Looking Back

2010 has been a whirlwind of excitement for me. Which is why I haven't blogged so long. From my last entry about becoming an Art Director, to being involved and winning my first pitch. And all the learning curves about communication, presenting and conceptualizing. Even to the details of execution: graphic design, photography , storytelling right down to production techniques that I've hopefully stepped up a little. The work is still incredibly demanding, particularly from the clients side. A million revision for a print ad layout, or tvc concept, or storyline etc can be a daily event. Which is something you need to be smart at dealing with so that your work can still come through. Although sometimes you have no choice! It can get stressful sometimes but once done can be so rewarding. There were sad moments like friends at work that I've become close too, chose to resign. That shows how fast the pace in the industry is. I utilize all of my skills which is great for my personal exploration. One of the greatest challenges I'm slowly trying to enhance is speed, and my communication skills. Particularly in public speaking or presenting.


It takes a particular skill to explain thoroughly, be fun and to be understood without sounding domineering. I've learned one miss communication can ruin so much time and effort. Also I have felt my patience being tested in all areas all too well. But we've had plenty of fun. I've been involved in 7 productions so far (6 Sharp TVC's, 1 Relaxa TVC), directed 6 photo shoots. All fun, and met lots of interesting people.




























Traveling Highlights:
Singapore! 3 day office outing which was insane!
Bandung - stayed a night a former colleagues wedding
Bogor (cilember) - Hiking and light rafting with friends
















But one of the greatest highlights that year was my entry to Daun Muda Award!
Its a competition segment created for young creatives under 30 made by Citra Pariwara (Indonesia's advertising festival). The winner is selected to compete again in an Asia pacific award festival called AdFest in the "Young Lotus" Category held in Thailand.


The theme of this years brief was called People Movement. The brief was to bring in a social issue and create a campaign to 'move' people to participate in solving that issue. My partner and I made a social campaign called "LOVE INK" to help relief the victims of an earthquake in a province called Yogyakarta. All we did was spread the message to people (particularly around our agency, because they are creative people :P) to create messages of hope on a plain white shirt. Surprisingly people went crazy doodling, painting creating artworks on their own knowing it was a good cause. I was really ecstatic because it combined my dream to help people using creativity! The process of making the campaign was rewarding enough.

I went through a crazy journey of creating the logos, printing etc. Sure I admit it wasn't a detailed and thorough campaign. But it got people uploading the stuff on facebook even though we didn't ask! After that did we made the facebook page, haha ... and also with the help of my friend we compiled a video with motion graphics. The nightmare, however, began on the the eve of deadline when our shirts didn't come through Yogyakarta. Ironically because the province was still recovering and they shut down the airport. We called the volunteer (a friend from our account manager) to advise us, but no avail. So we panicked when we didn't have a solution - I thought we should just be honest. So we sent the keynote presentation stating that, we don't know what the result is. Hahahaha...

To my dibelief we got in as top 10 finalist!! And we finally got the pictures of the people in Yogya wearing our shirts a few day later! I know it sounds like nothing big, but it was a huge turning point and learning curve for me. The 3 days that led to the awarding night was literally the most nerve wrecking days of my life. My partner (copywriter: Adra) and I were only given 10 minutes to present (in English) a thorough communication strategy about our campaign - in front of a panel of international and local Creative Directors. That night was interesting for me, and I got to meet a number of young creatives from other agencies. However, I've always felt I express myself better in English. So I felt quite confident in my presentation even though my heart was about to burst! I'm starting to understand how to present in theory and how to notch it up to make it interesting.

Learning points: Never Rush. Always be thorough.

Second day, we were told to enter a pre-seminar at Citra Pariwara. Where they will announce the top 3. We didn't get in. I had mixed feelings, one being that "Well I obviously need to learn to be better" feeling, second when I saw the presentations, well, "why?" I was relieved during Awarding Night I got to talk to the Juries where I got some interesting insights. I talked to Mr. Chukiat. J. CCO of Flagship Euro BKK, and a local Creative Grouphead from a multinational agency, that explained to me what wasn't working. Our campaign and presentation was a success, unfortunately he believed a moral message can only uplift a persons spirit so much. The real challenge is to bring concrete, visible solutions. Other wise I also learned that in creating mass communication, we shouldn't be smarter than the people. When you ask people to do something, make it simple. So that anyone from all walks of life can participate easily.


I got tremendous support from everyone in the agency, but I was more surprised when my boss sent us to attend Adfest in Phuket last March! Firstly I was just happy to come back to the land of Thai since its been so long. But I was so surprised they sent us to stay in Phuket for four days!! Was a huge privilege to attend the festival. All the industries hotshots were there! Three people including myself were sent, but only myself and my colleague (art director: Chacha) entered the event. We met a great deal of important people in the industry both local and worldwide. But we also attended the 3 days seminar, up till the Awarding Night and after party at the beach! I was blown away by every piece of work that was shown. And the seminars conducted weren't only about advertising but films, music and design. I wont share much of it here since I already made a detailed presentation for my team last week. I also discovered an interesting fact from meeting a person from BKK: One of the tvc's that we made had been adapted to a Thai version!! How weird is that!!


















The last day my colleagues and I went to the beach in Phi Phi Island! I have never been there and I have to say, what a paradise!! Such a gorgeous getaway. I just wished I was the only in the beach. Also a first time experience was watching the infamous but disturbing Ping Pong show. Only this one used a balloon. YUCK! Just watching a woman lift up her skirt for show alone is disgusting! But putting a balloon in there?? Why do you have to that to yourself lady?? Surely you can do something steadier like cleaning the dishes?? Or pop something less disturbing
like pimples!










Traveling Highlights of this year:
Sukabumi Rafting: With friend and made random friends
Phuket, Thailand : ADFEST BABY!!



All in all its been a great year of struggle that I've felt I've reaped the 'rewards'. I've met too many people that can be both challenging and inspiring. I've felt like I've changed as a person too, and I'm more confident in expressing myself. But I got heaps to learn. And more to reach. I'm truly blessed!

The Bear that Wasn't

A clever metaphoric story of how society can often be as cruel as to project an image or identity on us.
How we should act or be, and forcefully tell us who we should be.

Rafting

A colleague at work asked to join a day trip to Sukabumi to go rafting with some of her friends during the Islamic Holiday. It was AWESOME! Almost didn't make it due to the heavy rain we have been experiencing these weeks. Surprisingly the bunch that traveled with us have never met most of the other, didn't even know whose car or who the driver was and thus completely random for me, haha.. But it turns out everyone was almost connected with each other. My friend and I were seperated on two boats. This was a second time rafting for me, but this time slightly more extreme as the sport took a good 2 and a half hours! Of course we didn't row the entire way, and there were many times of waiting and a short break. Which I didn't always like, because it ruins the mood after you dive over a wave. There were plenty moments of 'stillness' that required nothing but to admire the scenery. At one point when the guy told us we could get into the water to test the lifevest, I was pushed into the river! During the end, my friends boat even deliberately got their boat flipped the other way around XD

these nights

there's no cure
no art
no beauty
no wisdom
to any of this

Just an uninvited feeling
that will accompany me through
yet another long evening

The old age question

“Who are you? ” said the Caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.

Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”

Be kind Rewind

Alma:"Are you in love with me?"
Mike:"No."
Alma:"You know your in love with someone when you spent at least 20 minutes 
a day talking to them in your head".

males mikirin duit.
prioritasin aktivitas ga produktif
nunggu notifications
makian, candaan, baju, status sosial
seolah imej diri di tentukan opini orang lain.

The opposite of fear (THANK GOD!)

It's been a bizzare several months since I've joined my current advertising agency. And one heck of a ride! Finally working as one of my dream job: an Art Director!

It took me a lot of searching and struggle, and learning that the all the events that happened to me and people I've met post my acceptance to this agency, were like a strange weave of path to connect me here. haha. I know that sounds very gay but it is strangely true. I truly believe now anything you strive for in life, whether it is only wishful thinking, the smallest effort can bring you closer and closer to that something. I know cause I'm living it!!

Not all is sunshine and lollipops. Heck, I'm surprised at how I've managed to keep positive with some "POLITE" personalities I have to work with. One week into it was like adapting to a new school, only it wasn't school where I can "choose" my friends, and I happened to experience a culture shock - in my own country.

IThere are plenty of things I learn on a daily basis. Everyday is trully different, I never know what to expect which is exciting. The first day I joined, I've already blended in easily like everyone was an old friend. Everyone in this field is crazy hehe. One thing I haven't forgotten the day I joined, I was immediately introduced to the project the team I joined were handling, with my colleague, a very down to earth and nice Art Director ( who isn't here anymore :() and senior copywriter (who happened to work with my sister before!)I didn't stop asking questions, one of the questions I asked was about the storyline. I thought it was too direct and they all replied " well because this is Indonesia. We cannot create something so freely."

That line punched me in the face. I was a newbie and yet I asked the most ignorant question. But it also made me a little sad. Is this a problem? Is it a question of accommodating the audience? Indonesian audience? The clients? or are we as the "creative thinkers" the ones responsible for the limitations?

An Art Director isn't just a fancy title. It's role differs according to which field you are in. There are Art Directors for film making/production houses (setting the look and feel of the film - correct me this is only to my understanding), Art directors for Graphic Design (less strategic oriented than in advertising, they usually require high crafting skills, but also brilliant conceptualizing), there's also animation, magazine layouts etc.

My job offers a lot of learning experience whether it is refining your crafting (skills), managing a team (whether your own, or working with other people outside the agency - such as photographers, directors, clients) and creating a communication strategy for a brand. This includes the whole campaign that a client requires you to develop for their brand.

The technical side requires us to own not just good designing skills, or drawing skills (and that is an ongoing debate these days, since it seems like rarely do art directors have to own this ability) but also:

* Strong communication skills: We receive a brief from a client. So far I learn it goes in this order:
Research Asking Who?
understanding Who the client is, what they want. "Who" the brand is, "who" are the target audience, by interviewing people, reading, asking, anything.
Strategy -> Solving the problem. Positioning, where we all as a team decide to take the direction of the brands image & product.
Conceptualizing -> Combining "a plan of attack" Gestalts Theory, to interpret the communication strategy. Whether is it the essence of a story line, a layout etc.
Ideas CRAZY IDEAS are welcome!
then Parlaying those thoughts into a thorough presentation
-> Verbal Communication
Execution & Aesthetics the best part! Visual Communication.

MAKING THE STORYBOARDS!! (which means myself with help decides angles, storylines )
SHOOTING!!! PHOTOSHOOTS!! DESIGNING!!! All of this requires technical skills, but also having a good sense in aesthetics that isn't specific to our taste, but according to where the whole direction is going.


Lastly: ENERGY

Anyone, whatever the role, as long as they are a part of it is going to need that. And alot of it, cause none of those things above are done from 9 to 5. Nope. You work irregular hours, and if needed spend the night awake for it. Time speaks differently for people in this industry. It's shorter, and faster!

Of course I've learned that, because I live in Indonesia, specifically in Jakarta now, there is a need to understand the "culture" we are communicating to. Working in the creative field automatically directs you to be a part of the pop culture. We ARE pop culture. So its a very interesting challenge to learn about who we are talking to. There is an idealism to pursue what we want - both personally or as a team, but then there is almost always intervention from the client's side. Which is where we need to give a smarter conviction or compromise or try and pray.. for a miracle hehe.

It also means everyone has to adapt, not just myself (who literally had to 'adapt' :))

“Cinema is a personal pursuit,” Apihcatpong said. “To present my point of view is to present a different kind of cinema, to push the boundary and to see what cinema can do.

“Everywhere in the world now, even in Cambodia or Laos, we’ve become something like a monoculture. We have the same logic about narrative, and minority culture has been prevented from being expressed. Cinema is one of the components that can foster the understanding in the culture. I hope that makes sense.”

Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul on the Palme d'Or top prize at the Cannes film festival

Aakash Nihalani

Lollipop Lollipop LaLaLa Lollipop

Never thought finding genuine happiness in my simple life could be so easy.
I've always had a difficult relationship with my MOOD, its like its got a mind of its own or that it's swelled up so much that it had sprung into life and became a separate entity than that of yours truly. So much..maybe TOO much there is I have to thank for starting from the start of this very year. My new job, my new life, my new acquaintances (which happened to be "important" people to me!), and friends that are brilliant workers/ talent. My new adventure!
I haven't had the need to go shopping anymore for a long time, I work more, and work that I enjoy, I learn more, I read more, I EXERCISE more (I've joined the gym!) I spend time with family more, I pray more, but most of all I get to do interesting projects, and create more. Which is by far very crucial :)

Who says you need to be in a state of prolific "darkness" to find "artistic depth" whatever the heck that means :)

His health

Wish my dad could go on a vacation!! throw off the bowlines, have fun, go on a yacht or something with my mom. I want him to be healthy - both in the mind and body. I want him to stop working - whether he loves it or for the sake of us - it doesn't matter. Just enjoy life, Dad! Those regular throbbing sounds from his throat that aches my heart, are like an constant pendulum of an inevitable painful reminder. What I'm going to do as a material token, (and when I've saved up), I'm definitely going to give back something,we are all trying to show our worth through this. But in the meantime, try to let go, and believe in us! We can survive on our own, we are all trying to be..

Thoughts when I see magnificent artwork, videos, ideas - whatever form:

I have always wanted my occupation to be more than just a job, but a learning experience,
the things that form an extension of the content inside this "container",
something to live for, something born of necessity, and passion. Something to connect myself to the world as a unity.

Insya Allah, I feel I'm heading there day by day :)

Magnum

I'm waiting for something
To put these foolish things to right

Protected accepted
I need it now I need it right

I'm feeling so empty
In this old lonely world's tonight

I'm restless defenseless
In this unholy world tonight

For love we burn
We never learn
We'll never learn 

O lonely night

Disappear

O lonely night
Don't you come around here

"Matthew Lyons Illustration" by inksurge

"Matthew Lyons Illustration" by inksurge

bzzt

Showreel from Nurul Ibrahim on Vimeo.

leading a double life

foto: Anne Lebowitz

.....

Dear Nurul Ibrahim, below are your Personality Tests result:
Who is your true self: You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.
Yourself: You are really hiding your true self.
Girlfriend/boyfriend: You like serious, smart and determined people.
Relationship: You prefer to get to know a person very well.
Love: Your have very sensible tactics.
Education: Education is very important in life.
Job: You're a practical person and will choose a secure job.
Success: You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go.
Afraid: You are concerned about your image.

if we are all formed by information of others, location, physical and mental experiences in the past
than what are we?

I could be blob in the sky
I could be a bubble gum
if someone/something hadn't make me believe i wasn't
what if we are all a phantom of substance?

I wonder if i wake up tommorow and be able to explain who I am free from my understanding of my past and background.

One sided monologue days

A: So what do you do on a regular friday night?
B: Howl at the moon.