Judging by his portfolio, illustrator and animator Dan Woodger is very much in touch with his inner child. Bright and popping, his illustrations center around upbeat characters, that have a naive appeal to them.
In an interview with Lecture in Progress, Woodger explained that humor is the driving force in his work. “I love humor, so if I can amuse myself with my work then I’m achieving my goal,” he explained. “I work so insanely hard, if I’m not enjoying what I make, what’s the point? I understand this isn’t always easy – it’s a challenge as a freelancer to continue to make ends meet and pay the bills. So do what you need to do, but just remember that core principle of who you are and what you like.”
His work requires both analog and digital tools, anything from pencils and sheets of A3 paper to a scanner, Photoshop, and Wacom tablet. “The skill set definitely shifts in the industry,” says Woodger. “It’s important to accept the changes within technology and adapt your workflow.”
His wonky characters can be seen printed on anything from sticker to murals, attracting clients like Google, Apple, and McDonald’s. “The most enjoyable part is the excitement of getting a new brief, and the possibilities of what that job is going to entail,” he relayed. “It’s invigorating taking on a new project with interesting challenges.”
Here are some of his finished products.
