Today we’d like to introduce you to Gunjan Dere.
Hi Gunjan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I think my love for animation started when I was four years old. Saturday mornings were sacred, the only time we got cartoons on our basic cable TV in Nashik, a small town in India with a modest population of over a million. I’d sit next to my sister, completely glued to the screen.
After a while, curiosity kicked in. One morning, I asked her, “Who makes these?”
“An animator,” she said.
That might’ve been the first big English word I ever learned — and I held onto it like it was magic.
24 years later, I’m still chasing the same dream. The only difference is, now I see myself not just as an animator, but also as a storyteller and a director.
My journey’s taken me across continents — from studying in Canada, to finishing my undergrad in Ireland, and then pursuing my MFA in Animation at USC here in Los Angeles. Each move brought a new lens, new influences, and a deeper understanding of how culture, memory, and identity shape the stories we tell.
These days, I’m based in LA, open to remote projects, and always looking for opportunities to collaborate with people who care about telling meaningful, visually driven stories.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road — but I don’t think I ever expected it to be.
I grew up in a world where doctors and engineers had roadmaps, and artists had question marks. Creativity was something to admire from a distance — not something you were encouraged to build a life around.
I didn’t have formal art training until much later. Most of what I know came from trial, error, and late nights watching tutorials or teaching myself how to draw. In high school, I felt like I was hiding a part of myself just to get through the system. And even when I finally pursued art in college, I often felt like I was playing catch-up, surrounded by students who had years of training, confidence, and clarity I didn’t yet have.
There were moments of real doubt about whether I belonged, whether I was good enough, whether this path even made sense. But somehow, despite all that, I’m still here. Still creating. Still curious. Still believing that storytelling is worth it.
I mean, getting to contribute something — anything — to human culture? That’s a pretty rewarding experience, if you ask me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an animator and illustrator drawn to stylized, character-driven storytelling. My visual style blends the clean shapes and bold silhouettes of mid-century modern design with Indian cultural influences and personal experiences. I’m especially inspired by the cartoons I grew up with: Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, shows that were visually sharp and emotionally surprising.
I’m probably best known for my animation and illustration work, but I’ve also been expanding my storytelling practice, directing, writing, and slowly learning the craft of storyboarding. I like to think of my work existing in three spaces: some art is for me, some is for the world, and some falls into that strange in-between where vision and execution don’t quite align. Each type has its place, the personal, the public, and the imperfect — and I’m learning to value the process, not just the product.
I’m especially proud of my recent animated short Salt and Pepper, which I wrote, directed, and animated. It’s the first of many stories I want to tell — and also a reminder of how hard it can be to start. I had so many ideas for my short that I couldn’t pick just one. I kept thinking, What if the one I leave out was the Oscar winner? So I made something meta, a short about trying to make a short. It’s a playful take on creative paralysis, but it also taught me something real: that execution often matters more than the endless hunt for the “perfect” idea.
What probably sets me apart is my perspective. I’ve lived, studied, and created across different countries — India, Canada, Ireland, and now the U.S. And through all that, I’ve met people from different walks of life, which have quietly shaped how I see the world. I think of myself as a kind of cultural patchwork — an amalgamation of stories, styles, and sensibilities. That’s what I try to bring into my work.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Good artists never gatekeep!!
For me, books help. Nothing with big words or heavy concepts — I actually love fiction and even children’s books. You’d be surprised how effectively they tell a story. They know they have to capture attention quickly and hold it, which is something I try to remember when making short-form work. I know books can get expensive, which is why I always recommend public libraries. And if you’re more into digital reading, the Libby app is amazing. It connects to your library and lets you borrow books straight to your device.
Podcasts help me stay curious. I love 99% Invisible!! It got me into noticing the design, structure, and hidden histories behind the everyday world. That kind of observational thinking really feeds my storytelling brain!
For visual inspiration, Pinterest is my go-to. I use it to collect references for my art, but I’ve learned it’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of endless scrolling. So I set a timer and write down exactly what I’m looking for before I start gathering references. It keeps me intentional!
And finally — if you make art of any kind, I really believe it’s important to have a separate hobby. There’s a special kind of pressure that comes with turning what you love into your job, and most people don’t talk about that enough. When the brush strokes and style frames get too much, I lean on music. I play guitar, and like every fifth 20-something-year-old, you might run into, yes, I’ve started producing my own beats in my free time. Most of it’s just for me. But inspiration shows up unannounced, and music keeps the door open.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gunjandere.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gunjandere/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunjandere
