Manuel Barenboim Segal’s Journey in Mixed Media Animation

Freelancing with a MFA

Manuel Barenboim Segal began his artistic career while studying at the Universidad del Cine in Argentina. His move into the world of freelance animation began while he completed his MFA in Experimental Animation at the California Institute of the Arts.

This blend of academic excellence and hands-on experience cultivated Manuel’s strong sense of leadership.

In 2018, he founded Motion Principles, where he now serves as VFX Creative Director for Animation, steering innovative projects that redefine the boundaries of mixed-media animation.

The Early Days of Manuel’s Career

Early career experiences often define the trajectory of our professional lives, and this was undoubtedly true for Manuel Barenboim Segal. Two pivotal projects shaped his signature fusion of digital and analog techniques.

Manuel's first major commission came with the animated scenes for Albertina Carri’s La Rabia (2008). Through digitally treated watercolor paintings, he captured the troubled perspective of the young protagonist, evoking a haunting dreamlike quality. The film earned Best Director at the Havana Film Festival in 2008, marking a significant milestone in Manuel’s his career.

Building on this success, Manuel created the title sequence for the HBO documentary Sins of My Father (2009), which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2010. Using frame-by-frame printed photos in a handcrafted stop-motion style, he skillfully fictionalized a complex crime scene. This innovative work earned him the 2010 Telly Award for Best Use of Animation, firmly establishing his reputation as a visionary in the animation world.

Award-Winning Advancements Among the Hollywood Elite

Manuel’s diverse skill set has undoubtedly fueled his rapid career progression, but it is his unwavering passion for animation, boldness in taking creative risks, and dedication to continuous learning and experimentation that have been the true driving forces behind his success.

In 2017, Manuel edited and animated the experimental short film Cocoon Redux, a poetic exploration of the creative process. The film garnered recognition within the fashion film circuit, with screenings at prestigious events like La Jolla, and earned him the Best Visual Effects award at the Seattle International Fashion Film Festival that same year.

Segal continued to reach significant milestones, including producing videos for several of Prada's high-profile campaigns. Notable projects include the acclaimed Painted in Prada, the innovative Prada’s Auction campaign, and the stylish Feels Like Prada. These campaigns featured renowned talents such as Scarlett Johansson, Jeff Goldblum, Rami Malek, and Hunter Schafer, further solidifying Segal’s reputation as a leading creative force in the fashion industry.

Manuel went on to create the extravagant 13-channel video installation for the Louis Vuitton x Kusama (2022) display at Tokyo's iconic Shibuya Crossing. The synchronized playback across all screens brought whimsical interactions between the characters in each video to life, captivating audiences with its playful creativity.

With successes like this, it’s no surprise that his ever-growing portfolio has continued to attract high-profile clients from the worlds of fashion and art.

The Launch of Motion Principles

As his freelance career flourished, Manuel Barenboim Segal launched his own creative studio, Motion Principles, in 2018. Under Manuel's leadership as Creative Director, a talented team of editors and animators produces innovative mixed-media content for top brands such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chanel, and Guerlain, as well as for cultural projects with leading artists and prestigious museums worldwide.

Manuel's leadership emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and developing a shared language with his team. This approach allows him to inspire and guide while ensuring every project meets his rigorous standards of quality and artistic innovation.

Recent career highlights include creating animated sequences for Pepe (2024), directed by Nelson Carlo de Los Santos. The sequences, crafted in the style of Hanna-Barbera, add a playful tone that contrasts with the politically charged live-action elements. The film received the Best Director award at Berlinale 2024. In 2025, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC will unveil its renovated Rockefeller Wing, featuring Manuel's animated maps that vividly depict the historical origins of the Americas, Oceania, and Africa collections, bringing these narratives to life with a dynamic visual style.

Paving the Way for Innovation in Mixed Media Animation

Segal is known for his elegant blend of digital and analog techniques, seamlessly integrating typography, drawings, still photography, and 3D animation into cohesive and impactful visual stories. His success has left a significant mark on the broader creative industry, especially within the realms of fashion and cultural institutions, where his innovative work continues to inspire and influence.

Inspiring the Next Generation

So, what’s next for Segal?

Looking ahead, Manuel plans to expand his work with museums and launch a short film competition that will bridge his teaching career with his commercial projects.

As a mentor and lecturer at Yale University, Segal will continue to impart his expertise to the next generation of animators.

Manuel Barenboim Segal is making a profound impact on the worlds of art, fashion, and culture, while shaping the future of mixed-media animation through his creativity and mentorship.

Photo: Here Be Dragons