Meet Briaca Duesette

We recently connected with Briaca Duesette and have shared our conversation below.

Briaca, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I’ve learned that my greatest creative advantage is that no one on this planet has lived my journey. My path isn’t like anyone else’s, and embracing that fact keeps my creativity alive every single day. I pull from my own experiences the highs, the pivots, the challenges, the Detroit grit and that gives me an endless reservoir of ideas. When you truly understand that your perspective is one-of-one, you can create at any moment because you’re not chasing trends… you’re pulling from a story only you can tell.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the CEO and Founder of Animation Discovery Studio, where we teach youth from underrepresented communities how to tell their own stories through animation and technology. For me, animation and cartoons were always personal fun, creative, and imaginative but I never realized how powerful they could be as tools for learning, connection, and storytelling until I was placed in rooms with people whose experiences and perspectives were completely different from my own. They shared videos, tools, and techniques that opened my eyes to new ways of thinking, and that exposure completely transformed how I approach creativity.

Now, my work is about giving that same experience to students. We don’t just teach animation; we create spaces where young people can see new possibilities, experiment with tools, and discover that their own stories their own perspectives are worth sharing. The most exciting part is watching a student bring a character or story to life that’s uniquely theirs, built from their experiences and imagination.

Professionally, this is an exciting season. We’re expanding our programs and partnerships, developing our mobile app Animation Charades, and producing new projects like the Beyond the Sketch: Animation Chronicles, which shares my own journey as a self-taught creator. At its heart, my work is about helping young creators see that animation is more than cartoons it’s a way to learn, connect, and express themselves in ways only they can.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to learn from others.

Curiosity kept me exploring animation and technology long before I had any formal training. I was always asking, “How does this work?” and “What if I try it this way?” That drive to experiment and explore opened doors I didn’t even know existed.

Resilience was essential. There were plenty of moments when things didn’t work projects failed, software didn’t cooperate, or I felt like I didn’t belong in certain creative spaces. Learning to push through, stay committed, and see failure as part of the process was a game changer.

Willingness to learn from others transformed my perspective entirely. Once I started collaborating with people from different backgrounds, receiving guidance, feedback, and even just exposure to new tools, I realized animation could be so much more than I had imagined. Those interactions expanded my vision and shaped how I approach storytelling today.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is simple: stay curious, embrace challenges, and seek out mentors or peers who push you to see things differently. Don’t be afraid to try, fail, and learn. And remember your perspective is unique. Let it guide your creativity, because no one else can tell your story the way you can.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning how to identify the right environments and people to accelerate progress. Being in the right rooms with individuals who bring diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise has allowed me to elevate my work and scale our programs more effectively. Conversely, spending time in the wrong spaces or with misaligned people can slow momentum and create unnecessary obstacles.

Developing the ability to differentiate between the two has been critical. It’s not just about networking broadly; it’s about strategically engaging with the people, communities, and opportunities that push your vision forward and produce measurable impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.animationdiscoverystudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animation.discovery.studio?igsh=MTE3bnNqd2M1NWp2Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animation-discovery-studio/