AnimationXpress’s Ishpreet chandock had a conversation with Kshiraj Telang Pre-Production Artist,Animator and Cartoonist about his works on animation and more…
Excrepts…
Tell us little more about yourself?
I am a self-taught animation artist, presently living in New Delhi, IND. I love making cartoon designs and creating pre-production work for animations and video games – and that is also my role in the professional life I lead. Additionally I love making designs for paper toys, and draw some comics.
Can you give us a brief synopsis about your work?
I specialize in stylized, cute and cartoony designs that lets me deliver art for casual video games, brand mascots that seek appeal, medias on internet that are aimed to go viral and similar stuffs. I am a paperless artist by choice and hence employ present technology tools at work.
How did you start your career as a cartoonist and animator?
I came to Delhi to get education in fine or related arts, however I wasn’t successful in getting an entry. Immediately after my failure at college entrance, I was picked up by a art studio here in Delhi that worked for children publication. I was assigned cartoon creation tasks there, and that is how I had my journey started.
5.Have you done any specific course related to this field?
No, I preferred, and had to learn by myself.
6.You have even taught at an animation school?Which was it?Could you share more information about it?
I was a faculty at Animaster, an animation school that started in Delhi then, and had major operations down south. For a while, I liked mentoring students on the things I felt I knew better, but very soon decided to return to production realizing the need of further experience and improvement. I am not willing to reconsider switching back to an academic role.
7.In what projects have you worked so far?
Speaking of the favorite ones, I have done animation and art creation for Budweiser Budvar web marketing campaign that went viral, have made entire game art for an upcoming indie production iOS game, various other stuffs for MTV, Kingfisher, Samsung, HP, etc.
8.You started your career as a cartoonist but later diverted towards professional animation?Tell us about it?
I was always fascinated about the moving cartoons I saw on T.V. like all other kids that grew with me, and honestly I had no clue about how they are made even after months of starting my career as a cartoonist. Until a day in 2002 when I met an animation tool Toon Boom Studio, that stated it to be capable of letting you make cartoon animations. I got an evaluation copy from somewhere and burned midnight candle lamp to try and learn it before the trial ends. Luckily, that time was enough for me to complete a small animated reel that was liked by an animation studio and hence I was hired.
9.You have worked as a cartooonist in newspapers like “Dainik Bhaskar and Dandakaranya’.Tell us about your experience?
I was a tender school going kid then, so the experiences won’t sound professional in any way. SInce I was in primary school, my mind wasn’t too sharp to think of humorous ideas that can go as political cartoons, but I had some ability to draw. Therefore my dad visualized ideas and captions for me, and I illustrated them to complete cartoons that got published in the state and national level newspapers. I loved displaying my published cartoon in the newspapers to the school assembly.
11.You have been awarded the Best Child Cartoonist in Maharastra at the age of 12,you are India’s first animation professional whose story was published on Toon Boom Studio website, your short films have been broadcasted and appreciated on various platforms including PVR cinema screens and international film festival,how does it feel?
Parle Cartoon Yatra a cartoon celebration event that happened in 1995 in Maharastra awarded me with that title when Cartoonist Ranade sir loved my work. While such appreciations encourage me, I don’t totally agree to a recognition like this for me. I am happy to see Toon Boom Inc. like my association with their products that made them do a user story on me.
12.You were a freelancer for 2 years,who were your clients at that time and which was your most memorable work at that stage?
During my freelancing days I worked for digital agencies from India and abroad. I loved working on Budweiser Budvar animated marketing campaign that won Grand Webstar Creative Award in Webstar Festival in Poland. I also did a few assignments for Disney, MTV, a film writer who was pitching to Tim Burton, an Australia based design agency etc.
13.Which is your favourite creation and why?
It is hard to tell which work of mine do I like my most. I personally love the little personal piece of art I did for my wedding invite.
15.Who has been your inspiration for your work?
I love the art of Ben Caldwell, Humberto Ramos, Carlos Meglia, Arthur de Pins and I wish I could draw like them someday.
16.Which was your most challenging project to make and why?
It’s the last year’s freelance assignment of creating video game art for an iOS game. I never made game art for an iOS game before and thus learned many new things during the journey. My clients at ‘This Way Up’ made the whole job experience feel exciting and enjoyable.
17.What are you currently working on?
I am making art for video games at Lakshya Digital, Gurgaon. However, I might not be able to share detailed information about the on going projects until they get published.
18.You are currently working as an art lead in ‘Lakshya Digital’ in Gurgaon.What is your role in it?
At Lakshya, I work along with some really talented and enthusiastic artists – together we create video game art for consoles and handheld platforms.
17.How has been your experience working with ‘This Way Up’?
The team at This Way Up is made up of fantastic people who are passionate about video games. We worked in a garage studio setup when we worked together for our debut iOS game. The development of the game is nearly over and will see a publication very soon. That is when This Way Up will make it’s public appearance.
18.What are your future plans?
I am an organized artist at many occasions but honestly do not have a perfectly aimed future plan. I would proceed to do stuff that I like at that time.