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Media Design entrepreneur Serra Semi talked to us about her latest endeavor bringing her exceptional design experience and wisdom into a new project on how to live a productive and creative life with the podcast she co-created, GATSBY FRIDAYS, changing up the age old conversation around creative careers and offering inspiration to everyone.
Semi created the podcast alongside co-host, friend, and former coworker Alex Chimilio.
The two previously worked together at a New York branding agency and soon formed a friendship around movies, meals, and an overwhelming dedication to creativity and design.
GATSBY FRIDAYS brings many of those elements to the table, but it is supplemented by valuable professional advice and tips for creative professionals and also just anyone who enjoys engaging in creative activities.
In our interview with Semi, we learned more about how the show got started, the production process, and what the response to the show has been like.
GATSY FRIDAYS is on Apple, Spotify and all major podcast platforms.
We’d love to hear how the idea for Gatsby Fridays first came about.
You’re invited to a speakeasy like no other! A podcast about getting the best out of a creative life from two Creative Directors working around the world and based in New York City. GATSBY FRIDAYS evolved from two young creatives’ leisurely lunches in SoHo discussing movies and design, aptly named “Champagne Fridays” into an elevated conversation about how to live a fully engaged and productive creative life.
My co-creator Alex Chimilio and I have a long history starting from my first design job. We have already been having conversations around the topics we cover in the podcast. We have noticed a lack of representation and a separation of work and life that isn’t true to the creative spirit. On top of that, we have been active in the design community in New York, participating at events and workshops for years. Sharing the conversations we were already having as a podcast seemed like the obvious next step.
Can you tell us more about your first interactions with Alex? Did you sense an immediate rapport?
Our first interactions feel like a lifetime ago! I have known Alex for a long time.
I was doing my first summer internship my junior year in college at a branding agency in NoHo, Graj+Gustavsen, when I met Alex. He was part of the design team. They were incredible in interacting with us interns beyond the office, taking us out to drinks, galleries, and movies. So after graduation when I was offered an entry-level position, I already had friends in the city. Alex and I started going to the movies every week and the discussions afterwards over drinks is what solidified our creative connection.
Alex is the Creative Director for a sportswear brand. He is a talented artist, a storyteller and a colleague I respect very much. Undertaking a project like this requires a respect for each others’ views, work ethic, and talent. He has been an incredible partner in making GATSBY FRIDAYS.
Did you find that you both adjusted well to recording your conversations? Was it awkward at first?
I am an expert at branding and visuals and Alex is an authority in fashion. Even though we both have worked with video and animations as part of projects, working with just sound as the primary medium was new to both of us from a production perspective. From a content perspective, it was easy to adapt. Being expert storytellers, we immediately crafted a format that keeps us from losing sight of what we want to say and end with a positive takeaway for each topic. But then there is the added element of listening to your own voice and words. It took a while for me to get used to that.
Do you both have any specific goals for the future of the podcast or have you enjoyed seeing it develop organically?
I have long-term plans for the podcast. I see it as a starting point. We both believe that the podcast medium is an incredibly powerful tool to speak to a wide audience on topics we feel passionate about. Connecting with other creatives around inspiration and critical conversations is what keeps us going. When the social distancing limitations open up, I expect GATSBY FRIDAYS to extend into speaking engagements as well as events that will bring the creative community together.
Has it been difficult finding the time to record, or has it simply become part of your professional routine?
Well, it is a lot of work! Producing a weekly show means a pretty significant time commitment in addition to our full-time professional lives. It is a challenge to stick to a schedule but we are committed to the project and believe in the value it offers to the creative community. So we make it work.
Being a creative director, I don’t look at it as just recording an episode. My approach to the project calls for each episode to be visually represented with unique cover art and have that reflected on all media channels we use whereas Alex focuses on the script and sound.
Hell or high water, every Friday, we drop a new episode, add new content to the site, schedule social posts, and publish additional videos and visual content to support the podcast. Every Friday!
What has the listener response to the podcast been like so far?
The response has been very positive. Colleagues have reached out with comments like how they have been looking for a design podcast that isn’t just about skills or networking and that’s where GATSBY FRIDAYS comes in.
What was it like being recognized by The Side Show?
Recognition is an incredible feeling. There is so much blood sweat and tears that go into this project. Talking about topics we are passionate about means it comes from the heart. There is no podcast or similar project out there that approaches design and a creative life from our holistic perspective. It’s a great feeling to have found our niche. But more than that, being recognized by a creative award show such as The Side Show means that the message is getting out to the creative community, we are being heard and celebrated. We are honored and proud.
by Giorgio Chang
