Buck (studio)

Buck (studio)
Name	Buck
Type	Private
Industry	Animation studio, Design studio, Advertising
Founded	2004
Founders	Jeff Ellermeyer; Ryan Honey; Joey Korenman
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Locations	Los Angeles; New York City; Sydney

Buck (studio) is a multidisciplinary creative studio known for animation, design, and advertising work for film, television, technology, and commercial clients. The studio combines motion graphics, character animation, visual effects, and experiential design to produce content for brands, agencies, and entertainment companies. Buck has collaborated with major studios, technology firms, and global brands on campaigns, title sequences, and short-form digital work.

History

Buck was founded in 2004 by Jeff Ellermeyer, Ryan Honey, and Joey Korenman in Los Angeles during a period of growth in digital animation led by studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, Blue Sky Studios, and Aardman Animations. Early work included collaborations with advertising agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, and BBDO for clients such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and Google. The studio expanded during the 2010s alongside rising platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix (service), and Apple TV+, opening additional offices in New York City and Sydney. Buck’s growth mirrors industry trends seen with firms like Pentagram, Sagmeister & Walsh, The Mill, and Buckminster Fuller-inspired collaborative practices, positioning the company as a hybrid of design consultancy and production house.

Services and Specializations

Buck offers animation, motion design, character animation, brand identity, experiential installation, and interactive design, often combining techniques used by Laika (company), Studio Ghibli, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Nickelodeon Animation Studio. Services include concept development for campaigns by agencies such as Ogilvy, Publicis, McCann Erickson, and JWT (J. Walter Thompson), along with title sequence work for productions distributed by HBO, Netflix (service), Amazon Studios, and Hulu (service). Buck’s specialties align with tools and workflows associated with Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, Unreal Engine, and Unity (game engine), enabling projects that bridge broadcast, streaming, and immersive platforms like SXSW and TED (conference).

Notable Projects and Campaigns

Buck has produced high-profile campaigns and creative work for brands and media properties including Google, Apple Inc., Facebook, Nike, Adidas, Samsung, PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Spotify, Uber Technologies, and Amazon (company). The studio created animated spots and title sequences connected to franchises and productions from Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Stranger Things, The Simpsons, and Saturday Night Live. Buck’s work has appeared at festivals and showcases such as Cannes Lions, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, One Club for Creativity, and D&AD, and in commercial rotations on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Television Academy-associated broadcasts.

Key Personnel and Leadership

Leadership has included founders Jeff Ellermeyer, Ryan Honey, and Joey Korenman alongside creative directors and producers who have come from companies such as Pixar, Laika (company), The Mill, Passion Pictures, and Buckminster Fuller-inspired collaborative networks. Buck’s teams often feature alumni of CalArts, School of Visual Arts, RMIT University, and Ringling College of Art and Design, and collaborators who have worked with directors and creatives from Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Wes Anderson, and David Fincher on commercial and motion projects.

Awards and Recognition

Buck’s work has been recognized by industry organizations and festivals including Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, D&AD Awards, The One Club for Creativity, Clio Awards, and Emmy Awards. Projects by Buck have been shortlisted and awarded across categories in advertising, animation, and design, joining peers such as Sagmeister & Walsh, Pentagram, Buck (animation) competitors), and The Mill on juried lists and year-end showcases.

Business Model and Clients

Buck operates as a client-driven creative studio combining in-house production with collaborations with advertising agencies, entertainment studios, and technology companies. Its client roster spans global brands and entertainment entities such as Nike, Google, Apple Inc., Samsung, PepsiCo, Marvel (comics), Lucasfilm, Netflix (service), and Amazon Studios. The studio balances commissioned campaigns, pro bono and festival work, and partnerships with agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, BBDO, and Ogilvy to secure multi-platform briefs across commercial, streaming, and experiential sectors.

Offices and Global Presence

Buck maintains offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Sydney, serving clients across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The studio’s geographic expansion reflects similar moves by firms such as Pentagram, IDEO, Frog Design, and AKQA to support multinational campaigns and collaborations at events like Cannes Lions, SXSW, and London Design Festival.

Category:Animation studios