Chris Varaies

Absolutely loved this one, feel like it needs a share. Working on this whilst with the awesome team at @stormandshelter - collabbing with @lewyshobden to bring this little beauty to life. All built in AE using @aescripts #joysticksnsliders and #limber - What did we do before these plugins honestly 👏 With two ill kids I've got little time to make a new xmas post this year so hope you like this one. #aftereffects #characterdesign #characterrigging #aescripts #christmas #christmastree #xmas

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗽 🙏 Big shout out to everyone I’ve worked with so far this year. Clients, producers, agencies, designers, and teams who trusted me to dive in. It's been a solid mix of Motion, VFX, and creative problem solving. Leaning on my full skillset, jumping wherever needed and helping projects land cleanly and on time, still learning tons too. Here's some of my favourite bits from the year so far. Plenty more I can’t show just yet - cus NDA 😿 Need any of this next year? ⬇️ • Motion design across 2D, 3D • VFX support or lead, from planning through to final comps • Someone to step into an existing pipeline and crack on! • Clear thinking, solid workflow, and calm problem solving (even when things get spicy 🌶️) 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Thanks again to everyone who’s been part of it so far. Let's go. #motiondesign #vfx #freelance #animation #2025reel #roundup

I had the chance to work with the guys over at @onparproductions and had a lovely time with @sjrdop and the team bringing part of their TVC for NHS Wales to life. A lot of fun working in the detail, on something that may seem fairly simple, but elevated by the level of focus on the tiny elements that make it that bit more believable. Loved the challenge, and the trust to make this happen. More of this please 🙏 Check out the full ad over at On Par 🎞️ Hit me up for anything VFX & Motion! Client: NHS Wales Agency: @sbw_advertising Director: @sjrdop Exec Producer: @tobycameron Producer: @s.paxmcdowell Production Assistant: @lleucu_angharad DOP: @danhilltout_dp 1st AC: @richbertenshaw Cam Trainee: @lauranunezpar Gaffer: @adamjpickford Spark: @ben_novacoda Spark Trainee: @tomfarrierfOrd Grip: Martyn Jones Art Director: @nikitainfilm Art Assistant: @evaartdept Wardrobe: @jasonefthimiadis Photographer: @rhyscozens VFX: @nuffmotion 🤙 Kit: @pacerentals #motion #vfx #aftereffects

𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬. 𝐒𝐨 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐨. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨! Here’s a recent one that was a whole lot of fun, and also quite a challenge. While the output looks super simple in design, the difficulty came from the restrictions in brand and assets. Stripped-back design and a super limited palette made this one a real thinker to bring to life. From creative and boarding, through to full animation using both AE and C4D, this series of three explainers needed purpose while keeping each scene visually unique from the last. Working alongside the team at KnockKnock was absolutely class. Only circles and lines(𝘖𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘰)? Yeh, it was tricky… but I often find abstract representation in these explainers to be more impactful than going super literal. It lets the motion sing. Every frame has to work harder though. Timing and match cuts gotta be toight. I’ve pulled together a little sizzle of my favourite bits. No big glossy assets, just a minimal toolkit and the challenge to bring it all to life through movement. #motiondesign #freelance #animation #aftereffects #c4d #explaineranimation #abstract

This was a whole lotta fun at @stormandshelter working with pretty much everyone in the team at different stages through this, a solid collab! Utilising 3D, 2D and VFX it really flexes my generalist vibes - and it's a VO led VFX breakdown 👀 - still not sure how I feel about hearing my voice...

This project was all about bringing creative thinking and bold leadership to life in the education space. Even with a more streamlined budget, we still find ways to make a big impact. 🎨 It’s all in the style—bold, dynamic, and full of personality. We even got to add a few cheeky little 3D setups in there that added a little extra somethin’ somethin’😏 Simple doesn’t mean less—it’s about making the right choices that really resonate. 💥 Client: CCE Prod Co: @stormandshelter Producer: @mattyjrsmith Creative Director:@notacrook_ Motion Design Manager: @erynsivakmotion Graphic Design: @izzyyoungdesigns Director: @Lewyshobden Motion Design: @nuffmotion Audio: @honisterpass SFX: @notacrook_ #MotionDesign #AnimationStudio #2DAnimation #DesignForAnimation #MatchCut #IllustrationInMotion #ProductionCompany #CreativeStudio #MadeInWales #StormAndShelter #BehindTheScenes #EducationalContent #LearningResources #EdTechDesign #MadeForWales #CreativeLearning

Clean layouts, playful touches, and a whole lot of care—here’s a few favourite bits from a project that kept things light but full of purpose 🌿📚 Client: WJEC Prod Co: @stormandshelter Producer: @mattyjrsmith Creative Director:@notacrook_ Graphic Design: @izzyyoungdesigns Motion Design: @Lewyshobden Motion Design: @erynsivakmotion Motion Design: @nuffmotion #MotionDesign #AnimationStudio #2DAnimation #DesignForAnimation #MatchCut #IllustrationInMotion #ProductionCompany #CreativeStudio #MadeInWales #StormAndShelter #BehindTheScenes #EducationalContent #LearningResources #EdTechDesign #MadeForWales

Purple puff perfection! 💨🟣✨ Get ready to dive behind the scenes of our VFX wizardry for @withplum . From tracking screens to conjuring floating devices and crafting a 3D purple smoke world—this breakdown shows just how much magic went into making this commercial pop! 💻✨ Those particle sims? On fire. 🔥 And let’s not forget those perfectly timed puffs of purple smoke that tie it all together, adding that final spark of magic. Agency: @weareflyingobject Prod Co: @stormandshelter Executive Producer: @iamafalseprophet Producer: @robjelley Production Manager: @lukeegrech Director: @directdbybont 1st AD: Ari Rissotti 2nd AD: @nathanmills.ad Floor Runner: @learosaholt Floor Runner: @adam.j.green Production Runner: @xander_kynoch DOP: @lewisjelleydop 1st AC: @liamjrees 2nd AC: @oliviagmorrison Camera Trainee: @esmeegoward DIT: Ollie Hadlow-Martin Video Playback: @jjod77 Gaffer: @dave_thegaffer Spark: @daniel_arkell Spark: @chaymcgill Spark: @santi__toranzo Desk Op: @afoylx Production Designer: @phoebeplatman Art Assistant: Laura McMilan Art Assistant: @elenajukes Construction Company: @phillcreatesstudioltd Construction Standby: Natty Dingham Costume Designer: @stylingbylauren Costume Assistant: @tyra.coppp HMU Designer: @chloeedwardsmakeup Makeup Assistant: @becca_hadfieldmakeup VFX Supervisor: @nuffmotion Medic: Archie Baker Edit: @directdbybont VFX: @nuffmotion Designer: @izzyyoungdesigns Colourist: @lewisjelleydop

Here’s a closer look at some visuals from our Diversity & Inclusion animations for @cardiffuni . 🌟 From bold compositions to vibrant details, every frame tells its own story while coming together to celebrate inclusivity. It’s always exciting to see how each scene adds something unique to the bigger picture—what’s your favourite moment? Producer: @nataliecsr Creative: @notacrook_ Design: @izzyyoungdesigns MGFX: @nuffmotion @lewyshobden @bezier_blocks @andys_dimension Sound Design: @crancaudio Editor: @michaelkennyeditor #animation #design #diversityandinclusion #motiongraphics #creativeprocess

Big brands = big content. 💥 From arenas to phones, competitions, priority tickets, and everything in between, we teamed up with O2 to deliver bespoke social posts packed with personality. With their brand at the core, we created bold designs and smooth animations to keep their platforms buzzing—fresh content, week in, week out. Every post was built to grab attention and make O2’s socials shine. Ready to level up your own feed? Let’s talk. @stormandshelter @erynsivakmotion @izzyyoungdesigns @nuffmotion @lewyshobden @bandwagonbull @jay_baulch @o2uk . . . . #MotionDesign #SocialContent #BrandedContent #BigBrandEnergy #StormAndShelter #ContentCreation #AnimationStudio #o2 #buckuback #Design #MotionGraphics #DesignForMotion

Behind the scenes of our hand-drawn magic for Bisley Bespoke. ✍️✨ We stepped away from the screen to experiment with textures, markers, and unique markings that brought a tactile feel to this mixed-media animation. Nothing beats that hands-on approach to getting the vibe we wanted—feel the difference in every frame! 🖋️💥 Production Co: @stormandshelter MGFX: @nuffmotion Design: @izzyyoungdesigns #HandDrawnAnimation #MixedMedia #AnimationBreakdown #TactileDesign #TextureInMotion #BisleyBespoke #DesignForMotion #CreativeProcess #StopMotion #AnimationStudio #BehindTheScenes

This side-by-side look reveals how our animation evolved from an early rough stage to the final TVC. While the visuals were refined and the style developed, the pacing and structure stayed rock solid—proving that strong foundations are essential for those all-important sign-off stages. 💡🔥 Prod Co: @stormandshelter Producer: @ajwalp @nataliecsr Director: @lewyshobden Design: @izzyyoungdesigns Motion Graphics: @lewyshobden @nuffmotion 3D: @nuffmotion Sound Design: @directdbybont Sound Mix: @directdbybont #TVC #Animation #MotionDesign #CreativeCollab #DesignInMotion #BehindTheScenes #ConceptToCreation #MotionGraphics #C4D