New York-based motion-graphics, vfx and animation studio Manic has joined forces with Hollywood-based graphic design and animation shop Laundry to create a new specialized design and animation division dubbed Laundry@Manic. The reciprocal relationship expands Manic’s reach to the west coast while Laundry, run by partners P.J. Richardson and Anthony Liu, benefits from Manic’s experience in delivering 3D animation and VFX for commercials, feature films and television.

‘We are thrilled to be able to access and offer the design talent of both P.J. and Tony,’ says Rachel Kaminek, exec producer/director of operations for Manic. ‘Both are very impressive artists and bring great experience from some of the industry’s top design shops.’

Richardson is a design industry veteran who has worked at Stardust Studios, Imaginary Forces, Blind, BNS and Logan. At these various companies, he contributed to projects for such brands as Chevy, Microsoft, Spike TV and MTV. Liu spent four years as creative director at Hollywood entertainment/advertising company Drissi Multimedia, working on such projects as The Strokes’ ‘You Only Live Once’ music video and a spot for the Borat soundtrack. He also contributed to a fully interactive web game for the Nike web site called Ask the LeBrons.

Manic previously formed an exclusive relationship with vfx supervisor Ed Manning and animation director Fran Roberts of Special Branch, forming Special Branch@Manic. With the addition of Laundry@Manic, the company hopes to better serve clients with even more resources in the areas of design and animation.