Adrian Cârciova: Between Animation and Music, The Story of a Passionate Creator

Discover the creative world of Adrian Cârciova, passionate animator and musician, founder of Fose Cartoons and Baboon Studio.

Adrian Cârciova, originally from Brăila and now based in Bucharest for several years, is a creator who naturally blends animation and music. At 39, he has over 20 years of experience in animation, illustration, and music, during which he has been involved in numerous projects—each with its own story and challenges. Driven by the desire to have his own creative space, four and a half years ago he founded Baboon Studio, a place where ideas take shape and color. For Adrian, every project is an opportunity to discover something new – even when it requires a lot of work, he approaches it with the same energy and curiosity as on day one, convinced that enthusiasm is the driving force that makes all the difference.
C&B: How would you define the identity and style of Fose Cartoons?
Adrian Cârciova: My style has developed as a mix of play and experimentation. You can recognize it through its humor and expressiveness, through stylized and caricatured forms that sometimes slip into surrealism, cubism, or naive art. I grew up with the animated shows of the 1990s, especially those from Cartoon Network, which had a strong influence on me. Over time, I added to the mix a fascination with visual art—from tribal to ancient—which makes each drawing carry something both familiar and unexpected.
C&B: If we were to trace the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Adrian Cârciova: In 2004, I won second place in the Cartoon Network Romania animation idea contest Generația Animației. Excited by the result, in 2005 I enrolled at the National University of Arts in Bucharest, where I specialized in illustration and digital animation. After eight years in various gaming companies and several animated and filmed clips for my musical project Tony Baboon, I decided to start my own company. With it, I had the chance to work as an animator on the pilot Banciu – Detectiv Animat, alongside a fantastic team, and to create two stop-motion animations I am still proud of: Maximilian – Mileuri & Bibelouri and Nane – Nonstop.
C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Adrian Cârciova: Every project comes with difficult moments – inevitable, especially when I challenge myself with ambitious goals. The hardest part for me is putting music in second place when a major animation project comes up. More than once, after finishing such a project, I found that my band no longer existed, and I had to rebuild it from scratch. But it’s precisely my passion for creation and love for art that help me move forward. Each obstacle becomes a lesson, each challenge ignites a new creative fire. Slowly, these difficult moments turn into steps toward my evolution as an artist.
C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Adrian Cârciova: The ambition that guides me isn’t something I can control. It’s a force that comes from beyond thoughts and feelings – the desire to move, to create, and to constantly evolve. The natural process of transformation flows continuously, and I don’t want to stand in its way. Maybe this should be our true purpose: to let ourselves be carried by the current of creation and never resist change.
C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed since then?
Adrian Cârciova: In the beginning, all I wanted was to create, without thinking about what that really meant. I played with my ideas, completely absorbed in the process, without worrying whether others would like it, whether it would communicate something, or whether they’d want to join my game. Over time, I learned to value what others think about my art and to consider them part of the process instead of ignoring their opinions. I discovered how to communicate better, to collaborate, and to work in a team. Gradually, I transformed from an anti-social person into someone who loves people, realizing that creativity and inspiration are never just about you – they involve more people than we might think.
C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Adrian Cârciova: I think my team or collaborators would say it was a pleasure working with me. They’d probably highlight my creativity – maybe even too much sometimes – and the way I bring new and unexpected ideas to projects. At times, I might be considered “crazy,” but in the best way possible: I love experimenting, pushing boundaries, and finding original solutions. They might also notice that I’m dedicated to the process and that I try to create an environment where everyone’s ideas matter. I enjoy collaborating, listening, and encouraging others’ contributions, while also infusing my creative energy to move projects forward. In the end, I think they’d describe me as passionate, with a touch of constructive madness and a constant desire to turn ideas into tangible and surprising results.
C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your path?
Adrian Cârciova: The most important decision I’ve made was to start my own company, Baboon Studio. It was a bold step that gave me the freedom to follow my vision and turn ideas into real projects. Equally decisive was choosing to take on projects that tested all my abilities – from creativity to organization and coordination. The challenges I faced pushed me out of my comfort zone and drove me to take stop-motion animation beyond the professional average. Looking back, these decisions not only changed my professional trajectory but also helped me grow as an artist and as a person.
C&B: Is there a project you’re particularly proud of, and why?
Adrian Cârciova: The last two stop-motion animations are, without a doubt, the most complex projects I’ve worked on and the ones I’m most proud of.

In Maximilian – Mileuri & Bibelouri, I’m happy I managed to create from scratch an intimate world inspired by the 1990s – everything handcrafted, from puppets and objects to sets – together with my wife, the project’s artist.

In Nane – Nonstop, I’m proud that I collaborated with the largest team so far and that we managed to bring to life a complex work of art with great attention to detail. Both projects represent, for me, the perfect combination of meticulous work, creativity, and collaboration.

C&B: What are the current trends in animation that you find relevant for Romania and internationally?
Adrian Cârciova: Honestly, I don’t keep track of everything happening in the animation industry in real time, but I’m lucky to have artist friends who do research and keep me up to date. I think we’re going through an interesting transitional period: more and more artists are experimenting and exploring new forms, combining traditional techniques with modern technologies. Artificial intelligence is beginning to change the way we work, providing new tools, but I believe people will always return to the essence of art – to create authentic stories filled with emotion and attention to detail. At the same time, there’s a rediscovery of classic techniques like hand-drawing or stop-motion, which bring authenticity and a sense of “humanity” to projects. Overall, it’s a time when experimentation and tradition blend, and I’m trying to learn from both worlds and use them in my own way.
C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Adrian Cârciova: Lately, my days start at the studio, where I’m working on a comic book about the history of Romanian rap, called Povești de Cartier. It’s a project that challenges my creativity, and I love getting lost in its details and stories. After work, I sometimes go to the rehearsal room to play music, and I spend my evenings with my family. Our walks in the park are a much-needed break – moments to disconnect, reconnect with loved ones, and find inspiration for future projects. These simple yet authentic moments bring me the greatest satisfaction every day.
C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Adrian Cârciova: The values that guide me are love, empathy, and the joy of living and spending time with those around me. I try to apply them every day through the way I collaborate, through attention to detail, and through the desire to create projects that not only look good but also have a positive impact and inspire others.
C&B: How did the story of Fose Cartoons begin, and what motivated you to start this project?
Adrian Cârciova: My first pseudonym was Grande Ligamentos, which I created during college, around 2006. At that time, my visual style was going through a cubist and black-and-white phase. It all started from the pleasure of creating an identity separate from my civic and musical one and from the desire to centralize all the diverse projects I had created over time, to better understand why I do what I do and what message I want to convey. During college, I realized how important personal branding is and developed a passion for graphic design and advertising, even though I’ve only occasionally worked in these fields. Thus, Fose Cartoons was born as a space to gather and structure all these projects, explore my creative identity, and continue to experiment artistically.
C&B: Where do you see Fose Cartoons in the next five years?
Adrian Cârciova: In the next five years, I see Fose Cartoons involved in increasingly interesting and challenging projects. I imagine a higher level of team collaboration than before. I see myself focusing more on the creative and directing side, ensuring that the vision of each project comes to life as we imagine it. I hope that, together with my fellow artists, we’ll connect even more deeply and create the animations and games we’ve always wanted to see – projects that are authentic, innovative, and have a real impact on the audience.

Adrian Cârciova continues to inspire through his unique blend of animation and music, proving that passion, curiosity, and the desire to experiment can turn any idea into authentic and memorable projects.