Uprising: "A Whole New World" of Animation for Mark Anthony

“I was a curious kid who loved creating and learning new things,” says Mark Anthony, reflecting on his childhood. The animator, who’s now based in Dubai, spent much of his youth playing games with the other children in his Filipino neighbourhood, and putting a creative twist on things which would ‘wow’ those around him. As such, it came as no surprise when this creative curiosity led to him landing a creative role.

Inspiring him through his youth were the Disney animated classics of ‘Aladdin’, ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ - the three which top the list of his all-time favourite animated films. He says, “It’s amazing how these stories come alive through animation – ‘A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew!’.” This escapism intrigued him, and with his Christian upbringing, he cultivated “a strong sense of faith and discipline,” emphasising the importance of hard work and dedication in every aspect of his life.

It’s with these values that Mark went to university in the Philippines, earning himself a bachelor’s degree in computer science. “I used to talk in binaries and syntax codes for my first job. But my love for design and animation overpowered my degree, so I switched to the creative industry.” However, he didn’t stay put after finishing his degree. Moving away from everything he knew, Mark packed up and headed to Dubai, where he’s been ever since. “My move to the UAE had the greatest impact on my career. This is where I really learned to hone and craft my talent officially as a designer/animator.”

However, Mark isn’t someone that sacrifices fun in his day-to-day life, “I have a happy and cheerful personality. Everyone I’ve worked with can attest to this – I’m an easy-going and ‘chill’ person. I know when to elevate my game and when to relax.” The balance between determination and fun is what helps him get through the day, and put a smile on other people’s faces.

Starting out as an in-house graphic designer, Mark began the transition into animation when he realised his passion for it. “I fully understand the value of design and animation in terms of developing content, and that’s why I would like to continue building a strong career in this industry,” he says. With the determination to “make it happen,” Mark embarked on short courses in animation and graphic design to get started. “Keeping up with the latest creative trends is very important. I also had the opportunity of working with several award-winning creatives, and this helped me elevate my game.”

A strong believer in following his instinct, Mark shares a valuable lesson he’s learnt through the years. “Be passionate about your craft but still be open to feedback and constructive criticism,” he says, “Collaboration is key to creativity.” This mindset is the one he took into his first project - a digital campaign for the launch of Starbucks on the ENTERTAINER App in South Africa. “I take pride in all my designs for the ENTERTAINER app, one of the most successful companies in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) that offers two-for-one offers for travel, dining, wellness, shopping and leisure,” he says. “Working in that company boosted my career as a creative and opened countless opportunities for growth as an animator and designer.”

Wanting to deliver beautiful, inspiring work, Mark finds it tricky to find the balance between all parties involved, which is what he continues to hone in his day-to-day working life. “As a creative, the most challenging aspect for me is to create something that would be perfect for all stakeholders in a project,” says Mark, reflecting on some of the challenges of his role. “Creativity is very subjective – what may be beautiful in the eyes of my creative director might be unimpressive to our client. For me, collaboration, brainstorming and working together are very important.” In the same vein, Mark’s goal is simple, “I aspire to create work that works and designs that deliver.” 

Part of this is staying on top of the latest developments in his field, while also including his own “creative spin” on things. “Giving life to a visual, creating beautiful works and inspiring people through designs and animation,” are Mark’s favourite aspects of the process, so it’s no surprise that his goals are to continue to evolve, grow and produce work he’s proud of. There are, however, some uncertain aspects of creative development which he finds interesting. Specifically, Mark finds himself drawn to the discussions on how AI technology will change the creative landscape. As he says, “Whether [AI technology] is good or bad, only time will tell…”

Aware of the talent around him, Mark cites his colleagues as a source of inspiration. “I won’t look too far – I’m a huge fan of how crazily creative yet grounded Livingroom Dubai’s chief creative officer Seyon Vela and creative director Lara Bizri are. They encourage creativity to flow every day. An office day is never boring with them around.”

Passionate about keeping balance at the heart of what he does, Mark explains what, in his opinion, the industry could be doing better with. “Creating an environment where work-life balance is a reality and not just something discussed in meetings. As creatives, it is so important that we do something we enjoy outside the workplace because this helps fuel our creativity.” 

Being sure to apply this philosophy to his own life, Mark’s go-to relaxation comes in the form of beach days and brunches, where he can reward and treat himself after a hard days work in the office. “I also take time to pamper myself, whether it’s spending time in the spa or visiting my doctor for a wellness check-up,” he says. “Work hard, party harder!”

Mark’s love of animation also follows him into his relaxation time as he indulges in films created by Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios. “I’m always amazed by how they always create fresh ideas that push the limits,” he says. In addition to Pixar, Mark also often looks to gaming for inspiration. “I love console games (for my PS5) – some of my favourites are ‘Assassins Creed Valhalla’ by Ubisoft, and ‘It Takes Two’ by Hazel Light Studios,” he adds. “I enjoy playing adventure games with a good storyline.” Aside from gaming and film-watching in his spare time, Mark also often uses his Instagram account (@markin.motion) to showcase the animated designs he creates when he isn’t working on particular projects.

At the end of the day, Mark’s motivation for everything is simple; “My love for creativity. My passion for animation. And, of course, surrounding myself with fabulous people who help me be the best of what I can be.”