Notice anything wrong with this snail, something a little
peculiar, perhaps? It’s eye stalks seem
unusual, don’t they. That’s because this snail has fallen hapless victim to a
parasite called the green-banded broodsac.
One minute the snail is happily ingesting bird s**t, the next it’s
feeling a bit woozy and then – what the hell just happened to my eye
stalks? This is a form of aggressive mimicry,
but a very unusual one – you can get the whole story over at our sibling site,
the Ark in Space. But maybe don’t click
on the link until well after your lunch time.
You think the picture is a little icky? Wait till you watch the videos…
Leon is a grumpy old badger. You can’t blame him really – as this Animation Workshop graduation project opens, we see a tree felled in his beloved woodland and scores of refugees leave to find a home elsewhere. He must realise that his destiny may not be stay in the place he loves. Leon witnesses the destruction and retreats into his home – which has yet to be harmed by those with axes. However, he discovers an unwelcome guest in his library and this is where the story really begins…
This is a profoundly melancholy animated short but essentially it is more about resilience and hope – and what comes after destruction. The simplicity of the artwork contrasts with the subtlety of the storytelling. Yes, children will get this – but there are layers here that adult viewers will appreciate too.
The direction of the project was led by Julianna Jakubowska. Karen Haldrup served as both the Production Manager and Animation Lead, while Emma Olivia Dueholm supported the team as Production Assistant. Amalia Eiron took the role of Story Lead, and Ágúst Elí Ásgeirsson contributed as the Technical Director. Inès Zulianel oversaw the visual style as Art Director, and the design work was carried out by Alicia Ludwig. Watch it below.
The blue whale isn't a species normally associated with London. After all, when it comes to animals, the English capital city is known for its lions (stone, mostly), ravens, horses and pigeons (so many, many pigeons). As such, the latest piece of art unveiled in London’s docklands is a pleasant departure from the expected menagerie. Captured in a spectacular head-first breach, this 36 foot (11 metre) leviathan was created to highlight the issue of plastic pollution in the oceans of the world.
At close range, the colossal whale sheds its singular silhouette and becomes a constellation of detail, an intricate mosaic whose beauty lies in the delicate interplay of form, colour, and craft. It all comes together in a visually jaw-dropping way. This striking installation is part of a vast open-air gallery in Canary Wharf, where over 100 artworks transform the place into the UK’s largest free public art trail. But, what’s the story with the whale?
Poor old Rolf all he wanted was a drink to quench his thirst
on his long bus journey, but he forgot to pack anything. Despondent, he notices a service button and,
without realising that he is about to change his life, presses it. You might think that the picture above is
something of a spoiler, but that is hardly the end of Rolf’s misery – much,
much worse is yet to come.
This highly entertaining animated short is a 2025 Graduation
Project by students at The Animation Workshop/VIA University College. Elmer Mikael Lødemel was the Director,
Painter, Animator, and Storyboard Artist. Niels Gram Riisgaard worked as the
Line Producer, CG Generalist, and Background Painter. Matthew Ponquett was the
Art Director and Animator. Simon Koch Pedersen served as a Generalist,
Animator, and Concept Designer. Sam Byrne was the Animation Lead and a
Storyboard Artist. Andreas Smidt acted as the Technical Director and CG
Generalist. Lea My Ib was a Storyboard Artist and Story Artist for FX
Animation.
Graduation projects from The Animated Workshop are something
I look forward to each year – the talent is, simply put, outstanding. I can only hope that these wonderful artists
go on to highly valued professional careers in the industry.
Watch Service Bus below…
Glassdoor is supposed to help people find great companies. But sometimes it’s just a therapy session with a public audience. Hidden behind anonymous usernames, former employees use the platform to rage, vent, and absolutely roast their past employers. Some reviews are helpful. Others are so brutal, they’re unforgettable.
Below are some of the wildest, funniest, and most jaw-dropping Glassdoor reviews ever posted. These aren’t your average complaints. These are full-on meltdowns that expose bad bosses, chaotic workplaces, and straight-up nonsense.
A software developer at Mopals warned future applicants to run. “Good salary, on paper,” they wrote. But once they started, the red flags flew. No direct deposit. Handwritten paychecks. No pay stubs. T4s that never arrived. The final straw? “You won’t be getting your last paycheck.” Their advice: walk out right after cashing it.
This ex-employee didn’t hold back. They called out management for being reactive, clueless, and inconsistent. “Decisions are not met with follow-through,” they said. The solution? “Hire a management staff that can handle the work.” Ouch.
This review paints a depressing picture. A siloed company where people don’t even say hello. “You can sit next to people who won’t even talk to you for over a year,” the employee wrote. The culture was described as toxic, competitive, and outdated. Their advice: “Stop bullying your people.”
One ex-Starbucks worker skipped constructive feedback and jumped straight to insult comedy. Their advice to management was simply, “Suck eggs and some snails.” It makes no sense, but it’s impossible to forget.
One software engineer claimed the CEO treated employees like “labour,” banned tea breaks before lunch, and paid salaries late. The air conditioning never worked, policies changed hourly, and the manager was “shakki” (suspicious) enough to hire someone just to spy on staff. The takeaway? “You’ll never get fat because they won’t give you time to eat.”
This reviewer said they had to pay out of pocket for work expenses, got minimum pay, and used buggy tools that rarely worked. Their summary: “It’s a bloodsucking company.” A reminder that even big brands can run messy operations.
This former Java developer didn’t mince words. They described management as ego-driven and dismissive. “They still think you’re a MONKEY,” they wrote. They claimed the company treated staff like interchangeable parts, not people.
This one’s hard to read. The reviewer described unethical practices, no research training, fake forecast data, and late-night shifts without transport for women. “Some women stay 24 hours in the office,” they said. The company even forced staff to write positive reviews to protect its brand.
A current employee blasted the company for having no structure, no direction, and a founder who bullies staff. “No one has any views on what they are working,” they wrote. Their warning: most good employees only last three to four months.
After going through multiple interviews, a candidate was told they would not be offered the salary originally promised. “Unhygienic, unhealthy and unprofessional,” they called the HR team. It might’ve been harsh, but it’s a reminder that first impressions matter—even during hiring.
Glassdoor reviews can be brutally honest. But sometimes they’re exaggerated or fake. Companies have been known to encourage staff to leave glowing reviews. Some even try to remove negative ones. Others quietly ask staff to write “balanced” feedback.
According to one anonymous commenter, their boss “made us write positive reviews on company time.” Another admitted to writing fake reviews packed with perks they wished they had, like “work-from-home Fridays.” The goal? Trick execs into thinking those perks already existed.
And yes, it is possible to remove Glassdoor reviews, but only if they break site policies. That means harassment, threats, or exposing private information. If it’s just angry, rude, or even insane, it’s probably staying up.
Simple. People feel ignored. One bad boss, a missed paycheck, or a toxic team can make someone snap. Glassdoor becomes the punching bag. It’s anonymous. It’s public. And for some, it feels like justice.
But here’s the kicker. Sometimes the angry review helps a company. It reveals problems. It forces change. Other times, it scares off good talent.
For employers: don’t ignore the noise. Reviews that sound insane might still have a grain of truth. Track patterns. Fix real issues. And don’t try to game the system. It always backfires.
For job seekers: read between the lines. Look for recurring complaints. Compare with what people say on Reddit or Blind. If multiple reviews mention late pay or a “suspicious CEO,” believe them.
And for everyone else: remember that anonymous doesn’t mean harmless. One review can shape a company’s reputation. Or ruin it.
These reviews may be funny, but they reflect real frustration. Sometimes it's bad culture. Sometimes it's bad leadership. Sometimes it's just a bad fit.
Use Glassdoor as a tool, not a bible. And if you’re an employer facing one of these firestorms? Don’t panic. Learn from it. And maybe don’t treat your team like zoo animals.
If all else fails, remember there are ways to remove Glassdoor reviews—but it’s a legal and policy game, not a magic eraser.
And if you’re the kind of person who signs off with “suck eggs and some snails,” maybe take a nap first.
If you are planning on traumatising your children today but
are short of ideas, pop them in front of this animated short. Potlems, written and directed by Alberto
Allegri Rodríguez will bury itself deep into your offspring’s deepest consciousness
and will, no doubt, be resurfaced by a well-meaning therapist in about two
decades. It’s easier than being that mum
in a wood in a hood, I suppose.
Hats off to Alberto and his team at The Animation Workshop.
Potlems tells the story of Ginger, a cute little porcelain teapot being brought into the world by a very visible but very bonkers Creator. Yet something has happened – Ginger has a
glitch – he has a frown instead of a smile. And that just simply won’t do in this
surreal, merry-go-round, quasi operatic world of unquestioning, frenzied, breakable happiness. Once the Creator notices him properly, it can only mean one
thing – poor Ginger needs to be fixed and returned. There’s nothing a little celestial kintsugi
can’t mend, after all.
I have to say I found this animation at once entrancing and unnerving. It’s beautifully made, but is so layered my mind kept returning to it time and time again after the first watch - as if it had undergone some metaphorical histological sectioning that put it on replay mode while I tried to figure it out. So, go on, plonk Junior down in front of this – it will do for them what the Singing Ringing Tree did for me in the way back when.
A basic human reaction to being near someone you don't want to be near is simply to move away. Something like that happens with a number of tree species. Their crowns do not touch each other at the canopy level. Yet, the true reason for this adaptive behavior (which helps a species to cope in its environment with greatest success and least conflict with others, including its own) is still something of a mystery. A number of reasons have been put forward, but none proven definitively. If only the trees could talk…
More exactly, the reasons for crown shyness is believed to
vary across different species. Crown
Shyness was first given its name over a century ago and since then it has been
hypothesized that the reasons for this are multiple – with one species having a
reason for manifesting this striking behavior while others have different
reasons.
Over on our sibling site, Ark in Space, there is a new feature full of pictures of (mostly) squirrels splooting. If you haven’t come across this phenomenon before, it’s worth a look. Why? Well, if you ever come across a splooting squirrel, you might well first think that it is in some sort of health crisis. In fact, it’s trying to avert one. Replete with a lovely set of photographs (absolutely splootiful), this article outlines the reasons behind this peculiar animal behavior. There’s also a look into how and when the word itself came into being – it has a slightly longer history than you might imagine!
Before the global acclaim of Sinners and Black Panther, Ryan Coogler was already crafting powerful, intimate stories, and his 2009 student short Locks is a striking example. Set on the streets of Oakland, this understated but deeply moving film follows a young man heading to the barbershop, in what at first seems like a simple routine.
Shot with quiet confidence and a naturalistic eye, Locks captures the texture of everyday life while gently revealing something more profound. Coogler's gift for human storytelling is already evident here - in the silences, in the gestures, and in the subtle choices his protagonist makes.
With a runtime of just over seven minutes, Locks doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or flashy visuals. Instead, it builds a quiet tension that speaks volumes, leaving the viewer reflective long after the final frame. Shot during his time in the prestigious Master’s programme at USC School of Cinematic Arts, this student short demonstrates Coogler’s instinctive gift for storytelling under pressure
A compelling early work that hints at the voice and vision Coogler would soon share with the world. Watch and enjoy Locks below.
High above the forest floor, tucked away in a treetop house, lives an owl with a brilliant mind and a family legacy of scientific achievement. Driven by determination and intellect, he spends his days wrestling with a complex physics equation, seeking the solution that will secure his place among his esteemed ancestors (who include Nikowla Tesla).
But life in the canopy is about to get noisy. When a woodpecker moves in next door, the owl’s peaceful world is shattered by constant tapping. No matter what he tries, the racket won’t stop — and neither will his growing frustration. As his concentration slips away, so too does his grip on the problem he’s been trying to solve.
What happens next isn’t what he expected. And while we won’t spoil the ending, let’s just say that inspiration sometimes arrives in the most unexpected ways.
Neighbourwood is a beautifully animated short film directed by Eddy Hohf, Patrik Knittel, and Fynn Große-Bley. With a playful, expressive score by Alexander Wolf David, the film tells a wordless but vivid story about focus, frustration, and the strange harmony that can grow out of chaos. Watch and enjoy below.
Ready for a little science? Climate models can predict future climate and energy futures – and this video explains what exactly that means. It was created by Tinmouse for the Science Museum in London, England.
Why do we need climate models? Well, don’t we all want to know what the future
has in store for us? Human activity – despite other factors, we all know that
it is having a huge impact on the planet. Weather patterns are changing, the
sea levels are rising and extreme weather (heatwaves, for example) are more
common and well, more extreme. So emissions
must be reduced – and climate models can help there.
The video also explains energy models – they are used to
investigate how energy is supplied and distributed to meet humanity’s needs. There is a great visual explanation of energy
models in the video, too. The narrator
has a really mellifluous Welsh accent, too!
Watch the very interesting video below.
I don’t really want to sit on the fence when it comes to King Richard III, but at the risk of alienating some readers, perhaps I better had (as long as it's not near a car park, I guess). Richard III has always divided opinion – as you will see in this great animated short – and it is fair enough to say that he has been maligned, historically, particularly by Shakespeare. Yet he also had some pretty villainous moments. Rex Factor: The Animated Show is a bold and brilliant leap from podcast to screen, bringing the fascinating - and often tumultuous - life of King Richard III to animated life. Based on the internationally successful history podcast Rex Factor, the show delivers a hilarious and historically rich romp through the life of one of England’s most controversial monarchs.
Presented by the podcast’s much-loved hosts Graham Duke and
Ali Hood, the animated series follows their unique format of rating monarchs
based on five delightfully subjective categories: Battleyness, (yes, really) Scandal,
Subjectivity, Longevity, and Dynasty. King Richard III faces their irreverent
scrutiny as they examine his rise, reign, and ruin, all while debating whether
he has what it takes to earn the ultimate accolade: the coveted Rex Factor
crown.
Produced by Tinmouse Animation, the series blends slick visuals with comic flair, staying true to the charm and wit that made the original podcast a hit with history buffs and casual listeners alike. Whether you know Richard III as Shakespeare’s villain, the last Plantagenet king, or the skeleton under the Leicester car park, Rex Factor: The Animated Show offers a fresh and funny take that’s as informative as it is entertaining.
Perfect for fans of history, comedy, or quirky British
storytelling, this animated outing proves that Richard III’s legacy, however
divisive, still makes for riveting entertainment. Watch it below.
At almost two meters tall, the Noble Rhubarb (also known as
Sikkim Rhubarb) stands out – just a little - in its Himalayan habitat. While
nature has designed its neighboring herbs and shrubs to grow short and stumpy,
this species of rhubarb has other ideas. It towers above the other local plant
life and is often visible from miles away.
How does this strange, ethereal plant survive – let alone thrive – in
this inhospitable environment? Its secret is simple but ingenious: it is its
own greenhouse.
You might mistake what you can see as a rather peculiar flower (once you get over the momentary panic that the triffids are having another day). What you see is not a flower. The conical tower that is visible to the passing traveler is made up of translucent bracts. A bract is a specilaized leaf associated with the reproductive structure of a plant and they come in a multitude of shapes and sizes (often dependent on the plant’s pollinator). In the case of noble rhubarb, these bracts create a translucent curtain which surrounds the stem and flowers contained within.