It’s that time again! Let’s play ’10 questions’ with Head of Creative & Strategy, Neil Neelam – the newest member of the C8 team, and one of our designers Jessica Chen. Let’s go!

Meet Neil Neelam (Head of Creative & Strategy)

Why Circul8?
Mainly the fact that Circul8 is a purpose driven digital agency which does award winning work! The people and culture was another important factor, and after meeting the great team here, it was an easy choice!

Give us your elevator pitch for you.
As a digital native, I have a passion for melding innovative creative and strategy to help brands cut through the noise. Most days are spent with a wacom drawing pen in one hand and a notebook + post its in the other!

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I can fly a plane and am training for a private pilot license.

If you could only have three apps on your phone, which would you pick?
Whatsapp, Gmail, Deliveroo 😃

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Before lockdown, out at restaurants/cafes or something active like running or swimming around the Northern Beaches. During lockdown, trying to finish Netflix like the rest of Sydney!

What excites you about the future of our industry?
Smart-homes and connected devices, machine learning and AI.

What’s the top destination on your must-visit list once travel resumes?
Roadtrip around Iceland or Safari in Africa.

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Over months and months of research and development, I helped a number of home care brands to develop a cohesive, unified brand portal that addressed the needs of older Australians and their carers in the search for aged care.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
Christopher Nolan – for his insights into storytelling and his take on the creative process.

What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Crickets in Thailand.

 

Meet Jessica Chen (Designer)

Why Circul8?
The team here does meaningful work that matters, and are always aligned with the core values of the company. They truly care about what they put into the world, and consider the consequences and impact it has. It’s a talented team of driven, passionate and enthusiastic individuals who also collectively know how to have a good time.

Give us your elevator pitch for you.
I’m a 2D animator who loves to illustrate and bring to life characters, worlds and concepts in an honest and handcrafted approach. I enjoy incorporating elements of nature into my work, and strive to capture and illuminate the ephemeral beauty that can be found in fleeting, ordinary, moments of time.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I climbed the Great Wall of China in the most uncomfortable sandals.

If you could only have three apps on your phone, which would you pick?
Kindle, Spotify, Apple Wallet

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Engaging with any of my daily habits of: animating, drawing, plein air painting, studying Burne Hogarth’s anatomy for art, studying Chinese, reading, writing, and exercising. I also enjoy gardening and tending to my indoor plants 

What excites you about the future of our industry?
I’m interested in seeing how animation will evolve and integrate with the rapidly changing technological landscape. Especially looking forward to seeing more animation and design concepts executed in VR.

What’s the top destination on your must-visit list once travel resumes?
Would really love to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum in Japan.

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Working on the animated videos for the Office of Responsible Gambling at Circul8. It was a fun challenge to be involved from start to end of the creative process for this project. I learnt a lot from the experience, working closely with the team. We delivered before time and the whole process went smoothly.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
Hayao Miyazaki because his films have been greatly influential to me and have played an important part in shaping me into the animator and person I am today.

What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
When I was in China I was taken to a fancy restaurant and was served a whole array of uncommon animal meats including turtle and swan.

If you’re looking for a creative strategist or help with your design Neil and Jess are here to help. Get in touch.