ILBE STUDIOS (IES) - Animation Studio Startup
The Who:
In June 2020, ILBE Studios (formerly Iervolino Studios) took root in Serbia with the signing of key agreements between Iervolino Entertainment, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, and Archangel Digital Studios, helmed by Miloš Biković. These agreements laid the foundation for a new animation powerhouse, employing nearly 160 people and producing high-quality animated content entirely in Serbia. From idea generation to post-production and distribution, the studio promised a fully integrated approach to animation, with key creative phases conducted domestically. The initiative was further cemented by ILBE’s mission to create premium animation tailored to global audiences.
ILBE Studios is situated in the two most creative centric locales in Serbia: Belgrade and Novi Sad.
The studio employs over 150 of the best and brightest artists and creative technicians Serbia has to offer.
Within the first three years, ILBE Studios has produced over 500 minutes of animation for its clients.
The goal has always been the same throughout ILBE Studios operations: an unwavering dedication to creating the finest animated content in Serbia for global audiences.
My involvement in the studio’s creation was comprehensive, from the earliest stages of planning to overseeing its operational setup. I worked closely with the teams in Belgrade and Novi Sad, establishing two unique locations tailored to animation production. Each site posed its challenges, requiring strategic design of the same brand across two locations with the same aim; to maximize functionality while fostering a creative and inspiring environment for artists. Beyond infrastructure, I played an active role in shaping the studio’s culture, ensuring it was built on collaboration, innovation, and a passion for storytelling.
As we launched our first series, the challenge of getting the studio up and running quickly loomed large. With tight deadlines to meet production demands, I collaborated with designers, fabricators, and teams across disciplines to create a workspace that was not only streamlined for animation production but also an extension of the studio’s identity.
The What:
ILBE Studios is a dynamic animation studio that combines creativity, technical expertise, and thoughtful design to produce exceptional animated content. The studio specializes in developing original intellectual property and delivering premium animation services for global distribution. With a “one-stop-shop” pipeline, we handle every stage of production—from concept development and pre-production to animation, post-production, and final delivery.
The visual identity of the studio was a critical focus. Partnering with interior designer Sandra Luković, we crafted a cohesive aesthetic that balanced utility with creativity. The brand colors—black and orange—were thoughtfully chosen to merge ILBE’s global identity with a nod to its origins. These colors flowed seamlessly across both locations, with black lending sophistication and orange injecting warmth and energy. For lighter upbeat story creation spaces, black was swapped for white to maintain an airy, approachable feel. Custom-designed furniture, from desks to decor, incorporated animation-inspired motifs such as punched-out peg holes, subtly reinforcing the studio’s core mission.
The Belgrade location, formerly a bank, required a transformation to repurpose its infrastructure into a creative hub. Meanwhile, the Novi Sad studio, spanning three floors, provided a blank canvas to design a tailor-made workspace. Each department’s unique needs influenced the layout and design: bright, open spaces encouraged collaboration for the storyboard team, while blackout curtains and dark tones ensured the VFX department’s precision work was unhindered by external light contamination.
Art from Arctic Dogs, Arctic Friends, and Puffins the Series brought the walls to life, bridging the animated and real worlds. Highlights included Bauhaus-inspired wallpapers featuring beloved characters and custom door designs symbolizing creative transformation. Even restrooms were thoughtfully designed with playful nods to the studio’s iconic intellectual properties.
The culture at ILBE Studios is as carefully cultivated as its visual identity. We prioritized creating an environment where artists could thrive, blending a relaxed atmosphere with a sense of purpose. From dynamic workspaces to engaging visual narratives woven into the decor, every element reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and storytelling. Today, ILBE Studios stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and the belief that great stories are born in spaces designed to inspire.
Our creative team at ILBE Studios
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