What is your name and your current occupation?
Hello, my name is Gordon Hammond. I am a Character Designer at Nickelodeon where I have been since 2002. I have worked with Butch Hartman on all three of his shows, Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and now Tuff Puppy…it’s a blast! I have been in the industry since the fall of 1996.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Well like all of us I guess I have had some wacky jobs. My very fist job back in 9th grade was as a dish washer. All my buddies were working at this Italian restaurant and they got me in. They all made fun of me because I was slow, but I was persistent. I never gave up…sometimes I would be standing with stacks of dirty dishes up to my waist but I always finished, something that I realized would pay off later in life. To all my friends surprise out of the blue one day I was promoted to “Pizza Guy”. When the boss pulled me aside and told me I was so shocked, he said he liked me because I never  gave up!  I told him according to my friends I was slow, he said ” screw those guys, they’re losers…” (haa) Soon after all my friends realizing they had been left behind all applied for Bus Boy jobs. I only worked there for about another year and then quit to focus on School…but there were some great lessons learned.  In the years that followed I worked for a lawn service which was grueling, cut grass at a golf course which as grueling, and worst of all cleaned stables at the local horse track for a buck a stall…not fun and stinky!  After I started Junior college I landed my first Art job at a small studio as a key liner and graphic artist and have worked as Artist ever since, I was 19.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Hmm, actually I have enjoyed everything that I’ve worked on. But I’d probably have to say Fairly OddParents and now Tuff Puppy. Mainly because I know how happy it makes our fans and especially in the case of FOP (Fairly OddParents) how it’s almost a cultural phenomenon.  Above and beyond the work I do on the show I must say the most gratifying part for me is when Continue reading