Curiosity at Work

As a husband-and-wife team, people sometimes ask us how we switch off from work.

The truth? We don’t.

Because for us, creativity isn’t a hat you take off at the end of the day. It’s everywhere. It’s in the wallpaper of a restaurant, a funny one-liner by a supporting character, the background art of an animated TV series or, my weakness - the new seasonal stationery that somehow always ends up in our basket.

The Bagelry - Nelson St, Liverpool

And we wouldn’t change it.

Because this is what fuels us.

Why We Can’t Switch Off

Here’s the thing: when you’re a creative, your mind is always on.

It’s not exhausting. It’s energising. Our brains are constantly asking questions:

• Why did they design it like that?
• Why are the characters behaving that way?
• What if the palette shifted?
• How could this spark a new character, mechanic, or story?
• Why is there no background noises to set the ambience?
• And ‘Ohhhh shiny’

What might look like clutter - photos, sketches, postcards, comic books, badges - is actually a toolkit. Every scrap is a stored spark, ready to be reignited when the right project comes along.

For some, that might mean a computer game mechanic inspired by a cooking method.

For others, it could be the sound a starling makes that has a robotic feel to it.

Street performers bring tangible inspiration too.

The Science Bit

When you let your mind wander, something fascinating happens.

Neuroscientists call it diffuse thinking: your brain slips into a different mode where it’s quietly connecting ideas in the background. That’s why the best ideas often pop up in the shower, on a walk, or when you’re absentmindedly sketching shapes in the corner of a notebook.

Daydreaming and doodling are not wasted time. They’re brain workouts. Problem-solving in disguise.

And it’s the same with curiosity. The more you let yourself notice things - textures, colours, rhythms - the more material your brain has to play with.

So next time you see someone gazing out of the window, don’t hurry them back to “focus.” They might be building the foundations of an idea or solving a problem (even if they don’t realise it).

Why Our Differences Work (And Why Yours Do Too)

Everyone sees the world differently. That’s what makes creative teams powerful.

Some people sketch their thoughts. Others take photos. Some write notes, collect artefacts, or save references in sprawling Pinterest boards (guilty!).

In game development, this mix is gold dust. One person’s obsession with fonts might collide with another’s love for animal behaviour documentaries - and suddenly, you’ve got the seed for a new character, an interface, or even a storyline.

Parents see it in their kids too. One child builds with Lego, another prefers to draw. Different approaches, same creative energy. Encouraging both gives them space to see problems - and solutions - from fresh angles.

Can't take this big kid anywhere...

What Fuels Hangry Animals

If you’ve ever wondered what inspired the world of Hangry Animals, it’s not just one source. It’s a patchwork quilt of influences:

• Comics – from glossy superhero epics to small indie titles.
• Artwork & Illustrators – unique styles and techniques that spark moods and emotions.
• Voice Artists – because a character’s personality lives in its sound too.
• Animators – from timeless Saturday morning classics to bold experimental shorts.
• Social Media & Marketing – sometimes a campaign can teach you more about storytelling, audience and timing than a textbook.
• Brands & Community Building – the way they connect, grow, and inspire loyalty.
• Colour Palettes & Drawing Styles – endless ways to grab attention, set tone and mood.
• Moodboards – our go-to tool for capturing a feeling in one glance.
• Toys – from the cute and cuddly to the trendy (and sometimes unhinged) vinyl collectibles.
• Cartoons & TV – the ones that shaped us, and the ones we binge today.
• Films & Animated Films – Character and story development, lighting, framing and so much more.
• Games – From the technical to the visual and audio, and not forgetting the psychological.
• Collaboration & Conversation - the ideas that only emerge when people share their experiences and bounce thoughts off each other.

These are the threads that stitched together the Hangryverse. But they’re not unique to us. They’re available to everyone - if you choose to notice them.

Still watching Cartoons on a Saturday

Why It Matters

Creativity isn’t just about making art. It’s about how we think, solve problems, and make sense of the world. When you let curiosity guide you, a few powerful things happen:

• You see possibilities where others see limitations – noticing details opens doors to new solutions.
• You connect ideas in unexpected ways – sparks from different places often combine into something original.
• You train your brain to be adaptable – curiosity builds resilience by helping you approach challenges from fresh angles.
• You fuel motivation and joy – inspiration keeps work and play energising, not draining.
• You make space for impact – the smallest doodle, thought, or detail can grow into something meaningful for others.

A Final Thought

Hangry Animals didn’t start with a neat business plan. It started with curiosity. With scraps of inspiration, collected and collaged into something bigger.

That’s why we live in-between the blurred lines. Because the difference between life and work, doodles and ideas, daydreams and solutions - is actually quite thin.

Our inspiring visit to Hope Rescue - sparked so many game ideas

So the next time you catch yourself staring into space, let it happen.

Who knows? You might be building the start of something that matters.

Thanks for being Hangry!

Ceri

The Hangry Animals Team