As a designer and animator, my work is rooted in a love for storytelling, visual exploration, and emotional connection. I’m based in County Tipperary, Ireland, and since beginning my creative journey, I’ve found animation to be the perfect medium for blending art, design, and narrative. With a First-Class Honours Bachelor’s degree in Design (Animation & Motion Design) from the Limerick School of Art & Design, I bring a well-rounded, studio-informed, and self-driven approach to every project I take on.

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I’m passionate about creating visual experiences that are expressive, thoughtful, and human. Whether I’m working independently or collaborating with a team, my process is centered on clear communication and a commitment to storytelling. I’ve worked as both a freelance illustrator and animator since 2018, collaborating with clients from concept to final production. This freelance work taught me how to manage ideas, meet deadlines, and maintain creative flexibility, skills that have translated seamlessly into larger studio environments.

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My creative strengths lie in concept development, artistic exploration, storyboarding, and character design. Getting lost and exploring potential concepts inside my sketchbook page is one of the things I enjoy the most. In my work, I aim to explore how personality and emotion can be conveyed through character design, illustration, and subtle movement using animation techniques. I had the opportunity to lead the storyboarding team on 'Dancing Echoes of the Soul', where I guided the visual tone and narrative flow of the animation while coordinating with artists remotely. I’ve also worked on explanatory animations and product illustrations with McAS Design Ltd, helping communicate ideas clearly and visually for different audiences.

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I work primarily in my sketchbook and with 2D digital tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, and Toon Boom Harmony. I approach each project with curiosity and care, starting with sketches and research, then building into fully realized sequences. I’m drawn to themes of introspection, transformation, and personal memory, often using visual metaphors and layered compositions to enhance meaning.

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Recognition at international festivals like Animation Dingle (2022, 2024), Cinemagic Belfast, and the Lift-Off Sessions has affirmed my belief in the power of storytelling and the value of an independent voice. Being selected and shortlisted in these festivals has encouraged me to keep evolving as an artist both technically and conceptually.

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I aim to create work that is emotionally honest, raw, visually engaging, and open to interpretation. I believe animation can be both poetic and impactful, capable of telling quiet, powerful stories that resonate with people across different cultures and experiences. I’m always looking to collaborate with studios, storytellers, and creatives who share that same belief.

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My goal moving forward is to continue developing my artistic voice while contributing to meaningful projects, whether in film, series, or mixed media. I’m excited by the challenges ahead and always eager to explore new stories, new techniques, and new ways of seeing the world through art and animation.

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-Simona