Interview with mk12

Hi, mk12. Can u please tell us, how did you guys start your business?
Hello.We got our start doing web design in 1999. Before that we had all met while attending the Kansas City Art Institute, and after we graduated we started working with a local entrepreneur in need of a website. That didn't go very well. The funds ran out and we were let go; instead of going back to corporate jobs we decided to go into business for ourselves.
At that time we didn't have much in the way of equipment of funding, but our zero-dollar filmmaking backgrounds gave us some insight into how to get things done with limited resources.

What about the name – mk12? What does it mean?
There is a long history to the MK family. Our ancestors, the MK1's, fled from the Great Plague of Central Europe in the 1640's and settled in America. Since then the MK family has played an active role in the Civil War, midwest border skirmishes, the Industrial Revolution, and pioneering the Great Bible Belt. We are but one insignificant chapter in the MK history book.

How many people you are there now? And who is who?
There are nine of us here now. With the exception of our office manager / web guru / accountant / old car aficionado, we are all designers and animators; there is no real structure beyond that.

What are your current projects?
We're currently working on a new music video and just finished work on a couple of commercials for EA Game's Need for Speed 2. Beyond that, we are working on our next short film project: The History of America.

Why motion graphics? Why not webdesign?
Because most of us have filmmaking backgrounds, we found ourselves more interested in doing motion graphics and narrative than web design. We have done a few websites before, but most of us don't have the patience to deal with html or Flash.
These days there is not as much of a distinction between motion graphics and web content, but even so, there are limitations to web design that we have difficulties dealing with in our work. Our approach to motion graphics -- and filmmaking in general -- is such a pastiche of random elements; the web is not very accommodating to this way of working.

Where do you find your inspiration?
Anywhere from dumpsters to runways.

How do you start to work on project?
Every project that we take on is different, and for that reason we have so not set method for starting work. Sometimes, if the subject matter is of particular interest to one of us in the studio, they'll take the lead. Usually though, we all brainstorm as a group, and things come together organically.

What can you advice to a newbie? If he just start to do motion graphics.
There is no difference between the equipment and software that we use here in our studio and that which you can buy off the shelf at any major computer store. Equipment doesn't matter so much anymore; technique, ideas, and individual style are what's really important.
Don't pay much attention to what's already out there; listen to your own voice and create your own style. Technical proficiency is the easy part, imitation only takes you so far.

Whats your favorite project and why?
I don't know that we have one favorite project per se, but we are always most proud of the work that we create for ourselves, without client input.

What do you think about digital ezines like digital abstracts?
Good information is good information, whether it's in print or on the web. Ezines are free; I like that.

Do you know any good online tutorial for motion graphics?
Google.

Who, do you think is the best motion graphic studio?
Choosing the "best" motion graphics studio would be as easy as choosing the "best" work of art; there is no good or bad, only different styles for different tastes. And our tastes change all the time.

So, last comment, please?
Why is print design not called "static graphics"?