Framestore Expands Global Design Talent Roster with Two New Appointments

Left, John Likens, executive creative director, right, Mariano Melman Carrara senior design producer 

Multi-award winning creative studio Framestore announces the expansion of its talent roster with the addition of executive creative director John Likens in New York, and senior design producer Mariano Melman Carrara, based in London.

Emmy Award-winning director John Likens brings a distinctive creative vision, rooted in cinematic storytelling. His title sequences for Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool 2, Eternals, Iron Man 3, and The Night Of Warrior have garnered international acclaim. Most recently, he crafted the opening titles for the Apple TV+ original series Your Friends & Neighbors. His commercial portfolio includes high-profile campaigns for Apple, Meta, and Shiseido.

In addition to his role as executive creative director, John joins the roster of Framestore Pictures, the production arm of Framestore as a director, where he will continue to craft striking live-action work integrated with high-end VFX and design.

On joining, John commented, “Throughout my career, I've watched Framestore continue to set the standard for visual excellence, and its commitment to delivering some of the most imaginative and striking creative work in the industry. It’s an incredible honour to now be a part of that legacy and help shape its next chapter.”

Mariano Melman Carrara has led award-winning projects for Meta and Google, with a focus on AR/VR and immersive, interactive storytelling. His previous experience at studios such as Passion, Nexus, and The Mill spans the entire production pipeline, from initial script development and concepting to storyboarding, production, motion graphics, and visual effects. He brings a rare dual perspective as both artist and producer, allowing him to bridge creative ambition with production excellence across every phase of a project.

“I'm excited to be joining Framestore’s Design team, there’s an incredible depth of talent here, and I’m eager to help amplify that work, connect with new audiences and partner with clients to push the boundaries of what’s possible through bold, ambitious design,” said Mariano.

David Lochhead, head of design at Framestore, London, remarked, "Mariano's unparalleled expertise in motion design and VFX is both vast and inspiring. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to elevate our design team's creative excellence and reputation." He continued, "bringing in both John and Mariano, which marks a significant step forward for our teams in New York and London. With standout episodic portfolio work, including Emmy-winning Ms. Marvel, and exciting projects on the horizon for our commercial clients, I'm excited to watch them build on this momentum and help shape the next chapter of Framestore's creative journey.”