As part of an ongoing series highlighting young talent in the industry, Branding in Asia brings you “One Under 30” – a special feature that focuses on up-and-coming talent in the ad world, one person at a time.
This week we highlight Jamie Hendricks, Senior Art Director at FCB Kuala Lumpur.
When discussing her professional inspiration Hendricks said “it may sound cheesy but I do believe there is inspiration in everything around us. From a casual chat with a friend to the silly jokes and puns we make to the hours spent aimlessly on TikTok videos and memes.”
The Basics
Name: Jamie Jessica Hendricks
Age: 30
Agency: FCB Kuala Lumpur
Position: Senior Art Director
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Current Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Education: The One Academy (University of Hertfordshire), BA Hons Graphic Design & Illustration, 2013
Seven Questions
How did you get your first break in the industry?
I wanted to start out in a rather big agency for my internship so that I could learn how things were done in the real world. I got a chance to intern with Mccann Erickson, Malaysia and gladly enough they wanted me to join the team after that, so I guess I must have been doing something right. After that, there was no turning back! The rest is history.
What is your personal mantra?
The night is young, and so are we! Well I usually say this during a night out (and I think I’ve somewhat drilled this chant into most of my friends’ minds as well – sorry!) But to me it’s about feeling young, living in the moment and not letting anything make us feel like we cannot achieve.
From what person, place or thing have you drawn your greatest creative inspiration?
For me, there is no specific situation where inspiration derives from. It may sound cheesy but I do believe there is inspiration in everything around us. From a casual chat with a friend to the silly jokes and puns we make to the hours spent aimlessly on TikTok videos and memes. It’s really about seeing the best in everything.
What do you love about the job?
I love the people I work with. The job doesn’t differ much from one company to another. It’s the people that keep me going, the colleagues that become my best friends. Good teammates really make a big difference especially during one of those late nights when you need each other to keep you going.
What about your job are you not so crazy about?
The last-minute changes and sometimes silly ones. And the comments from clients that seem more complex than Da Vinci’s work but still end up being vague.’
What is some work you’ve done that you’re most proud of?
‘Do You Have What it Takes to be a Survivor’ was a project for breast cancer awareness. It was an interesting and insightful project with real breast cancer survivors being a part of it. It was to educate the public by inviting them to touch the “breasts” that had lumps in them that were difficult to find.
These breasts were molds of real people and making them wasn’t easy. It was very hands-on, literally.
A recent one that we worked on was a Mother’s Day film for Darlie Malaysia, ‘Expectations.’ We wanted to tell young mothers that they should not be discouraged by what others think but just do what they know is best for their child and it will be enough for the ones who matter.
If you had to choose another career what would it be?
Growing up, I wanted to be a painter. And then I wanted to be a marine biologist, which is far from what I’m doing now. I guess I switched back to the creative field and right now, despite being in a love-hate relationship with my career, I can’t see myself doing something else. Yet.
