[ ABOUT ME ]
Hello,
I'm David.
A creative director and motion designer trained by hand and fluent in every tool since. I build brands, move images and solve visual problems for people who value thinking over output.
[ Based in ]
Victoria, BC, Canada
PST · Working worldwide
[ Status ]
Now booking 2027
Enquiries welcome
[ Experience ]
15+ years
Asia · Europe · North America
[ 01 / 04 ]
Background
Trained by hand. 15+ years of adopting constant change.
© Mortal Pixels
The short version
Human thinking for a machine-made age.
I help brands, agencies and filmmakers turn complex ideas into images that move people. The tools have changed many times over my career, from pen and ink to software to AI. The thinking hasn’t.
I learned design at College in Sydney, then spent a decade in agencies, leading video at Naked Communications and art directing at Red Bean Republic, for clients like Unilever and Adidas. Since moving to Canada I have designed for Sundance-winning documentaries, global tech brands and the BC Government, where I lead visual brand design.
I listen before I design. I ask the second question, find the real problem, and only then reach for the tools. That part can’t be automated, and it is the part I care about most.
David O.
David Ochudzawa
Creative problem solver · Mortal Pixels
[ 02 / 04 ]
Principles
Four beliefs Mortal Pixels runs on.
01
The brief is a conversation.
Every project starts by listening. I ask questions until the real problem is clear, because a beautiful answer to the wrong question is still wrong.
Discipline
02
Trained by hand.
I learned with pen, ink and paper long before software. That discipline still shapes every frame: considered type, honest composition, and motion that moves with purpose.
Discipline
03
Understanding outlasts trends.
The strongest work comes from real working relationships. When I understand your people, goals and audience, the result is sharper, more effective, and built to endure.
Discipline
04
Tools serve the idea.
New tools speed up the making. They never make the decisions. Taste, judgement and care stay firmly in human hands.
Discipline
[ 03 / 04 ]
Journey
Six chapters, one through-line.
2026
Mortal Pixels
Victoria, BC · worldwide
Independent practice
Creative direction, motion and brand work under a new name for clients worldwide, built on craft and close listening.
2017
BC Government
Visual Communications Officer
In-house leadership
Built the Province’s social look and feel, led COVID-19 visuals, and trained 100+ staff across 17 ministries.
2015
Sundance Grand Jury Prize
The Russian Woodpecker
Documentary
Design Lead and motion graphics on the World Cinema Documentary winner. Animation meets story.
2013
Went independent
D/O · Australia to Canada
New chapter
Started freelancing in motion and brand design, then moved to Victoria, BC, working with clients across three continents.
2007
Agency years
Naked · Red Bean · Blow
Agency life
Head of Video at Naked Communications, Art Director at Red Bean Republic, then Director of Video Production at Blow in Sydney.
2001
Where it started
APC Australia · Sydney
First studio
Trained in graphic design at TAFE, then designed print, identity and my first animations. Taught myself motion from there.
[ 04 / 04 ]
Toolkit
The kit — hand, software, craft.
After Effects
-01
Motion
Tier S · Daily
Illustrator
-02
Design
Tier S · Daily
Photoshop
-03
Image
Tier S · Daily
Pen & paper
-04
Ideas
Tier S · Daily
Cinema 4D
-05
3D
Tier A · Weekly
InDesign
-06
Tier A · Weekly
Figma
-07
UI
Tier A · Weekly
Canva
-08
Systems
Tier A · Weekly
Now you Know me.
Based in Victoria, BC · PST