In an industry increasingly dominated by isolated freelancers working from home studios, the prospect of two full days spent with fellow motion designers, animators and VFX artists might sound either amazing or terrifying. But for Jonny Ashworth, creative director and curator of Motion North, it’s exactly what the community has been asking for.

The event, titled The Big’Un, is Motion North’s most ambitious undertaking to date. Taking place at Freight Island in Manchester this February, it’s a significant expansion from the basement bar gatherings that started back in 2009. But according to Jonny, scaling up isn’t just about fitting in more speakers; it’s about giving people permission to slow down.

"Some of the feedback we had from last year was that there wasn’t enough time to hang out and meet people, which is a key part of the event," says Jonny. "Going to two days wasn’t just about putting more speakers on, but also so people can take a bit of time away from the talks, and do other things."

From accidental curator to community builder

Jonny’s journey to running one of the UK’s most respected motion design events is charmingly haphazard. He didn’t set out with grand ambitions: he simply turned up to early meetups organised by founders Jim Campbell and Ben Black, and somehow found himself listed as a co-organiser on the Meetup site.

"When Jim moved to London for a spell, it fell to me by default," he explains. What started as unfocused social gatherings needed direction, so they began showcasing work, then inviting speakers. "David Sheldon Hicks from Territory was our first guest in a small cellar in the Northern Quarter, where you had to stand on a chair to get the projector to work."

That scrappy DIY spirit has evolved through various venues, from 2022NQ to Federation House to the iconic Band on the Wall; each shaped by organic growth and practical necessity. "When we first needed somewhere with a decent screen and a sound system, 2022NQ was the nearest place to the office of MightyGiant, my day job," Jonny recalls.

An industry in flux

Since 2011, Jonny has watched the motion design industry transform dramatically. The shifts he describes will ring true for anyone who’s weathered the transition from big-studio culture to today’s freelance-dominated landscape.

"Smaller shops. Two, three-man bands, and also some of the bigger studios are slimming down," he observes. "The home set up is no longer a prohibitive cost, and a lot of bigger shops decided to reduce those overheads."

Tech has been the great leveller. "Fluid, realistic animation used to be the preserve of huge studios. Now, with tools like Houdini being increasingly accessible. You find freelancers who are producing high concept, high production on their own." But tech alone isn’t the answer. "Craft will always prevail," Jonny insists. "Those who are just genuinely passionate about creating really lovely and crafted pieces will pretty much always rise to the top."

The Manchester advantage

Motion North regularly attracts big names to its lineup, and Jonny says that’s easier than you might think. "One common response I get from international speakers is that they want to come and see Manchester. It’s actually a very easy sell."

Having worked in both London and Manchester, he’s quick to defend the North’s creative credentials. "Both are amazing, creative places. Maybe it’s a benefit of being smaller, or something Northern, but we do have a great creative community here, and Motion North definitely taps into that."

Expansion inevitably changes the character of an event, of course, and Jonny acknowledges the tension between intimacy and opportunity. "I know there will be plenty who preferred the good old days of just 20 or 30 people hanging out in a bar," he admits. But he argues the larger format serves a purpose beyond nostalgia. "If you meet the same five people every time, it may be comfortable, but it doesn’t expand your horizons. Motion North is all about that, pushing people’s thoughts creatively, and expanding their network, too."

The expanded two-day format and the size of the Freight Island venue allow the event to run workshops and also bring benefits that online learning can’t match. "You can go up and ask questions at the workshops afterwards. You’re in the room with the expert. Why wouldn’t you make the most of it?" says Jonny. "Also, I know from last year that people’s curiosity will lead them into sessions they may not normally head to."

With over 24 talks and eight workshops planned, plus initiatives like Women in Animation, the curation challenge is huge. "But the thing that keeps me motivated, year on year, is the people who come, and the people who speak," Jonny enthuses. "They’re a lovely bunch. I get inspired at every event. Without fail, I always leave more energised and enthused."