Uprising: Failing without Fear, with Javeen Bakshi

If you ask UltraSuperNew junior art director Javeen Bakshi, she’ll tell you she’s always been creative. That’s why she insists, “I’m an artist first”.

“I was that shy kid who found solace in doodling,” Javeen explains.

Discovering the magic of bringing animated characters to life with just a pencil and paper sparked something in Javeen that would spur on a life-long creative journey. From humble sketching, expressing her thoughts without saying a word, to an art director living out the dreams of that pint-sized sketch artist.

Her journey has taken her through various roles and industries, from internships to freelancing, to part-time positions.

For Javeen, this has sculpted a dynamic and adaptive approach to creativity.

“Working as a creative intern exposed me to the fundamentals, shaping my foundational skills and translating concepts into tangible creations. Freelancing fostered autonomy and adaptability, challenging me to navigate diverse projects and client expectations.”

More recently, Javeen has garnered her first professional accolades at the 2024 Crowbar Awards. The project that nabbed the accolades, 'Bird Bird and Bee Bee’, is an initiative to create a toolkit addressing the delicate and challenging conversations parents have with their kids about topics like love, pregnancy, puberty, and sex, especially for children aged 5-11.

“We set out to bridge the communication gap between parents and children,” Javeen says.

Her team wanted to raise awareness of the fact that insufficient dialogue can lead to misconceptions and strained relationships. This paved the way for the creation of 'Bird Bird and Bee Bee'—a friendly guide that talks kids through life's important lessons seamlessly integrated into Disney+.

“Through this unique Disney+ feature, we wanted to inspire families to embark on an exciting journey of understanding and exploration.”

Brand image and customer engagement have become central to Javeen’s role. But even when working on brand initiatives, creativity is never far behind.

“I thrive on blending my creative flair with strategic insight,” she says.

“Understanding the brand's objectives and target audience is always my first step, guided by thorough market research that shapes the direction. Beyond just gaining visibility, I aim to cultivate a brand identity that resonates authentically. Ultimately, I want to capture attention and craft brand narratives everyone desires to engage with.”

Her stints as a content creator and art intern profoundly shaped Javeen’s storytelling and visual communication approach. Both roles fostered her ability to uniquely give concepts a visual identity.

“As a content creator, whether conveying a brand message or personal expression, I learned the power of words in fleshing out these vivid ideas,” she says.

“The diversity that comes with different roles, challenges, teams, and industries during this period broadened my perspective, allowing me to adapt my storytelling and visual language for different audiences and brand identities.”

Given her background in visual communication and design, Javeen now looks forward to exploring emerging trends and technologies that upscale the potential of her ideas. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are particularly intriguing avenues for Javeen, especially when it comes to creating immersive and interactive visual experiences.

“Sora by Open AI, for example, is a medium I’m eagerly looking forward to trying because of its enhanced capabilities of generating text-to-video visuals that will elevate my motion design game,” she says.

She is also eager to blend analogue and digital mediums to create visually stunning and impactful experiences.

“Embracing these emerging trends and technologies is not just about staying current; it's about pushing the boundaries of creativity and delivering cutting-edge visual communication in the ever-evolving design landscape.”

To aspiring creatives starting out in advertising or design, Javeen insists: be curious – become a sponge.

“You never know when a seemingly small spark of an idea could ignite into something extraordinary,” she says. “Dive into diverse creative sandboxes, experiment, and explore without fear of failure.”

To stay inspired and motivated, Javeen swears by maintaining a mixture of rituals that keep her creative juices flowing; whether it’s a stroll in the city or a visit to an art gallery.

Moving forward, she aspires to create visually compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences by staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies, and exploring new tools and mediums that push the boundaries of creativity.

“I hope to collaborate with diverse talents, engage in cross-disciplinary projects, and seek inspiration from various industries. By experimenting with unconventional approaches and blending traditional and digital mediums, I hope to infuse fresh perspectives into my work.”

As she continues to enthusiastically participate in the global creative community, Javeen continues to pursue mentorship and constantly refine her skills.

“Embracing challenges, learning from failures, and staying open to feedback are crucial aspects of my growth journey.“