From the release:
Fern, an animation and design studio in Atlanta, announced today that it is representing Montreal-based visual artist Elizabeth Laferrière in the United States. Laferrière will serve as a director and art director available to Fern’s roster of clients.
“Adding Elizabeth to our skilled studio will help diversify and broaden our portfolio from both a style and storytelling approach,” says James Mabery, Fern’s founder and animation director. “She possesses the ability to portray empathy and emotionality through design – the backbone of Fern – which is why this is a natural collaboration.”
Laferrière, whose decade of experience includes working with clients in music, television, publishing and the arts, is known for creating surreal images through collage.
“Elizabeth is able to use imperfections, like tears and squiggles, and nuanced elements to create designs that feel authentic and sophisticated,” continues Mabery. “Her approach and aesthetic increase our range of services and gives us the ability to share our clients’ messages in new ways.”
As a director, Laferrière will oversee all aspects of projects, including scheduling, developing teams, storyboarding and working with sound designers to supervise music composition. As an art director, she will work as part of a team incorporating her visual style on projects.
“I’ve respected Fern since I first saw their award-winning short film ‘Unexpected Discoveries,’” says Laferrière. “It showcases their tremendous ability to tell stories that resonate with audiences. It also highlights their most important asset – the thoroughness they bring to every task.”
A French Canadian, Laferrière joins Fern’s globally diverse, female-majority team that includes employees who originally hail from Romania, China, and Spain.
“We leverage not only our artists’ talents but their unique cultural backgrounds,” explains Mabery. “They offer fresh perspectives and different ways of telling our clients’ stories.”
Laferrière’s work has been featured in Fubiz, Trendland and a variety of other online and print publications. She previously taught motion design at Université du Québec à Montréal and has presented on a variety of topics at conferences such as Montréal in Motion, CÉGEP Marie-Victorin, the Association of Registered Graphic Designers and Collège Champlain of Vermont. Laferrière earned her diploma of college studies in graphic arts from Collège Ahuntsic and her bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Université du Québec à Montréal. While at university, she spent a semester studying abroad at ESAG Penninghen in Paris.