31. Raman Djafari on Navigating the Animation Industry (Live at The Boys Club Berlin)

Author: David Leutert and Viktoria Cichoń
Published: Wed 16 Jul 2025
Episode Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paid2draw/episodes/31--Raman-Djafari-on-Navigating-the-Animation-Industry-Live-at-The-Boys-Club-Berlin-e35itih

Raman Djafari is a Berlin-based illustrator, animator and filmmaker who has created visuals for some of the biggest musicians and brands, including Elton John, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Adult Swim, The New Yorker and Spotify. Their award-winning “Cold Heart” music video was beamed across the world during Elton John’s Glastonbury performance and has been viewed over 600 million times on YouTube. Currently, Raman is represented as a director by the London-based production studio BlinkInk.

Animation is a labor of love. This week, Raman takes us on a deep dive into navigating the animation industry — and shares their love for the craft and the community. With a background in illustration and design, Raman ventured into animation, filmmaking and music videos, expanding his practice and toolset with each project. Transitioning fluently from 2D to 3D animation, they create surreal worlds and characters that transcend all norms and oscillate between the familiar and the fantastical.

In this episode, Raman explores the role of artists in envisioning alternative realities through their work. They emphasize the need for fair compensation and the importance of collective action to overcome current labor rights issues in the animation industry. Raman also reflects on his own creative process, the significance of keeping a sketchbook, and the challenges of pursuing personal projects while navigating commercial demands.

Don’t miss this intimate conversation with one of the most innovative artists and filmmakers of our time, live-recorded at The Boys Club in Berlin on June 23rd, 2025.

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MENTIONED LINKS:

• HTW Berlin: BA Game Design
• HAW Hamburg: MA Illustration
• Annecy Animation Festival
• Artists/Animators: Bobby Chiu, Niki Lindroth von Bahr, Jack Zhang, TOKAY, Daniel Almagor, Haneen Koraz
• Directors: Wim Wenders, Andrei Tarkovsky, Alice Rohrwacher
• Painters: Cecily Brown, Dana Schutz, Jordan Kasey, Sasha Gordon
• Authors: Ottessa Moshfegh, Ocean Vuong
• Music videos:“feelslikeimfallinginlove” by Coldplay, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” by Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Pamphlets” by Squid, “Worms” by Ashnikko, “Snow” by FJAAK
• BlinkInk (world-class, London-based production studio)
• Blender 3D
• TVPaint (2D animation software)
• Thanks to The Boys Club Berlin for hosting!