So, we attended Nodefest recently and have a lot to share. The day was full of insights from global industry leaders, talking techniques and sharing their perspectives on motion. From using automation for enhancing productivity to incorporating spontaneity into the design process, here are our four key takeaways:

1. Let Computers Handle the Heavy Lifting

At Kojo, Jack Prenc tackles a core challenge in sports motion design: how do you maintain quality when your output needs to scale into thousands of assets? His team regularly handles projects that generate over 5,000 individual files – consider their winning team graphics alone, which need unique versions for 16 teams, 16 players per team, across 8 stadiums.

Prenc’s approach breaks the work into two clear phases. First comes the creative WIP phase – focusing on creative direction and asset development. This is followed by the rollout phase, where rigging, automation, and delivery take centre stage.

Their workflow relies on smart project organisation:

• Custom dashboards make files instantly understandable for team members
• Modular assets use expressions and scripts to quickly update player names and team colors
• Render loads are distributed across multiple computers, with proxies handling large files

By building these systems in After Effects, Prenc’s team transforms potentially overwhelming technical tasks into a streamlined process. The result? More time for what drives real impact: problem-solving, storytelling, and design.

2. Keep Shifting Your Thinking

How can we continuously generate new ideas while managing efficiency and deadlines? Nadim Malvat at Xero advises against becoming too locked into workflows. He emphasises that building spontaneity into your creative process is essential for allowing diverse thoughts to emerge.

Efficiency doesn’t have to mean rigidity. For instance, Nadim’s team uses Dr. Edward de Bono’s ‘Random Words’ technique, which introduces a random word to connect seemingly unrelated topics. This approach encourages innovative associations during the concept creation process–meaning teams break free from conventional thinking and explore unique solutions.

Vincent Shwenk reminds us that the pressure to constantly produce can distract us from why we started in the first place. Shwenk stresses the importance of breaking routine, letting non-work activities feed into your process, and never underestimating the crucial ‘idea’ phase. 

3. Take the Leap of Faith

Embrace your diverse background as an asset; skills from one industry can enhance your work in another. Building trust with clients allows you to break free from conventional outputs and explore bold brand expressions, like Weave’s kinetic Bloody Shiraz branding that used bold graphics without traditional labels. 

Weave’s motto says it all: “We are makers. Not marketers.” Stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to surprising opportunities. Surround yourself with a network of people who have complementary skills, and remember that your unique perspective is valuable—every project is a chance to grow.

4. Pursue Passion Projects

Throughout Nodefest, speakers shared insights about their passion projects—the unpaid, quirky work that fuels creativity. A common theme emerged: balancing fun with potential client impact.

Alex Grigg discussed his passion project, Animation for Anyone, highlighting its personal nature. While sharing these projects can attract new clients, it’s perfectly fine to keep them private—free from external pressures.

The key takeaway? Don’t wait for perfection—just start! Personal work is valuable for its process, not external validation. As V.S. wisely noted, “Talking about things is not doing things.” Engaging in personal projects can reignite your love for your craft and enhance your professional work without the burden of comparison or judgment.