Studio Killers is an electropop virtual band of British-Finnish-Danish origins founded in 2007, featuring multimedia animated characters; vocalist and designer Cherry, keyboardist Goldie Foxx, and DJ Dyna Mink. The band members keep their identities unknown, and all fan interaction is done via their cartoon alter-egos.
While the fictional character Cherry is credited as the band artist, the actual character designer and animator behind the band is Finnish animator, visual, and character designer Eliza Jäppinen, who’s very prolific in her own right, having co-founded Anima Boutique, one of the top animation studios in Finnland. (Studio Killers lineup, biography | Last.fm)
During an interview, Jäppinen describes pinning down Cherrys’ design, and the experience of drawing her; “[Cherry] – to me she’s a real person. She’s not me, she’s not one of the singers. She’s like a spirit. When I drew her, when I heard her song, I was like, ‘There you are! Let me look at you! I’ve finally caught her, like a Pokemon.’” (Motionographer® SPECTRUM: Eliza Jappinen)
In an overview of Studio Killers’ animated music videos, there is a delicious combination of 2D and 3D work, and some incredibly excellent-looking interaction between their different methods, especially in their debut 2011 animated music video “Ode to the Bouncer”
Beholders beware, it’s very saucy. Warning for references to violence, sex, drugs, and dancing.
Studio Killers work is illustrative, innovative, and goregeous. It has a flow, and they have the ambition to branch out (look them up, they have a 2D animated series pilot!) I love the mixed styles, the texture, and the grittiness that they add to their 3D models. I delight in the symbolism and artistic flair in their music videos and character designs.
Studio Killers – Jenny (I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Motionographer® SPECTRUM: Eliza Jappinen
Ode To The Bouncer [Scribble Kibble #15]
Studio Killers 404 – December 17th 10am PST.
Eros and Apollo – Studio Killers
Ode To The Bouncer – Studio Killers