Shows
The Company Road PodcastE25 Alex Normanton - The courage to craft: navigating creative crossroadsSend us a text"Mistakes are as valuable as the finely crafted ideas. There's something tangible in them that could often be elevated and be the main idea."Alex NormantonIn this episode, you’ll hear about:Establishing strategic foundations for creativity: Grounding creative ideas in strategy to ensure a solid basis for the creative process and alignment to objectives, prior insights and the broader brief.Overcoming creative blocks: Strategies for maintaining optimal mental spaces, getting through blocks of creativity & balancing left and right brain functionalities.Being a design-led organisation: Wh...
2024-01-0252 min
Dark Side of the LibraryDark Comic Books + Graphic Novels Coming Out October 2023Dark Side of the Library Podcast Episode #152: Dark Comic Books + Graphic Novels Coming Out October 2023 (Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you) Blood Tree, by Peter J Tomasi (Author), Maxim Simic (October 17) https://amzn.to/47tRLmZ Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer: The Lost Summer, by Casey Gilly (Author), Lauren Knight (October 31) https://amzn.to/47vOiEl
2023-10-1319 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S02 EP05: From sensitivity to sensibility with Jason KempenIn conversation with Jason Kempen, Creative Director at Qindle, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from sensitivity to sensibility and how to help people become more pragmatic in their creative ideology and approach.Jason is an experienced Creative Director working in the fields of brand identity, packaging design and art direction. Originally from Cape Town and now living in Amsterdam, he enjoys working intuitively and pragmatically with both global and local clients. Roles at a combination of large network agencies as well as independent studios led him to his current position as Creative Director...
2022-03-2134 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S02 EP04: From secrecy to openness with Katrina EncantoIn conversation with Katrina Encanto, an Executive Creative Director at 180 Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to shift from secrecy to openness and how to help people share more, be truly authentic, collaborative and more vulnerable with their ideas.Amsterdam is the latest stop on a journey that has taken Katrina from Manila to Milan, Parma, Bangkok, and London. At 180, she works with a team of over 30 nationalities to offer a fresh perspective for brands all around the world. With this role comes the responsibility of nurturing creative talent, raising the craft of the work, and...
2022-02-1435 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S02 EP03: From faking it to storytelling with Rod Ben ZeevIn conversation with Rod Ben Zeev, Facilitator at THNK School of Creative Leadership, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to pivot from improvisation to storytelling and how to enable people to move away from a ‘fake it till you make it’ mentality.Rod Ben Zeev has devoted his professional career to telling stories. He's written plays, screenplays, TV shows, performed stand-up comedy, founded a true storytelling night, and performed improvisational theatre all over the globe. He particularly connected with improv because of the spontaneity and the collective discovery. In order to do well you need to adhe...
2021-12-0638 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S02 EP02: From ego to empathy with Carren O'KeefeIn conversation with Carren O'Keefe, Executive Creative Director at AnalogFolk, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from ego to empathy and how to help people shift to a more down-to-earth operational model. Plus practical tools on how to recognise your own self-saboteur and how to stay humble and grounded.Carren O’Keefe is the Executive Creative Director of AnalogFolk in Amsterdam, an independent global creative agency that uses digital to make the analog world better. Prior to relocating to AMS in 2020, Carren founded AF’s Portland, OR office and helped oversee creative across the US r...
2021-11-0538 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).SEASON 02 EP01: From insecurity to smashing it with Liva GrinbergaIn conversation with Liva Grinberga, Design Director at MediaMonks, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from insecurity to empowerment and how to enable people to ‘smash it’ in their daily creative roles. A very informative and inspiring conversation packed full of practical tools, how to step back from 'pixel management' and how to champion people to be the best version of themselves. Plus a lot of infectious laughter.As a Design Director, Liva works closely with an amazing global team of designers, focusing on delivering best-in-class work through open collaboration that inspires both the clie...
2021-10-0134 min
The Phil Hay Show - A show about Leeds UnitedWhen Bielsa Owned Old TraffordThe Athletic’s Phil Hay previews the weekend’s titanic curtain raiser with Dan Moylan and Michael Normanton from The Square Ball. Phil recalls the occasion when Bielsa took his Bilbao side to Old Trafford in the Europa League and they overran Alex Ferguson’s side. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-08-131h 00
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP10: From mistakes to ass-kick ideas with Erik KesselsIn conversation with Erik Kessels, Dutch artist, curator, communication designer and Creative Partner of KesselsKramer, Amsterdam.In this episode, we discuss how to use and embrace all the mistakes and f***k ups within the creative process. As design software and tools have opened the doorway to perfectionism, sometimes it's ok to stick everything in a metaphoric washing machine and mix things up a little. A very engaging conversation packed full of inspiration, practical tools and how to master the art of looking sideways within the ideation process.Erik Kessels is a Dutch artist, curator and...
2021-07-0737 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP09: From brickwalls to breakthrough with Alec TearIn conversation with Alec Tear, independent Designer and Lettering Artist, based in Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to break-through those mental brick walls and how to use them to channel more solid ideas. "No-one is ever going to create the best design ever when they are stressed about creating the best design ever". The process of conquering the wall becomes addictive, and the process of design enables you with the desire and appetite to repeat the whole cycle again. Alec Tear is an independent Designer and Lettering Artist with an extensive background in branding and p...
2021-06-2335 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP08: From anxiety to excitement with Liam HoulihanIn conversation with Liam Houlihan, Creative Director of Bulletproof, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to have a healthy perspective on anxiety and how to unlock the excitement phase within the creative process. The greatest ideas are not born out of stress and anxiety, they are born out of play and excitement. There is power in switching off, getting out into nature, blocking out your agenda and turning off notifications. When your mind is free from anxiety, ideas start to flourish.Liam Houlihan, is the Creative Director of the Bulletproof Amsterdam studio. Since leaving University in...
2021-06-0935 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP07: From fear to fun with Timo KrampIn conversation with Timo Kramp, Founder and Creative Director of Kindly Made, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to channel fear and include it as part of the creative process. A healthy dose of fear sprinkled into a project can help you to fully embrace the house of fun at the point of arrival. It also helps to produce better work (if your perspective on fear is healthy). A very interesting conversation from someone at the start of their career and who's smashing it in all things sustainable. After working at various design and creative agencies i...
2021-05-2635 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP06: From failure to reinvention with Maxine PenneyIn conversation with Maxine Penney, Culture Manager of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (EMEA & APAC) at Media Monks/S4 Capital, Amsterdam.In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from failure and failed ventures and move towards reinvention. A very candid and heart-felt conversation that gives a lot of practical tools on how to be kind to yourself, top tips on how to get that next job and how failure, ultimately is part of success.Maxine Penney (she/her) is a creative connector, storyteller, relationship builder, content maker, natural born seller, radio co-host and social media addict...
2021-05-1236 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP05: From uniformity to diversity with Garech StoneIn conversation with Garech Stone, Co-founder and Creative Director at The Stone Twins, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss the uniformity that exists on the high-street and 'design' at large. The creative industry and the world we live in, is crying out for more authentic voices; fuelled by diversity (in the broadest sense), in order to unlock a richer palette of representation and expression.Garech Stone is literally one half of The Stone Twins, an Amsterdam-based creative brand consultancy. Together with twin brother Declan, the firm specialises in brand identity including naming and verbal identity, concept development and c...
2021-04-2634 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP04: From bulls**t to boldness with Cece WyldeckIn conversation with Cece Wyldeck, Head of Creative Development at MassiveMusic, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss the B.S. that's often associated with the advertising industry. From over-inflated egos and bravado; we unpack a fresh perspective on how to deal with this attitude. Also, how to turn negativity into bolder work that will define this era as the 'Golden Age of Creativity' Cece Wyldeck is the Head of Creative Development at MassiveMusic, one of the leading creative music agencies in the world. Cece has been raising the volume since she was a proud member of the S...
2021-04-1532 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP03: From critique to action with Nikki GonnissenIn conversation with Nikki Gonnissen, Co-founder, Director and Designer at thonik, Amsterdam. In this episode, we talk about fuelling critique into action for good. Look at the world around you, be critical on those things and use those insights to make things better. Learn how to channel critical thinking into passion and ultimately, passion into action.Nikki Gonnissen is a graphic designer and director of studio thonik, which she co-founded with Thomas Widdershoven in 1993. Thonik creates visual identities and develops communication concepts and publicity campaigns which are socially relevant, graphically strong and flexible in its application. A...
2021-04-0634 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).S01 EP02: From self-doubt to self-belief with Graham SturtIn conversation with Graham Sturt, Creative Director and Partner at D8 Amsterdam. In this episode, we talk about how to shift from negative thinking and self-sabotage to a more positive and fruitful head-space. Top-tips on breaking through creative block and sharing those unexpected ideas in art-board number 246.Graham is Creative Director and Partner at D8, a strategic design and branding agency with studios in Amsterdam and Glasgow. During his career he has held roles at a number of leading international agencies, collecting numerous awards for his work. Graham is active in the international creative community as an...
2021-04-0641 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).SEASON 01 EP01: The concept behind DOPA with Alex NormantonIn this first episode, we talk to Alex Normanton, Founder, Creator and Host of DOPA; about the concept behind brand the podcast series. He talks with Graham Sturt, Creative Director and Partner at D8, a strategic design and branding agency with studios in Amsterdam and Glasgow.Alex Normanton is an independent Creative Director living in Amsterdam (with prior roles at Design Bridge, MassiveMusic and Saatchi & Saatchi). He has been working in the creative industry for over two decades and is a highly motivated, strategic and ideas-led Creative Director. He offers a wealth of award-winning experience, creativity and...
2021-03-2524 min
DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness).EP00: The TrailerA brief introduction to the podcast by Alex Normanton, Founder, Creator and Host of DOPA. Alex Normanton is an independent Creative Director living in Amsterdam (with prior roles at Design Bridge, MassiveMusic and Saatchi & Saatchi). He has been working in the creative industry for over two decades and is a highly motivated, strategic and ideas-led Creative Director. He offers a wealth of award-winning experience, creativity and aptitude combined with a passion for detail, craft and aesthetic.--DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness) Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton. Music by Keelan Do...
2021-03-2302 min