Watch Me Learn to Play Pedal Steel

Designer, Illustrator, Animator, Music

When learning a musical instrument happens online, warts and all….

Ident for Justin Camerer's online tutorial series on the pedal steel guitar. Justin is already an accomplished musician and photographer, but a newbie on the pedal steel. He started the online series to document his learning, which was the inspiration for his character’s story arc. His initial cross has a slippery unsure feel (he’s learning!). When he returns the other way across the screen, he's as cool and happy as can be with a tip of his cowboy hat (he nailed it!).

The background elements are hand-illustrated and are drawn from common inlay images from classic pedal steel models. They subconsciously have an Old West / Vegas / Americana feel without being overtly related to country music.

Design, illustration, and animation by Zack Bruce.

Music by Zack Bruce, Laura Good, and Justin Camerer.