Key Takeaways
- Strategic Leadership Infusion: Multi-Academy Award-winning Framestore has appointed Ric Comline (Executive Creative Director), Thierry Levy (Executive Producer), and Sean Cooper (Creative Director) to its Design Studio, significantly strengthening its leadership.
- Focus on AI and Emerging Tech: The new Framestore Design Leaders bring extensive experience in integrating cutting-edge AI-assisted workflows and emerging technologies across animation, VFX, and immersive experiences, positioning Framestore at the forefront of innovation.
- Expanded Creative Horizons: This London-based trio will drive expansion in advertising and brand design while bolstering support for global episodic, immersive, and feature film projects, leveraging their award-winning collaborative history.
London, UK – In a significant move set to redefine the landscape of creative technology and visual storytelling, multi-Academy Award-winning studio Framestore has announced the appointment of three highly respected industry veterans to its Design Studio. Ric Comline joins as Executive Creative Director, Thierry Levy as Executive Producer, and Sean Cooper as Creative Director. This formidable trio, bringing decades of combined experience, will serve as crucial Framestore Design Leaders, steering the studio’s ambitious expansion plans across advertising, brand experiences, and supporting its renowned global episodic, immersive, and film projects.
The strategic hires underscore Framestore’s commitment to investing in world-class talent, particularly those with a proven track record in innovation and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI in animation and VFX. Their arrival is poised to enhance the studio’s capacity to deliver high-impact results competitively, solidifying its position as a global powerhouse in creative content production.
A Collaborative History Rekindled: The New Framestore Design Leaders
The appointments mark a notable reunion for Comline, Levy, and Cooper, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed and Cannes Lions-winning campaign, “The Old Piccadilly Lights” for Anomaly and Ocean Outdoor. This shared history of award-winning teamwork suggests a seamless integration and immediate impact on Framestore’s creative output.
David Lochhead, Head of Design at Framestore, expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions. “I’m thrilled to welcome Ric, Thierry, and Sean to the Framestore Design team,” Lochhead stated. “Each brings a powerful blend of creative vision and strategic leadership that will strengthen our ability to deliver high-impact results competitively across projects of every scale. As the media and creative landscape evolves, their appointments reflect our continued investment in world-class talent, and I’m excited to see how their shared ambition will help shape our next chapter of innovation and design excellence.”
Ric Comline: Pioneering AI-Assisted Creativity
As the new Executive Creative Director, Ric Comline brings over two decades of experience spanning animation, VFX, motion design, and emerging technologies. Comline is widely recognized for founding the acclaimed animation and motion design studio Blind Pig in 2009. His career has been characterized by a distinctive approach that blends traditional artistry with innovative, AI-assisted workflows, a crucial skill set in today’s rapidly evolving creative industry.
He has successfully led multidisciplinary teams on high-profile campaigns for global brands such as Issey Miyake, Disney, and Adidas, as well as significant projects for the UK Government. His internationally recognized work has garnered numerous accolades, including prestigious awards at Cannes Lions, a testament to his creative prowess and leadership.
Thierry Levy: Driving AI Integration in Production
Thierry Levy steps into the role of Executive Producer, leveraging a career that spans more than 20 years across production, post-production, and animation. Levy has held key positions at renowned studios including Nexus, Feed Me Light, and Spring Studios. His expertise lies in his unique ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on creative execution, ensuring projects are not only visionary but also efficiently delivered.
Notably, Levy recently spearheaded the integration of AI in animation and VFX at Absolute, a testament to his forward-thinking approach and understanding of technological advancements. His recent portfolio includes major collaborations such as Disney’s partnership with F1 for the Las Vegas Sphere – a project that showcases the cutting edge of immersive experience design – Coca-Cola’s immersive Piccadilly Circus takeover, and “The Glass Hermit,” a captivating short film directed by Oscar-winning art director Shona Heath. For those interested in the broader impact of AI in VFX, a deeper dive can be found in discussions around Foundry Unleashes Griptape Enterprise: Revolutionizing Secure AI VFX Workflows for High-End Production.
Sean Cooper: Master of Experiential and Digital Design
Completing the trio, Sean Cooper joins as Creative Director, bringing a wealth of experience from pivotal roles at Blind Pig, Unit TV, and Sony Computer Entertainment. Cooper’s extensive expertise covers a broad spectrum of creative domains, including 3D, motion graphics, out-of-home advertising, film and TV production, and experiential design. His diverse background makes him an invaluable asset for Framestore’s varied client needs.
His impressive project list includes contributions to iconic PlayStation franchises like LittleBigPlanet, SingStar, and DanceStar. Furthermore, Cooper has left his mark on broadcast and streaming content, including the compelling “Stephen Hawking: Expedition New Earth” and the distinctive opening titles for Netflix’s “Maniac.” These projects highlight his capacity to blend technical skill with narrative creativity across multiple platforms.
The Design Studio’s Vision and Impact
Framestore’s Design Studio is renowned for its collaborative approach, partnering with brands, agencies, and directors to tackle complex creative challenges. The studio excels at shaping culturally relevant ideas by seamlessly combining innovative design, emerging technology – including the latest advancements in AI – and unparalleled cinematic craft. This holistic philosophy has resulted in a portfolio of award-winning work that resonates globally.
Notable achievements include the visually stunning “Ms Marvel” for Disney+, the impactful “#WombStories” campaign for Libresse, and the robust “Engineered for Whatever” series for Columbia. These projects exemplify the studio’s ability to push creative boundaries and deliver compelling visual narratives. The studio’s work often integrates cutting-edge animation techniques and VFX to create truly immersive experiences, much like the exciting developments discussed at Disney’s D23 programming lineup.
Framestore: A Legacy of Innovation and Global Reach
Founded in the UK in 1986, Framestore has evolved into a global creative powerhouse. With a dedicated team of more than 3,000 artists and innovators, the company operates strategically located offices in major creative hubs worldwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Montreal, London, Melbourne, and Mumbai. This expansive footprint allows Framestore to attract top talent and collaborate on projects of immense scale and complexity, from animated movies to groundbreaking immersive experiences. Learn more about their extensive work and history on their official website.
The addition of these three Framestore Design Leaders represents a pivotal moment for the studio, signaling a renewed focus on innovation, technological integration – particularly in AI and advanced VFX – and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional creative content for a diverse global clientele. Their combined expertise is set to propel Framestore into an even more dominant position within the competitive world of animation, visual effects, and digital design.
Key Appointments at a Glance
| Leader Name | New Role | Key Expertise & Contributions | Notable Projects/Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ric Comline | Executive Creative Director | Animation, VFX, Motion Design, Emerging Tech, AI-assisted workflows, Blending traditional artistry | Founder of Blind Pig, Cannes Lions-winning “The Old Piccadilly Lights”, Campaigns for Disney, Adidas, Issey Miyake |
| Thierry Levy | Executive Producer | Production, Post-production, Animation, Strategic thinking, AI integration in animation and VFX | Cannes Lions-winning “The Old Piccadilly Lights”, Disney/F1 Las Vegas Sphere, Coca-Cola Piccadilly Circus, “The Glass Hermit” |
| Sean Cooper | Creative Director | 3D, Motion, Out-of-Home, Film & TV, Experiential Design | Cannes Lions-winning “The Old Piccadilly Lights”, PlayStation’s LittleBigPlanet, Netflix’s “Maniac” titles, “Stephen Hawking: Expedition New Earth” |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the significance of these new appointments for Framestore?
A1: These appointments represent a strategic strengthening of Framestore’s Design Studio leadership. Ric Comline, Thierry Levy, and Sean Cooper bring extensive experience in creative direction, production, and emerging technologies, including significant expertise in AI and advanced VFX. Their combined vision will drive innovation, expand the studio’s offerings in advertising and brand work, and further enhance its support for global film, episodic, and immersive projects.
Q2: How will AI and emerging technologies play a role with the new Framestore Design Leaders?
A2: Both Ric Comline and Thierry Levy have a strong background in integrating AI and emerging technologies into creative workflows. Comline is known for blending traditional artistry with AI-assisted processes, while Levy recently led AI integration in animation and VFX at Absolute. Their expertise is crucial for Framestore to remain at the forefront of technological innovation in visual storytelling, creating more efficient and groundbreaking content.
Q3: What kind of projects will the new leaders focus on at Framestore?
A3: The trio will primarily focus on expanding and strengthening Framestore’s design offering across advertising and brand projects. Concurrently, they will continue to provide robust support for the studio’s existing global episodic, immersive experiences, and feature film work. Their diverse backgrounds in animation, VFX, motion design, and experiential design make them well-suited to handle a wide array of creative challenges across various media.
Q4: What is Framestore’s overall reputation in the industry?
A4: Framestore is a multi-Academy Award-winning creative studio founded in 1986, with a global team of over 3,000 artists and innovators. It is renowned for its expertise in visual effects, animation, and immersive content creation, partnering with leading brands, agencies, and directors worldwide. The studio has a strong track record of award-winning work across film, television, advertising, and experiential media, consistently pushing the boundaries of creative and technological excellence.
