Name: Brian Won

Age: 30

City: Culver City, Calif.

Company: National Television (www.natl.tv)

Job title: Creative Director/ Partner

 

What do you do?

National Television is a motion graphics company. From full commercial spots to music videos and simple end tags, we primarily deal with animation and live action. Our client list includes Honda, MTV, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Disney, British Airways and Minute Maid. 

 

Describe your path here.

Born in Chicago, raised in Southern California. Attended USC for one year. Realized the only class I enjoyed was art. Transferred to the Art Center College of Design and majored in illustration. Studied digital media. Worked in San Francisco for an amazing company, Futurefarmers. Spent several years freelancing for motion graphics companies. Started National Television with people I really enjoy working with. Funny enough, as I’m talking about the past, it sounds like an easy trajectory. I want to add there were a lot of all-nighters and 29-cent hamburgers along the way.

 

Where do you get your inspiration?

It’s really drawn from my peers and coworkers. Our company is blessed to be working with some of L.A.’s finest designers, animators, and 3D artists. I really wish I could say some obscure foreign film or a gallery show inspires me, but being surrounded by all these talented people is a swift kick in the ass.

 

What projects are you most proud of?

Projects that come with the most freedom are the most satisfying. We did a spot for Virgin Music. The ad agency came to us with a very loose script in which we had to provide visual metaphors for song titles. Over 30 songs ranging from “God Save the Queen” to “Tears in Heaven” were threaded together to form one unique story line. It brought a great deal of joy to see everyone’s contribution along the way.

 

What’s your work environment like?

Flip flops, jokes, and YouTube clips. The deadlines can be grueling, so we blow off steam however we can.

 

What are the perks of your job?

Hot Pockets.

 

What’s on your desk right now?

A can of Friskies Selects indoor. We just finished a commercial for cat food.

 

Do you know any designer jokes? 

Two fonts walk into a bar and the bartender says, “Sorry lads, we don’t serve your type around here.”