Animation Student Spotlight - Lacey Bierle

Discover the journey of Lacey Bierle, a passionate 3D animator, in this Animation Student Spotlight, showcasing her creative process and career aspirations.

“Under these great mentors at iAnimate, I have worked hard to continue to master the craft I have dedicated my life to learning.”

Chasing Dreams in Animation: Spotlight on a Passionate 3D Animator, Lacey Bierle

Meet Lacey Bierle, an aspiring 3D Animator from Aledo, Texas, whose passion for character animation shines through every creative shot she brings to life. With a strong desire to craft meaningful projects that leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide, she approaches every challenge with optimism, dedication, and resilience. Though she is still seeking her big break in the industry, her commitment to growth and learning is unwavering. Studying under iAnimate’s experienced mentors, she continues to refine her skills, determined to connect with diverse audiences and inspire through her art.

“I've always said that no matter the circumstances of my life, whatever job that I have, I want to always continue to learn and improve my animation skills. By studying under these great mentors at ianimate, I have worked hard to continue to master the craft I have dedicated my life to learning.”

Student Animation Journey

Tim took the Feature Animation Workshop at iAnimate:

Feature Animation Workshop

• Feature Animation Workshop 1
• Feature Animation Workshop 2
• Feature Animation Workshop 3
• Feature Animation Workshop 4
• Feature Animation Workshop 5
• Feature Animation Workshop 6

with Animation instructors:

• Alexis Wanneroy - Fortiche Productions
• Angie Jones - Paramount & Nick Animation
• Tal Schwarzman - Pixar Animation Studios

“All my instructors have been truly amazing and so helpful in my journey to improve my animation. Their critiques have always pushed me to make my performances better, more appealing, more creative.”

From Planning to Polish: How Lacey Shapes Animation Shots

When approaching her iAnimate assignments and animation shots, she emphasizes the importance of thorough planning. She begins by carefully exploring the character’s thought process, rhythm, timing, and motivation, often experimenting with multiple reference variations and seeking feedback from peers to set a strong foundation. In the blocking stage, she combines pose-to-pose and straight-ahead methods—first establishing powerful, appealing poses and then thoughtfully animating the in-betweens to ensure a smooth flow. Finally, during polish, she dives into the subtleties—refining fingers, eyelids, and even delicate breathing patterns to breathe life into the character. This structured yet flexible workflow, shaped through trial and error, reflects her adaptability and the valuable lessons she’s absorbed from seasoned animators along her journey.

“I have learned to always consider the mindset of the character, their life circumstances, and how each character would respond to things in their own unique way. I now aim to put purpose into every action of the character; no action is meaningless. Creating those thoughts behind their eyes is what can make the character come to life.” 

You can reach Animator Lacey Bierle via:

Student Spotlight Q&A with Animator Animator Lacey Bierle

iAnimate: What do you think of your Online Animation Instructor(s), and how do they help you?

Lacey: All my instructors have been truly amazing and so helpful in my journey to improve my animation. Their critiques have always pushed me to make my performances better, more appealing, more creative. They have literally trained my eyes to see what works, and what doesn't. Each instructor helped me develop my artistic eye which now allows me to see the flaws in my own shots and improve them even on my own.

iAnimate: How did iAnimate help you to evolve your animation skills as a character animator?

Lacey: iAnimate created a platform that has taught me what it means to attend a critique and successfully accommodate the notes I was given, how to work together with fellow animators to improve each other's shots and offer advice of my own, and how to find joy in every step of the process while remaining timely and reliable.

iAnimate: What kind of animator do you consider after taking your student workshop's?

Lacey: These workshops have helped me feel confident in my ability to see a shot through, beginning to end. Each workshop, I could see my progress, with each new shot being better than the last. I'm someone who always meets a deadline, hits every note, and works hard to make every shot the best that it can be.

iAnimate: What kind of project do you want to work on?

Lacey: I've been most drawn to feature film and have been honing my skills and performances to excel on those projects. I love the creativity and impact animated films can have on people of all backgrounds. However, I'm currently also learning gameplay animation and software to expand my skillset even more.