that many people have done it yet!

Memorable projects and aspirations

• Among the projects you've worked on, is there one that holds a special place in your heart?

I am on a mission to bring our national epic Kalevala, which heavily inspired the Lord of the Rings for example, to modern audiences. The latest part of the animation series on YouTube I'm very happy with and hope to continue:

https://youtu.be/b69aKwV4Cao?si=u2-5iWQR9Q0I08J2

• What would be your dream project? Is there a specific type of project that you aspire to take on in the future?

Love is a strong word but I would absolutely LOVE to create a boldly animated brand film with a historical perspective, maybe for an old family business that has long traditions.

Thanks for reading until the end, if you are interested in being featured, please et me know in the comments section or by DM.