Mat Voyce describes himself as a "non-award-winning Graphic and Motion Designer" - but don't let his lack of awards fool you - he is a designer to be reckoned with. Mat designs top tier, gorgeous and glossy kinetic typography. He boasts huge clients like the BBC, The L.A. Times, Disney+, Honda, and Netflix. And it's no wonder, because Mat's typographic work is imaginative, clean, and really exciting. We were lucky enough to catch him for a chat about his work.
What lead you to making 2D animation, and what sets it apart from other design methods?
After years of creating static typography and illustrations I wanted to explore how to both elevate my work and my output. Luckily I had some basic motion knowledge from both uni and a few agency jobs so that helped kick start my progression and learning curve. I think being able to bring life and character to lettering, something that is so universal is pretty special. Making a word show an emotion through movement, styling and animation holds a real unique quality that I find addictive but also something that has so much potential.
What was your favourite commission you’ve done and why?
So far it has to be the Disney+ Throwback sticker pack. This project really stands out for me because it gave me a chance to pretty much interact with childhood influences through the my own passion. Using a combination of motion & illustration to bring some of my favourite characters to life just stands out a dream job in my eyes.
You told TypeGoodness that when you were young you won a The Simpsons comic cover contest. That’s awesome - apart from The Simpsons, what other visual arts inspired you as a child?
So graphic design and illustration has always been my biggest strength and passion, growing up I was constantly watching 90’s movies like Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Star Wars and Space Jam on a loop and always drawn to the graphics and typography. Most of my influences came from old shows and films, I used to find such job sitting in front of the TV, pulling out a VHS with my favorite film on and just watching, for hours on end.
What advice do you have for designers at the beginning of their careers?
Keep practising, it sounds typical but PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT. The more you practise the quicker you get, the quicker you get the more you can learn about your workflow and personal style. Also remember talent is the desire to practise. It may not always feel like you’re developing as a designer but as long as you keep practising, you will get better so don’t be afraid to try something new, having a personal style doesn’t come overnight. And remember to keep yourself inspired, surround yourself and your digital life with people and designers you admire or love the work of. Seeing something inspiring as soon as you open a laptop or a phone is a great way to kick off the design process.
How has the pandemic affected your work and style?
It actually gave me even more time to experiment, reflect and develop as a designer. I found without commuting time and with the aid of exploring my local area with walks and hikes it helped clear my mind and inspire my design process. I also found that my style of lettering and motion became even more wanted across the industry, I think this was down to agencies seeing how it could work with things like film titles or more so with entertainment brands, especially as more people were watching online series and staying indoors.