Meet Caroline Kjellberg | Animator & (E)motion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caroline Kjellberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caroline, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think I prefer the word “chance” above “risk”. “Risk” or “risky” feels a bit negative to me, when actually what I know you refer to with this question is something I find extremely positive and empowering. “A chance” is more opening and freeing to me. So these “chances” I believe are ever available for all of us. Of course they appear in smaller and bigger proportions, and some of them force us more out of our comfort zone than others. I believe that it is on the other side of our comfort zone we grow the most. Of course we need to be ready and open to it – forcing ourselves and overwhelming our nervous systems, psyches, hearts, stress levels, etc, even more should never be the choice. We have enough to overwhelm us in the Western society today. Pushing yourself on a date, when you really need a hug from a friend and more time to recover from a previous breakup, is not what I’m about here. I believe “taking a chance” is intimately linked with our individual intuition. Our inner guidance system, which many of us have suppressed through toxic programming, restraining from nature (and our own nature), societal norms and maybe even childhood trauma. I believe the more you practise trusting yourself and that inner voice, the more you also allow yourself to take more and bigger chances. The key word here is trust. Trusting in yourself, that you’re worthy of your dreams and innermost passions, daring to follow the breadcrumbs of your excitement, always reevaluating whether where you find yourself – in your career, your relationships, your living arrangements, etc – is where you feel inspired and happy. Of course everyday can’t be rainbows and vegan chocolate cookies, but most days sure should be. Personally I started my freelance career in animation and motion graphics right after I finished my education. At that point I wasn’t very connected with my inner guidance system, but somehow I still ended up trusting the fact that I felt off in considering applying for a job in a studio. So I chose to give the independant life a chance, and it’s one of the best decisions of my life. This has taken me around the world with my work, allowed me to connect with the most extraordinary people, brands, projects and places, and I get to design how I wish to live my life. I am free to sit where ever I wish and work on this beautiful planet only taking myself into consideration. Sure it can be a lonely lifestyle, so enjoying your own company is a great asset, but there are also expat communities everywhere where freelancers meet and work together.
I personally disagree with a lot of how our society works, and I believe all of humanity deserves and craves more trust in themselves and in each other. If you trust in yourself, taking chances won’t be as scary. We’ve been taught to fear escaping the 9 to 5 wheel and not being able to take care of ourselves and our families. Of course it’ll take some work to change and create a new lifestyle, if that is what you wish for. But the caterpillar also didn’t become the butterfly overnight. It takes will and dedication and persistency – not allowing the fear of the unknown to blur out your vision. You don’t need to know everything. You simply need to take one step, then another, and then another.. Also, what’s the worst that can happen? Try and map out the worst case scenarios. I’m sure, you’ll be able to find a solution even if everything fails. So.. Taking chances is right up my ally and I thank every single one of them for expanding me in my personal life and in my creative endeavours. And I wish for everyone reading this, that they will listen and practice tuning inwards and not seeking validation from the outside, but instead trusting in themselves and their excitement. You are so bloody worthy of your dreams. Actually, it’s a selfish act if you don’t go after these dreams of yours, because then the rest of us will miss out on your delicious gifts. And then this puzzle of life won’t be complete, cause your unique piece is missing. You’re not alone, you got this. We need you.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a freelance animator and motion designer from Denmark who has been working for brands like Calvin Klein, Adobe, Beats by Dre and Universal Music through the past 6 years now. I’ve always loved film and storytelling – especially the ones, that mix video and animation like Space Jam, Mary Poppins and the “Take On Me” music video. Magic has always captivated me, and when I didn’t receive my letter from Hogwarts, I started to find other ways to practice magic, which led me to animation.

Animation also comes from the latin word “anima” which means “spirit/soul”, so I love how my work title corresponds to the act of giving life and spirit to an idea. Call me loco, but this really makes me feel like I am a wizard in my own little universe. The idea of capturing a truth or a story behind a person, a brand or an experience to then emphasise it through imaginative illustrations and animations thrills me. Besides creating products like music videos, concert visuals, logo animations, explaner videos, brand assets, animated portraits, storyboards, covers for musicians and more for clients, I’ve been diving more into experimenting with my own footage mixed with animation and illustration for personal projects, where I display the invisible through my art whether that be dragons and fairies in the woods or how a certain feeling could look like in the material realm.

I’ve travelled the world with my work and lived in places like Santa Barbara, Brisbane, Tokyo and Bali. Being able to travel has helped me expand my interests, my consciousness and my creativity. Now I’m back living in Denmark on a small island on a farm, where I’ve been spending a lot of time the past 2 years healing and taking things slow. I see how I’ve been so zombified by a societal structure – like so many of us – that made me think, I was never enough unless I was creating and doing all the time. Never pausing and simply breathing. Now I’m in the midst of rebuilding myself and my brand and how I would like to show up in the world. A world where suffering is normalised and ignored. I refuse to participate in the continuation of pain and suppression, so I’ve been working hard and still am to let go of old toxic programs. Giving myself time and space, so I slowly can start to participate in life again renewed acting from a place of truth so I can create, soothe and inspire in a way, that makes me feel fulfilled and excited.

I’m beyond thrilled to say, that I’ve already had the pleasure of working with incredible brands, people and NGO’s to spread and create more heart-centered projects, that can help the Earth and humanity instead of spreading noise, fear and lies. I hope to continue down this path and use media as medicine instead of manipulation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Unfortunately I’m not based in Miami, but I’ve heard good things about magical forests, swamps and beaches. I’m more of a nature girl, so I would probably seek out in the less touristy corners and take in nature and eat at local spots.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I lived in Bali for 2 years, and this place has healed me in so many ways. I’ve gone to a lot of different types of therapy over the past few years too. Implementing healthier habits like eating more raw foods, hormone balancing and being in nature. Breath work, TRE nervous system regulations, sauna, ice baths, journaling, community, dance, meditation, studying. Travelling and experiencing other cultures and connecting with new people. And then bookwise I’d like to thank Dr. Gabor Mate and all of his work – especially The Myth of Normal.

Website: carolinekjellberg.com

Instagram: @caroline.kjellberg

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-kjellberg-310568143/

Other: Tiktok: @caroline.kjellberg Animation course: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1513-mixed-media-animation-in-procreate/caroline_kjellberg

Image Credits
Caroline Kjellberg