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Alice Blastorah of Special Group L.A. on Her Obsession With Craft
She's got a photographic memory
Alice is currently creative director at Special Group Los Angeles.
We spent two minutes with Alice to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.
Alice, tell us …
Where you grew up, and where you live now.
I grew up in Toronto, spent time in Los Angeles, went to New York, and now I’m back in L.A.
How you first realized you were creative.
In kindergarten—when the other five year olds didn’t take craft time as seriously as I needed them to.
A moment from high school or college that changed your life.
Auditioning for university, I had to check a box on an application form as I waited for my portfolio to be reviewed. My name was called, I mindlessly checked “commercial arts”—and here I am.
Your most important creative inspirations, and some recent stuff you love.
Everything and anything outside of advertising. The world is a mood board and I can be inspired by anything whether it’s as mundane as an oil droplet in a puddle or as grandiose as a Renaissance masterpiece. Among the recent stuff I love: This florist, who somehow makes florals even more surreal. These coral inspired objects (I just purchased two of his sconces). This video of a dog experiencing internal struggle.
One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on.
This past year we had the most fun (and most late nights) with the passionate people at Uber Eats and Special U.S. I absolutely loved working on Brian Cox going back to College, McConaughey’s football is for food and the Beckham’s “Be Honest.” It was also absolutely surreal to see Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer reunite for our Super Bowl campaign last year.
Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.
Volvo’s “Epic Splits,” the flawless blend of concept, craft and humor.
Someone else’s work you admired lately.
Jonathan Anderson, creative director at Loewe. The man took a label from the 1800s and made it one of the hottest brands of today, while staying true to its heritage. He mastered the art of the high-low. He cleverly balanced the seriousness of craftsmanship with the whimsy of pop culture. Check out an example here, which won a Grand Prix at Cannes.
Your main strength as a creative person.
My obsession with craft and ability to pull it off fast. I have a photographic memory and can quickly recall any visual I’ve seen as reference or inspiration.
Your biggest weakness.
Adding the tip at restaurants without pulling up a calculator.
What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.
Taping bananas to a wall at Art Basel.
2 Minutes With is our regular interview series where we chat with creatives about their backgrounds, creative inspirations, work they admire and more. For more about 2 Minutes With, or to be considered for the series, please get in touch.
