Aardman

Selected projects from Aardman Animations

Aardman is known for its warmth, creativity, and character, all qualities that shaped the projects I worked on during my 7 years there as a freelance senior designer. From Wallace & Gromit to BBC Bitesize, I helped create playful, visually rich digital experiences that blended storytelling with purpose.

The work spanned education, culture, and public engagement, and included BAFTA and BIMA award-winning collaborations like the Tate Movie Project, as well as projects for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Gruffalo, and CBBC.

Music inc

Game designer

Mobile & tablet game for the IPO

The UK music industry loses millions each year to piracy, with many young people unaware of its long-term impact. To address this, the Intellectual Property Office partnered with Aardman to create Music Inc, an educational game for mobile and tablet devices. The game helps players understand how piracy affects artists and the wider industry by making its consequences more tangible.

As a Game Designer at Aardman, I simplified the complexity of a role-playing game to create an intuitive, engaging experience for a teenage audience. The result was a dynamic blend of gameplay and in-game statistics that made the industry’s challenges feel tangible and relatable. Music Inc was recognised with a TIGA nomination for Best Educational Game.

Words from the client…

Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office

Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office

Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office
Music Inc has been a huge success with over 200,000 players on over half a million devices. We have engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people who we hope now have a better understanding of how a modern music business works. It highlights the hundreds of different jobs available to young people who have a passion for the industry. We are thrilled that so many music fans are enjoying Music Inc.

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music
Games provide a powerful way to simulate situations while stimulating thought around them. Music Inc presents a microcosm of the real music industry with all of the exhilaration and pressure that comes with setting up your own music company. From the humble beginning of a simple bedroom studio through to running a mighty musical empire Mr. Cowell would be proud of – Music Inc lets you do all this virtually, inspiring young minds to get out there and try it for real.

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman
We were asked to create an engaging app based on a music theme that would target the UK youth market who may currently illegally download creative works. So we made a simulation game which aligns the player’s plight with the real issues of music piracy; by putting players in charge of their own stable of artists to experience first-hand the result of illegal downloads, without the message becoming overbearing.

Aardman Press Office

Impact

Aardman’s Music Inc combined gameplay with social impact, engaging teenage players while tackling digital piracy head-on.

Charted at number 10 in its UK games category

In the first few days the game achieved over 23400+ hours of game play (975 days of game play), 55,200+ artists were bought, over 5 million songs created

Music inc was nominated for a prestigious TIGA award

The majority of players, 76%, made positive decisions around piracy within the game

The game was released to incredibly positive reactions and promoted on BBC, ITV, Sky, The Sun and by numerous other broadcast, print and online channels

Escargot Escape Artistes

Game designer

Mobile & tablet game for CBBC

Escargot Escape Artistes is a BAFTA-nominated auto-runner game for CBBC, developed by Aardman. The concept came from a 12-year-old viewer following a competition on the CBBC show Appsolute Genius. Set in whimsical, vintage Paris, players guide a plucky snail up the Eiffel Tower, dodging flaming bulbs, rolling traps, and a hot-headed chef.

I designed the user interface and logo, aligning the elegant Art Nouveau visuals with fast-paced gameplay. The result is a playful experience that blends rich design with classic French animation charm.

Which Shakespeare character are you?

Game designer

Game for BBC Bitesize & Royal Shakespeare Company

Which Shakespeare Character Are You? is a playful personality quiz designed for BBC Bitesize and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Aimed at children aged 7–11, it encourages curiosity about Shakespeare through humour and interaction. I created the UI and visual style, helping deliver an experience that blends learning with creativity.

Children answer a series of character-based questions and are matched with a Shakespearean role, complete with custom avatars, character facts, and quotes voiced by RSC actors.

Tate movie project

Digital designer

Award winning digital platform for Tate & CBBC

The Tate Movie Project was a groundbreaking collaboration between Tate, CBBC and Aardman Animations, inviting over 34,000 children to help create an animated film by contributing artwork, characters and ideas online.

Working with the Aardman Digital team, I designed key areas of the site, from the homepage and dashboard to the avatar creator and sign-up flow. Making it fun and easy for children to take part in the filmmaking process.

The final film, The Itch of the Golden Nit, featured a star cast and was broadcast on BBC2. The project won a BAFTA in the Interactive category and a BIMA award, recognising its creative ambition and user-led design.

The Gruffalo

digital designer

Website for Macmillian

The Gruffalo website was created to bring Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved characters to life online. Commissioned as the official home of The Gruffalo, the site needed to balance two distinct audiences: curious parents looking for information, and children eager to explore the story’s world.

I designed a responsive, interactive experience that captured the warmth and charm of the original books. The result is a playful, storybook-inspired site that feels rich and true to the brand’s heritage.

“It was really exciting for us to be able to work with such a well-loved character and Axel’s beautiful illustrations. We really tried to give the interactive area the feeling of one of the books, letting kids find the animals and acorns hidden in this rich digital environment.”

George Rowe
Senior Producer – Aardman

SHOW ME, SHOW ME

Digital designer

Games & website for CBeebies

Show Me, Show Me is a popular CBeebies show designed around Early Years Foundation Stage principles. Working with Aardman, I helped bring its playful world to life online with a suite of bright, interactive games and a “playroom in the sky” hub.

I created the resources distinctive visual style and designed inclusive activities that encourage movement, creativity, and problem solving. The games introduced the brand to mobile and tablet audiences for the first time, offering a joyful, screen-friendly extension of the show.

Wallace & gromit

Print & digital designer

Print, animation & websites for Aardman

I worked with Aardman Digital on a range of projects for their beloved characters, including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Timmy Time. For the Wallace & Gromit website, I created a series of animations and helped shape key sections of the site.

Alongside the digital work, I designed printed materials aimed at engaging younger fans—bringing the charm and humour of the brand to life across different formats.

Alongside the digital work, I designed printed materials aimed at engaging younger fans, bringing the charm and humour of the brand to life across different formats.

Aardman

Aardman

Selected projects from Aardman Animations

Music inc

Music inc

Music inc

Game designer

Mobile & tablet game for the IPO

Words from the client…

Jo DippleCEO – UK Music

Dan EferganCreative Director – Aardman

Aardman Press Office

Jo DippleCEO – UK Music

Dan EferganCreative Director – Aardman

Aardman Press Office

Jo DippleCEO – UK Music

Dan EferganCreative Director – Aardman

Aardman Press Office

Impact

Escargot Escape Artistes

Escargot Escape Artistes

Escargot Escape Artistes

Game designer

Mobile & tablet game for CBBC

Which Shakespeare character are you?

Which Shakespeare character are you?

Which Shakespeare character are you?

Game designer

Game for BBC Bitesize & Royal Shakespeare Company

Tate movie project

Tate movie project

Tate movie project

Digital designer

Award winning digital platform for Tate & CBBC

The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo

digital designer

Website for Macmillian

George Rowe Senior Producer – Aardman

SHOW ME, SHOW ME

SHOW ME, SHOW ME

SHOW ME, SHOW ME

Digital designer

Games & website for CBeebies

Wallace & gromit

Wallace & gromit

Wallace & gromit

Print & digital designer

Print, animation & websites for Aardman

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman

Jo Dipple
CEO – UK Music

Dan Efergan
Creative Director – Aardman

George Rowe
Senior Producer – Aardman