DOPA - The Department of Pro-Activeness

28/09/2023

After quite an extended time out, I’m super happy to share the latest episode (link in bio) from a street artist and visual poet from Amsterdam.

We talk about from surviving to thriving mentality and how his personal life has informed the way he thinks, expresses himself and his passion for life.

20/04/2022

When you feel all your sensitivity triggers being pushed within a heated moment, it can be very tempting to react (or even overreact). ⁠
⁠
However, it can also be super helpful to learn how to control our sensitivities through the process of self-reflection and listening to what is truly being said. This will help us to become more pragmatic, have a more measured response and become more well-rounded individuals.⁠
⁠
Season 02. EP05: From sensitivity to sensibility is now live 🎧⁠ 🎉⁠ ⁠>>Link in bio>>⁠
⁠
A very sensible, honest and down-to-earth conversation with , Creative Director ⁠
⁠
⁠This post includes a stunning snippet of award-winning packaging design from Jason for 'The Black Widow' – a craft champagne company. 🍾

19/04/2022

The DOPA Mindset Series – Edition 04.⁠ 🧠 💯⁠
⁠An editorial style burst of perspective to encourage every individual working within the creative industry and beyond. ⁠
⁠
Down, but definitely not out.⁠
Sometimes going off-line, or simply switching to an out-of-office status is perfectly fine. It’s ok to admit to ourselves and others that we are having time out, an extended career break or some quality me-time.⁠
⁠
Time out is equally as important as time in. We are not machines, we are all human. We weren’t designed to be constantly spinning the wheel. 🐹⁠
⁠
Our body will tell us when enough is enough, but please don’t let it get to that point. Give yourself regular mental and physical check-ups.

16/02/2022

Our latest podcast episode is now live 🎧⁠
>>Link in bio>>⁠
⁠
Season 02. EP04: From secrecy to openness⁠
We add an extra level of 'being human' when we choose to open up and be vulnerable with our ideas.⁠
⁠
A very candid, honest and down-to-earth conversation with , an Executive Creative Director ⁠ and one half of ⁠
⁠
Don't forget to follow and subscribe to get notifications for all future episodes.⁠⁠
⁠
--⁠
⁠

19/01/2022

DOPA wins a design award.🍾 🥳⁠⁠
Super happy to find out we picked up another global design award in the brand creation category ⁠⁠
⁠
This project (whether visual, verbal or audio) was born out of unforeseen personal and professional circumstances to amplify the issues around creative wellness and to help others to gain a more positive headspace. ⁠
⁠
Thank you to (Illustration), .type (Typeface design), (Sonic Branding) and (Motion Design), and my wife for supporting and being involved in this project. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁠
⁠

17/01/2022

Today is 'Blue Monday' (January 17th 2022).⁠
This day is derived from the idea of "feeling blue" (depressed, gloomy, down or unmotivated), and falls traditionally on the third Monday of January every year.⁠
⁠
We all have the opportunity to shift our mindset and turn blue into, well, more of a technicolour Monday.⁠
⁠
Talk to someone, give someone a hug, listen to some upbeat music (music is proven to change how we feel), go for a run, be thankful for something or someone, sit somewhere new, stand somewhere crazy, or write down three things you are grateful for today. ⁠
⁠
You can choose to stay in the gloomy blue cave or venture out into unchartered territories and embrace a technicolour world of possibilities and positivity.⁠
⁠
--⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠

28/12/2021

Make one of your New Year’s Resolutions to start 2022 with more self-belief and less self-doubt. Learn how to turn negative thoughts into positive thinking.

Several conversations over the last few months have inspired the writing of this article for Brandingmag

"There can be a lot of emphasis around cracking the idea within a short space of time, with a low budget, but with a massive expectation of having ideas similar to Nike, Apple, or Oatly."

06/12/2021

“You can always tell when people are being real or fake.
People today want authenticity."

A ‘fake it till you make it’ mentality comes from a lack of psychological safety. If we are comfortable in our environment and the people we are with, then we can lower our 'masks'. We don’t have to fake it anymore, we can just be ourselves.

A very insightful, intelligent and informative episode, packed full of wisdom and insights from Rod Ben Zeev, Facilitator at THNK School of Creative Leadership, Amsterdam.

Season 02. EP03: From faking it to storytelling
Now streaming on Spotify.
https://lnkd.in/d-5S2u_M

Brought to you by DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)

24/11/2021

You and I are some of the most relevant and distinctive “assets” working in the creative industry today.⁠
⁠
Brands often talk about what assets make them distinctive.

So, what makes you distinctive, unique and stand out?⁠

What makes you - you?
⁠
--⁠
⁠

15/11/2021

The DOPA Mindset Series – Edition 03.⁠ 🧠 💯⁠

'Be kind to yourself (and to others)'. ⁠
⁠
An editorial style burst of perspective to encourage every individual working within the creative industry and beyond. ⁠
⁠
For more inspiring content, listen to the DOPA podcast. 🎤⁠
>>Link in bio>>⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠

08/11/2021

“A lot of people like to say that there’s a lot of egos in this business (the creative industry). But you don’t have to be an ar****le to be good”.

It's possible to mentally rewire our brains and shift to a more empathetic style of simply being human. A super engaging, inspiring, and very candid podcast episode; packed full of wisdom from Carren O'Keefe, Executive Creative Director at AnalogFolk, Amsterdam.

Season 02. EP02: From ego to empathy
Listen to the full episode on Spotify
https://lnkd.in/diwEQite
Also streaming on your preferred platform of choice.

Brought to you by DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)

30/09/2021

Part of a new series. Introducing,🥁 'The DOPA Mindset Series'. An editorial style burst of perspective to encourage every individual working within the creative industry and beyond. ⁠⁠

https://open.spotify.com/show/6RG5HRLrIbNkVmY1b25ogQ?si=b4964832aad24460
⁠⁠

28/09/2021

We don't subscribe to the 'always on' mentality to social content. The pursuit of the social media Dopamine effect from numerous likes, shares and comments if not kept in check can have a negative side effect.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
So, give your mind a rest🍸 from all that endless swiping, and liking behaviour. Because time out, is equally as important as time in.🚶🏾⁠⁠
⁠⁠

13/09/2021

Extremely proud to have DOPA - The Department of Pro-Activeness shortlisted by ADCN in the 2021 Dutch Creativity Awards as a finalist in the branding category.

11/09/2021

Interview for Communication Arts that goes behind the scenes of the brand design for DOPA.

05/08/2021

Season 01 - that's a rap! 🎵⁠⁠
After a busy and productive launch through to releasing 10 podcast episodes, plus a design award thrown in for good measure, it's time to take a break.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Link to all Season 01 episodes are in the bio and are best listened to with some snacks, a notebook and a glass of your favourite beverage. 🏖️⁠⁠
⁠⁠
It’s very easy to get sucked into an always on approach to social content. However, we don't produce our content for massive likes, followers or the instant buzz of the Dopamine effect. We're simply here to encourage, inspire and offer a fresh perspective to enable creativity to thrive and flourish.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Season 02 recordings and releases will commence sometime in September with some incredible guests. Enjoy the rest of the summer. ☀️

30/07/2021

27/07/2021

Humbled and honoured to win a global design award in the branding category at Graphis.

Thank you to Petra Eriksson (Illustration), Gradient (Typeface design) and Keelan Doyle (Sonic Branding) for contributing to this project.

To listen to all the episodes in Season 01.
A podcast about creative wellness - hosted by Alex Normanton
https://open.spotify.com/show/6RG5HRLrIbNkVmY1b25ogQ?si=AnMYwqV0RWO7m08RVqmhBg&dl_branch=1

08/07/2021

EP10 is out now. ⁠
WARNING: This podcast will affect your mind (in a positive way).⁠
⁠
EP10 features .kessels, a Dutch artist, curator, communication designer and Creative Partner of , 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.⁠
⁠
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7u61rQzWPWmEhun89LV8pS?si=jmnoKBSbTXi8o1Z16acg1Q&dl_branch=1&nd=1

18/06/2021

Thanks to Brandingmag for supporting and helping to fly the flag for the importance of "creative wellness" within the industry.

"The infatuation of a screen-based society where endless scrolling, liking, sharing, and tweeting has allowed our minds to become overstimulated and cluttered with myriads of different content types and the inability to properly switch off."

26/05/2021

EP07 is out now.
WARNING: This podcast will affect your mind (in a positive way).

EP07 features , Founder and Creative Director .studio, 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).

Click link in bio to take you to this episode and others in the series.

Don't forget to hit subscribe to get notifications of future episodes.

26/05/2021

In conversation with Timo Kramp who is the Founder and Creative Director of Kindly Made Studio 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.

Check this out! Listen now on .

26/05/2021

continues to inspire, facilitate positivity, help people and give tools for creative mental success. It’s encouraging to hear how people are finding the podcast content super relevant. Thanks to .ams for the kind words.

As mental health month starts to wind down, let’s not let the sun go down on the subject matter of “creative wellness”. It’s important to look after the minds of people working within creative industry whatever stage of your career you are at or whatever role you doing.

20/05/2021

More often that not, the biggest battle we have is our own self perception. The heaviest burdens we carry are often the ones that exist within our own minds. We are our own biggest critic.

Be kind to yourself. Get some perspective. Talk to someone. Look at the bigger picture.

As mental health month starts to wind down, let’s try to keep our minds more positive. Send that inner critic and the negative vibes on holiday or simply tell them to go away.

Illustration

20/05/2021

There should be no shame in talking about failure. Embrace it wholeheartedly. It shapes us, helps us pivot, learn, grow, change, be sharper, smarter and any other positive word you can think of. Brands, agencies and individuals should embrace the failures as much as the success stories.

Why do we have such a negative attitude towards failing? What are we so afraid of? With this Issue, we explore another side of failure.

17/05/2021

Check this out! Listen now on .

12/05/2021

EP06 is out now.
WARNING: This podcast will affect your mind (in a positive way).

EP06 features Culture Manager of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (EMEA & APAC) / 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.

Click link in bio to take you to this episode and others in the series. Don't forget to hit subscribe to get notifications of future episodes.

12/05/2021

“We all have these fears, we all have this fear of failure and change is like the ultimate thing about failure. You fail and you get up again, you become resilient and start moving forward ...".

EP06 features , Culture Manager of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (EMEA & APAC) / S4 Capital, Amsterdam. We discuss how to navigate from failure and failed ventures and move towards reinvention. Many moments of honesty, laughs and a direct quote from

03/05/2021

There’s one simple thing you can do to be informed of all the latest episode releases. Go to your podcast listening platform of choice and click follow and subscribe.