Mr. Evanggala Rasuli is the lead creative strategist in a company called TADOtv in Indonesia. He works with an innovative team and is in charge of leading, supervising, and managing them in a project. I found Mr. Rasuli via his LinkedIn profile when I was searching for a potential creative strategist I could interview. I messaged him about the interview opportunity through his LinkedIn and asked him whether he would consider helping out answering a few questions related to his field of work. I was happy to receive his reply not long after, and I sent him the list of interview questions.
The following are the questions I asked him and his direct answers.
1. Can you explain what is TADOtv, what do you do in the company?
"TADOtv is a creative content agency that provide services in terms of creative communication strategy and interactive video content. I work as the lead creative strategist, supervising, managing, and directing the creative team consisting of screenwriters, copywriters, and creative strategists."
2. How did you get your start as a creative strategist?
"The work of being a creative strategist has always been given to me since the early days of my career, not long after starting as a content and copywriter and moving to a small talent agency. I saw that there's a vacuum of creative strategy, and told the team that I want to do it. But back then I didn't really understand the work as a professional, and was only using logic and instinct.
From there, I tried to understand as much as possible about content, creative writing, and communication strategy. When I see that there's a need, or a vacuum unseen by other, I spoke out and took the challenge. Failing comes later, I just wanna do things first.
It was my tenure at Edelman that really shape and frame what being a strategist is professionally.
So how did I get my start? By literally jumping to any chance I can get my hands too, but with clear goal in mind."
3. What's the number one piece of advice you have for young people who are in your field of work?
"Know exactly your edge; what ticks you, what interest you, what your resolve is, what makes you special. Believe in it, polish it, and sell it."
4. What inspires you / help you get out of a 'creative block' moment?
"Deadline.
Kidding. Creative block is a façade; a cool words that doesn't really exist. You're not in a block, but you are tired. So I usually rest. I go home, eat good food, drink a glass of wine or two, watch something fun or refreshing, and then get back to work.
Find the healthiest working hour you can get, and make sure you stay fresh and well rested."
5. Have you ever had to work on a project/campaign that is different/against your beliefs? How do you deal with it?
"No. I don't want to do it, if it's against my beliefs. If its racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, etc. I refuse to work on it. Why would they hire me in the first place? I'm open about my views, and would not compromise them too much."
6. What do you look for in someone's portfolio / What attracts you to a person's portfolio?
"How much that portofolio shows their diverse experience, and shows their personality."
7. What do you think makes someone's portfolio stand out?
"Make it personal, and don't be boring. Show your edge, why you are special. Believe in it."
8. As the world progresses, new trends are always emerging. What measures do you take for keeping yourself with the news and the latest updates? And how do you incorporate it into your field of work?
"Talk to more people, listen to more people, and always be open to the fact that you will need to learn more. I don't get the thinking that in this industry, we can know all that we need to know. That's BS. We all have to be open to learn new things, and make it our own."
From the interview, what I understand is that there are no such things as "mastering the subject," as new trends will always be emerging, and there is no stopping it. Mr. Rasuli also mentioned that a stand out portfolio is created by someone who shows their true colors and experience. When hiring someone, Mr. Rasuli wants to get to know the person applying and understand their point of view, not just the skill they have. To succeed in this world, Mr. Rasuli advised people to figure out who they are, what they believe in, what makes them well, them.
Reflection Corner:
Agree:
The following are the questions I asked him and his direct answers.
1. Can you explain what is TADOtv, what do you do in the company?
"TADOtv is a creative content agency that provide services in terms of creative communication strategy and interactive video content. I work as the lead creative strategist, supervising, managing, and directing the creative team consisting of screenwriters, copywriters, and creative strategists."
2. How did you get your start as a creative strategist?
"The work of being a creative strategist has always been given to me since the early days of my career, not long after starting as a content and copywriter and moving to a small talent agency. I saw that there's a vacuum of creative strategy, and told the team that I want to do it. But back then I didn't really understand the work as a professional, and was only using logic and instinct.
From there, I tried to understand as much as possible about content, creative writing, and communication strategy. When I see that there's a need, or a vacuum unseen by other, I spoke out and took the challenge. Failing comes later, I just wanna do things first.
It was my tenure at Edelman that really shape and frame what being a strategist is professionally.
So how did I get my start? By literally jumping to any chance I can get my hands too, but with clear goal in mind."
3. What's the number one piece of advice you have for young people who are in your field of work?
"Know exactly your edge; what ticks you, what interest you, what your resolve is, what makes you special. Believe in it, polish it, and sell it."
4. What inspires you / help you get out of a 'creative block' moment?
"Deadline.
Kidding. Creative block is a façade; a cool words that doesn't really exist. You're not in a block, but you are tired. So I usually rest. I go home, eat good food, drink a glass of wine or two, watch something fun or refreshing, and then get back to work.
Find the healthiest working hour you can get, and make sure you stay fresh and well rested."
5. Have you ever had to work on a project/campaign that is different/against your beliefs? How do you deal with it?
"No. I don't want to do it, if it's against my beliefs. If its racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, etc. I refuse to work on it. Why would they hire me in the first place? I'm open about my views, and would not compromise them too much."
6. What do you look for in someone's portfolio / What attracts you to a person's portfolio?
"How much that portofolio shows their diverse experience, and shows their personality."
7. What do you think makes someone's portfolio stand out?
"Make it personal, and don't be boring. Show your edge, why you are special. Believe in it."
8. As the world progresses, new trends are always emerging. What measures do you take for keeping yourself with the news and the latest updates? And how do you incorporate it into your field of work?
"Talk to more people, listen to more people, and always be open to the fact that you will need to learn more. I don't get the thinking that in this industry, we can know all that we need to know. That's BS. We all have to be open to learn new things, and make it our own."
From the interview, what I understand is that there are no such things as "mastering the subject," as new trends will always be emerging, and there is no stopping it. Mr. Rasuli also mentioned that a stand out portfolio is created by someone who shows their true colors and experience. When hiring someone, Mr. Rasuli wants to get to know the person applying and understand their point of view, not just the skill they have. To succeed in this world, Mr. Rasuli advised people to figure out who they are, what they believe in, what makes them well, them.
Reflection Corner:
Agree:
- The advice Mr. Rasuli gave about knowing what your strengths and limits are when doing a project is something you will always need. Not only will it benefit who you are working with, the outcome of the project, and yourself as well.
- Taking a rest whenever you feel like you are 'stuck' creatively. You shouldn't force yourself to your limit is good advice.
- Showing your personality and portray them in your portfolio that you create.
Disagree:
- I know that Mr. Rasuli was joking when he mentioned that 'deadline' is his motivation. However, sometimes the deadline of a project could be the very thing that pushes you to stop procrastinating and finish your job.
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