Ali Majnooni is an Estonia-based Animator and Motion Designer with more than a decade of experience in 2D animation, motion graphics, and game cinematics. In this interview, Ali Majnooni shares his thoughts on storytelling, creative communication, AI-assisted workflows, and why clarity should always come before visual complexity. The conversation explores how animation can transform ideas into memorable experiences that connect with audiences and bring stories to life.
“The sweet spot is when clarity and emotion work together.”
What first sparked your interest in design, and what continues to drive your creativity today?
My journey started with animation. As a kid, I was fascinated by cartoons, games, and movies. I kept asking myself, “How did they make that?” That curiosity eventually turned into a career. Even after more than ten years in the industry, what keeps me motivated is the feeling of bringing an idea to life. Seeing something go from a rough sketch or a simple concept to a finished animation never gets old.
In your view, what makes a design successful? Is it how it feels, how it performs, or something different?
For me, a successful design is one that communicates its message clearly while making people feel something. A design can be beautiful, but if the audience doesn’t understand it, it hasn’t done its job. At the same time, if it’s only functional and has no personality, people won’t remember it. The sweet spot is when clarity and emotion work together.
What do you find most difficult in your design workflow, and how has that difficulty shaped your way of working?
One of the hardest parts is simplifying complex ideas. Many clients know exactly what they want to say, but not how to communicate it visually. Over the years, I’ve learned that my job isn’t just animating or designing—it’s translating ideas into something people can understand in seconds. That challenge has made me more strategic and focused on storytelling.
When designing for attention, which element do you prioritise most: clarity, emotion, or visual appeal—and why?
Clarity always comes first. If people don’t understand the message, you’ve already lost them. Once the message is clear, I use emotion and visual appeal to make it memorable. Especially in animation, grabbing attention is important, but keeping attention is what really matters.
Can you share an example of something that didn’t work as planned? What did it teach you?
Early in my career, I spent a lot of time creating an animation that I thought looked amazing. The motion was smooth, the visuals were great, and technically everything was strong. But when I showed it to the client, they felt the message wasn’t clear enough. It taught me an important lesson: people care more about understanding the story than admiring the technique. Since then, I’ve always put communication before visual complexity.
As design evolves, what change or trend are you most looking forward to—and how do you see it impacting the field?
I’m excited about AI becoming part of the creative process. As someone who also teaches AI-related courses, I see it as a tool rather than a threat. It helps automate repetitive tasks and gives creators more time to focus on ideas, storytelling, and problem-solving. The designers who learn how to work with AI instead of against it will have a huge advantage.
If you could go back, what key advice would you give yourself when starting out in design?
I would tell myself not to be afraid of sharing my work. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to wait until everything feels perfect. But growth comes from putting your work out there, getting feedback, and improving over time. I’d also remind myself that consistency beats talent when talent isn’t consistent. Just keep creating, and the results will come.
Key Facts
- Name: Ali Majnooni
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Specialties: 2D Animation, Motion Graphics, Game Cinematics, Character Animation
- Focus Areas: Storytelling, Visual Communication, Animation Direction, Creative Strategy
- Experience: 10+ years in animation and motion design
- Industries: Games, Entertainment, Education, Brand Content
- Education: Bachelor’s in Digital Communication & Multimedia, Master’s in Game Development
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