Here are several animators and some examples of their work from
the last decade or so.
Cyriak
Example: Cows & Cows & Cows (2010)
Also a fine composer of dissonant electronic music, Cyriak's
visual style is unmistakable: playfully terrifying reassemblages
of animal parts, buildings, eyeballs, hands, etc. One thing that
always gets me about the music in Cows & Cows &
Cows is it sounds like it's in a weird meter, but it's
actually in 6.
Felix Colgrave
Example: Double King (2017)
The visuals here seem really influenced by '60s posters and
animations, but definitely far more idiosyncratic and interesting
things going on than just being an homage. I love the organic
lumpy-squishiness of everything. The humor is simultaneously
philosophical and goofy as fuck, frivolous and full of existential
horror. Also the sound design is sublime — I still get
goosebumps from the chanting around 5:05, and every little
environmental and incidental sound, every clank and foot-plap and
buzz feels perfectly placed.
Gooseworx
Example: Little Runmo (2019)
Gives me a very Newgrounds-flash-animation vibe, but more
polished. Also some good existential horror mixed in with the
jokes. I'm kind of a sucker for the "seeing into the
behind-the-scenes" premise. Meatball man will haunt my dreams.
Jonni Phillips
Example: The Final Exit of the Disciples of Ascensia (2019)
The scribbly and scrappy animation feels just right for a
bittersweet story about meeting aliens and starting a cult and
making friends and having feelings. I've never been to art school
but this is what I imagine it's like.
Anna Scott
Example: Onions (2020)
Can't believe this is just someone's final CalArts animation
project. Brilliant, magical, efficient world-building in under
five minutes. I want to watch a dozen more episodes. Such terrific
sensitivity to motion and character.
Victoria ("vewn") Vincent
Example: Cat City (2017)
Hey. A cat tries to make it on his own in the big city. Love the
aggressive flat colors that sit perfectly inside anxiously
vibrating lines, in a world where style matters far more than
trivial annoyances like one-point perspective.
Ian ("worthikids") Worthington
Example: Free Apple (2020)
Everything worthikids makes is pure gold, and more quotable than
it has any right to be. ("I'm run of the mill!", "Dismiss the owl,
your one lifeline!", "absolutely bog-standard old man",
"I'm very close", "I do love a barter") This "King's
Quest" pastiche featuring Justin McElroy of MBMBAM fame is spot on
if you've ever played the old Sierra adventures. Also don't miss
"Big Top Burger", "Witches on Tinder".
Madeline Sharafian
Example: Omelette (2013)
A sweet and infinitely rewatchable story of a bean-shaped dog
saving its owner from culinary disaster. I don't make the rules,
this is the official music video for Elis Regina's recording of
"Águas de Março" now. I think this is the most delicious depiction
of food in animation outside Miyazaki.