Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Taylor.
Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was pretty imaginative who daydreamed a lot and loved creating things. I was always writing and drawing, and was more inclined to creative pursuits than other kids I knew. Most of these pursuits centered around STORYTELLING – though I did have a brief stint trying to make my own robot. That was pretty short-lived though, robots are expensive.
Over the years, these stories took the form of illustrated books, incomplete novels, screenplays, and even movies. I didn’t own a video camera as a kid, so I used to make “tape recorder” movies with my sister and friends – using multiple tape recorders to create layers of sound effects and music (yes I was an 80’s kid). Basically, they were radio dramas, but I had no idea. Then later, when I had access to a video camera, I made all kinds of short films and got very into filmmaking, visual effects, and ultimately, animation.
Eventually, I went to college for animation, and have been fortunate enough to have done this as a career for nearly twenty years now. I’ve worked in video games, one feature film, and education. I currently work an awesome job as a 2D Animator at Imagine Learning, an ed-tech company that creates educational software for schools.
Honestly though, what I’ve always loved to create more than anything else are comics.
In college and my career, I’ve had the chance to do a LOT of creative things – but comics still remain the most fulfilling way for a visual storyteller like me to get my ideas and stories out in some form. I just keep coming back to them. All through Junior High and High School, I drew countless comics, and even had a few of them published. It was such a fun time, making life-long friendships with a few other guys like me. Together, we all made some pretty legendary comics and memories in our high school art room at Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah.
These days, when I’m not at my animation day job, I’m working away on creating my own worlds and books online, and chronicling these efforts through my website and social media. As crazy as it might seem, my hope is to one day do it full-time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth road.
Having multiple interests, it was always difficult knowing which to pursue as a career, and which to do as a hobby. I really had to get to the core of WHY I had the interests I had. Only then did I realize why some projects were more fulfilling than others. Even then, realizing one path is more fulfilling doesn’t necessarily mean you can make it into a career. Sometimes you have to go where opportunity leads you, while also working on your long-term plan.
I’ve also had to deal with quite severe perfectionism over the years, never feeling like my work is good enough. This has caused me to abandon numerous projects, and remains a constant demon on my shoulder. On the one hand, it pushes me to improve, but on the other, it has kept me from succeeding much more than I’d care to admit. I’ve found it helpful to look at how far I’ve come, and have fun with the PROCESS rather than focusing too much on creative shortcomings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a 2D animator at Imagine Learning, where I do animation, and some illustration for educational software. Basically, I make the characters move and emote in the games I work on. I love my job because it allows me to work on numerous projects and in a variety of styles. The games, books, songs and movies we create usually have a fairly quick turnaround, so it keeps things exciting. I love being able to “wow”, or get a laugh out of people with what I animate.
I’m also pretty active online building a following for my own projects – creating illustrated fantasy-adventure books, comics and graphic novels. This is probably what I’m most proud of. I’m currently documenting the creation of my first graphic novel, WILDERTALE on Instagram and on my website: www.brianharoldtaylor.com.
I think the thing that would set me apart from others (including other artists), is that I’m more of a storyteller at heart. This is the thing that motivates me to do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brianharoldtaylor.com
- Instagram: @brianharoldtaylor
- Twitter: @brianhtaylor
- Youtube: @brianharoldtaylor8532
