Sorry, it’s an old photo
Eli Swart
I guess my story is like anyone else’s. It all started on a routine school trip where I was bitten by a radioactive In-Design file. I felt so much creativity coursing through my veins. Ideas came so naturally to me. I could see patterns, colours, styles, fonts that others couldn’t. Overwhelmed with my new found abilities, I ran home to tell my Aunt May and Uncle Ben. It was on my way home that I bumped into a rogue pro-active brief being chased by two Creative Directors. I should have done something. I could’ve helped, but I didn’t. It was only later (when I got home) where I realised the gravity of my mistake. That same pro-active brief killed my Uncle Ben. I was devastated, but I’ll never forget what he said to me, “With great Art Direction, comes great responsibility”. That advice fueld me. Fueled me to make a real difference.
Since then I have spread my creative web. Saving clients and fighting briefs. Some of my greatest battles include helping to develop the digital and social channels at the St Kilda Football Club. Picking up inaugural honours for Most Outstanding Use of Online (2015) and Most Outstanding Use Of Social Media (2016) at the AFL Media Awards. I’ve since fought alongside the likes of Cadbury, AAMI, HBF, Repco, 7-Eleven and Bonds. My story isn’t pretty, but if you ever need me, I’m only one LinkedIn DM away. I’m just your friendly neighbourhood Art Director.
Oli Brock
Well, my story is far less dramatic than Eli’s. My parents were shot in-front of me by a banner ad as we left the Opera. I was in shock but long after that night, I would think back to the advice my father used to give me. He said that I can’t let fear hold me back, that I needed to use it as a symbol of hope for others who might also be afraid. At that time, the only thing I feared was writing. So I dedicated my life to it. Fighting boring ideas and making people despise clunky headlines and bloated post copy as much as I did.
Under an alias, I began my new career working across many different clients. I would battle the likes of Pedigree, Mars, CUB, Australian Defence, Moose Toys, Twinings and even Honda. My greatest feat so far is for Monash University, where I helped create “The Future Without Change.” A campaign that eventually would be recognised at D&AD and Cannes, picking up multiple awards. Fighting briefs isn’t for everyone, but for me it’s personal. Because keeping this industry weird and interesting, is what I fight for.
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