why motiongnome?

why motiongnome?

Alicia Gnomie Allen is a
motion designer for illustration.
hello @ aliciagnomieallen.com

Motiongnome isn’t just a moniker; it’s a testament to my journey in the motion design industry, a field where women working as creative talent were once a rare sight. Back in 2006, spotting another woman working in motion design was like finding a four-leaf clover. In response, I adopted the alias “motiongnome” - a cheeky nickname given by a peer - to navigate the professional landscape more discreetly.

Though times have changed and the alias is no longer a necessity, "motiongnome" has stuck with me. It's become a badge of my evolution within the industry and a nod to how much we've all progressed in terms of diversity and inclusion.

While I no longer need a cover, I've grown attached to the name Motiongnome. It's a part of my professional identity that reflects my journey and the strides we've made.

Is my middle name really Gnomie? Maybe, maybe not— that’s just one more thing you’ll discover when we work together.

Alicia Allen Reel 2024 Still.png

More more more…

  • Foreign Fauna
    Co-Owner | Producer
    Apr 2022 - present

    Motion504
    Operations
    Oct 2021 - May 2022
    Creative Director
    Jan 2019 - Oct 2021

    Nice Moves MN
    President
    Jan 2019 - Dec 2021
    Board Member
    Jan 2016 - Jan 2019

    NEIGHBOR
    Creative Director
    Jun 2012 - April 2017

    Pixel Farm
    Designer | Animator
    Jan 2010 - May 2012

    Fischer Edit
    After Effects | 3D Artist
    Aug 2007 - Dec 2009

  • motionawards.com

    I first had the honor of being invited by Justin Cone to serve as a judge for Motionographer’s Motion Award in 2016, and I've been a part of it every year since. It’s been both a pleasure and a privilege to return annually and witness the incredible work produced by my exceptionally talented peers from across the globe.

  • minnesotaelectronictheater.org

    Scott Gaff took over the leadership of the Minnesota Electronic Theater (MET), originally established by the Twin Cities chapter of Siggraph, sometime in the 90s. I've been enthralled by his in-depth lectures on the history of computer graphics in the Twin Cities for nearly two decades. And so it was a privilege to join him alongside Emory Allen in 2019, working together to organize and contribute to MET's ongoing showcase of local talent.

  • foreignfauna.com

    In 2017, Emory Allen and I co-founded Foreign Fauna, a creative endeavor brought to life even more with the addition of the talented Grace R. Within the first two years, our studio not only grew in revenue but also provided a platform to support and collaborate with other wildly talented artists in the Twin Cities, including Michael Van Swearingen and Natalia Poteryakhin.

  • neighboranimation.com

    In 2012, I co-founded NEIGHBOR Animation with Rich Haesemeyer, Joe Russo, and Chad Retrum. The initial years were a whirlwind—crazy and stressful—but they taught me invaluable lessons about running a business, growing a team, and building long-term relationships with clients. I'm immensely proud of the work we created and the wonderful experience it provided. Ultimately, it also taught me an important lesson about moving on when the fit is no longer right, rounding out a deeply educational chapter in my professional life.

  • nicemoves.com

    When I graduated in 2007, while many of my peers headed to the coasts where opportunities abounded, I chose to stay put, convinced that great work could flourish in the Midwest as well. My belief in this potential was put into action in 2016 when I co-founded Nice Moves. Alongside Mike Nelson, Andy Lefton, Emory Allen, and Mike Zugschwert, I invested my time and resources into creating a platform that would elevate and showcase the creative talent in our region.