Graphic Design / Illustration

David Vinicombe
Illustration/Graphic Design (1988 Degree Course)

David is currently working as a Story Artist for Aardman Animation in Bristol, famous for Wallace and Gromit and other animated features.

I didn’t realise this kind of work existed until I worked as an animator on various kids TV stuff and some adverts.  This work was based in Bristol.  Before this I worked in a number of different roles such as an illustrator, graphic designer, licensing ‘character’ artist, sign writer and pavement artist.  

I also worked on some comic books.  In 1997 I began an animation course in Bristol where I spent six months learning, before starting a work placement on the animated film ‘The Bear’ (based on the book by Raymond Briggs).  Following the course I was eventually hired by Aardman, having worked on various projects with some of their regular crews.  Since the Wallace and Gromit feature film ‘Curse of the Were-Rabbit’, I’ve been working full-time on ‘Shaun the Sheep’, various adverts and another Wallace and Gromit half-hour TV thing (due out at Christmas 2008).

In my job I work closely with the director/s on broadcast and feature film projects to develop the story and characters and brief the animators.  It’s good being at the creative side of things, but it’s an invisible job and the hours can be long.  To do this work you do have to make sacrifices.  Your social life takes a hit, although being a part of a good production crew balances that out.  Essentially it’s a team effort.

I found the degree course in Brighton quite open and it encouraged experimentation, helping to develop individual style.  Although this didn’t suit me at the time, I’ve since found my knowledge base to be very broad and diverse in the graphic jobs I’ve been able to tackle since then.  The library was excellent too.  I also did the foundation course (1 year 1984-5) and the life drawing was superbly taught by a tutor called David Chapman and that has been invaluable.

During my time at Brighton I occasionally sold some spot-gags (cartoons) to small comedy magazines.  I was also allowed access to sketch and draw in the Dome as the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra were rehearsing.  This was interesting as I learnt how much attention to detail goes on with the music as a kind of narrative.

In the future I intend to stay employed, pay my mortgage and take more holidays!  I would possibly like to move into directing when I’m ready to try it.  I would also like to return to Brighton more as folks are still there.