The advantages

I find I have to approach tasks quite differently to most people. This brings a fresh outlook and it drives me to solve problems in my way own. This helps the team as I tend to deviate away from the norm and come up with unique solutions for problems. My methods might not be the most conventional but somehow they work!

There’s also hyper-focusing on tasks. Once I’m honed in on a project, especially ones that I really enjoy, I work away without breaking concentration. This means I can get things done a little quicker than intended, which I’m sure can be helpful for scheduling and deadlines!

Bursts of ideas are another great advantage at work. I’ve started having to make notes on my phone of certain ideas that just come to me randomly in the day. This sort of ties in with the problem-solving I mentioned before, but I’ll always have a concept for something, even if it was meant for a previous project, it can be applied to a project in the present and is really helpful in some cases!

I’ve got so much enthusiasm to try so many different new things. I’m always intrigued by things I’ve seen on social media – cool techniques, courses, and tutorials. Recreating styles or attempting to create a motion piece in a way I haven’t before. This can be highly rewarding and the payoff can be great, especially when those ideas or methods get picked up and used for client projects.

The challenges and overcoming them

The big negative for me is that I know more about the negatives than I do the positives. It can be easier to pinpoint the negatives of having ADHD. As I said before I’m still learning a lot about my diagnosis. But, the brilliant thing is I can now understand my behaviours a lot better, which is very validating and reassuring.

As much as hyper-focus is a great asset at times, it’s also a bit of a hindrance. It’s great being able to finish projects fast, but at times it is to the detriment of my health and time. I can forget to take lunch, and often work a bit later than intended! I’m trying a lot more to get better at this, it’ll take time but I’m glad I’m more aware of it these days. I’m fortunate enough to have the support of the whole team, who communicate with me effectively and respectfully to ensure my health comes first on every occasion. It’s been a huge help having them support me since my diagnosis. Their approach has been massively beneficial on days that I’ve struggled.

I’m sure this one isn’t just exclusive to those who are neurodivergent, but getting feedback is tricky. Sensitivity rejection is a big thing for me and always has been, and I had no idea until my diagnosis that it was one of the symptoms of ADHD. I can find it quite difficult receiving feedback at times, it can often feel quite personal and really affect my mood for the rest of the day and sometimes my self-esteem. There are methods I’m working on to help with this, which are starting to come in handy.

Communication at times can be quite draining for me. I often speak/type faster than my brain can process or keep up with. I find it difficult at times to articulate what I want to say and I feel a rush to need to say a very specific thing and miss the point entirely at times. I get very conscious that this could offend my team members sometimes and come off as rude! Following on from this, concentration. The most typical of things I’d heard about ADHD before my diagnosis was trouble concentrating, and for me, it’s quite true. There are times when I can become very distracted by something my brain needs to engage with, almost like I need to scratch an itch.

Tips for people who have ADHD in creative roles

• At the start of the day, do something fun that stimulates your brain. I personally like to either draw, or find inspiration on Behance or Vimeo. It sets you up rather than just jumping straight into the day and gives you a boost.
• Do your hardest task second. If I have amends to a project, for example, I tend to leave the most complex and mind-boggling task until the end. I like to make a bit of room in my brain and declutter before tackling the more challenging tasks.
• Take a break. I’m still getting used to this myself but try and take ten minutes here and there just to have a conversation with somebody, get up, and stretch. This feeds back to the idea of hyper-focus getting in the way and burning yourself out.
• Don’t do too much at once. I find that having a massive to-do list can be super overwhelming and contribute to burnout. Be honest with your team about what’s realistic and try not to overpromise. Get better at saying “no”. Recently I’ve tried saying “no” more. You get very used to saying yes and trying to overpromise, and as much as that may be useful to getting work out on time, it’s not good for your mental health. Saying no is hard at first, but remember you’re the expert at what you do, you know what’s realistic and achievable.

I’m still learning a lot about ADHD and what it means, with the positives come advantages that benefit my process and the final outcome, and with the negatives come valuable lessons that help me figure out what it means to have ADHD and my limitations. Throughout all this, it’s been great to have the team as part of this journey. Constantly listening and learning with me as I go. As much as it may be a struggle at times, I really do feel as if being neurodivergent helps me see things in a distinct way, which I think is pretty awesome and worth celebrating! 

What does being a Junior Animator involve?

It’s a wide-ranging role, from sketches to storyboarding and animating in After Effects. My days depends on which stage the project I’m working on is at. This calls for some amount of flexibility, juggling a few different projects at once, but also keeps things interesting.

My favourite aspect of my role is the self-expression all these processes allow. Each part of the process has its own charm and a different type of creative freedom on the way to a finished animation.

How did you get into this field?

I studied 2D animation and stop-motion at the University of South Wales. But I developed a lot of software skills by myself while at university. During my third year, I was able to do a couple of internships and eventually that led me to my first job as a junior animator in Cardiff.

I then applied for this role with Little Motel and joined the team. I actually started the job while I was still living in Cardiff as we were all working from home due to the pandemic. Starting a new job remotely had some unique challenges. Things like transporting the necessary equipment and training were not as straightforward as expected. With the support of my team, however, we managed to address those challenges quickly and enjoy the benefits of working from home more effectively. I’ve since made the move over to Leeds and started working from the office a few days a week. It’s been great finally grabbing a drink and getting to know my not-so-new teammates!

If I had to give a piece of advice for someone starting out, it’d be to not feel discouraged and accept the opportunities you get to join the industry. I experienced first-hand just how hard it is to find your first job but can confirm it gets easier and finding my next role here was a far smoother ride.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

Coming up with new and original ideas whilst also following a client’s brief is no easy task! But overcoming these challenges helps you grow both personally and artistically. I love finding new ways of approaching a project no matter whether commercial or personal. And with each new brief, I’m getting better at communicating my ideas more easily.

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

I think one of the highlights has been the Christmas project I worked on for the end of 2021. It’s a stunner and taught me a lot about the software and plugins we use daily. Working with the rest of the team is also a great pleasure and taught me a lot. I don’t think I would be able to grow as fast were I by myself.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have quite a few hobbies but I try to juggle them to keep things interesting. I love playing video games and watching Japanese anime series. They’re so inspiring! I also enjoy working on personal illustrations to post on my Instagram- some of them fan art, some are original stuff. Last but not least I like grabbing coffee somewhere and just reading or drawing surrounded by others. Now we’re back in the office, I love doodling in Kapow over my lunch break. 

Sum up working here in 3 words

Inspiring, Flexible, Enjoyable

What does your role as Head of Production involve?

Part plate-spinner, part problem-solver, day-to-day I make sure projects run smoothly and successfully. I’m the main point of contact for clients, guiding them through the whole production process so they get a project that fits their purpose, and we make some great work that everyone is proud of. Each morning with a coffee in-hand I go through my emails and organise the studio schedule for the day. What I’m working on can change quite quickly. I bounce from responding to client requests and enquiries to helping solve any questions in the team about specific briefs and workload. That means the day I think I will have is rarely the one I end up getting.

How did you get into this field?

As the bossy oldest sister, it turns out I’ve been developing my producing skills since I can remember. So when I discovered I could organise things for a living, it felt like a perfect fit. 

While studying English Language & Linguistics at the University of Sheffield, I got involved in the Filmmaking Society. After an inspirational week at Sheffield Doc/Fest, I took a leap of faith and applied to loads of places to get experience. After a few placements and plenty of setbacks, I started working at a small film studio before moving to a much bigger full-service agency. While working there, I met Matt & Leigh. A few months later they left to set up Little Motel. I continued cutting my teeth as a producer working for clients such as BMW, TSB and BT. It was great watching Matt & Leigh grow the studio from afar so when they asked if I was interested in coming aboard it was a no-brainer.

My advice to anyone who wants to be a producer would be to make connections – talk to people, ask questions and be interested in the answers. You never know who might be able to help you along the way. Then once you’re in your first job, be proactive and helpful, and make the rest of the team’s day easier wherever you can.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

I love the fast pace and creative problem-solving to find a solution to a client’s brief or an obstacle we’re facing as a team. It’s really satisfying to help coax the team’s creative ideas out of their heads and into reality. 

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

Please don’t make me pick favourites! I love projects where I learn something new. For Bradford Teaching, I directed the shoot, interviewing teachers in a hot green-screen studio. Very different to a usual day in the office! 

Equally, I love working for people who are making a difference in the world and I get to spend a couple of months getting to grips with their work. Our animation for the University of Leeds about Community Municipal Bonds was the first time I learnt about how your money in your pensions or savings, has a huge impact on your carbon footprint. 

What do you do in your spare time?

I’m a keen crafter. Recently, I knitted a cosy jumper that I’m very proud of. Wearing it makes the dreary Leeds winter more bearable. I also love curling up with a good film or book, Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee is a recent favourite of mine, for fans of dystopian fiction. Out-and-about, if I’m not adventuring in the Dales, then you’ll likely find me at Brudenell Social Club watching live music and eating crisps or at my local brewery, Amity. 

Sum up working here in 3 words

Fun, friendly, fulfilling! 

What Does your role as Creative Director entail?

My role at Little Motel is pretty varied. I may be meeting with new clients one minute, and animating an exciting project the next. I could be involved in a breakout session with the team discussing a new brief or making a round of drinks for everyone. We are a small team and everyone gets stuck in, at all levels, me included.

How did you get into this field?

I took a pretty typical route into the field. I did an art and design foundation and then got a Bachelor of Science in multimedia tech. Not long after graduating I moved to London, working my way up the ranks from Junior Editor to Director/Editor. After a few years, I went freelance. Then ten years later, I got a job as Head of Post Production back in Leeds. The next step in my career was co-founding Little Motel. We recently turned seven years old and our current team of six is looking forward to what the future holds, building the creativity of the studio and working with many exciting new clients. This is a tough industry to break into, so always show off your best work. Less is more. Be thorough with what you’re sending and make it easy for people to get in contact with you.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

Being around other creative people is really inspiring, especially watching the team create something from early stages through to fruition. It’s awesome here at Little Motel, watching one of the team go from sketching an initial storyboard to animating something really cool that they’re really proud of, and the client is blown away by.

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

Earlier this year we had the full team in the studio for the first time. Over the last year the team has doubled from three to six, which is really exciting. But knowing where it started makes it even better. Me and Matt working all hours at our kitchen tables respectively. Our new homely studio is just by the river in central Leeds and the rapidly progressing Aire Park. It’s a great spot for the team to come in and enjoy being together to get a real feel for the professional, hard-working team efforts that go into everything here at Little Motel.

What do you do in your spare time?

Hang out with my family. Me and my partner are both one of six, so inevitably there’s rarely a weekend without some extended family involved. I’m a big film fan and whenever possible we love to go to the cinema. We have two awesome independent cinemas within walking distance of our house. Having young children means I rarely miss an animated release and The Mitchells vs. the Machines film was my favourite film of 2021. It has everything: great story, incredible cast and an amazing soundtrack – Los Campesinos, yes please!. It looks fantastic and has enough laughs for the whole family, young and old alike!

Sum up working here in 3 words

Enjoyable, interesting, inspiring.

What Does your role as Creative Director entail?

My role at Little Motel is pretty varied. I may be meeting with new clients one minute, and animating an exciting project the next. I could be involved in a breakout session with the team discussing a new brief or making a round of drinks for everyone. We are a small team and everyone gets stuck in, at all levels, me included.

How did you get into this field?

I took a pretty typical route into the field. I did an art and design foundation and then got a Bachelor of Science in multimedia tech. Not long after graduating I moved to London, working my way up the ranks from Junior Editor to Director/Editor. After a few years, I went freelance. Then ten years later, I got a job as Head of Post Production back in Leeds. The next step in my career was co-founding Little Motel. We recently turned seven years old and our current team of six is looking forward to what the future holds, building the creativity of the studio and working with many exciting new clients. This is a tough industry to break into, so always show off your best work. Less is more. Be thorough with what you’re sending and make it easy for people to get in contact with you.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

Being around other creative people is really inspiring, especially watching the team create something from early stages through to fruition. It’s awesome here at Little Motel, watching one of the team go from sketching an initial storyboard to animating something really cool that they’re really proud of, and the client is blown away by.

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

Earlier this year we had the full team in the studio for the first time. Over the last year the team has doubled from three to six, which is really exciting. But knowing where it started makes it even better. Me and Matt working all hours at our kitchen tables respectively. Our new homely studio is just by the river in central Leeds and the rapidly progressing Aire Park. It’s a great spot for the team to come in and enjoy being together to get a real feel for the professional, hard-working team efforts that go into everything here at Little Motel.

What do you do in your spare time?

Hang out with my family. Me and my partner are both one of six, so inevitably there’s rarely a weekend without some extended family involved. I’m a big film fan and whenever possible we love to go to the cinema. We have two awesome independent cinemas within walking distance of our house. Having young children means I rarely miss an animated release and The Mitchells vs. the Machines film was my favourite film of 2021. It has everything: great story, incredible cast and an amazing soundtrack – Los Campesinos, yes please!. It looks fantastic and has enough laughs for the whole family, young and old alike!

Sum up working here in 3 words

Enjoyable, interesting, inspiring.

What Does your role as Creative Director entail?

My role at Little Motel is pretty varied. I may be meeting with new clients one minute, and animating an exciting project the next. I could be involved in a breakout session with the team discussing a new brief or making a round of drinks for everyone. We are a small team and everyone gets stuck in, at all levels, me included.

How did you get into this field?

I took a pretty typical route into the field. I did an art and design foundation and then got a Bachelor of Science in multimedia tech. Not long after graduating I moved to London, working my way up the ranks from Junior Editor to Director/Editor. After a few years, I went freelance. Then ten years later, I got a job as Head of Post Production back in Leeds. The next step in my career was co-founding Little Motel. We recently turned seven years old and our current team of six is looking forward to what the future holds, building the creativity of the studio and working with many exciting new clients. This is a tough industry to break into, so always show off your best work. Less is more. Be thorough with what you’re sending and make it easy for people to get in contact with you.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

Being around other creative people is really inspiring, especially watching the team create something from early stages through to fruition. It’s awesome here at Little Motel, watching one of the team go from sketching an initial storyboard to animating something really cool that they’re really proud of, and the client is blown away by.

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

Earlier this year we had the full team in the studio for the first time. Over the last year the team has doubled from three to six, which is really exciting. But knowing where it started makes it even better. Me and Matt working all hours at our kitchen tables respectively. Our new homely studio is just by the river in central Leeds and the rapidly progressing Aire Park. It’s a great spot for the team to come in and enjoy being together to get a real feel for the professional, hard-working team efforts that go into everything here at Little Motel.

What do you do in your spare time?

Hang out with my family. Me and my partner are both one of six, so inevitably there’s rarely a weekend without some extended family involved. I’m a big film fan and whenever possible we love to go to the cinema. We have two awesome independent cinemas within walking distance of our house. Having young children means I rarely miss an animated release and The Mitchells vs. the Machines film was my favourite film of 2021. It has everything: great story, incredible cast and an amazing soundtrack – Los Campesinos, yes please!. It looks fantastic and has enough laughs for the whole family, young and old alike!

Sum up working here in 3 words

Enjoyable, interesting, inspiring.

What does your role as Studio Director involve?

My role at Little Motel includes everything from keeping track of finance spreadsheets, managing HR, to creative directing projects and jumping into an illustration or messing with keyframes in After Effects. I love the variety of my role and also get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing the awesome team we’ve put together here grow and thrive.

How did you get into this field?

As goes the cliche, I’ve been into filmmaking since I was a young kid. I was obsessed with film titles growing up, like Saul Bass’ Psycho, and that led me to University to study Music Technology and Digital Media. From there, I did a placement year at a video production company in Bradford, then I went on to work for a TV shopping channel and an internal communication agency before starting Little Motel. My biggest bit of advice for anyone looking to get into this industry is to create and show as many examples of the work you want to be hired for as possible.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

I love problem-solving. Much of my job is creative puzzle solving, and the ability to apply my knowledge and expertise to help a whole range of clients is very rewarding. I also have to pinch myself most days that I get to do something I’ve wanted to do from an early age, every day for a job.

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

Taking a holistic approach, I’m extremely proud of the team we’ve assembled here at Little Motel. Seeing each and every person thrive and grow is an ongoing highlight for me. Project-wise, I’m most proud of the jobs where we’ve learnt and grown as a team. Personally, I look back fondly on the work we’ve done with Brake, as I not only learnt a lot on these projects, but it’s a charity that’s close to my family’s heart so I’m proud to be able to help them.

What do you do in your spare time?

My spare time mostly revolves around a two-year-old rescue dog named Stevie, who it’s safe to say has me wrapped around her paw. When I’m not walking or picking up half-eaten socks, you can usually find me rock climbing, biking, playing the drums or hunting down new Gluten-free recipes to try!

Sum up working here in 3 words

Rewarding, proud, teamwork

What Does your role as Creative Director entail?

My role at Little Motel is pretty varied. I may be meeting with new clients one minute, and animating an exciting project the next. I could be involved in a breakout session with the team discussing a new brief or making a round of drinks for everyone. We are a small team and everyone gets stuck in, at all levels, me included.

How did you get into this field?

I took a pretty typical route into the field. I did an art and design foundation and then got a Bachelor of Science in multimedia tech. Not long after graduating I moved to London, working my way up the ranks from Junior Editor to Director/Editor. After a few years, I went freelance. Then ten years later, I got a job as Head of Post Production back in Leeds. The next step in my career was co-founding Little Motel. We recently turned seven years old and our current team of six is looking forward to what the future holds, building the creativity of the studio and working with many exciting new clients. This is a tough industry to break into, so always show off your best work. Less is more. Be thorough with what you’re sending and make it easy for people to get in contact with you.

What do you like most about working in the creative industry?

Being around other creative people is really inspiring, especially watching the team create something from early stages through to fruition. It’s awesome here at Little Motel, watching one of the team go from sketching an initial storyboard to animating something really cool that they’re really proud of, and the client is blown away by.

What has been a highlight while working at Little Motel?

Earlier this year we had the full team in the studio for the first time. Over the last year the team has doubled from three to six, which is really exciting. But knowing where it started makes it even better. Me and Matt working all hours at our kitchen tables respectively. Our new homely studio is just by the river in central Leeds and the rapidly progressing Aire Park. It’s a great spot for the team to come in and enjoy being together to get a real feel for the professional, hard-working team efforts that go into everything here at Little Motel.

What do you do in your spare time?

Hang out with my family. Me and my partner are both one of six, so inevitably there’s rarely a weekend without some extended family involved. I’m a big film fan and whenever possible we love to go to the cinema. We have two awesome independent cinemas within walking distance of our house. Having young children means I rarely miss an animated release and The Mitchells vs. the Machines film was my favourite film of 2021. It has everything: great story, incredible cast and an amazing soundtrack – Los Campesinos, yes please!. It looks fantastic and has enough laughs for the whole family, young and old alike!

Sum up working here in 3 words

Enjoyable, interesting, inspiring.