Interviews

Maria Diaz : In Conversation with An Advertising Creative

September 26, 2022Creative, International, Interviewsno comments

Maria Diaz is a full-time Art Director based in Dallas. She specializes in conceptualizing and creating visuals for branding and marketing campaigns. Originally from Honduras, Maria has worked in agencies like BBDO Honduras, BBDO Atlanta, LERMA/ Dallas, and the Honduran Institute of Tourism. She has recently graduated from Miami Ad School in the Art Direction program and has a Master’s in Global Strategic Communication from Florida International University.

In her professional career Maria has worked with world renown clients among: Revlon, Mitsubishi, The Home Depot, Pantene, Hyundai, Honduran Government and tourism, Avocados from Mexico, Georgia Lottery, Honey Baked Ham, Bayer, Dove, Nivea, Durex and others.

Maria also enjoys creating art and illustration, which was a hobby she acquired during lock down, and it has been giving very fruitful work.

Maria hopes to open her own creative boutique and keep creating more award-winning work in the future.

Why are you into Advertising?
My passion for advertising goes back to my days in university, I took a class called creative advertising and that sparked my interest in pursuing creativity.

Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?
I did one Bachelor’s in Communications and advertising, with a specialization in communication for development, I got another Bachelor’s in Graphic Design.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
My parents have always been a great role model. My mom I learnt how to pursue things with passion, from my dad the rational side of things, from my stepmother she always taught me to be responsible and from my grandmother her willingness to help in whatever she could

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Advertising?
I think one of the creatives I came across in the early stages of my career that just impacted me was Stefan Sagmeister, from him I learnt that advertising can be much more than just selling. His eye for detail, his use of organic elements. It inspired me.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
When I am looking for visual inspiration, I go to Behance, Pinterest, good old google, social media. If I am brainstorming for a specific concept or an advertising campaign, I like to ask people who know nothing about advertising their opinion, you get very good insights from them.

Tell us something about your current place’s work environment. How do you keep motivating yourself and your team creatively.
I really love the place I am working at currently, LERMA/ is a great agency the people around me make the agency feel like a family. I have counted with their support since the first approach we had until now, that I am about to have 1 year working.

Do you think brands whose advertising wins awards, do well in the market?
I think that they are not always related, brands who win awards are not always doing well in the market but sometimes it is correlated. Awards help to validate your work.

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals?
I would say work on your portfolio, learn and practice your networking skills they are so important.

What’s your dream project?
I really love art; I would enjoy working with a museum like the MoMa or any other museum. I also enjoy working on social campaigns, using creativity for good is a great way to put our gifts and talents to good use.

Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Wow. We are getting deep huh! I see myself working in advertising, hopefully having my own shop. Mostly I want to see how much more knowledge and experience I can achieve. Knock on wood hopefully score a Cannes.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
My family and friends, I like to celebrate big moments in life and be surrounded by the people who have helped me achieve them.

What’s on your iPod? Spotify?
I am a Jack of all trades when it comes to music, I can go from classical, to latin, rnb, reggae, reggaeton and rock. I even have a Hindi mood playlist. But if you want to check out more look for me on Spotify: MJ Diaz Diaz

Mac or PC?
My first computer was a PC, but my last computers have all been Macs, I enjoy it.

What’s your Twitter Handle? Instagram?
My Instagram is @mjdpinkreative but also my portfolio is a great way to follow my work mjdiazdiaz.com

Maria Diaz : In Conversation with An Advertising Creative

Sandipan Deb : In Conversation With An Advertising Creative

August 1, 2022CopyWriter, Interviewsno comments

Sandipan Deb is an advertising creative who also happens to be one of the youngest minds in the industry, bending its creative norms and pushing its hard-set boundaries – one idea at a time. At 25, he already had a Cannes Lion to his name and went on to secure another, during just his 3rd year into the mad ad world.

This young creative believes in a loaded resume before a loaded wallet and his accolades prove it. With more than 60 national and international awards including the Cannes Lions, a Young Lion shortlist, Spikes, Effie, OneShow Shortlist, Promax, Abbys, Adfest, Spott, Kyoorius Young Blood, Young Shit (Droga5 portfolio award), he plans to add more to the kitty even before he turns 30. His phenomenal contributions also fuelled his entry as a shadow juror at the Kyoorius Creative Awards 2022.

In his 5-yr long journey so far, a passion for thinking and an ability to gather powerful insights have led him to shape the digital landscape while creating for some of the most-loved names on the internet like TATA, KFC, ASUS, EarlySalary, Aditya Birla Health Insurance, MTV India, Times of India Digital, BIG FM, Khatabook, Baskin & Robbins, Bosch, Amazon Prime Video, VISA, British Council, game.tv, and movie/show marketing projects like URI: The Surgical Strike, Thappad, Article 15, Men in Black and more.

When not busy leading with ideas, he leads a team of talented creative writers and art directors today. And when not brainstorming on the newest brief, he loves to pen down stories, screenplays and plans on channelling his love for filmmaking in the years to come.

A little about yourself:
Well, I’m a writer/thinker in advertising with a lot of hope in my heart that my ideas will see the light at the end of the day. I try to sleep well at night and wake up with the strangest and craziest ideas for the desk. By 8:30 pm, I stop taking myself seriously, and by 8:32, everyone else stops. I am a sucker for memes, and I think meme as a category or a creative field needs more acknowledgement and appreciation. I weigh above 80, and that makes me humble and keeps me grounded (pun intended). I like having a dessert even after a homely dal-chawal meal. Like other creatives in the industry, I aim to work hard enough till the day I no longer need to introduce myself. I breathe in, I breathe out and most often snort too. I’m as human as everyone. (Laughs)

Why are you into Advertising?
To be honest, I believe this is the only profession where you’re paid to have imaginations. Though, there are other creative fields which have the same perks like filmmaking, music, writing, painting, photography, and what not. But there’s only one profession where you get to do them all in one – advertising. It’s like a dating app for creative individuals to have a fling with different creative expressions and yet stay single and uncommitted forever.
Mostly, I’m in advertising because I enjoy it. Since a kid, I have always been a fan of television commercials. Later, while doing my graduation, I discovered it in depth and in an instant, I was drawn to it. It’s fun. It’s ever evolving. It’s contagious. And, it makes you proud of what you do.

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In Conversation With Debabrata Naskar : Advertising Creative

July 18, 2022Interviewsno comments

Born in a very large family in a very small village of Bengal. In his childhood, he fell in love with different forms of art. Sculpture, drawing and paintings are becoming the daily visitor in his dream. No wonder the very next destination was the college of art. After graduating from there, his next destination was Delhi where he started his career in a fashion house. But very soon he realised that another magic world was waiting for him. Then the epic journey started. He had worked in different agencies in different cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata etc. Seen different cultures, different people, different climates, different ideology. After sharpening different skill sets in different agencies like L&K Saathi & Saatchi, DDB Mudra, Dentsu and a few smaller agencies, he finally landed up in the world of Ogilvy, he loves to coin it “Ogilvy pathshala”. For the last 10 years he has been learning new things everyday here. He is a Football player, Theatre actor, Foodie, movie lover, traveller, photographer and still finds some time to do watercolour painting.

Why are you into Advertising?
I grew up surrounded by successful people like bankers, businessmen, politicians, lawyers, professors etc. So parents’ expectations were high. But I chose the opposite direction. I am madly in love with this profession because..
This is the only profession where no formal educational qualification is required.
This is the only profession where you don’t have to wear any formal dress and still you can go to the top.
This is the only profession where you get a chance to do new things everyday.
This is the only profession where you will face a new challenge everyday.
This is the only profession where you can create a song and sell it over the table instantly.
This is one of very few professions where..
I can keep writing.

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Aditi Sobti : In Conversation With An Advertising Creative

July 13, 2022Creative, Interviewsaditi sobtino comments

Aditi is a full-time Art Director based in New York. She specializes in conceptualizing and creating visuals for branding and marketing campaigns. Originally from India, Aditi has worked in agencies like RK Swamy BBDO in Kolkata, Cutwater in San Francisco, VMLY&R New York, and TEAM Enterprises Miami. She has recently graduated from Miami Ad School in the Art Direction program and has a Master’s in Global Strategic Communication from Florida International University.
Aditi hopes to open her own agency one day and create fearless work.

Why are you into Advertising?
Being in advertising is like being a jack of all trades but master of none. I enjoy the feeling of being able to dabble in many things. That possibility is why I am so excited to be in advertising.

Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?
I did my Bachelors in Industrial Arts and Design Practice at Srishti Manipal Institute of Arts Design and Technology. I later did my Masters at Florida International Univeristy in Global Strategic Communication and a degree in Art Direction from Miami Ad School. So I am trained in both design and communications.

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Abhinaya Sudharsanam : In Conversation With An Artist

June 14, 2022Illustration, Interviewsno comments

Abhinaya is a freelance illustrator and designer who loves problem solving through visuals. She’s extremely passionate about brightening up people’s lives through joyful works and also equally enjoys teaching and learning continuously. She also likes having an occasional sweet treat or two. Or ten.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I love creating. Being an illustrator allows me to experiment and have fun on a daily basis. I found the world of illustration only in my 20s after working in a different field, and I’m so glad to be doing what I thoroughly enjoy.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I din’t attend an art school but I learnt everything related to art, design and business side of creative industry through an online program – Artpreneur Program

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PK Anil Kumar : In Conversation With An Advertising Creative

April 25, 2022Interviewsno comments

P K Anil Kumar has been an advertising professional with over 28 years in the industry and has worked with big agencies like — McCann Erickson Delhi and Mumbai, RK Swamy BBDO Delhi, Bates Chi & Partners, BBDO Lanka among others.

He worked with brands,such as Nerolac, Onida, NDTV, Marico, Vaseline, Fortune Oils, Aquaguard, Bacardi, Sprite, MasterCard, Tang and Perfetti to name a few.

P K Anil, who also has had his share of awards like 3 Cannes Lions, One Show, Spikes, AdFest, among others.

He’s also worked on feature films as screenplay writer, dialogue writer, and lyricist.

And also made couple of short films which he has written, directed and acted in.

Currently he’s Creative Head INDIA and ECD, McCann Health

We revisit a conversation with PK Anil Kumar after 10 years. We had earlier spoken to him here…

Why are you into Advertising?
Advertising is not a profession for someone who gets to do everything that he loves to do like a hobby. It’s actually having fun at the expense of a client’s brief.

Another reason could be that it’s not rocket science.
Because I didn’t really like Physics even though I took science stream to please my parents, neighbours and the society as a whole.
Somewhere I think God silently guides you to where you want to go.

From a very young age I used to sketch and paint; I used to write poems and was also active on stage.
So the only place I thought where I could utilize all my talents without sacrificing or compromising on another talent would be advertising.
I am one of those few lucky people who get paid for having fun with my hobbies.
And believe me, it’s been a wonderful journey so far.

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Sriram Iyer : In a Chat With An Agency Creative

January 31, 2022CopyWriter, Creative, Interviewsone comment

A little about yourself:

Now this where I fumble. Mostly because I don’t know how one answers this question. But I’ll give it a shot nonetheless.
I’ve been in advertising for over 10 years now. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some wonderful people. The industry has also given me great friends, introduced me to certain substances (no, not that kind), made me gain weight, made me lose temper but also helped me find myself.

Why are you into Advertising?
I got into the industry because I thought I was good enough to be a part of it. I am still here because it continues to be fun, even though it’s equally challenging.

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Jatin Sangwan : In Conversation With A Sr Copywriter

January 4, 2022CopyWriter, Interviewsno comments

Jatin is a Senior Copywriter at FCB Ulka. He is the kind of guy who drinks Frooti (or Maaza, never Slice) while everyone is chugging down beers. Bike riding, playing football, and reading true crime are his favourite hobbies. After herding some blue and brass elephants to his cabinet and a few Effies, he is hungry for some international stuff. When not working, he’s annoying his team by telling them bad jokes (and laughing at them). Also, super cute.

Why are you into Advertising?
I love thinking up new things. Not just ads. Jokes, movie plots, products that I will never invent. And advertising is the only place that lets me do this, every day. Plus, you can work in pyjamas and sleep on the job (more often than I’d like to admit).

Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?
Nope.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I did not get to decide my role models. My parents did that for me and was often a colleague’s son or daughter.

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Reshu Singh : Illustration

December 13, 2021Illustration, Interviewsno comments

Reshu Singh is an independent illustrator and visual artist, with work rooted in drawing, mark-making and storytelling. She has a keen interest in graphic narrative, moving and still image, interaction of art, science, culture and environment. Her comics have been published in anthologies by Zubaan Books (India), mairisch Verlag (Germany) and Ad Astra Comix (USA). In 2016, her comics work was recognised to be among 100 pioneering female comic artists around the world and was exhibited at House of Illustration, London, in an exhibition curated by Paul Gravett and Olivia Ahmed.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I have always loved drawing, and being an illustrator lets me make a living doing that.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I attended College of Art, New Delhi and studied Applied Art there which included graphic design, illustration and advertising.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
It has been evolving since the beginning. I have always enjoyed working with brush and ink. I think drawing a lot over time has helped me shape my voice.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I think my role model was my grandmother, always a strong woman who I looked up to.

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Nipen Bhuyan : In Conversation With An Illustrator

July 12, 2021Illustration, Interviewsno comments

I am a concept artist and a visual designer. I have been in this field for the past 8 years and enjoy what I’m doing. I love photography and travel. I especially like visiting new places.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I have liked drawing since my childhood. I feel fortunate that I have this opportunity to do what I love.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I did join an Institute for fine arts after completing my graduation.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I was always fascinated by water colour paintings. That style was hard to achieve digitally but I kept working on it till I got the desired result. I’m still working on that style and improving on it.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
There were many role models. The person whose work influenced me the most was R.K.Laxman. I was inspired by the simplicity of his life as well as his work. I liked the social aspect that he touched in his arts.
Another person who has inspired and influenced my desire to be a professional artist, is Bill Watterson. He was the cartoonist and author of Calvin and Hobbes. He always worked for personal fulfillment and that influenced me.

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