Johnny Cupcakes
“Brand New Recipe”

In May 2025, I was contacted by friend, past client, and wonderful human being Johnny Cupcakes with a unique proposal— direct and animate a promotional video to help spread the word about their relaunch. Having been in the business for 25 years and following the closing of their physical location, Johnny Cupcakes was shifting their production process away from bulk order printing and production, and instead towards premium-quality on-demand Direct-to-Garment printing.

Partnering with other local legends in the apparel space, Life is Good, the doors were now open to allow their customers to customize their purchases to EXACTLY how they preferred it, without sacrificing the quality of their designs and the clothing they’re known and loved for— unique designs on “buttery-soft” heavyweight materials of all fits, sizes, colors, and more, all for that comforting, vintage feel.

To accomplish that, and to complement owner Johnny Earle’s love for cartoons, art, pop culture, and more, the decision to produce an animated ad akin to the mid-century-modern /Atomic Age animations and illustrations was a no-brainer. Drawing inspiration from series like “The Pink Panther,” and working with Johnny Cupcakes illustrator Cole Roberts, we were able to bring this vintage animation to life from conception, production, recording, and final delivery in two weeks.