PADC Diamond Skull winner Sam Price launches What’s This? Studio

PADC Diamond Skull winner Sam Price has launched What’s This? Studio – a boutique motion design studio focussed on concept driven work across animation, experiential and interactive projects.

Founded with the desire to create surprising and unexpected content, and driven by curiosity, What’s This? Studio is aiming to work with global and local brands and agencies in emerging physical mediums and developing digital spaces.

“We want to create experiences that get you back to that sense of wonder you experienced when you were a kid” says Price (pictured left). “Whether it’s an interactive installation or a piece of motion content, the desire is to always find an approach that makes if feel unique and surprising, and ultimately to make it memorable.”

With a new office space on William Street in Perth and two new hires, 2D animator Jhan Siah (pictured right) and Melbourne based Producer John Macliver, the studio is looking to continue to grow in 2022 and expand its offering to a broader range of disciplines and clients.

Siah joined the team in October of 2021 and worked immediately on projects for the WA Museum and Udio management software. With a background in Architecture and a passion for motion as a design language, Siah brings a unique eye to his work.

Owner and Creative Director, Price, said: “I’ve always loved 2D animation but it isn’t something I’ve put a huge focus on in my personal practice. Bringing Jhan on board has opened up so many new possibilities to the way we can solve design problems as a team, it’s like having a new super power.”

The hiring of Melbourne based producer John Macliver has assisted in working with interstate clients on projects throughout 2021 – such as Craft Victoria and Spacebetween on projects for JD Sports, Nike, Alfasi Group, Cox Architecture and an artist collaboration with First Peoples Naarm based artist Lisa Waup for Charter Hall.

“It felt like it was time to create a studio that broadened the scope of what we could do creatively and allowed us to work with a greater range of clients. Getting John on board has allowed us to expand further over east and create some exciting opportunities. We’ve actually been operating as a studio for the last 6 months, but it felt important to formally create an identity to help define who we are and the sorts of clients we feel that we can help moving forward.”

Price was awarded ‘Digital Talent of the Year’ at the previous two PADC awards and also won the Diamond Skull in 2019.

whatsthis.studio