Staying nimble in a time of flux
Staying nimble in a time of flux
Staying nimble in a time of flux
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
The industry has undergone significant changes over the past year, and with it, we’ve seen larger studios shutting down and a rise in smaller studios. This panel will reflect on the role that smaller studios play in the new commercial landscape, what it takes to start a small business, and how to remain nimble in this ever-changing industry.
Join WIA UK as they chat about small businesses in this time of flux. We’ll be discussing the joys and hurdles of setting up a small business and the panellists' perspective on the future of industry and where small businesses sit within it.
Hannah Lau-Walker
With over fifteen years of experience within the commercial animation industry, Hannah has worked at indie studios to huge production houses. Developing her 2D animation skills to senior roles and led animation productions, working closely with the crew to deliver exceptional work and has expanded into directing short films and commercials. Hannah is deeply committed to the animation industry, developing community as a founder of She Drew That (established in 2019), collaborating with women and studios across the industry to develop mentoring, workshops, residency projects and resources. She is invested in pushing the scope of animation forward not only by utilising story as a way to connect with an audience, but also as a speaker and as a host, organising events at international and UK festivals and outreach programmes to expose a diverse audience to the possibilities of animation.
Ashleigh Robertson
Ashleigh Robertson is a Scottish motion designer and animator based in Manchester, England. Combining bold colour, cel animation and a love of storytelling, she loves bringing static images to life with jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-stopping motion. After years of freelancing and collaborating with brands like F1, Meta and BBC Bitesize, Ashleigh is now in the early stages of building her own studio, Poison Ivy. A female-led venture with big ambitions, Poison Ivy aims to challenge the industry’s male-dominated landscape with work that’s distinctive, fluid and high-end. Ashleigh also shares the honest, often chaotic reality of starting a studio on social media, because the way you tell your story matters, and hers is still being written.
Catharine Pitt
Catharine Pitt is co-founder and Creative Director of Form Play, a Brighton-based character animation studio known for its hand-crafted style and playful, story-led approach. They have worked with Google, Nickelodeon, Sephora and Patreon, and partner with brands to build character libraries and animated stories designed to earn long-term brand love. Catharine’s focus is on how a small studio can remain creatively distinctive while building a sustainable and rewarding practice in the long term.
Hayley Akins
Hayley Akins is the founder of Motion Hatch, an education company teaching freelance motion designers and small studios how to start and grow successful businesses. Over 4000 motion designers worldwide have taken Motion Hatch courses to develop their creative businesses, learning how to price their work effectively and attract clients they love working with. Last year Hayley started Creative & Coin, a community and program where professional freelancers and studio owners gather to navigate the industry together, share what’s working, get support and access helpful resources. Hayley is passionate about helping motion designers find clients that align with their values and have a positive impact on the world. With Motion Hatch, her goal is to make running your motion design business fun and easy. Hayley will be joining us at Freight Island on Friday 27th February for our panel on ‘The rise of smaller studios in a time of flux’ at Motion North.
Hannah Lau-Walker
With over fifteen years of experience within the commercial animation industry, Hannah has worked at indie studios to huge production houses. Developing her 2D animation skills to senior roles and led animation productions, working closely with the crew to deliver exceptional work and has expanded into directing short films and commercials. Hannah is deeply committed to the animation industry, developing community as a founder of She Drew That (established in 2019), collaborating with women and studios across the industry to develop mentoring, workshops, residency projects and resources. She is invested in pushing the scope of animation forward not only by utilising story as a way to connect with an audience, but also as a speaker and as a host, organising events at international and UK festivals and outreach programmes to expose a diverse audience to the possibilities of animation.
Ashleigh Robertson
Ashleigh Robertson is a Scottish motion designer and animator based in Manchester, England. Combining bold colour, cel animation and a love of storytelling, she loves bringing static images to life with jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-stopping motion. After years of freelancing and collaborating with brands like F1, Meta and BBC Bitesize, Ashleigh is now in the early stages of building her own studio, Poison Ivy. A female-led venture with big ambitions, Poison Ivy aims to challenge the industry’s male-dominated landscape with work that’s distinctive, fluid and high-end. Ashleigh also shares the honest, often chaotic reality of starting a studio on social media, because the way you tell your story matters, and hers is still being written.
Catharine Pitt
Catharine Pitt is co-founder and Creative Director of Form Play, a Brighton-based character animation studio known for its hand-crafted style and playful, story-led approach. They have worked with Google, Nickelodeon, Sephora and Patreon, and partner with brands to build character libraries and animated stories designed to earn long-term brand love. Catharine’s focus is on how a small studio can remain creatively distinctive while building a sustainable and rewarding practice in the long term.
Hayley Akins
Hayley Akins is the founder of Motion Hatch, an education company teaching freelance motion designers and small studios how to start and grow successful businesses. Over 4000 motion designers worldwide have taken Motion Hatch courses to develop their creative businesses, learning how to price their work effectively and attract clients they love working with. Last year Hayley started Creative & Coin, a community and program where professional freelancers and studio owners gather to navigate the industry together, share what’s working, get support and access helpful resources. Hayley is passionate about helping motion designers find clients that align with their values and have a positive impact on the world. With Motion Hatch, her goal is to make running your motion design business fun and easy. Hayley will be joining us at Freight Island on Friday 27th February for our panel on ‘The rise of smaller studios in a time of flux’ at Motion North.
Tickets
Secure your spot in February
Please check T&C's regarding the tickets.
Two Day Tickets
Access to everything. From Thursday morning to Friday evening.
24+ Talks
8+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Portfolio Reviews
Thursday night social
Women in Animation
Guest Event: Process
Early Bird
First 100
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 200
ID required
£85
£115
£135
£45
Day One Ticket
Access to Thursday 26th February ONLY
12+ Talks
4+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Portfolio Reviews
Thursday night social
Early Bird
First 50 till Xmas
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 100
ID required
£60
£80
£95
£25
Day Two Ticket
Access to Friday 27th February ONLY
12+ Talks
4+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Women in Animation
Guest Event: Process
Early Bird
First 50 till Xmas
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 50
ID required
£50
£65
£80
£20
Tickets
Secure your spot in Feb
Please check T&C's regarding the tickets.
Two Day Tickets
Access to everything. From Thursday morning to Friday evening.
24+ Talks
8+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Portfolio Reviews
Thursday night social
Women in Animation
Guest Event: Process
Early Bird
First 100
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 200
ID required
£85
£115
£135
£45
Day One Ticket
Access to Thursday 26th February ONLY
12+ Talks
4+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Portfolio Reviews
Thursday night social
Early Bird
First 50 till Xmas
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 100
ID required
£60
£80
£95
£25
Day Two Ticket
Access to Friday 27th February ONLY
12+ Talks
4+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Women in Animation
Guest Event: Process
Early Bird
First 50 till Xmas
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 50
ID required
£50
£65
£80
£20
Tickets
Secure your spot in February
Please check T&C's regarding the tickets.
Two Day Tickets
Access to everything. From Thursday morning to Friday evening.
24+ Talks
8+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Portfolio Reviews
Thursday night social
Women in Animation
Guest Event: Process
Early Bird
First 100
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 200
ID required
£85
£115
£135
£45
Day One Ticket
Access to Thursday 26th February ONLY
12+ Talks
4+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Portfolio Reviews
Thursday night social
Early Bird
First 50 till Xmas
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 100
ID required
£60
£80
£95
£25
Day Two Ticket
Access to Friday 27th February ONLY
12+ Talks
4+ Workshops
Panel Discussions
Product Demos
Women in Animation
Guest Event: Process
Early Bird
First 50 till Xmas
Standard
Till end of Jan '26
Full Price
From 1st Feb '26
Student
Limited to 50
ID required