Pedro Vergani, UX Lead, Google

Pedro currently leads a design team at Google. Prior to this role, he worked as an art director at Golden Wolf, overseeing projects for Cartoon Network, Disney, and Nike

Meet Pedro Vergani, UX Lead, Google

Pedro currently leads a design team at Google, delving into innovation and emerging technologies. Prior to this role, he worked as an art director at Golden Wolf, overseeing projects for Cartoon Network, Disney, and Nike. He also lent his talents to Rovio, working on the Angry Birds show, and contributed as a color artist to the Academy Award-nominated film “Song of the Sea” at Cartoon Saloon. Pedro’s journey in animation began in Brazil but took him across the globe to CalArts in LA and France’s Gobelins animation school, where he not only studied but also shared his expertise as a lecturer.

Q: What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job was a year-long internship at Digital 21, an advertising animation studio in Brazil. Prior to that I hadn’t even imagined animation as a career possibility, and it was love at first sight.

I like to think that the technological revolution we're experiencing will settle as something positive and constructive, rather than disruptive.

Meet Pedro Vergani, UX Lead, Google

Q: Who inspired you to join the field/who inspired your work?

While I was studying graphic design, Carlos Saldanha (Blue Sky) visited my university for a lecture. It was the first time I knew of a Brazilian working in animation. He shared his journey with us, and I felt incredibly inspired and encouraged (and got an autograph on a little Scrat figurine).

Q:Which project are you most proud to have worked on?

To this day it will probably be Song of the Sea, at Cartoon Saloon, where I learned from incredible artists such as Tomm Moore and Adrien Merigeau about how very personal expressions of art could be incredibly relatable to people everywhere.

What 3 animated films/shows/games/experiences were among some of your favorite work from 2023?

Film: Boy and the Heron – I can’t overstate how deep this one hit
Experience: Totoro, at the Barbican – A gorgeous adaptation of the classic to a stage play
Game: The Legend of Zelda, Tears of the Kingdom – A masterpiece of interactive storytelling

When you look at the future of animation in your field, what do you see?

I like to think that the technological revolution we’re experiencing will settle as something positive and constructive, rather than disruptive. I have no idea what that would look like, but I hope it means more people will be able to share their voices in a genuine and personal way, and not at the expense of others.

Q: What do you look forward to most as a founding Collision Award jury member?

I can’t wait to be exposed to a multitude of films, projects and artistic expressions from people around the world, and dive deep into the messages they are sharing with the world.