Interview with:Amanda Devine [createdby]
CREATIVITY
 | How do you avoid repeating yourself, or falling into formula? How do you stay fresh? Sometimes a formula or repetition is a good thing for creativity, but even if this happens I find that nothing created is every exactly the same. There is always something different. If I am looking for a different interpretation or inspiration for a new idea then I just have to look around me.
People, places, stories and emotion are all great ways to find material to work with. |
| Do you have a ritual like retiring to a lonely place from time to time to cleanse your mind? I am fortunate to live in Cape Town which is extremely beautiful. If I feel drained or if I am lacking in inspiration I can walk down to the beach which always restores my energy. Just sitting watching the ocean is cleansing to me, but it does not have to be the ocean, anywhere in nature is calming and inspiring. |
| What cultural sources do you draw from the most? South Africa has a rich culture both historically and presently so that is always attractive to me. I also like the East and the cultures there; and historical Britain especially 15th century and earlier.
To tap into this I can step out of my door, visit any of the many wonderful places here in Cape Town and for the historical influence I will spend hours trawling the internet. |
| When you accept a job, how much value do you place on each of the following? Money, creative liberty, visibility, and to work with the best. Each Job is so different and it really depends on how my life is or what I want to achieve at that point in time. At this stage money is important but not everything so I would say Working with the Best, Creative Liberty, Money and then Visibility are the order right now. |
| Have you ever had a job that was so stimulating that you could not get your mind off of it? I very rarely take on anything that I am not totally consumed by; that is until its completion or until I am so sick I can't face it any more. |
ADVERTISING
| Have you got a blog or web page? www.createdby.co.za |
INTERNET
| What is your specialty in the interactive world? I am the creator of a website that provides free information to entrepreneurs, on how to start a small business in South Africa.
I also write copy for websites and promotional work. |
| Where can we see some of your work online? My own site is www.createdby.co.za but I also write for many other businesses too. For example: www.sharkzone.co.za |
| What is your professional background? What did you do before? So far I have been:
An optical assistant & practice manager
A florist & business owner (I used to have two shops)
Retail property manager (I have a qualification in Shopping Centre management)
Despite the difference in the roles I have had in the past, they combine the factual aspects of business and the retail industry with my creative nature.
In my heart I will always be a florist though! |
| Do you work by yourself, or in a team? how is that team? Although I work for myself and mostly by myself, I rely on a team of external people within my network to put a project together.
Currently, I have a web site developer that I rely on, a graphic designer, a wine expert, and a number of resources for information. |
MARKETING
| Please list web addresses where one can see something about you. You can Google my name (the South African - ZA Google) and you will find my work is mostly the top 10. |
| A marketing strategy begins with an idea. How are yours born? My ideas are born from problems and how to solve them, or desires, wants, needs, etc. The creative urge kicks in, to want to try and solve these issues. |
| What's your answer to the typical question: does marketing create nonexistent needs? Marketing does not create these needs. The needs already exist, marketing attempts to find solutions to fill those needs. |
BLOGGING
| What is your blog address? What subjects do you deal with? I write a blog for www.createdby.co.za that address the entrepreneurial issues and news occurring in the Cape Town area. I also right about creativity, art and anything that influences me in that process. |
| What was it that made you create your blog? On what date did you start it? In writing content for my (and other) websites I felt the need to be able to address similar topics but on a personal level or more informally. I will begin blogging daily in a few weeks time, but up until now it is sporadic at best. |
| What blogging system have you adopted and why? I use Joomla to blog. I have tried Wordpress, Blogger, TypePad, Tumblr and Yoola. I found that Joomla is easier for me as that ties in with the website construction. |
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423 visits Whohub
Amanda Devine
Cape Town, South Africa
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99688 interviews created
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