From viruses to Bitcoin, Carlos Miranda’s playful animations are a sign of the times

The New York-based illustrator’s colourful characters represent his perspective in an unpredictable world.

Date
17 July 2023

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Before closing your eyes to sleep, can you remember all the information you’ve taken in? Working at the intersection of illustration, digital art and animation, New York-based and Venezuela-born Carlos Miranda’s work serves as a reminder to become more conscious of our surroundings. Focusing on contemporary topics, animation isn’t the be all and ends all for him; it’s “when the idea requires it”, he shares. The themes he explores are therefore based on what he sees out in the world everyday, from art and social news to economic issues and advertising. Across his portfolio, you'll see work for clients like Hue Magazine; an NFT commission where he's perked up the Mona Lisa with his pink flair; and an animation featuring a character seemingly confused by all the Bitcoin talk.

Above all, Carlos' work is focused primarily on experimenting. “I move between Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, After Effects, Blender and even acrylic painting,” he tells us. With the vigilance of a news journalist and the imagination of an artist that works from their subconscious, Carlos is making work that will go on to reflect the times. “I just want to express my view of the world in my own unique way.”

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Carlos Miranda: Sight (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2022)

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Carlos Miranda: Strawberry Social, Summer Of Sass (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2020)

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Carlos Miranda: Strawberry Social, Summer Of Sass (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2020)

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Carlos Miranda: Disappointing Weather (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2021)

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Carlos Miranda: Gummy Chips (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2022)

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Carlos Miranda: In Praise Of Caffeine (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2021)

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Carlos Miranda: Flaming Beacon, The Inqueery (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: Flaming Beacon, The Inqueery (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: Cryptocurrencies, Hue Magazine (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: NFTs, Hue Magazine(Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: Nike Mural Uncommissioned (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2022)

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Carlos Miranda: The Compulsive Shopper (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2020)

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Carlos Miranda: The Compulsive Shopper (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2020)

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Carlos Miranda: The Blockchain, Hue Magazine (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: The Metaverses, Hue Magazine (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: Dunkin Rising Sun (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2023)

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Carlos Miranda: Abosolut Pool Party (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2022)

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Carlos Miranda: Abosolut Pool Party (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2022)

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Carlos Miranda: Workaholic (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2021)

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Carlos Miranda: An Eye For An Eye (Copyright © Carlos Miranda, 2021)

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About the Author

Yaya Azariah Clarke

Yaya (they/them) was previously a staff writer at It’s Nice That. With a particular interest in Black visual culture, they have previously written for publications such as WePresent, alongside work as a researcher and facilitator for Barbican and Dulwich Picture Gallery.

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