Meet Carolina Rodrigues | Creative, Art Director & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina Rodrigues and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success would be the curiosity I have about all the things in life. When I was a child my father once said: “Carol, you should know about every subject to always have something to talk about with someone in a conversation. You don’t need to be an expert and don’t be ashamed of asking questions If you don’t know something”. I guess I took his advice 100% because I’m always trying to learn something new, even out of my field. Out of my comfort zone. I risked a lot in my career going from advertising agencies to production companies and now I’m in a new challenge working with sports. I’m glad I had this journey because I feel I’m always adding my experience to the new place I’m in. I consider myself super versatile professionally, it seems like this way I stand up comparing myself to other professionals. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel taking my dad’s advice makes me humble, excited and positive about learning more and more.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
All my family came from the same field I’m working in today. I never felt pressured because until I finished high school I didn’t know for sure what I wanted in life. But it seems like it is in my blood, I guess. So, I started university knowing I wanted to be an art director, working in an advertising agency and go from there. But then, my curious side made me open my horizons moving from advertising agencies to production companies. Then, it seems like my mind opened to new languages and different ways to express my creativity. I was working at one of the most important production companies in Brazil – O2 Filmes, and they presented this amazing and unique universe of cinema, movies and entertainment. Because I always liked to improve myself and learn, I decided to study cinema at the most known city for it, Los Angeles. So I fell in love with the city of angels. In this 10 years gap, coming and going, I’ve been working in some production companies in Brazil and also volunteering working for some clients here. The year of 2019 was a huge decision for me. I drop off my work in Brazil to come here and finally take a big step in my professional life. I was knocking doors to present myself and my work but unfortunately to work here legally it is hard, but I didn’t want to give up. Every person, place I met was more than I ever expected. Some people gave me the opportunity to do some non-paid freelance and then I saw myself having people referring me to other people. That was a sign I was making the right choice. So, I had to go back to Brazil. And the pandemic came. As a freelancer you are always working by contract and sometimes it is a big interrogation what is coming next? After 10 years outside of advertising agencies I got this freelance job at VML&YR and I realized that something has changed. I had to learn everything over again but I felt that all my experience in production companies was super valid to this new advertising digital world. Then, from one agency to another I saw myself learning more and more. I don’t regret the decision I made in the past leaving the advertising world to the movies world, because now it all makes sense to me. I work for some film festivals helping them to create some art to advertise their festivals, I work for some brands doing some social media work…. So that insecurity I was having to be a freelancer actually opened a lot of doors to me. Then, 2022 came, we were at the “end of pandemic” and I have worked a lot during almost 3 years, so I decided to settle down in a job. Today, I’m Head of Creative in an OTT called NSports in Brazil. Another new world to discover. I still feel butterflies in my stomach but also feel confident to use all I have learnt to dig in this sports world. Today I’m in LA and thanks to the remote work I am able to keep my job and see around, volunteer myself to film festivals and still find my spot here, legally, and maybe in a close future to be able to do another big step, working abroad.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would have an In-N-Out Burger. Food comes first and helps us to think better. Then, we could check out some concerts in town. I would say, If it’s summer, we could go to the Hollywood Bowl. Once in Hollywood, we need to check out the Hollywood Sign and Hollywood Blvd, very quickly, because we need to be at the Broad on time to check out some good art. Maybe try to go to MOCA, LACMA too. We could end the day at Santa Monica pier and enjoy some fun time there. OMG, so hard. There are so many good places to know in LA. I feel you need to come back here many times. I always have new/good experiences every time, I never get tired.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First of all, God and my family. Mom and Dad always supported me and my dreams. They even taught me to keep my faith in God to achieve everything in life.

Also, I would like to thank all the bosses I had in my 15 year career. The good and bad ones. They taught me a lot about how to be the leader I’m today. Some gave me good opportunities and some showed me it isn’t always a fairy tale to manage people and work. In the end, we are all humans, we have feelings and we need to respect people in the first place.

Website: https://www.carolpunkeca.rocks/

Instagram: carolpunkeca

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinarodrigues/