The creative inspiration cluttering up our creative team browsers

Q: Whose browser is this? 

A: Alex Hill, Creative Director, San Francisco

Q: How many open tabs are on your desktop right now? 

A: Only ever about 5 or 6. I am anti-clutter on a cellular level. Maybe I’m not the best person for this feature… 

Q: Give us a flavor.

A: The Hacking Google series, which I was using for animation inspo. An Amazon book order for Deborah Levy’s Things I Don’t Want to Know (I’m in a groove with her work at the moment for some reason) and Infinite City by Rebecca Solnit. As a recent-ish transplant to SF, I still want to understand its past lives better. This book reinvents the idea of the traditional atlas to show how different layers of culture and meaning can exist in one place at the same time. And also some pieces of film that use sound in an unusual way.

Q: How come? 

So much of our work at Across the Pond requires finding creative ways to represent complex technologies or research. Often, there’s not a lot you can actually see happening, or visually demonstrate, the way you would with consumer products or services. So I’ve been casting around for examples where sounds and audio become part of the concept. I found this piece about Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda, who uses data as the ‘notes’ in his compositions. Too avant garde for our general purposes obviously, but even as a reference for more sensory, filmic treatments of data and technology, it’s interesting. 

Q: Whose browser is this? 

A: April Kwang, Senior Art Director, San Francisco

Q: How many open tabs are on your desktop right now? 

A: In an attempt to keep an organized mind, I have several windows of tabs open. Some have 3 and others have millions. There is no middle ground. 

Q: Give us a sneaky peak.

A: As usual, Ampersand and The Mill are open for daily inspiration. Plus right now, I'm looking at the work of Refik Anadol Studio and the way they use AI as a tool to create art. It’s interesting to see how quickly AI learning has evolved in such a short amount of time and how artists are working with it. I’ve also been reading Think Again by Adam Grant and Why Thinking Like a Scientist is Good for You. 

Q: Tell us more about ‘Think Again’ 

A: In a changing world with information that’s constantly updating, we need to be more flexible in our thinking and willingness to be wrong. Thinking like a scientist means we’re eager to discover new things and that our ideas don’t become our identity. As I grow in my career, having more knowledge can sometimes create blinders, but having a beginner’s mindset refreshes the way I look at an old topic and how I relate to young creatives. Embracing a scientist’s thinking reinforces adaptability and flexibility…but if anybody has something to say about my tabs…

Q: Whose browser is this? 

A: Jim de Zoete, ECD, London 

Q: How many open tabs are on your desktop right now? 

A: Oooh maybe 40. I actually just did a clear out, or shut down, not sure what you call it. Which was pretty satisfying and a bit stupid given I’m about to write this.

Q: Give us a snapshot then.

A: One for a film called ‘The Gibraltar Project’. We recently had a ‘Packed Lunch’ (like a 'lunch and learn' but better titled) where we got speakers in to talk about abortion rights in the US. One of the panellists was a film director who made this. Can’t wait to watch. A Dave Trott article, “The only medium that doesn’t change is people.” He’s a beacon of light in the swirling clouds of advertising. And Lost Dog Dance - the most hilarious, poignant and powerful theatre/comedy/dance group on the planet. 

Q: Tell us more about Lost Dog Dance

A: Check this for a mission statement: “We began with an idea and we continue to wrestle with it, to say what needs to be said and dance the rest.” Now that’s pretty good. A few years ago I was actually part of them. Well kinda. I was the on-stage musician and singer, behind the two incredible performers. They went on to amazing things and I you know, work in advertising. In fact last night I saw their new show ‘Ruination’ at the Royal Opera House and I was utterly blown away. Funny and heartbreaking in equal measure. I cried my heart out. It’s only on for a month. I highly recommend it.