What does it mean for brands to participate in culture? In this episode, Rei sits down with Oli Walsh, the visionary CEO of Invisible Dynamics, to discuss cultural relevance in branding, and take us behind the scenes of the electrifying Gap campaign that became a global sensation. In defining cultural relevance, Rei and Oli discuss how brands can authentically integrate into the cultural fabric without becoming mere spectators. Discover how the campaign “Better in Denim,” starring the global girl group KATSEYE, catapulted Gap back into the cultural spotlight, generating over 400 million views.

Invisible Dynamics helps the world's most ambitious Brands accelerate growth through harnessing creativity, culture, and commerce to drive revenue and relevance. Changing times require a new kind of support, and their programs, products, and platforms uniquely deliver the tools needed for impactful brand transformation.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Behind the Scenes of Gap's Viral Betting Denim Campaign
• 4:28 Cultural Relevance and Brand Participation in Modern Culture
• 13:59 Gap's Brand Transformation Through Strategic Leadership and Collaborations
• 29:52 Reviving Gap's Legacy Through Intentional Fashion Storytelling
• 37:42 The Impact of a Positive Message in Global Campaigns
• 43:50 Balancing Brand Identity with Humanistic and Competitive Enemies
• 53:25 Key Takeaways

Episode References:

• Oli Walsh | LinkedIn
• Invisible Dynamics | Website
• Invisible Dynamics | Finalists at the 2025 Digiday Awards
• Invisible Dynamics | Creativepool’s Small Agency of the Year
• Invisible Dynamics | Adweek’s Creative 100
• Invisible Dynamics | WWD: Meet Oli Walsh
• Invisible Dynamics | Forbes: Why Gap’s ‘Better In Denim’ Ad Struck The Right Chord
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back Haruka Aoki for a fun round of lightning questions.

Haruka Aoki is a queer Japanese poet-illustrator and hope bender. They write and illustrate a regular narrative art column in The New York Times. Their picture book about a square navigating a world of circles, "Fitting In," was published in 2022 by Sky Pony Press / Simon & Schuster. Haruka’s narrative artwork aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka has befriended the abundant imagination found in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. By foraging inspiration from ancestral and metaphysical realms to nurture their artistic practice, they hope to grow and provide an accessible space for collective healing. Haruka often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling.

Episode References:

• Haruka Aoki | Website
• Haruka Aoki | Newsletter
• Haruka Aoki | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From meditation to meal sharing, daily rituals and habits have the power to bring out the best in your talent. Rei welcomes back Haruka Aoki, a Japanese poet and illustrator, to discuss Haruka's unique creative processes, aspirations to expand into various mediums, and day-to-day specifics of how they make a living as an artist. Haruka’s artistic process combines writing and illustrating with deeper emotional connections and cultural expressions. Through detailed anecdotes and personal reflections, they share how a structured routine—consisting of activities like meditation, stretching, and maintaining a consistent work attire—fuels creativity and productivity.

Haruka Aoki is a queer Japanese poet-illustrator and hope bender. They write and illustrate a regular narrative art column in The New York Times. Their picture book about a square navigating a world of circles, "Fitting In," was published in 2022 by Sky Pony Press / Simon & Schuster. Haruka’s narrative artwork aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka has befriended the abundant imagination found in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. By foraging inspiration from ancestral and metaphysical realms to nurture their artistic practice, they hope to grow and provide an accessible space for collective healing. Haruka often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Haruka Aoki's Artistic Journey and Future Aspirations
• 8:08 The Joy of Sharing Life's Simple Pleasures Through Art
• 9:40 Creating Art Through Rituals and Structured Work Habits
• 14:23 Empowerment and Assurance in Career and Personal Growth
• 17:04 Habits and Rituals That Enhance Artistic Creativity
• 17:36 Key Takeaway

Episode References:

• Haruka Aoki | Website
• Haruka Aoki | Newsletter
• Haruka Aoki | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’re tired of conforming to "rules of society", it might be time to reconnect with your childhood dreams. Rei welcomes Haruka Aoki, a Japanese poet and illustrator, who made the bold transition from the corporate ladder to the vibrant world of art. Haruka details their journey from working as an art director in a healthcare company to becoming an acclaimed artist with works featured in publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post. The conversation highlights Haruka's tailored approach to pitching their unique, visually rich narrative stories, addressing cultural themes like AAPI heritage and the universal love of public libraries.

Haruka Aoki is a queer Japanese poet-illustrator and hope bender. They write and illustrate a regular narrative art column in The New York Times. Their picture book about a square navigating a world of circles, "Fitting In," was published in 2022 by Sky Pony Press / Simon & Schuster. Haruka’s narrative artwork aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka has befriended the abundant imagination found in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. By foraging inspiration from ancestral and metaphysical realms to nurture their artistic practice, they hope to grow and provide an accessible space for collective healing. Haruka often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Finding Your Place in the World Through Creativity
• 2:36 Haruka Aoki's Journey From Corporate Life to Artistic Freedom
• 7:14 Haruka Aoki's Journey From Corporate to Narrative Artist
• 14:43 An Ode to Public Libraries and Their Cultural Impact
• 17:28 Embracing Their Artistic Career
• 21:40 Rediscovering Inner Child Through Creative Freedom
• 26:30 Becoming a Full-Time Artist
• 27:58 Key Takeaway

Episode References:

• Haruka Aoki | Website
• Haruka Aoki | Newsletter
• Haruka Aoki | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rei Inamoto dives into how brand purpose lost its plot and why it’s up to CEOs, not CMOs, to fix it.

The Intersection is Rei’s free newsletter, exploring what the future holds at the intersection of creativity and technology. Subscribe to The Intersection to receive his latest editions directly in your inbox.

Episode References:

• Purpose v. Growth | Article
• Rei Inamoto | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back BREAKFAST for a fun round of lightning questions.

Andrew Zolty, known professionally as BREAKFAST, is a data and kinetic artist whose work centers on transforming real-time data from the natural world into digitally controlled kinetic artworks that tell stories. From the waves crashing on the beaches of Normandy to solar activity on the sun’s surface, BREAKFAST’s pieces draw this data from the web and transform these fluctuations into mesmerizing, undulating sculptures, creating a profound connection between the viewer and distant places.

BREAKFAST's passion for art, electronics, and computers, which began in his childhood, has led him to merge these elements throughout his adult life. Developing skills in art, coding, interaction design, and mechanical and electrical engineering, he became fascinated by the vast streams of data constantly generated around us. This fascination drives his work, as he finds ways to translate data into physical experiences that tell stories of real-time events.

Over the past 15 years, BREAKFAST has grown his studio into an engineering powerhouse, allowing for the complete in-house production of his works. This capability pushes creativity and quality to their furthest limits, with ideas inspiring engineering and engineering enabling new artistic expressions.

Episode References:

• BREAKFAST | Instagram
• BREAKFAST | Website
• Rei Inamoto | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you can teach yourself to focus, you'll find more hours in the day. Rei welcomes Andrew Zolty, an acclaimed data and kinetic artist professional known as BREAKFAST, for a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. They discuss BREAKFAST’s transition from commercial design to full-time artistry and how he’s built a business around kinetic sculptures using real-time data. BREAKFAST shares insights into marketing, client interactions, the challenges of large-scale installations, and candid advice on why focus matters in the creative industry.

Andrew Zolty, known professionally as BREAKFAST, is a data and kinetic artist whose work centers on transforming real-time data from the natural world into digitally controlled kinetic artworks that tell stories. From the waves crashing on the beaches of Normandy to solar activity on the sun’s surface, BREAKFAST’s pieces draw this data from the web and transform these fluctuations into mesmerizing, undulating sculptures, creating a profound connection between the viewer and distant places.

BREAKFAST's passion for art, electronics, and computers, which began in his childhood, has led him to merge these elements throughout his adult life. Developing skills in art, coding, interaction design, and mechanical and electrical engineering, he became fascinated by the vast streams of data constantly generated around us. This fascination drives his work, as he finds ways to translate data into physical experiences that tell stories of real-time events.

Over the past 15 years, BREAKFAST has grown his studio into an engineering powerhouse, allowing for the complete in-house production of his works. This capability pushes creativity and quality to their furthest limits, with ideas inspiring engineering and engineering enabling new artistic expressions.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Pursuing a Creative Life at the Intersection of Art and Technology
• 2:21 The Art of Marketing and Identity in the Art World
• 7:39 Creating Wow Art Pieces with Real-Time Data and Storytelling
• 14:57 Navigating Artistic Collaborations and Maintaining Creative Ownership
• 17:04 Creating Kinetic Sculptures for Cruise Ships and Outdoor Spaces
• 23:39 The Power of Focus in Creative Pursuits

Episode References:

• BREAKFAST | Instagram
• BREAKFAST | Website
• Rei Inamoto | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Using unique mediums can help differentiate an artist's work, giving it both distinctive appeal and commercial viability. Rei sits down with Andrew Zolty, an acclaimed data and kinetic artist widely recognized by his professional name, BREAKFAST. The episode delves into BREAFAST's career journey from being a commercial developer to a full-time kinetic artist. Known for integrating real-time data and engineering into his artworks, BREAKFAST shares invaluable insights into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of forging a unique path in the art world.

Andrew Zolty, known professionally as BREAKFAST, is a data and kinetic artist whose work centers on transforming real-time data from the natural world into digitally controlled kinetic artworks that tell stories. From the waves crashing on the beaches of Normandy to solar activity on the sun’s surface, BREAKFAST’s pieces draw this data from the web and transform these fluctuations into mesmerizing, undulating sculptures, creating a profound connection between the viewer and distant places.

BREAKFAST's passion for art, electronics, and computers, which began in his childhood, has led him to merge these elements throughout his adult life. Developing skills in art, coding, interaction design, and mechanical and electrical engineering, he became fascinated by the vast streams of data constantly generated around us. This fascination drives his work, as he finds ways to translate data into physical experiences that tell stories of real-time events.

Over the past 15 years, BREAKFAST has grown his studio into an engineering powerhouse, allowing for the complete in-house production of his works. This capability pushes creativity and quality to their furthest limits, with ideas inspiring engineering and engineering enabling new artistic expressions.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Creative Evolution: From Commercial Designer to Kinetic Artist
• 6:17 From Digital Concepts to Art: A Creative Evolution
• 11:43 Creating AI Experiences for Bikes and Blimps
• 16:05 Embracing Career Transitions Through Unique Skill Combinations
• 20:48 Balancing Artistry and Business in Creative Ventures
• 27:12 The Evolution of Kinetic Art and Creative Mediums

Episode References:

• BREAKFAST | Instagram
• BREAKFAST | Website
• Rei Inamoto | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.