What 23 Years in Motion Design Teaches You About Creativity and Change with Kalika Sharma cover art

What 23 Years in Motion Design Teaches You About Creativity and Change with Kalika Sharma

What 23 Years in Motion Design Teaches You About Creativity and Change with Kalika Sharma

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 Introduction This week I had the incredible honor of talking with Kalika Sharma, a creative director, NYU professor, and founder of AntidoteFX, now in its 23rd year. Kalika's journey through the creative industry is nothing short of epic, spanning from hand-drawn animations on a 16mm Oxbury camera stand to leading high-end global campaigns for brands like Marriott Bonvoy and Brooks Brothers. Her ability to combine artistry with strategy has positioned her at the top of her field — all while mentoring others and staying on the edge of new technology. Oh, and did I mention she produced the iHeartRadio Music Festival while five months pregnant with twins? Absolute legend. What You'll Learn What it was like to animate frame-by-frame using a chalkboard and filmHow Kalika landed her first gig at Nickelodeon through relentless portfolio iterationWhy working on "Little Bill" revealed her love for variety and led to a pivot into commercialsThe scale and creative challenge of producing 30 bespoke videos in 15 languages for Marriott BonvoyHow to keep your artistic spark alive while pivoting alongside evolving tech like AIThe ethical implications and copyright challenges creatives face in the AI eraBalancing the use of AI tools while preserving originality and storytelling craftThe importance of mentorship and creative community for career longevity Quote of the Week "Bad art is its own form of tragedy." – Kalika Sharma Kalika hits a nerve with this one. In a world flooded with fast content and AI-generated shortcuts, we sometimes forget the slow burn of mastering a craft. This quote is a reminder that art — real, intentional art — requires patience, fundamentals, and humanity. When we lose that, the result might look good on the surface, but it often lacks the soul that connects with people. And that disconnect? That's the tragedy she's talking about. Overview Talking with Kalika felt like stepping into a masterclass on adaptability, creativity, and grounded leadership. We explored her roots in traditional animation, her evolution into commercial work, and how she's facing the challenges of AI with both skepticism and curiosity. What stood out most was her unwavering commitment to creative integrity — even in a time when shortcuts are celebrated. Whether you're a student, seasoned artist, or someone trying to find your footing amid rapid tech changes, Kalika's story is a testament to the power of showing up, pivoting with purpose, and always keeping your craft sharp. Huge thanks to Shereen Strasberg (87th Street Creative) for connecting us with Kalika and making this episode possible. Resources & Mentions AntidoteFX (Kalika's Studio): https://antidotefx.comMarriott Bonvoy Campaign: Marriott BonvoyBrooks Brothers: https://www.brooksbrothers.comiHeartRadio Music Festival: https://www.iheart.com/music-festivalGraphic Artists Guild: https://graphicartistsguild.orgPricing & Ethical Guidelines Book (17th Edition): Order here https://graphicartistsguild.org/the-graphic-artists-guild-handbook-pricing-ethical-guidelines/Zack Arnold's Optimizer Academy: https://optimizeyourself.meAustin Saylor – Project 200K: https://www.austinsaylor.comJake Bartlett (Jake in Motion): https://www.youtube.com/@jakeinmotion87th Street Creative (Shereen Strasberg): https://www.87thstreetcreative.com Want to work with Epic Made on your next creative project? Hit us up at getepicmade.com. We'll help your brand resonate with the right people and look badass while doing it. Until next time, ✌️ – Carl
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