Jennifer Rickward
Q What do you do?
“I’m so glad you asked! I love Motion Design and could talk about it for hours. The simple fact is that most people can be a little confused by the title, and rightly so - motion design is broad. ”
It’s a little animation, it’s a little design, it’s a bit of VFX and video editing in the mix, and it’s not out of the question to expect an audio mix from your motion designer. For me personally motion design leans more towards 2d animation styles. Think dropbox line drawing vids, , TED-ed animations or Kurzgesagt.
For the past four years, I’ve been creating animated explainers and educational videos. If you’re seeking a distinctive, one-of-a-kind video that perfectly represents your brand and clearly communicates your message, look no further. I specialise in crafting bespoke content that brings your vision to life with clarity and creativity. …But maybe you already have some really great footage that you just want to jazz up a bit. Do you want some nice intro titles,text animations, lower thirds or, some sfx and fire? I can help you there too. Or perhaps you just want your logo to do a nifty little spin. These are all things I can help you with.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I’m not going to lie here, I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my journey, and I owe a lot to the connections I made along the way. While I was still in university, I had the chance to work with a producer from an animation studio in Melbourne. I’d fly down to Melbourne regularly to immerse myself in their creative world, hanging out in their makeshift studio in a Docklands warehouse. Although my early roles were limited to file organization and taking care of studio puppies, this experience gave me invaluable insight into the art of animation and storytelling. I learned that every frame in animation is precious and must drive the story forward. It’s not just about creating beautiful visuals; each frame needs to serve a purpose and engage the audience. This lesson was reinforced through the incredible work of Graeme Base, an iconic Australian children’s author (look him up if you haven’t already!).
I finished my degree in Interactive Entertainment with a focus on animation, and dove into the industry. I started with animated billboards, posters, and social media reels, and gradually expanded my skills to include video editing, story arc development, and a range of technologies including AR, VR, AE, and AI. My broad experience across 2D and 3D animation has shaped me into a versatile generalist.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I don’t think it’s unwarranted to credit personality in this field. I know we designers are always hiding behind a computer, are solitary creatures most/all of the time and in the case of myself tend to operate on the same schedule as vampires, but being able to strike rapport is a big deal. Working long hours in close quarters with a team of creative minds—and yes, sometimes dealing with the less glamorous aspects of studio life—requires more than just technical skill. It’s about building strong relationships and maintaining a positive environment. Similarly, liaising with clients without feeling like you’re caught in a power struggle is essential for smooth, productive interactions.
This is where I believe I truly stand out. I’m a people person at heart, committed to cutting through the business mambo jumbo to get straight to what matters. Honesty, transparency, and clear communication are at the core of my approach. I’m not afraid to over-communicate to ensure everything is on track, and I see this as a strength that sets me apart in a positive way.
Q What are you working on right now?
Now is a really exciting time for me! For the last three years I have had a really fantastic job with an innovative tech company creating education solutions using VR and digital mediums. I made a lot of educational videos that I am quite proud of. I think anyone doing these courses would smile when they watch these videos, because they are a little bit witty, a little bit funny and don’t mind admitting that courses that you have to do in order to tick a box, can sometimes be a little bit boring. But I also two-time my steady employment with freelance jobs and whilst it’s probably too early to talk openly about it, can I just say it rhymes with ‘shoe… ‘(it’s WHO, I’m working on a really exciting project with WHO). But, I’m also on the precipice of great change, I have just submitted my resignation with my lovely and wholesome full time employer, and I’m looking at engaging in more freelance projects more often :)
Q What’s your style?
I have been working with really talented visual designers over the last couple of years, subsequently my output has become quite synonymous with their work. However when I think about my own visual style this is what you can expect from me.
Clean graphics to convey information clearly. Mnimation that is super crisp and dynamic, featuring touches of character animations with fluid transitions that keep the viewer engaged. Elements of infographic design, such as icons and charts, are always fun to present content effectively. I like to work with bright and fun styles, with clean lines and bold solid colours!
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
This is so hard! There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I had more time to pursue ALL my interests. I want to spend more time in the 3d space, I want to spend more time crafting hand drawn animations, I want to spend more time crafting with my hands. Build out dioramas and clay model characters. I want to pick up a camera and film and edit my friends and family … anything that serves the purpose of storytelling and conveying the human experience. Oh and I am a beekeeper in my spare time.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
My location. That is all. I know I have this skillset that is not limited by place, and I’m looking forward to opening up my horizons to a wider range of opportunities both near and far.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Reply to emails/messages/ phone calls. Book my appointments, plan my day… I’m looking for a receptionist.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Don’t eat the prawns! Christmas day ‘07. I won’t say anymore.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Business operations. I am confident in the avenues I need to take in order to excel in my craft. It is the business areas I am lacking. How to attract clients and new jobs without detracting from your areas of passion.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m interested in working on animated projects of any size—whether small, medium, or large. If you’re still developing your script or visual style and need some creative input, I’m here to help you explore and refine those ideas. Alternatively, if you already have a well-defined vision for your animation, I can seamlessly step in to bring it to life. Whatever stage you’re at in your project, I’m adaptable and ready to cracking!
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
YOU Or ideally a client who is passionate about their project and ready to dive into the creative process. I love working with people who have a clear vision but are also excited to explore new ideas and perspectives. It’s all about that perfect balance of direction and openness—where we can collaborate closely, brainstorm freely, and really push the boundaries of what’s possible with motion design.
One of my favorite experiences was working with a client who came to me with absolutely no idea what they were looking for, they just new they needed a video to showcase their services. I had a great time pitching to her different styles and techniques, as well as guiding her through the whole process from creating the script, to creating the overall mood. They completely trusted me to bring their vision to life and provided thoughtful feedback that helped refine the project. The result was a dynamic and engaging video. The collaborative spirit and mutual enthusiasm made the whole process incredibly rewarding and fun.
Q: What is your rate?
I know this is so taboo to even mention, but let me throw some numbers out there for you. Typically my date rate is $350USD. This applies on smaller projects where it is apparent we can smash it out in a day or two. For more extensive work, I prefer to provide a project-based quote. This approach ensures transparency and prevents any surprises when you receive the final invoice. If there needs to be further revisions that were outside the initial scope, we can accommodate those at an agreed upon hourly rate. Typically for me to complete an animated explainer video between 30 seconds - one minute in length my price point is $2000. This includes scriptwriting, sound mixing and licensed music but does not cover design services. I hope this gives you some idea.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I think it’s all gotta start from an email right? Or perhaps it’s a DM, but to be honest I’m a millennial and I’m a little bit sceptical of anything that is coming through my DM’s. But if you hit up my email inbox hello@jenniferrickward.com I’ll be sure to reply. Tell me a little about you, how you found me, what you're looking for.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Oh boy! There are so many, where do I begin? Am I allowed to say three? Ben Marriott obviously because he doesn’t gatekeep his secrets. He's the master of motion tutorials, and his creativity knows no bounds. Joyce N Ho joyce.n.ho creative director at Buck… because we'refrom the same neck of the woods and that's rather inspiring. And Ania Augustynowicz-Akardas a mixed media artist who I think has hit the nail on the head when it comes to putting her personality into the world, whilst at the same time showcasing her stunning moving collage art pieces.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Get off the gram, Go outside, Be curious
This member profile was originally published in September 2024.