Joe Brumm

If you have young children, chances are you’ll recognise Joe Brumm’s most famous creation. In fact, such is the proliferation of Bluey into the public consciousness that even if you don’t have kids, you’ve almost definitely heard of the eponymous pup, her Aussie family of blue heelers and her canine community.

The ABC TV show has become a global phenomenon, winning awards including a Logie, an AACTA and even an International Emmy Award. It has also won the hearts of people around the globe, achieving the rare status as a kids’ show that’s almost as popular with adults as it is with little ones. And that’s why Joe is the Arts, Education and Law's 2021 Outstanding Young Alumnus.

As the creator and writer of the series based on his own experiences as a dad, Joe is justifiably proud of the way the little dog that could has worldwide appeal. “It’s such a bonus that it’s resonated the way that it has,” the Bachelor of Animation graduate said. “I never set out to make a show with impact, I just wanted to make a really funny show, and anything else is a bonus.

“I'm happy that the show provides a bit of a bonding time between parents and kids. Life gets pretty full on and just to have just a bit of bit of humour you can share with the kids is enough of an impact for me.”

Joe explained that even though Bluey is beloved now, it took a lot of hard work from a lot of dedicated people to get it there. “We had to form a studio from scratch. We had to train every single animator, designer and storyboarder. We had to convince a lot of the people who were putting money across that this approach I wanted to take would pay off and then I had to write the scripts at the same time as directing.

“But for it to then explode—and not just explode in Australia but overseas—that was extremely gratifying because every single person in Ludo Studio just threw everything they had into it. It's really interesting for myself and the staff, because everyone has family or friends who really love the show. There's a real pride to that.”

Joe said he chose to study animation with Griffith after touring the animation studios, and has never looked back. “I loved the look of it, I loved the look of the people who were there, and what they were doing. Up until then I didn't really even consciously think this was something that you could do for a living. It was exciting.”

And despite the worldwide success of Bluey and the many accolades it has received, winning the Griffith University’s Outstanding Alumni Award hits differently for him. “Winning was really exciting and unexpected, because with the Griffith awards I mean... I’m an animator and you’re in the running for these awards with people who have done amazing things from all walks of life. To be placed alongside those sort of people, it makes me feel like what we are doing here has some legitimacy.”

One of the biggest pieces of advice Joe has for aspiring animators, and creatives is that you never know who your next employer is going to be, so give everything you do your best. “We work with a lot of Griffith graduates, half our staff is from Griffith,” he laughed. “To be honest, it starts with your lecturers. I lectured a few of the people who we've hired now, and even back then you get to know who you’d want to hire and work with should the chance come up. You never know who you might end up working with, so be as professional as you can be from day one.”