The Annecy International Film Festival 2024 witnessed a plethora of technology companies showcasing software and tools designed to ease an artist’s life and allow them to focus more on their creativity. One such company was Procreate. With a belief that art is for everyone, this Australian firm has developed illustration and animation apps catering to users ranging from professionals and studios to beginners.
AnimationXpress had a small tête-à-tête with Procreate’s chief product officer Claire d’Este to delve into the company’s innovative products for animators.
Procreate offers two primary applications: Procreate for iPad, ideal for sketching, painting, and illustrating, and Procreate Dreams, tailored for 2D animation enthusiasts. “Our apps combine intuitive design and high performance, but at the same time, are extremely user-friendly,” d’Este explained. Additionally, the company has rolled out Procreate Pocket, specifically for iPhone.
Available on Apple’s App Store, Procreate apps support 18 languages, including Hindi, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, and Polish, making them accessible across a wide region.
D’Este mentioned how students, amateurs, and artists are often amazed by the extensive range of tools available in Procreate’s apps. She elaborated, “Unlike other apps, Procreate Dreams allows users to integrate video and audio components. Furthermore, unlike vector-based animation tools which often produce similar results, Procreate Dreams enables users to experiment with a wide array of art styles, ranging from oil painting to watercolour.”
Attending Annecy for the first time, D’Este was overwhelmed with the energy and enthusiasm of attendees. At their booth in MIFA, the Procreate team encouraged students and artists to explore the capabilities of their devices. “It was inspiring to see attendees showcasing their diverse artworks, from 3D models to short music videos and various other work-in-progress projects,” shared d’Este. “The Annecy Festival serves as a convergence point for animators, providing a valuable mix of perspectives from industry professionals and students alike.”
“Earlier, artists had to rely on expensive software suites to create something, but with affordable apps like ours, individuals can now independently produce animated content,” noted d’Este. “And what’s most exciting is that artists who didn’t consider themselves to be animators are now showcasing unique and exceptional art styles!”
