RYAN BARKHUIZEN
Ryan studied Art Direction at the AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town and got his first job in the city at TBWA\Fusion. In 2005, he was one of the very first people hired by Cape Town agency FoxP2. He has been published in Lürzer's Archive more than any other South African art director and has been internationally recognised at awards including Cannes, D&AD and the One Show.
Image: Ryan Barkhuizen.
At the moment I am working on...
We’ve just finished a print campaign for ‘Rediscover Dairy’ – where we poke fun at evil people who can’t take the goodness that dairy provides.
The best piece of creative work around at the moment is...
The DirecTV work that Grey, New York, did – it’s a great simple insight, beautifully told and entertaining.
I am inspired by...
It’s a massive cliché, but the people who surround you shape you more than any media, place or device.
The best time to be a creative is...
Now – It’s tougher than it’s ever been, which makes the reward so much sweeter.
The next big thing in advertising is going to be...
It has always and will always be ‘The Idea’.
There’s a lot of talk about digital this and mobile that, much as the 1950s were all about television. We need to remember that all these forms of media are simply channels to engage with consumers, and soon there will be other channels and without a great idea at the heart of a brand you will simply be a social (media) outcast.
Lastly great ideas are incredibly fragile, and in a nervous environment they can easily be bled to death by a thousand pages of research. We need to work hard at earning our clients’ trust before ‘that throat cancer’ destroys our - and our brands’ - creative voice.
This year I’ll be attending...
The Loerie Awards, the Pendoring Advertising Awards and the Eagle Awards all in South Africa.
What got my attention at the last festival I attended is...
I really liked the VW BlueMotion – ‘Roulette’ work that won at Cannes. Back home at the Loerie Awards, I think the Carling Black Label – ‘Be the Coach’ is a definite standout.
The piece of digital work I wish I had thought of is...
“Decode Jay-Z with Bing”. An outdoor idea and an online idea – either way - It was a BIG idea that worked across multiple channels and had the brand user experience at its heart. If you’re looking for a pure digital idea Skittles’ “Super Mega Updater” was pure genius.
In a film about my life, I’d like to be played by...
Don Cheadle – I cannot help but start a slow-clap at anything that man does.
In my industry, I admire...
Anyone who has the gumption to be honest, the grit to take responsibility for their actions and the naivety to think that people really care. People like Andrew Whitehouse, Justin Gomes and Charl Thom – three men who have showed true character and understand the fragility of an idea. Not forgetting the amazing writers I’ve had the privilege to work with and whom I consider life-long friends.
My dream collaboration is...
I would love to collaborate with Chris Cunningham, Dave Grohl and the guitar-carrying dwarf who lives in my apartment complex.
In up and coming talent, I look for...
Come hungry and humble. I don’t care how good you are (or think you are), if you are a cock I don’t want to know you. I want to work with people who I can admire – see above.
A piece of criticism I’ve received was...
“You have multiple Stockholm Syndromes.”
The last piece of music I listened to was...
I’m busy listening to album ‘Slave Ambient’ by The War on Drugs.
Video: DirecTV "Don't Attend Your Own Funeral" by Grey, New York.
See Ryan Barkhuizen's work featured in Lürzer’s Archive here | Not already Subscribed? Subscribe Now
