We were lucky to catch up with Helen Ratner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Helen, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
To keep my creativity alive, I started setting myself deadlines. I gave myself the goal of creating one new animated piece a week and to hold myself accountable, I would post it online to Instagram. I found with this goal, my projects became shorter and more manageable. I started keeping a note on my phone where I could write down my ideas whenever inspiration struck and then go back to them later when it was time to start a new animation. Now, whenever inspiration eludes me I can rely on my discipline to keep me creating.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m an artist and animator based in Brooklyn, New York. I have an interesting background where I started as an art director working in advertising for many years before falling in love with animation. What started as a hobby turned into side gigs and then eventually my full time job.
Playing with techniques such as cel animation, rotoscoping, and collage, I love creating surreal videos that surprise and captivate viewers. I’ve had the pleasure of working on a range of projects from music videos with major artists such as Steve Aoki, El Alfa, Kanye, FKA Twigs, and more to creating animated shorts for television and brand films.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Just make.
When I first started animating, I was concerned my work didn’t have one particular style. Everything I made looked different. I thought I needed to have my style completely figured out before even starting. After ignoring this, I focused on the process of making. I leaned into the parts of the process that brought me the most joy. After some time I was able to look back at my body of work and see that I did indeed have my own style.
2. Put your work out there.
I was nervous to put my work online at first. I had some doubt and felt a bit foolish initially. However, after I started and got in the groove I realized it was actually quite freeing and helped me connect with others.
3. Follow your joy.
Today, trends fly by so fast. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on my own style and work when I see a specific style or trend catching on. When I feel overwhelmed or lost, I try to focus on what parts of creating my work bring me the most joy and try to spend more time there.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I love the book The Freelance Manifesto by Joey Korenman. It’s applicable to anyone whose interested in freelancing in a creative field. One of the best pieces of advice I got from that book was to cold email people and not be afraid of reaching out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.helenratner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenratner/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-ratner-26939a93/
