On My Radar: Joe Totti

What’s the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently?

It’s not super-recent but I would say I really enjoyed Sam Pilling's Audi Previous Owner. I have a soft spot for anything spooky. Also, I really enjoyed Curse of the Missing Files, by Eros Vlahos through MindsEye. There are a few I was lucky enough to be involved with that I would love to mention, but are still in production.

What website(s) do you use most regularly?

That would have to be YouTube or Spotify. I love watching tutorials or even, sometimes, watching people do the exciting things I can’t, when I’m sat at a desk for 12-15 hours a day drawing. But I also love listening to podcasts on Spotify. I think a lot of Freelancers can relate to enjoying the company of interesting people at the click of a button. 

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?

Well, I would’ve said It was a new graphics tablet. The Cintiq 24 pro. But, as I was answering these questions, DPD just delivered a 3D printer. Maybe one of the downfalls of my enjoyment of YouTube is that I find myself buying things I actually know nothing about.

What product could you not live without?

My computer set up, with my graphics tablet. I would be lost without it. I can’t even begin to imagine working completely traditionally again.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

I went to see the new Shin Ultraman, I don’t think I could even tell you what was happening in it but it was so much fun, like films should be.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

The most recent Star Wars trilogy, just to remind people that fan service isn’t the key to making a good movie, and how sometimes it's better to leave things alone.

What’s your preferred social media platform?

 It was Instagram. It felt like it was more about sharing your interests than opinions. But I did prefer it more before they introduced Reels.

What’s your favourite TV show?

Community, seasons 1-3. I think it's a perfect show, at a perfect time in television. I love the humour, and Dan Harmon's writing is second too none. The saying, 'the woods are magic but the people are real', is key to the show. The most ridiculous scenarios with real, day-to-day people in a community college.

What’s your favourite podcast?

My favourite would have to be TESD or, currently, We Can Be Weirdos from Dan Schreiber, one of the co host of There’s No Such Thing as a Fish podcast.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

I wasn’t able to make it, but there was a showing of the work of Kim Jung Gi’s, who sadly passed away last year. He was considered the master of illustration. I was lucky enough to meet him a few years back and watch him work. It was like magic.

If you could only listen to one music artist from now on, who would it be?

It would be Manchester Orchestra (not an actual orchestra). I think the reason is that I have listened to them for the last 20 years or so, and they bring back a lot of amazing memories.  

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

If I had to change something, the practical person in me says, lighter deadlines, but the creative person in me says more trust in the creatives to bring something amazing to the table.