John Lepore

Join industry heavyweights like Andrew Reed from Sequoia Capital, a champion for founders, and John LePore, co-founder of Black Box Infinite, as they explore the evolution of futuristic UI and storytelling in tech. Marty Ringlein from Agree.com shares insights on integrating e-signatures and payments, while Nairi Tashjian Hourdajian discusses vibrant community engagement strategies at Figma. Designer Elliot Jay Stocks dives deep into typography's evolution, promising fresh perspectives on design in an AI-driven world.

Join industry disruptors Ryan Summers, a motion design visionary, and John LePore, co-founder of Black Box Infinite, as they navigate the future of motion design. They discuss the rising importance of strategic creativity and how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping storytelling. The conversation highlights the gap between order-takers and tastemakers, emphasizing the need for designers to adapt to new client expectations. They explore immersive experiences in entertainment, urging professionals to balance innovative storytelling with technical skills for success.

Join Ryan Summers, a senior creative director at Spilt known for his expertise in visual effects, and John Lepore, a creative consultant with 16 years at Perception NYC specializing in tech design, as they explore the evolving landscape of motion design. They discuss the profound influence of the 'Spider-Verse' franchise, the significance of community among creatives, and the importance of adaptability in a tech-driven future. Their insightful anecdotes and reflections reveal a bright road ahead for motion design, encouraging collaboration and innovation.

John LePore, Co-founder of Black Box Infinite and VFX veteran from Marvel films, joins the conversation on cutting-edge tech. He discusses the immersive F1 app development for Apple Vision Pro, exploring how it can redefine the viewing experience. The talk also dives into the future of self-driving tech, analyzing Tesla's advancements and safety features. Additionally, they explore how fiction influences real-world tech and Stripe's acquisition of Bridge, which could revolutionize stablecoin adoption in e-commerce.

It's that time of year again—the School of Motion End of Year Podcast is here, and this one is our longest yet... by a lot. Buckle up for an in-depth look at everything that shaped motion design in 2025, and a look ahead to 2026! 🗒️ SHOW NOTES https://schoolofmotion.com/eoy2025 This year, we're joined by 17 industry veterans and special guests to break down what "motion design" even means anymore, how AI is actually being used in production, and the real state of the motion design economy. We cover major software updates from Adobe, Maxon, Unreal Engine, and more, discuss the recovery of the VFX industry, and explore how motion designers are expanding into UX, real-time graphics, and interactive experiences. This podcast represents our commitment to helping motion designers understand the bigger picture and make informed decisions about their careers. Thanks for being part of the School of Motion community this year! THANK YOU to this year's contributors: John LePore - Co-Founder, Blackbox Infinite Ivan Witteborg - UX Motion Designer, @Google Justin Cone - Executive Director of Communication, Buck & Residence @SternFX - Motion Designer & Educator Kyle Hamrick - Motion Designer, Editor & Educator Bekki Leahy - Motion Designer & Illustrator Greg Stewart - Lead Animator, @bibleproject @JJMotionStudio - Director & High Torchbearer, We Ride at Dawn @sweetboy.motion - 3D Artist & Educator Urban Bradesko - Founder, @DoubleJumpAcademy & Crispy Chicken VFX Dan Maurer - Co-founder, @cartandhorse Kris Bargen - Co-founder, @cartandhorse Erin Sarofsky - Owner & Creative Director, Sarofsky PJ Richardson - ECD, Director & Co-founder, Laundry @thejoelpilger - Founder, Forum Hayley Akins - Founder, @MotionHatch Caleb Ward - Founder, @curiousrefuge 👉 CHAPTERS 👈 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:15 Motion Design Present & Future 00:17:54 School of Motion Roundup 00:31:10 Our Favorite Work from 2025 00:52:26 Artists & Studios We Loved in 2025 01:20:24 The State of Adobe 01:32:42 Photoshop & Illustrator 01:43:10 After Effects 01:53:13 Premiere 02:06:12 Substance Painter 02:14:43 Figma on Our Minds 02:26:53 Descript FTW 02:28:43 Affinity: Adobe Killer? 02:38:22 Here Comes the Cavalry 02:54:00 The Rive Lovefest 03:27:51 Lottifiles Update 03:32:22 Greyscalegorilla Merger & More 03:36:05 Maxon's Moves 03:51:56 The Autograph Curveball 03:58:41 Will Blender Blend? 04:22:09 Houdini Happenings 04:29:17 Unreal is Unreal 04:55:14 Lottielab 04:57:27 Simulon 05:00:34 Spline & Hana 05:04:18 Womp Womp 05:09:09 Nomad Sculpt 05:13:22 Zbrush 05:16:00 Ad Industry Consolidation 05:25:49 Marketing Budgets Spread Thin 05:32:19 The Great Bifurcation 05:51:14 Pour One Out for The Mill 05:52:28 National Design Studio 05:53:00 Ben Fryc Makes a Keyboard 05:58:47 Contra is Cool 06:00:31 A New Vimeo? 06:05:42 The Motion Economy 06:16:18 Macroeconomic Trends 06:21:28 Return to Office 06:26:11 The Two Races 06:32:33 The Lost Art of Communication 06:54:21 The Race to the Top 07:21:17 The AI Conversation 07:23:22 Adobe's AI Play 07:37:11 Weavy & ComfyUI 07:49:52 MoveAI 07:53:51 Cascadeur 07:59:46 AI Image Generator Roundup 08:10:53 Firefly & Boards 08:17:41 AI Video Models 08:32:05 The AI Financial Bubble 08:39:16 The AI Vibe Shift 09:04:55 AI's Utility 09:26:01 THAT Coke Ad 09:31:42 How Artists Actually Use AI 09:41:38 The AI Ethics Question 09:49:29 2026 Predictions 🎓 SCHOOL OF MOTION COURSES MENTIONED School of Motion All-Access: https://schoolofmotion.com/all-access School of Motion Team Training: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/training-for-teams Courses & workshops coming soon: https://www.schoolofmotion.com/coming-soon