Meet Lisa Maeda | 2D Animator & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Maeda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, why did you pursue a creative career?
I would love to have an epic anecdote about how art was my passion from a young age and how I’ve always wanted to work as a 2D animator – but truthfully, it started as just a passive escape for an introverted kid. When peers started letting me know that I was actually good at it, I started thinking “Oh, I guess this is my niche. May as well invest in art school.” I lumbered my way through college thinking I’d try out an animation degree, but I’d ultimately be an illustrator. The passion for an actual animation career only sparked after I was 3 years into my BFA in animation! The collaborative buzz between writing, storyboarding, and bringing a character to life on-screen is something you can only experience by working in animation. It excites me like no other career prospect could.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At the moment, I’m in an amorphous, generalist territory with my art where I attempt to wear many hats: 2D Animator & Designer is my catch-all title as an active freelancer. At my core, I love focusing on cute and bright subjects, influenced by my Japanese-American heritage. This also includes my passion for children’s animation, which has absolutely blossomed over the past few years with the release of so many progressive cartoons. My 2D animated short film, Hanami, reflects these influences as I wove together my “cute” style into a narrative about the consequences of Japanese-American internment. This project, currently going through the film festival circuit, is something I’m incredibly proud of because it reflects my values as an artist – especially during the era of the Stop AAPI Hate movement.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d have to take them through Midtown and into Piedmont Park! This place is an absolute muse to me: It’s huge, families are picnicking everywhere, and good vibes are abound. It’s a particularly great area for artists who are looking to hang out and draw from life. We’d stop next-door to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens too because it’s equally as huge, not to mention full of one-of-a-kind attractions. I’m personally still in awe that they can shape plants into large scale sculptures like that. Lastly, we’d wind down with coffee from Dancing Goats!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The bright minds at SCAD Atlanta’s animation department have never stopped inspiring me, even post-grad. The professors there are top-notch and one of a kind, and instilled in me with the confidence to see my creative voice as valuable and worthy. My peers too! It’s absolutely incredible to sit in classes that are majority female, who all have unique stories to tell through animation. I also have to mention the passionate members and leads at Women in Animation: Their mentorship programs, panels, and job opportunities have empowered me and many other young women to find their footing in the industry today.

Website: https://www.lisamaeda.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midorifields/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-maeda-583151130/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/midorifield