Merike van de Vijver is an animator and creative generalist who works as a freelance practitioner in Manchester and a Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Animation course at Leeds Arts University. With an extensive background in animation production and art, she specialises in finding original solutions to animated communication by producing (often) ultra-short stop motion animations created in a wide selection of materials and techniques.

After earning her BA (hons) in animation in The Netherlands, Merike entered the children’s stop motion tv production world to explore a passion for various departments within the industry and the teamwork between them: set building, puppet design, prop making and animation. The early part of her career she spent animating on studio-based stop motion productions (Bob the Builder, Miffy, Clangers) before transitioning to running a business as a self-employed creative generalist.

Obtaining an MA in Graphic Design and Art Direction at Manchester Metropolitan University has given her the opportunity to expand her knowledge and expertise in art and design and develop her solid skill base even further by researching new techniques, both analog and digital.

You can learn more about Merike and what she does here: olmoost.com.