VERO
INTERVIEW BY IRENE FELEO
INTERVIEW BY IRENE FELEO
PRONOUNS: She/Her
WEBSITE: verogomezdesign.com
INSTAGRAM: @donovansane
WEBSITE: verogomezdesign.com
INSTAGRAM: @donovansane
Vero Gómez is a motion designer and animator hailing from Mexico City and presently based in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently a designer & animator at BUCK NY. I had the pleasure of chatting to Vero via video call one evening, where we talked about what she does, how she got there, and what drives her inspiration and passion in both life and work.
I think one of the main reasons I love putting together these Spotlight interviews is because it gives me the opportunity to exercise my wild curiosity for the creative community and the individuals within it.
Within moments of speaking to Vero, I felt inspired by her obvious passion for social justice, her eloquence in articulating ideas, and the mindful way in which she navigates the world and her impact on it. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I have had the pleasure of getting to know Vero.
From Left to Right: Nudle, Migrant & Bowie
Vero! So lovely to sit down to chat and get to know you. There is so much I want to ask but, first things first, do you mind telling us a little about yourself and what you do?
Hii!! My name is Vero (she/her) and I’m a Queer brown immigrant Abolitonist. I’m originally from Mexico City by way of Toronto now in NYC - traditionally Munsee Lenape and Canarsie ground - so I just tell people I’m a less crappy NAFTA. I’m a Designer/Animator at BUCK NY, and I am a sucker for public transit and a good deli coffee. Sometimes I hit a drum set and other times I draw murals in my apartment.
Tell us a little about your origin story and how you got to where you are today. You are originally from Mexico City. How did you end up in NY and what was your path to get here?
It’s crazy because I realize now I was doing “motion design” before I even knew what the term was. At the same time that I was learning how to ride a bike, I was messing around with the family’s Windows XP monster machine making cringey lyric videos on Movie Maker. The ones with Limewire downloaded video footage and Segoe Print typeface? My whole brand.
My ma then got a job that landed us in Canada when I was 10! So I spent middle/high school there. Before I could even finish 8th grade, mi tio sat me down and told me I should decide what I want to do for the rest of my life, and that I should pick something more specialized than Graphic Design (I was making tacky Photoshop edits by then). After a lot of Googling, I found “Motion Graphics”, and decided to run with that. I will admit, I was strongly considering “Stunt Double” as a backup career for a hot sec.
Wanting a change of scenery, I moved to Savannah, GA to pursue a BFA in Motion Design at SCAD. I had a swell internship in Detroit with the rascals at Gunner (shout out to the Taco truck!) in the middle of college. In my senior year, I met some rad folks from BUCK NY during CoMotion - our student run Motion Design conference - and next thing I knew I was living in the big city moving pixels alongside those same people.
Hii!! My name is Vero (she/her) and I’m a Queer brown immigrant Abolitonist. I’m originally from Mexico City by way of Toronto now in NYC - traditionally Munsee Lenape and Canarsie ground - so I just tell people I’m a less crappy NAFTA. I’m a Designer/Animator at BUCK NY, and I am a sucker for public transit and a good deli coffee. Sometimes I hit a drum set and other times I draw murals in my apartment.
Tell us a little about your origin story and how you got to where you are today. You are originally from Mexico City. How did you end up in NY and what was your path to get here?
It’s crazy because I realize now I was doing “motion design” before I even knew what the term was. At the same time that I was learning how to ride a bike, I was messing around with the family’s Windows XP monster machine making cringey lyric videos on Movie Maker. The ones with Limewire downloaded video footage and Segoe Print typeface? My whole brand.
My ma then got a job that landed us in Canada when I was 10! So I spent middle/high school there. Before I could even finish 8th grade, mi tio sat me down and told me I should decide what I want to do for the rest of my life, and that I should pick something more specialized than Graphic Design (I was making tacky Photoshop edits by then). After a lot of Googling, I found “Motion Graphics”, and decided to run with that. I will admit, I was strongly considering “Stunt Double” as a backup career for a hot sec.
Wanting a change of scenery, I moved to Savannah, GA to pursue a BFA in Motion Design at SCAD. I had a swell internship in Detroit with the rascals at Gunner (shout out to the Taco truck!) in the middle of college. In my senior year, I met some rad folks from BUCK NY during CoMotion - our student run Motion Design conference - and next thing I knew I was living in the big city moving pixels alongside those same people.
¿Que es ser Mexicano?
Straying from your home city is something I am very familiar with. How do you grapple with homesickness and I am curious as to whether you see yourself returning back to Mexico City? What is the animation scene like there?
Oooof, moving to Canada hit me HARD. I already had a group of friends in el D.F. (Mexico City), favourite ice cream place, weekend plans, and an incredibly thick accent that Canadian kids would snicker at because I would say “weefee” instead of “wifi”.
Homesickness then involved a lot of Club Penguin meet ups with Mexican friends, blasting PXNDX (Mexican band) in my room, and a refusal to heed to my parents’ rule to “only speak English” in their well-intentioned attempts to have my brother and I assimilate into a culture I quickly felt did not want me.
I was very stubborn - the moment I first set foot in Toronto I was already planning my eventual return to Mexico, which in retrospect both helped and hindered my ability to accept my current circumstances and make the most of it. Nowadays, I acknowledge my homesickness by spending time with the Mexican friends I have made here and routine phone calls with my family. Mi abuelita is a chef so sometimes she will send me some of her baked goods and salsas. I try to go back to Mexico every other year to catch up with loved ones and stuff myself with nostalgic dishes too.
I am not super familiar with the animation scene back in el D.F. People are mad creative there though, and there’s constant design festivals, exhibitions and just weird happenings to inspire. The one D.F.-based motion graphics studio I found while in college is Homeboy Estudio, I’m a big fan (still remember screaming when they followed me back on IG).
I still got my baby Vero plans of moving back to el D.F., but I’m not pressed for time and I feel more hopeful seeing how many of us have adapted to WFH lifestyles.
Oooof, moving to Canada hit me HARD. I already had a group of friends in el D.F. (Mexico City), favourite ice cream place, weekend plans, and an incredibly thick accent that Canadian kids would snicker at because I would say “weefee” instead of “wifi”.
Homesickness then involved a lot of Club Penguin meet ups with Mexican friends, blasting PXNDX (Mexican band) in my room, and a refusal to heed to my parents’ rule to “only speak English” in their well-intentioned attempts to have my brother and I assimilate into a culture I quickly felt did not want me.
I was very stubborn - the moment I first set foot in Toronto I was already planning my eventual return to Mexico, which in retrospect both helped and hindered my ability to accept my current circumstances and make the most of it. Nowadays, I acknowledge my homesickness by spending time with the Mexican friends I have made here and routine phone calls with my family. Mi abuelita is a chef so sometimes she will send me some of her baked goods and salsas. I try to go back to Mexico every other year to catch up with loved ones and stuff myself with nostalgic dishes too.
I am not super familiar with the animation scene back in el D.F. People are mad creative there though, and there’s constant design festivals, exhibitions and just weird happenings to inspire. The one D.F.-based motion graphics studio I found while in college is Homeboy Estudio, I’m a big fan (still remember screaming when they followed me back on IG).
I still got my baby Vero plans of moving back to el D.F., but I’m not pressed for time and I feel more hopeful seeing how many of us have adapted to WFH lifestyles.
BUCK x SheaMoisture: It Comes Naturally
I am curious as to what inspires you? People, art, animation, whatever!
So cliche - definitely my ma! I grew up in a matriarchal family. She’s always been a hard worker, and she moved her family to a vastly different country and made it look easy (when it 100% wasn’t). She lives with such grace, kindness and loving energy AND is not to be messed with - truly an icon. Music inspires me a ton! I grew up making music videos for punk bands and GIFs of all my favourite dad rock musicians. One thing I miss from pre-pandemic times is going to live concerts on the reg. My culture, my background and my people inspire me. Every time I go to Mexico I got 200 new project ideas. Another cliche but any time I see a brown or Black or Queer kid being themselves... that’s the stuff I live for. I get all in my feels about it.
What do you enjoy most about working as an animator? What skills and or qualities do you think are valuable for those wanting to pursue animation?
Love being constantly on my toes. I tend to get bored of routine, so the range of projects and versatility of skills needed keeps me excited. I especially enjoy working with others. I feel all my favourite projects are when I work in a team and we all bounce off of each other and know where each person can excel. So with that being said, being a team player is huge in animation. You don’t have to be the best of the best - just be able to share ideas and exude good vibes. Also knowing that it’s ok to ask for help or admit that you’re struggling. Everyone is there to support each other and it’s better than suffering in silence.
Love being constantly on my toes. I tend to get bored of routine, so the range of projects and versatility of skills needed keeps me excited. I especially enjoy working with others. I feel all my favourite projects are when I work in a team and we all bounce off of each other and know where each person can excel. So with that being said, being a team player is huge in animation. You don’t have to be the best of the best - just be able to share ideas and exude good vibes. Also knowing that it’s ok to ask for help or admit that you’re struggling. Everyone is there to support each other and it’s better than suffering in silence.
BUCK x Facebook: World Mental Health Day
Working as an animator at Buck NY is kind of a dream job for a lot of people. What is it like working for such a prestigious creative studio? Do you have any advice for anyone working towards such a goal?
Everyone is just a breathing blob made out of gooey liquids and meat! Sometimes I forget the ~prestige~ of BUCK or the IG reputation of creatives here because we will have full on debates about what the best Shrek movie is (Shrek 2 btw) or cook ramen from scratch in the studio kitchen together. My advice is nothing new: just be yourself and don’t cave into the ~motion industry hierarchy~. Get to know folks as people, not glorified keyboard tappers.
Also: technical skills aren’t everything. I would argue that a strong concept will get you further. This is not to say that one shouldn’t refine their practical knowledge, but it’s more of an encouragement to find your voice and the unique take on every project. Your perspective is the golden nugget!
Everyone is just a breathing blob made out of gooey liquids and meat! Sometimes I forget the ~prestige~ of BUCK or the IG reputation of creatives here because we will have full on debates about what the best Shrek movie is (Shrek 2 btw) or cook ramen from scratch in the studio kitchen together. My advice is nothing new: just be yourself and don’t cave into the ~motion industry hierarchy~. Get to know folks as people, not glorified keyboard tappers.
Also: technical skills aren’t everything. I would argue that a strong concept will get you further. This is not to say that one shouldn’t refine their practical knowledge, but it’s more of an encouragement to find your voice and the unique take on every project. Your perspective is the golden nugget!
Are there any particular projects that you are most proud of?
Super excited to gas up the Pride Zine passion project some of us have been developing for months! Give Us Our Flowers is a riso zine and global archive of Queer revolutionaries of colour worldwide that was fully and independantly conceptualized by LGBTQ2IA+ folk in the studio.
We wanted to shine a light on Queer POC who have shook up the world for the better but who tend to be left out of the popular LGBTQ2IA+ narrative. When we sent out a call for BUCK artists to contribute, we where overwhelmed with the excitement of talent that approached us to lend their skills for a project that we hold close to our lil gay hearts.
The title we owe to on-the-ground Black Trans led protests, notably the weekly Stonewall demonstrations in NYC. The phrase, “give us our flowers while we are living” is often said in these spaces and reminds us to fully love and support Black Trans folk always, not just during times of tragedy.
The zine drops in July and we’re so excited for others to learn about these inspirational Queer folk in history and in the present who we all owe a lot to. All proceeds will go to Queer BIPOC mutual aid intitiatives, including the Stonewall protests!
Super excited to gas up the Pride Zine passion project some of us have been developing for months! Give Us Our Flowers is a riso zine and global archive of Queer revolutionaries of colour worldwide that was fully and independantly conceptualized by LGBTQ2IA+ folk in the studio.
We wanted to shine a light on Queer POC who have shook up the world for the better but who tend to be left out of the popular LGBTQ2IA+ narrative. When we sent out a call for BUCK artists to contribute, we where overwhelmed with the excitement of talent that approached us to lend their skills for a project that we hold close to our lil gay hearts.
The title we owe to on-the-ground Black Trans led protests, notably the weekly Stonewall demonstrations in NYC. The phrase, “give us our flowers while we are living” is often said in these spaces and reminds us to fully love and support Black Trans folk always, not just during times of tragedy.
The zine drops in July and we’re so excited for others to learn about these inspirational Queer folk in history and in the present who we all owe a lot to. All proceeds will go to Queer BIPOC mutual aid intitiatives, including the Stonewall protests!
Give Us Our Flowers: A Global Archive of Queer POC Rebels
Outside of animation and design, I see you are a very outspoken and passionate advocate for social justice. I admire your ability to articulate your point of view and to tie the work you do to causes and social issues that matter. Tell us what is important to you and what drives you?
What’s imperative for people to understand is that a lot of us who are working towards abolition do this because there is no other alternative for us. If you’re not white, or cisgender, or male, or straight, or a citizen, or neurotypical, or able-bodied, you find out sooner rather than later the realities of living in our white supremacist society.
When I was younger I placed a lot of importance in representing the misrepresented in my creative work - in bringing diverse voices into the conversation and attempting to shift perceptions and types of projects by example. In the last year or so, I’ve switched gears. Now that society seems to acknowledge our existence, it’s about understanding that there is a LOT of work to be done. Everyone has a role in the revolution, and it’s long overdue for us to kick it into high gear and shift from awareness to action. Think critically of your role and understand that the work is continuous and evolving. Send funds directly to folks in need, be a body on the ground during a protest, shop at minority-owned small businesses, provide meals or clothes for mutual aid drives, create reliable and informational resources, amplify grassroot initiatives, check in on loved ones, challenge oppressive practices in the workplace and at home.
Liberation for all people is what drives me. Intersectionality is key: know that when Black Trans women are free, we are all free.
I am curious to hear what you think companies and we, as the individuals who work within them, can do to help?
In response to the murder of George Floyd and mass civil unrest, many companies started Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees, reevaluation of hiring practices, donation matching, and flourished IG posts promising internal change. It’s interesting to look back on these now and realize what has and has not been accomplished. At the end of the day, it is an oxymoron to work in a capitalist system and expect liberation. However, that doesn’t mean nothing can change. I encourage folk to examine the practices within workplaces you’re in and speak up when there is more to be done (there always is!). Also understanding the power in numbers. If you notice one or two people voicing initiatives you agree with, unmute yourself on the video chat and make it clear you support it! I promise you the original speaker will appreciate it, and it demonstrates that this is not an isolated thought, thus boosting the likelihood of the initiative being implemented.
Some initiative thought starters: has your workplace publicly shared their demographics? What are the hiring practices? What does retention look like based on different identities? How is the DEI committee run? Are there safe spaces established? How does the company address instances of racism/sexism/xenophobia/ableism/homophobia/transphobia? Are the onboarding practices inclusive? Are folks in leading positions attending anti racism workshops and bias training?
When we last spoke you had a lot going on! Freelance work, moving, full time work etc. What do you do to balance yourself? What are you excited about for the future?
Whew still got a lot happening now!! My rule of thumb is to keep my weekends work-free - at least as far as animation work is concerned. I always eat breakfast (best meal of the day)! And I try - but fail many times - to take walk breaks. Going to therapy and seeing close friends on the regular helps keep me grounded.
I’m excited for live concerts to be a thing again :’) Excited to hopefully see my family before 2022, excited to be part of a revolution and where it will take us in 1-10 years’ time.
What’s imperative for people to understand is that a lot of us who are working towards abolition do this because there is no other alternative for us. If you’re not white, or cisgender, or male, or straight, or a citizen, or neurotypical, or able-bodied, you find out sooner rather than later the realities of living in our white supremacist society.
When I was younger I placed a lot of importance in representing the misrepresented in my creative work - in bringing diverse voices into the conversation and attempting to shift perceptions and types of projects by example. In the last year or so, I’ve switched gears. Now that society seems to acknowledge our existence, it’s about understanding that there is a LOT of work to be done. Everyone has a role in the revolution, and it’s long overdue for us to kick it into high gear and shift from awareness to action. Think critically of your role and understand that the work is continuous and evolving. Send funds directly to folks in need, be a body on the ground during a protest, shop at minority-owned small businesses, provide meals or clothes for mutual aid drives, create reliable and informational resources, amplify grassroot initiatives, check in on loved ones, challenge oppressive practices in the workplace and at home.
Liberation for all people is what drives me. Intersectionality is key: know that when Black Trans women are free, we are all free.
I am curious to hear what you think companies and we, as the individuals who work within them, can do to help?
In response to the murder of George Floyd and mass civil unrest, many companies started Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees, reevaluation of hiring practices, donation matching, and flourished IG posts promising internal change. It’s interesting to look back on these now and realize what has and has not been accomplished. At the end of the day, it is an oxymoron to work in a capitalist system and expect liberation. However, that doesn’t mean nothing can change. I encourage folk to examine the practices within workplaces you’re in and speak up when there is more to be done (there always is!). Also understanding the power in numbers. If you notice one or two people voicing initiatives you agree with, unmute yourself on the video chat and make it clear you support it! I promise you the original speaker will appreciate it, and it demonstrates that this is not an isolated thought, thus boosting the likelihood of the initiative being implemented.
Some initiative thought starters: has your workplace publicly shared their demographics? What are the hiring practices? What does retention look like based on different identities? How is the DEI committee run? Are there safe spaces established? How does the company address instances of racism/sexism/xenophobia/ableism/homophobia/transphobia? Are the onboarding practices inclusive? Are folks in leading positions attending anti racism workshops and bias training?
When we last spoke you had a lot going on! Freelance work, moving, full time work etc. What do you do to balance yourself? What are you excited about for the future?
Whew still got a lot happening now!! My rule of thumb is to keep my weekends work-free - at least as far as animation work is concerned. I always eat breakfast (best meal of the day)! And I try - but fail many times - to take walk breaks. Going to therapy and seeing close friends on the regular helps keep me grounded.
I’m excited for live concerts to be a thing again :’) Excited to hopefully see my family before 2022, excited to be part of a revolution and where it will take us in 1-10 years’ time.
We'd like to thank Vero for taking the time to answer our questions and we hope you've enjoyed the Third Edition of our Spotlight! Special thanks to Irene Feleo for her work in this wonderful interview full of insights and wisdom and for championing our voices forward.
Panimation NYC was started by Emily Suvanvej and Dorca Musseb in 2017. In 2018, Irene Feleo joined us as an admin. Panimation was started in London by Bee Grandinetti, Linn Fritz and Hedvig Alhberg in 2015. Visit our international directory to find underrepresented motion artists at panimation.tv. Our work is done on a volunteer basis and you can help keep us going by donating to our Patreon. Visit our Panimation IG account to see the work of our talented, diverse members who showcase their beautiful creations every week.
Panimation NYC was started by Emily Suvanvej and Dorca Musseb in 2017. In 2018, Irene Feleo joined us as an admin. Panimation was started in London by Bee Grandinetti, Linn Fritz and Hedvig Alhberg in 2015. Visit our international directory to find underrepresented motion artists at panimation.tv. Our work is done on a volunteer basis and you can help keep us going by donating to our Patreon. Visit our Panimation IG account to see the work of our talented, diverse members who showcase their beautiful creations every week.
Thanks to all our volunteers that put together this newsletter: Emily Suvanvej, Irene Feleo, Dorca Musseb, Jordan Knight, Liz DiBello, Melody Shih and Sabrina Chaney. To all the members of our community, thank you for your amazing and continued support. We truly appreciate all of you! You lovely, lovely people!!! We wouldn’t exist without you!