Welcome to the first episode of our interview series featuring Ariel Costa, an Emmy-winning Creative / Animation (mixed-media) Director based in Los Angeles, CA. As the world constantly evolves, so does the motion design industry. Ariel gives his take on the emergence of new talent, the rise of AI and NFTs, and the impact of the pandemic on the industry. The conversation also covers the implications of AI on the industry, copyright infringement concerns, and the potential loss of the industry's 'soul.' Ariel lets us in on his creative process, the allure of 'blinking our brains,' and how the marriage of analog and digital elements creates harmony in design. Join us for this insightful and enthralling conversation about the challenges, triumphs, and evolution of our industry.   Ariel’s creative studio BlinkMyBrain™ is not a tool, it’s the attitude. Ariel helps studios, production companies, agencies, and all sorts of clients to solve creative and visual problems, bringing ideas to life and creating the message. With over 14 years of experience in the Motion Graphics industry, Ariel had the chance to collaborate with clients such as Marvel Animation, Spotify, Adidas, Warner, Focus Films, Netflix, The New York Times, Pinterest, and Facebook among many others. In the music industry, Ariel has done visual concepts for bands like Panic at the Disco, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and 30 Seconds to Mars. He directed music videos for incredible bands like Led Zeppelin, Green Day, Mastodon, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Discussion Points:  Real and digital world inspirations  The importance of personal projects  Navigating time constraints in creative problem-solving  AI's role in the creative process  The importance of studio environment  Challenges of a creative director  The decline of traditional work structures  Social media's importance for artists  The feedback loop and iterative process  Collage and mixed media exploration Resources:  Ariel Costa - Blink My Brain  Blink My Brain – Green Day  Blink My Brain – Led Zeppelin  Blink My Brain - Mastodon  Sarofsky   Austin Shaw