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Jury Selection

Vishali Bawa
Senior Art Director, Digitas Health

Vishali is a seasoned Visual Designer and Art Director. A Parsons School of Design alum, her portfolio includes projects for industry giants like Endeavor (WME IMG) and Leo Burnett. She is now a trailblazer in the health and wellness design sphere, currently working with Digitas Health, a member of the world’s largest healthcare communications network, Publicis Healthcare Communications Group.

Vishali’s creative arsenal spans a spectrum of disciplines, from conceptualization to UI/UX design, augmented by her proficiency in illustration and animation. Her leadership extends beyond conventional boundaries, inspiring teams to craft cross-channel experiences that leave lasting impressions.

She has shared her expertise as a reviewer and mentor with the Pratt Institute of Design, NY, and industry platforms such as Le Book NY, Grapevine NY, and NYC Fotoworks. These collaborations complement her work with AIVA, showcasing her commitment to nurturing emerging talent and fostering innovation within the design landscape.

An advocate for artistic dialogue, Vishali’s former solo art exhibit, ‘Prismatic,’ captivated audiences at ‘The Bombay Art Society,’. The showcase examined emotions through the lens of a prism, aiming to capture the complexity and depth of human emotions and feelings. Her commitment to pushing creative boundaries makes her an ideal juror, shaping the cutting edge of design innovation.

We asked Vishali to share some of her current favorite creators, AI tools, podcasts, video series and others.

Vishali's Picks

Creators

Timothy Goodman: A dynamic designer, illustrator, and author, Goodman’s style is characterized by playful typography, vibrant colors, and a blend of digital and hand-drawn elements. Beyond aesthetics, he uses his platform to advocate for social causes, addressing topics like mental health and diversity through impactful designs. Through his creativity and advocacy, Goodman inspires and engages audiences worldwide, using design as a tool for positive change.

Andrea Love: A talented online creator known for her captivating stop-motion animation and intricate miniature sets. Through her unique artistry, Love brings everyday objects to life, weaving enchanting stories that captivate audiences of all ages. Her whimsical style and attention to detail have earned her widespread acclaim on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where she shares her creative process and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work.

Cassandra Calin: Cassandra is celebrated for her witty and relatable webcomics and illustrations. With a distinctive style marked by expressive characters and clever narratives, Calin captures the humor and nuances of everyday life on platforms like Instagram. She depicts the joys and struggles of relationships, and adulthood with comedic flair. Beyond the humor, Calin’s illustrations also touch on themes of body positivity and mental health.

AI tools/integrations

Midjourney: A Discord-based AI art creator that generates stunning images from descriptions and prompts using AI algorithms. It can be used as a catalyst for brainstorming and mood board processes. Regardless of the creative industry, the AI tool gives you the ability to visualize thoughts within seconds using language. Such tools support, and don’t replace creativity.

Read.ai: Read encourages better meeting experiences by generating real-time sentiment and engagement metrics available to meeting attendees. It enhances efficiency and streamlines collaboration by providing meeting notes including a summary, playback, transcript, action items, and coaching. The personalized reports facilitate clarity, inclusion, and better communication and engagement over time.

Synthesia: Synthesia enables users to create personalized video content with ease, using text-to-video synthesis capabilities. Users simply upload a script, and Synthesia’s AI algorithms generate a video where a virtual avatar speaks the provided text, complete with realistic facial expressions, gestures, and intonations. This innovative tool offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for producing engaging video content at scale.

Podcasts

Creative Pep Talk: A must-listen podcast for anyone looking to fuel their creativity and find inspiration in their work. Hosted by Andy J. Miller, an illustrator, and artist himself, this podcast dives deep into the creative process, offering practical advice, insightful interviews, and motivating pep talks to help listeners overcome creative blocks and unleash their full potential.

On purpose with Jay shetty: The podcast offers practical wisdom from thought leaders, celebrities, and spiritual teachers. Jay Shetty’s engaging storytelling delivers actionable advice on mindfulness, personal growth, and relationships. The emphasis on living with purpose and making a positive impact resonates with many creatives, encouraging them to align their work with their deeper intentions.

Films to be buried with: Hosted by Brett Goldstein, a comedian and actor, this podcast offers a unique and entertaining exploration of cinema through a rather unconventional lens. Guests join Brett Goldstein to discuss the films they love and how those films have shaped their lives. This concept allows for a wide range of conversations that go beyond mere film analysis, delving into personal stories, memories, and emotional connections tied to specific movies.

Video Series

Interactive series and movies: Still an upcoming trend in the OTT world, these experiences offer a new level of immersion for viewers, allowing them to become active participants in the storytelling process. Through prompts or choices presented on-screen, viewers select their preferred path, influencing character actions and narrative outcomes, creating a personalized viewing experience tailored to their choices. Two of my favourites areBlack Mirror: Bandersnatch’ and ‘Choose Love’ on Netflix.

Design Disruptors: Produced by InVision, the series features interviews with industry leaders and innovators who share their perspectives on how design is reshaping businesses and industries. The documentary highlights the importance of user-centered design, innovation, and creativity in driving meaningful change. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or simply interested in the intersection of technology and creativity, this series offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to understand the impact of design in today’s world.

Love Death + Robots:  An animated anthology series that offers a thrilling and diverse exploration of sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative fiction. With its unique blend of stunning animation styles and thought-provoking narratives, each episode delivers a fresh take on themes like love, mortality, and the implications of advanced technology. From mind-bending concepts to breathtaking visuals, the series pushes the boundaries of traditional animation and storytelling.

Explained: The video series is not only visually stunning but also serves as a powerful tool for storytelling. Whether illustrating scientific principles, depicting historical figures, or visualizing abstract ideas, the graphic visuals and animation add depth and clarity to the topics being explored. Its integration with live-action footage and expert interviews enhances the viewing experience, making the series both informative and visually engaging.

Websites

www.fastcompany.com: Fast Company is a business media brand renowned for its insightful coverage of innovation, leadership, and creativity. With a focus on the intersection of business, technology, and design, Fast Company delivers compelling stories, analysis, and commentary on the latest trends shaping the global business landscape.

https://bltomato.com/: If you geek out over movie posters, key art, and typography, this is the right website for you. One can view iconic movie posters and campaigns in various sizes alongside the strategy and creative thinking behind them. Whether you’re a design aficionado, a cinephile, or simply someone who appreciates the art of visual storytelling, this website offers an immersive experience that celebrates creativity.

https://untools.co/#tools: A collection of thinking tools and resources to help individuals and businesses solve problems, make decisions, and accomplish tasks effectively. It offers a range of templates, frameworks, and methodologies across disciplines like business, creativity, productivity, and personal development. Users can utilize these tools to streamline processes and achieve goals efficiently.

Mobile Apps

Finimise: It offers digestible summaries of financial news and market trends, empowering users to take control of their finances. With personalized recommendations and curated content, Finimize delivers tailored insights based on users’ preferences and investment goals. Its interactive features, such as quizzes and discussions, foster engagement and learning within the community.

Insight Timer: A leading meditation app offering a vast library of guided meditations, music tracks, and mindfulness practices. Its interface is intuitive, featuring easy navigation through categories such as sleep, stress, and personal growth. Users can personalize their meditation experience with filters for duration, teacher, and theme, ensuring a tailored practice. The app’s minimalist design promotes focus and relaxation.

Pocket: The Pocket mobile app simplifies content curation and consumption with its intuitive interface. Users can save articles, videos, and web pages directly from their browser or apps with a single tap. The interface is clean, focusing on readability and easy navigation. Saved items are neatly organized in a feed, with options to tag, archive, or share content effortlessly. With a seamless offline reading mode and cross-device syncing, users can access their saved content anytime, anywhere.

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