Ludrick Fortune shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Ludrick, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d like to think that im wandering. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a creative or an artist, but I never knew what that looked like. One day, I would draw, and the next day, I would try to animate frame by frame in PowerPoint. That sort of routine stuck with me since I was a kid.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ludrick J. Fortune, and I’m a Designer & Animator based in St. Louis, MO. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with storytelling through motion. Movies like Meet the Robinsons, Treasure Planet, and Surf’s Up taught me how powerful animation can be. They could make me smile, laugh, and cry all within the same hour. That emotional range is what inspired me to create work that evokes feelings in others as well.
I’ve come a long way from obsessing over Pixar and Disney movies. Now, I get to collaborate with talented creatives from all over the world to bring ideas to life, crafting engaging visuals for brands like Intel, Google, Microsoft, and more. Whether it’s design, animation, or world-building, I’m always chasing that mix of wonder and emotion that first pulled me in.
When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me experimenting with my new Fujifilm camera, deep-diving into One Piece theory videos, or hanging out with my cat, Chicken, who usually plays the role of my creative director, landlord and manager.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when my sister became seriously sick while I was away in college. It created a sudden shift in my family. Everything felt fragile, and I struggled with being far from home and unable to help. Watching the people I love worry and trying to stay strong from a distance forced me to grow up fast. It showed me how quickly life can change and how important it is to show up for the people who matter, even when you feel helpless.
That experience pushed me to focus on what I could control: my work, my growth, and building a future that could support my family. Along the way, I landed a few jobs that helped me understand the industry from the inside out, doing everything I could to prove myself and move forward. But even then, I realized that working hard wasn’t enough. I had to work smart and trust my instincts. That realization eventually led me to make the jump into freelancing.
As a freelancer, I wasn’t just a creative anymore. I had to become a producer, an art director, and a business owner all at once. Each role came with its own set of lessons, but they shaped me into someone who can adapt, carry responsibility, and turn pressure into momentum.
Those moments taught me resilience, intentionality, and that real growth rarely happens in comfort. It happens in uncertainty, when everything feels heavy and you choose to keep going anyway.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Be proud of who you are. There will be people who try to tell you who you should be. Some people might try to tell you what you should like, how you should act, even how you should smile. Don’t let any of that noise drown out your own voice.
You already know what’s right and wrong, and you already know who you are. Trust that feeling and believe in yourself, even when it feels like no one else does. The confidence you’re searching for is already in you. You just have to let it speak.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A project I’m committed to, no matter how long it takes, is a video postcard series inspired by my childhood and the nostalgia that still anchors me.
A few years ago, I made a simple 3D series called 3 Days of Fall. It followed a small bird through cozy autumn scenes and taught me how much I love creating atmosphere and emotion. Recently, I flipped through my photo album that my family made for me when I was younger, and it brought me right back to my life in Brooklyn. Corner stores. Early mornings on the 3 train, Bergen Bagels, laundromats, and all the little details that made me who I am.
I wanted to capture that feeling in my work, blending childhood memories with the visual style I love today, especially the energy and texture of films like Into the Spider-Verse. Each postcard is a moment from my past, reimagined through the artist I have become.
I am committed to this project for as long as it takes because it feels like a love letter to my beginnings and a reminder of why I create in the first place.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had ten years left, I would stop worrying about what’s next and finally let myself live in the moment. I’ve always wanted to travel. Back in high school, I wanted to be a travel photographer. I would binge Andrew T. Kearns videos and imagine myself living that kind of life: a camera, a cozy car, the open road, and endless places to explore.
That dream didn’t die as I got older, but it definitely got pushed to the side. Work, responsibility, and life just made it harder to put first. So if I knew my time was limited, I’d stop delaying it. I’d spend my years exploring the world, taking photos, meeting people, and eating incredible food. I’d choose curiosity and joy over planning and worrying every time.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JaePSD
Image Credits
Photographed by Kate Herrera
