Aphid Animation opens new studio in Austin, Texas!

A pair of industry veterans combine their experience and talent to create Austin’s premier 2D animation firm. Craig Matthew Staggs and Kevin Peake worked together on Richard Linklater's feature film, A Scanner Darkly. Each had enjoyed an exciting freelance practice illustrating, directing, and designing animation for clients like The Austin Chronicle, Austin Books, Texas Department of Transportation, Motion Computing, Chili's, Austin Community College, and many more.

They collaborated to create character animation, backgrounds, icons, and banner art for Mockingbird Games’ PlayMockingbird.com, which led to a series of commercial projects, including an ad — Trust — for Gemalto (with Shiny Object). The partnership solidified with the production of the Relearn animated spots for television and the web—commissioned by the Legacy Foundation through GSD&M/Idea City.

Aphid looks forward to future commercial projects, working closely with other production companies and on their own as an animation production, character design, and illustration studio. And keep an eye out for Aphid's original shorts, music videos, and exceptional poster art.

Kevin Peake
Creative Director

After seventeen years as a professional illustrator, including seven as a senior illustrator at a major advertising agency, Kevin Peake was offered an opportunity to work as an animator on A Scanner Darkly. Finding success, Kevin quickly rose to the top of Austin's crop of animators, utilizing his exceptional creative skills and experienced eye to make Aphid Animation one of the most exciting new options in animation.

Craig Matthew Staggs
Director of Animation

Starting his long career as a caricature and portrait artist, Craig Matthew Staggs brags that he has drawn over ten thousand faces—but there is really no way to tell. Working on A Scanner Darkly, Craig did draw one face thousands of times, animating the iconic sequence featuring Keanu Reeves. Craig's eclectic career now includes producing, writing and acting for Big Ol' Tire Fire, a comedy web site that also serves as a video production company. Approaching animation with a performer's perspective and possessing an impressive arsenal of traditional art skills, Craig provides that “outsider” energy that separates Aphid Animation from the rest of the pack.