Chris V

Sometimes, couples living in different places look for creative solutions to manage their long-distance relationship. But what about long-distance work environments, where teams live in other cities, yet succeed in creating stunning projects together and manage to maintain quality of work over a long period of time? 

Today, our creator of the week is ZONAMIXTA MAGAZINE. They described their approach to working from distance through our five questions:

Who are you and what do you do?

Zonamixta Magazine is a project formed by six journalists – three in Barcelona and three in Madrid – who seek to tell stories that unite soccer, art, and culture. Roger, Blai, Joan, Manu, Óscar, and Alberto make up this beautiful project. Tired of seeing how illustrations and art were left aside as mere accompaniment to the text, we decided to create a platform where they are also protagonists. 

How did it start?

Zonamixta Magazine was born in 2015 as an academic project at the university. As the years have passed, the magazine has evolved to what it is today, incorporating new references, partners, and objectives forming a solid foundation on which to build a very exciting project. 

After starting as a magazine, we launched our own website so that our readers can see our content whenever they want. A platform that will help us grow and consolidate our presence and notoriety.

What sets you apart?

Our vision on how to tell stories is very different from the rest of magazines, publications, or websites that talk about soccer. We are a publication where people can read articles related to soccer and, at the same time, see the work of the best artists alongside the story they want to tell. Art expresses itself with its own language for the first time in our country. In addition, our magazine is a metaphor for what young people of our generation are achieving. A wave of young people with fixed intentions, few resources, and all the illusion in the world. A 140-page magazine, with quality content and free of charge? Where do you have to sign?

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

The logistics in a team with so many people is always difficult. To all this, we add the fact that we don’t all live in the same city, which affects -and a lot- our ability to plan. We organize the content with people from Madrid, Barcelona, and now Argentina. Geographical obstacles are one problem we had to overcome.

Another one we have to overcome is the stigma that young people have in this profession. Demonstrating that less age does not always mean less experience. Many times we are judged only by our time here and that is something we have to overcome by showing what we are capable of. 

Do you have any advice for other creators?

If they have a project in mind, they should create, strive and fight for it. The satisfaction of developing a project that you feel is your own is much greater than any economic incentive. In the end, fighting for your own projects allows you to develop your professional and personal skills to a greater extent. We live in an era where we have at our fingertips unlimited tools to make our projects a reality. An era to enrich everything around us with more and more creative ideas.

How many of you have had to delete everything you made, wrote or created and start again from the top?

We believe that situations like these help us create something really strong and of high quality. This also reminds us of our new creator of the week. Djem Buijs is from Rotterdam; he is a very creative person who applies his talents in the visual field. He isn’t scared to try learning something new, and his successes make all the moments that he had to restart a project from scratch worth it. 

Let’s get to know him through our five questions:

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Djem Buijs. I’m an all-around creative artist who just began as an independent entrepreneur.

I’m a graphic designer, analog photographer, silkscreen printing, and a student user experience designer/web designer who has just started and is full-learning.

At the moment, I’m working part-time at a management bureau for national and international talents (artists, athletes, etc.) on the top level. There I’m doing a traineeship in Graphic Design and creating some really nice projects from concept to final product.

How did you get started?

I started when I was studying at Graphic Lyceum Rotterdam, a professional institution for innovative education. During my time there, people approached me after seeing my sketches for school projects and asked me to make some logo designs for their brand identity. Following this, I studied UX/UI design and went on to build websites.

What sets you apart?

What distinguishes me is that I strive for perfection which I also know I will never achieve, this keeps me eager in my field. 

My style is minimalistic and clear and gives a stamp to my work, in which the use of color is very important. For me, it is also important to use good images that make the story whole.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

The most difficult obstacles that I have had to overcome were to kill projects that were my babies and begin again from the scratch. Also as an entrepreneur at the beginning, I had to rebuild trust after I made mistakes for myself and for my customers. You have to fall and get up.

Do you have any tips for other creators?

Be yourself and don’t let anyone fool you. Keep doing the things that make you happy and make sure you always follow your dreams.

For more Creator of the week posts – https://www.imcreator.com/our_creators

How many of us waited for 2021 to start new plans? What do you want to create this year?

We want to start off the new year with our creator of the week and the first creator for 2021! This is a team of designers (http://www.7designsstudio.com.au/) from Australia. We liked their website and have asked them five questions:  

Who are you, and what do you do?  

We are a UX/web design and graphic design trio: Ken, Cynthia, and Ihsan. We love what we do and are into meeting clients’ needs. Cynthia is actually very talented; she was awarded a design scholarship in college and has been a designer for over 10 years now. I’m an award-winning UX/UI designer (by luck!) and have been in the web industry for over 10 years. Ihsan is a very talented designer who has won multiple awards. 

How did you get started? 

I got my start with practicing web designs through private tutoring. Then, I was taken on as an intern, and the rest is history. 

Cynthia got started in fashion design and moved into graphic design. Ihsan started in college as a front-end developer and then moved on to design.  

What sets you apart? 

The client-centered service approach is what I think sets us apart.  We just want our clients to succeed. Money is not a driver. 

What obstacles did you have to overcome? 

Marketing—oh, that is an area designers really struggle with, but it’s worth the effort.

Do you have any tips for other creators? 

It really depends on the nature of your business. If you are into product lead generation, include plenty of calls to action, content on how it works, testimonials, etc. We wanted a simple design that would showcase our work. IM Creator is so flexible that it can do both and just about anything! 

Did you know, that we support students and artists? Build your site for Free with IM Creator.

So many of us have gotten responses to job applications that say, “You don’t have enough experience.” However, as cliché as  it sounds, you need work or similar offers to gain that experience. You might run in circles until you find the right opportunity or the necessary connections. Our creator of the week, Clara Dunphy, identified this problem in the market and aims to improve the situation—and she really does. 

Let’s get to meet her through her answers to our five creator questions this week. Hopefully her project will prove useful to some of you:

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Clara Dunphy and I am the editor of ‘The Knot’. ‘The Knot’ is a community-focused online forum to help creative minds have an area to express themselves. In a world where connections in creative industries are few and far between, we want to act as the connecting point for those in need of links and opportunities. We want to give people the space to create freely, but also use our forum as a springboard to success; a portfolio if you will of their work, so that in interviews and auditions, artists, writers, and musicians can say ‘Actually I have been published’ or ‘I had a feature in a magazine’. I am based in Nottingham which sadly has a reputation for poverty and knife crime. This is something we want to change, and so it is my mission to ensure Nottingham is known as a place of culture and community that helps support those who cannot benefit from nepotism or financial stability. 

How did you get started?

After finishing university, I moved to Paris where I worked as an au pair caring for a young boy. This experience was incredibly isolating and challenging, and I missed my hometown where I felt embedded in the community and had built strong connections. As I began to search for jobs in creative and linguistic sectors, I soon realised that the experience required was almost impossible to have attained in my young years. It made me realise that those who are not from incredibly privileged backgrounds lacked the connections necessary to gain experience and compete for the best jobs; it really is about WHO you know. I saw a gap in the market and essentially wanted to become that WHO you know for people struggling to break into creative sectors. 

What sets you apart?

What makes ‘The Knot’ different is its focus on community, and dedication to welcome all. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I am more than happy to be that starting place for budding artists as well as a PR strategy for those who are more established. The personal feel is also something that you may not get with other magazines; I edit the magazine myself and am responsible for reaching out to new talent and managing existing submissions. I am flexible with people, as I understand the hardships life can bring and so am always ready to offer more time or alternative options for those submitting work. I am reliant on them to submit great work, and much as they are relying on me to help promote them and so it’s really important to build relationships. 

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

I am really keen to promote female artists, however, this has posed some issues in regards to social media promotion due to having several nude artists and creators focusing on the female form. I will not bow down to censorship of art, as I do not see it as offensive; if anything it is inspirational and educational. In addition, the fact that I run the magazine alone can post some issues as I have to balance ‘The Knot’ with an amazing job and the general responsibilities of life and relationships. However, this project brings me so much joy (as I hope it does to others) that the challenges it presents are but a bump in the road. 

Do you have any tips for other creators?

I would advise other creators to be authentic and to stick to their brand, even when they have doubts. Running a magazine can force you to be very diplomatic and selective, but it’s really important to be patient and build a strong rapport as these will be your cheerleaders in the future! I would suggest you explore competition, not to be better, but to understand their market and not to step on any toes, as this means other creators are more likely to want to help you or collaborate together. Overall enjoy the journey as I guarantee you will learn more from it than from the final result.

Did you know, that we support students and artists? Build your site for Free with IM Creator.

What type of creator are you? One who prefers to get the work done in a timely fashion and meet a deadline, or one who prefers creating and handing in the perfect work, even if it means being a little late?

Today, we want you to meet Justyna Tarkowska. She is a graphic designer and our creator of the week. Finishing projects on time is super important to her. That is something we all can learn from her. Why? Because she manages to balance her workload while sparing time for her little child. So let’s get to know her approach through our five creator questions this week:

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Justyna Tarkowska, I am a graphic designer based in Wrocław, Poland. During the decade of my work, I have specialized in designing book covers, posters, and logos.

I cooperate with numerous publishing houses. Recently I started to write and illustrate books for children and I just published my first fully original book titled “What does Jan eat?”.

I am also a happy mum of a two-year-old Jan.

How did you get started?

I always knew I wanted to create things but also struggled to find my own path. I tried different disciplines – first studied construction, interior design, and finally landscape architecture.

These experiences helped me understand what the creative process is, but the most valuable lesson was to discover that I liked the graphic side of design the most. Then I just started to do it.

What sets you apart?

I think my approach. I really do my research and try to fully understand the problem before finding a solution. Whenever possible, I read the whole book before creating its cover and I look for inspiration there.

Perhaps this is what results in accurate and non-obvious graphics. Most of the time, my designs – not just the book ones – contain some kind of visual pun or puzzle. I try to intrigue, but also leave room for interpretation.

Besides, I always meet deadlines.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

Working as a freelancer I deal with typical freelancers’ stuff – uncertain income, taxes, and procrastination 🙂

As a young mum, I am also in constant lack of time.

Do you have any tips for other creators?

Don’t work on a project endlessly. Really it’s better done than perfect.

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Alexandra Louka — is an artist whose work speaks about the Cypriot dispute as a social division. We found her website in our library of the websites created with IM Creator and decided to share her story and artworks with our users. The conflict that’s portrayed in her works usually aren’t headlines in the everyday news; however, this does not make it irrelevant.

Get to know Alexandra through her answers to our five creator questions this week.

Who are you, and what do you do?

Hi, I am Alexandra Louka, [or] Alex, an Australian/Cypriot visual artist having just completed my bachelor[‘s] of [f]ine [a]rt in the Netherlands. I currently work with video art and short films, most of them revolving around social relations. More specifically, I work within the context of social division shown through the example of the Cypriot divide of North and South. Although this is my ‘case study’ per se, I am influenced by writers, movements and ideologies in order to open up the hi(story) even further and explore it within different frameworks.

How did you get started?

I began by painting backgrounds and through the protective environment of the art academy, found my way towards video and film. I also explored possibilities within this medium to become social commentary through narration and storytelling. I have since then adored the process of capturing on film and documenting whatever I see fit as poetic, interesting and beautiful.

What sets you apart?

Although issues of social inclusion and exclusion are not new to the modern world, I feel it is an interesting issue to discuss in relation to Cyprus’ history. It is not a country that is particularly spoken about often; however, the issue remains dominant on the island itself. I am coming to the conclusion that with these kinds of issues, there is a great deal of animosity between the opposing communities (which can be expected); however, it is revealing itself to have a much more personal link to the individual’s identity. Perhaps, if there is a root in the individuals’ personal life and identity with regards to these struggles, it can be an important key to explore in order to work through issues of hate and inclusivity. A combination of personal involvement and a hard, logical approach could provide interesting outcomes.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

I’ve become very aware of the difference between living in a country and debating its politics versus living abroad and discussing them, and criticizing, from afar. This situation was present as I left Cyprus to study in The Hague, Netherlands. In many ways, living abroad gives you more freedom to express your ideas without the fear of social backlash, a somewhat safe position; meanwhile, on the other hand, it also reduces your contact with that country, making you more of an outsider to the situation. I believe this balance will always be a difficult factor to weigh when delving into this subject.

Do you have any tips for other creators?

Present yourself exactly as you desire. It is difficult to balance the ideas and expectations of the public, your inner circle, and what you truly wish to present. In my experience, it is worth much more to start from yourself and move forward from there.

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We usually showcase creators from digital and visual professions. However, there are so many inspiring people out there, from different industries and sectors and we want to share their stories as well. Therefore, for the first time the creator of the week is an actress and director living in London. We’re happy to present Chiara D’Anna.

Let’s get to know her professional life through her answers to our five creator questions this week:

Who are you and what do you do?

Hi, I’m Chiara D’Anna. I’m a London-based actress, director, movement and creativity coach. I was born in Turin, Italy where I studied Geology. I love mountains and nature as much as I love theatre and performing arts. After my MSc I left Turin and moved to London to pursue my career in the Arts.

How did you get started?

I guess I started as soon as I could move! I’ve always loved creating imaginary worlds and characters. Probably this is what all children do… but I’ve kept doing it! I was intrigued by the objects around me. They became the characters of my stories: my pyjamas, my slippers, my blanket and my family’s wonderful collection of kitchen tools (I’m Italian: the kitchen is a very important place!). I played with anything I could find in the house that sparked my imagination. I believe that artists’ main goal is to reconnect with that playfulness: the genuine curiosity that we had as young kids.   

What sets you apart?

Perhaps, what sets me apart is that I don’t like to fit into any specific category and ‘conform’ to any specific style. I tend to mix different traditions, languages, disciplines. Sometimes this poses problems especially when applying for funding. But I think as artists we must refuse to be categorised, classified or labelled.

Once I was invited to talk to a group of Master students about the notion of Theatre Lab and ‘portfolio career’. Their tutor introduced me as an artist whose work exemplifies and embodies the notion of Laboratory. I like that. I’m a ‘Walking Lab or perhaps a ‘patchwork’!? Patchwork sounds better, it’s funnier and humorous. Humour is fundamental in my work.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

In order to pursue my career in the arts I had to overcome lots of practical challenges. Financial issues for sure and lots of setbacks: projects that did not materialise, conflicts and even copyrights issues. But I have good memories of those hard times. At the end we always overcome those practical issues and we get stronger! We learn.

The biggest obstacles are deeper than that. Being creative requires the willingness to be vulnerable and face failure, rejections and judgement. Especially self-judgement. Self-criticism is the worst; that vicious internal voice that tries to convince us we are not good enough. That voice is the worst enemy of creativity. I wrestle with that voice constantly. 

Do you have any tips for other creators?

Do not accept labels. We are unique and we find our creative voice by experimenting. This means to be curious, resilient and open. We never create in a vacuum. We learn from others and with others. And, of course, keep working! Because you will always get better. At times it is painful, but you have to go through the pain threshold. (If you’ve ever climbed a mountain you know what I’m talking about. It’s that pain that burns!) It sounds cliché but it’s true. The lesson is always the same, over and over again, after 20 years. I figure out things as I go through life. There is not a ‘manual of how to be creative’ and there isn’t a specific process that we are all supposed to go through in order to grow and learn. There are infinite processes or at least as many as there are people on the Planet.

By the way, creating my website with IM CREATOR was not painful at all! It felt more like dancing than climbing! So much so that I have created a second website  for my theatre company: www.pantareitheatre.com

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