Fern

Fern is an independent animation and motion design studio founded in Atlanta in 2016 by James Mabery. Working across Atlanta and Tokyo, it creates animated storytelling and visual design for brands, agencies, cultural institutions and nonprofit organizations. Its work spans commercial campaigns, narrative short films, music videos and brand identity systems.

The studio combines hand-drawn 2D and cel animation with motion graphics, 3D animation and mixed-media approaches. Character design, world building and illustration are central to its practice, with an emphasis on crafted visual textures and imagery developed for each project. Its output ranges from character-driven stories to visual explanations of products, services and complex technical subjects.

From concept to finished animation

Fern provides production from pre-production through final compositing and sound. Its capabilities include creative strategy and scripting collaboration, visual development, art direction, storyboarding and animatics. These disciplines support commercial and explainer films, product launches, event title sequences, animated design systems and short-form digital content.

The studio also develops illustration systems and brand iconography, extending a visual identity across animation and other brand assets. Its commercial work serves technology and AI platforms, consumer brands, entertainment, healthcare, financial services and environmental advocacy organizations.

Commercial work and narrative filmmaking

Fern's portfolio brings brand communication together with narrative filmmaking. Assignments include animated campaigns, educational explainers, summit branding and music-led storytelling, alongside original and collaborative shorts. Its project formats encompass both longer narrative pieces and compact animation designed for social media and digital channels.

Since its beginnings on Atlanta's Westside, Fern has developed an international production practice. Its Atlanta and Tokyo teams work with independent animation directors through the Fern Allies roster, bringing different visual approaches to projects backed by the studio's production team.