AOD Nurtures Raw Creativity to Meet Global Career Standards in Motion Graphics & Animation
View(s):Drew de Silva’s Journey to Become a Globally-relevant Animator with AOD; From Scribbling Cartoons to ACM SIGGRAPH conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques in Sydney, designing a multi-sensory experience space at AOD’s Sri Lanka Design Festival, earning recognition at the Agenda 14 Short Film Festival and fuse. Kids Film Festival in Thailand for outstanding work, and launching own design practice in Colombo.
When Drew de Silva first walked into AOD, he wasn’t thinking about a career in design or animation. Instead, he was just a student who had always been drawn to writing, drawing, and music but had never considered that these passions could lead to a future.
Drew De Silva presenting his graduate project to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2024 held at Cinnamon Life
“I didn’t consider design or animation as a career opportunity at first,” Drew recalls. “I always had an interest in writing and drawing, and as a child, after watching cartoons, I would try to imitate that style. Later, in school, I was a good student, but by O-Levels, I lost interest in subjects that didn’t cater to the humanities, and it started showing in my grades too. That’s when I started looking for other avenues. I was fortunate enough to have parents who understood this and, after some discussion, supported me to do what I wanted to do.”
That decision changed everything.
Drew’s journey led them to study Motion Graphics and Animation at AOD, earning a Northumbria University UK degree right here in Sri Lanka. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary creative evolution—one that saw Drew gaining international recognition, working on cutting-edge projects, and now, launching his own creative consultancy to redefine animation and design through a South Asian lens.
AOD: A Launchpad for
Creative Excellence
AOD’s distinctive approach to design education was instrumental in shaping Drew’s success. It was not just about learning animation—it was about understanding design as a holistic discipline, fostering a mindset of experimentation, and gaining real-world experience.
“A few things about AOD really helped me grow into the professional creator that I am today,” Drew says. “Firstly, the Foundation programme they do is something very different; I had a lot of exposure to all avenues of design, not just animation. From principles of graphic design, elements of fashion design, and the impact of interior spaces and how they all influence people, to conceptualisation, research and development, I got access to a very broad skill set and knowledge in creativity and design. This approach, where rather than learning specialised skills, we got to experiment and learn through many different disciplines had a big influence on me. To this day I continue to experiment with different media, workflows, and technical approaches for animation. By the time we started the Northumbria degree programme at AOD, we had a really good understanding of how to approach a project. This is how you conceptualised, this is how you execute and fine-tune, this is how you get feedback and so on.”
Beyond technical skills, AOD’s emphasis on industry exposure, live projects, and collaboration played a crucial role in helping Drew develop a professional edge.
Drew De Silva and his parents at the AOD convocation 2024
“It gave us a very practical, hands-on experience of how things work and what it’s like to manage and work on these projects realistically. Furthermore, the system at AOD places a justified prominence on self-study and self-reflection, which I feel are of the utmost importance in bettering one’s work. It is one thing to simply listen to and incorporate constructive criticism, but it is an equally valuable skill to self-analyse and identify the flaws and flourishes of your own projects. In addition to this, learning felt like a living ecosystem. I firmly believe that I would not have been able to learn and experience as much as I did from just one person; my lecturers, my partner, friends, peers, strangers, and even juniors were each able to shift my perspective bit by bit and feed into the creative organism that was evolving alongside me. It is through these systems and the support of all those around me that I was able to hone my skills and further deepen my passion for the craft.”
This environment helped Drew develop not just their artistic ability but also the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in the global creative industry.
Global Recognition & Real-World Impact
Drew’s time at AOD opened doors to an array of international opportunities. One of the most significant was volunteering at the prestigious ACM SIGGRAPH conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques in Sydney—an experience that gave them invaluable exposure to cutting-edge developments in animation and digital art.
They also played a key role in designing and co-curating a multi-sensory experience space at the Sri Lanka Design Festival, organised by AOD. This innovative project brought together workshops, interactive events, and live art pieces to create an immersive creative environment.
More recently, Drew’s work has earned recognition at the Agenda 14 Short Film Festival and fuse. Kids Film Festival in Thailand, further cementing their status as a rising star in the local animation sphere.
Building the Future: A New
Creative Consultancy
Now, Drew is taking their passion and expertise a step further—by launching their own creative consultancy with fellow AOD graduate Dulana Ethugala.
“The idea is to become a creative consultancy, where we can further develop the skills we are most partial to in the design process – research, conceptualization, and development – and act as a creative outlet for a plethora of design initiatives, from animated features to public engagement art projects, to explorations of design as a human tool for problem-solving. We conceptualised the business as an experimental creative channel for creatives like us to proliferate and flourish within the local sphere.”
Their vision is ambitious: to develop a consultancy working on everything from animated features to public engagement art projects.
“One thing I’m especially excited about is the potential for 2D and experimental animation in the region. Animation is currently experiencing a digital renaissance, moving towards media that were once thought ‘dead.’ The climate is ripe for animators in Sri Lanka, and I believe we are on the cusp of cultivating a uniquely South Asian flavour of animation, unchained by the domination of the craft in the West and the East.”
This is the kind of forward-thinking creative leadership that AOD fosters—helping young designers not just build careers but shape the future of their industries.
A Parent’s Perspective: The Role of Support & Trust
Drew’s success is a testament not only to their talent and hard work but also to the support of their parents, Angelo and Nilu de Silva. In a cultural context where creative careers are often seen as risky or unconventional, their decision to back Drew’s passion was crucial.
“Drew has done very well, and we’re very proud of them,” says Angelo de Silva, Drew’s father. “I think two things have to come together for a student to do well—their individual talent and the support of the faculty. In Drew’s case and AOD, both ends came together.”
Beyond their academic success, Angelo sees something even more important: Drew’s entrepreneurial drive.
Drew De Silva receiving a Special Jury Mention for Animation at Agenda 14 Film Festival
“This country needs entrepreneurs,” he says. “Drew and Dulana are very creative and talented. They make a good combination. Businesswise, they’re very young and still have a lot to learn. Also, starting a company and getting opportunities is not easy in this economy. But we believe in their abilities and their creativity. I’m excited to see what they do with it.”
For Nilu de Silva, Drew’s mother, supporting her child’s creative ambitions was always about helping them find their true passion.
“I feel extremely proud as a parent for what they have achieved for themselves,” she says. “From a young age, Drew composed their own music, played guitar and piano, and made amazing drawings. We wanted to fuel that creativity. As parents, we wanted to support and create that space for them to think for themselves and follow their dreams.”
Her perspective on career choices is refreshingly insightful.
“There are many professions that are considered the best or what young people should be pursuing, but it’s not really about that, is it? What is the spark in their life? What’s their passion and purpose? I think a career choice is about answering that question.”
Her advice to other parents?
“If we push our children towards careers we want, and it doesn’t work out, we will have to carry that guilt with us for life. Our role is not to confine them or push them toward what we believe in, but to help them find their own spark and purpose in the world.”
AOD: The Pathway to Global Creative Success
Drew de Silva’s story is just one example of how AOD empowers young designers to build careers that transcend borders. By providing world-class design education, fostering practical experience, and cultivating a global outlook, AOD is preparing Sri Lanka’s creative talent to take on the world.
For parents and students considering design as a career, Drew’s journey stands as proof that pure passion and raw talent, paired with the right education and support, can lead to extraordinary success.
Want to know more about how AOD can help your child access global creative careers? Contact AOD today to explore career opportunities in design, book a campus tour, and discover how
Sri Lanka’s best creative education can shape your future. Enrollments now open. For more information, walk into AOD at the Colombo Innovation Tower, Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm, or visit www.aod.lk
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