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Check Out Justin Runfola’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Runfola

Hi justin , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been an artist, a creative little person and now a creative, very big person! (I’m 6’6′!) My parents were extremely nurturing and laid in front of me many opportunities they knew i’d grab a hold of and do my creative dance with. For that I am still to this day, extremely grateful for their never-ending support. I graduated from Ringling college of art and design with a BFA, my major was illustration. I wrangled with finding my voice in editorial illustration for years, until my agent said “these are all great pieces but pick ONE STYLE and stick to that.” I’ve never been able to overstay my welcome with art “styles”, of course I have my “finger print” the look of my work feels like me but I couldn’t settle with one “style” when theres so much out there to explore. I had a friend suggest to me how the world of animation would really be great for my ever-changing styles. I crated a portfolio quickly and got my first gig when I was living in NYC, then a few years later moved to LA to begin my journey towards film. That was the biggest challenge of my life, I had a handful of wonderful years working in animation, lots of TV and few films, sadly the state of the industry today is in real trouble. I have now been forced to evolve and go with my strengths as a freelance artist, working still in animation on the development side and lots of toy design. Although it all sounds glam, I struggled for the majority of my career for a footing of some kind, still am, but I truly love visual problem solving and coming up with concepts and designs to help tell stories.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has without a doubt never ever, not even for a moment been a smooth road! Not to sound dramatic, but most artists struggle finding the gig, networking is monumental in any form of being a creative professional. the art itself was never really a struggle, It was finding the right people to put my art in front of, getting them to become fans of my work, which is me! I’m a very loud, passionate, charismatic, extroverted person. The animation industry has lots of folks that are introverted…it was a bit of a challenge, but I was always myself, professional and appreciative of the roles I was given. Mental health issues are very common these days in working in any creative industry. You see all these “lucky ones” that made it, “why not me?” it really is an important issues these days. When asked for advice from younger artists or those trying to get a foot in the door, I always stress limiting your social media intake, making sure that you understand your journey will always differ from others, it’s just life.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work as a designer, visual development artist, specializing in characters. I’ve worked in the animation industry for over 10 years and been a creative consultant for almost 15 years. I’m most known from the recent Ninja Turtles film: Mutant mayhem. I was the character designer and visual development artist for that film. I’m most proud of the fact tat i’ve been able to have a somewhat sustainable career in the creative industry, it’s a huge accomplishment to live off the artwork you create, especially in LA! I think what sets me apart from others is how I think, my favorite thing about this industry is collaborating. It’s when I’m the most happy, and when I’m the most useful hah! I love throwing around ideas, “but what if we did this!?” When developing characters I welcome so many bumps in the road, I believe it’s an opportunity to really make something great, something relatable for the audience, in turn making it timeless.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Trying always, going for what you want to do, believing in yourself. This city is very unfair, the industry is, but tenacity always wins, trying will always be winning. It’s the next best thing to getting the success you want. Go get em’!

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Justin Runfola

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