HI I'M CAN RICHARDS

And this is my portfolio!

I'm a Cape Town-based illustrator, 2D/3D character animator, storyboard artist and visual development artist with a love for nostalgic aesthetics and expressive character performance! My professional skillsets also include compositing, video editing, and 3D generalist skillsets.

My clients have included ComicCon Cape Town, Cloudscape Comics, and North Vancouver District Public Library. I graduated with distinction from The Animation School, holding a Diploma in Digital Animation, where I specialised in stylised character animation involving dialogue and subtle performance.

My experience ranges from short films to indie games, from comic books to corporate design, from project management to teaching workshops. The centre of my work is always community, diversity, and belonging, and I strive to create the best work possible with the people around me. I'd love to find out what I can create with you!

Projects and Publications

Awards and Press

Laika Goes Home, a graduate short film from The Animation School, created with a team. Writer | Production Manager | Film Editor |Storyboard Lead | VisDev | 3D Animation | Compositing. Release date TBA.
Into The Midnight City created by
Can Richards and edited by Ian Missible, published digitally as a webcomic. Artist and Writer, 2020-present

Tales From The Zones, a charity comic anthology organised by The GraveRavers.
Editor and Artist Co-ordinator, 2021.

Dr E-Viv's Latest Plan! published digitally on Gumroad. Artist and writer, 2020

Macadamia Rose for the Life Finds A Way anthology, published by Cloudscape Comics. Artist and writer, 2019.

New York Festivals Film & TV Awards Bronze Diploma 2026 for Laika Goes Home (student thesis film).
The Rookies article feature about the production of Laika Goes Home.
SA Game Jam 2024 "Best Audio Prize" winning game, Hocus Focus, in which I worked with the team on 2D assets, UI design, and narrative.
Ravel Jam 2024 "Best Student Prize" winner, with my team, for the visual novel game In A Stitch (as Lead Writer &
Graphic Designer).
Gene Day Awards 2020 nomination for the Life Finds A Way anthology (includes Can Richards' Macadamia Rose)

UNICEF Climate Comic Contest 2017 shortlisted finalist for the comic pitch, Sunburst.

Exhibitor at the Zone Rats Art Show in both 2017 and 2018, as publicised in
Alt Press and Rock Sound.