A Day in the Life of Kae Neskovic, Executive Creative Director at Superside
A Typical Day
A lot of my day revolves around working closely with my team. As an executive creative director at Superside, a creative service combining human creativity with AI innovation, I know that communication is key to keeping everything running smoothly. This can take the form of one-on-one meetings, team catch-ups, creative workshops, or brainstorming sessions.
I know that meetings often get a bad rap, but I’m a fan when they’re done right. They’re an opportunity to foster creativity and alignment, especially in a remote environment. To make the most of these meetings, I like to create space in my schedule for deep creative work, whether that’s through a quick workout or a walk outside. Sometimes, the best ideas come when I’m not actively trying to find them.
As part of my role, I also think about how we can continue to elevate our creative processes in a remote-first setting. How do we keep the team energized? How do we foster collaboration across time zones? These questions shape my day-to-day decisions.
Early Career
I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. In high school, I was into graffiti, and one day, a well-known graffiti artist introduced me to Adobe’s Illustrator. It was a revelation. I was hooked immediately and began exploring design in every way I could – creating posters for friends, experimenting with illustrations, and teaching myself the basics.
I went to university in Venice, Italy, and after that, I started working at a design studio. That’s where I truly fell in love with branding. I was fortunate to have a boss who was an expert in the technical side of design – print, typography, layout – and they shared so much of that knowledge with me. It felt like I was attending an unofficial school of design, and those skills became the foundation of my approach to creative work.
Challenging Work-Related Experience
One of the most challenging aspects of creative work – especially branding – is managing client feedback. Branding is high-stakes for any company, and because of that, it often involves leadership teams and a lot of strong emotions. It’s not always easy, but I believe that open communication and active listening are key to navigating these situations.
Industry Development
Two key areas come to mind:
- Valuing design as a strategic partner – Too often, design is treated as a production arm of marketing rather than a critical component of strategy. We need to advocate for our seat at the table and use data to showcase the value we bring.
- Changing the toxic agency culture – The cliché of the overworked, underappreciated creative is still alive and well. Agencies are often put in impossible situations, leading to long hours, micromanagement, and vague feedback. While this isn’t always due to bad intentions, it’s a cycle we need to break.
As an industry, we need to prioritize fairness, work-life balance, and respect for the creative process. Ultimately, happier teams produce better work.
AI and Creativity
Can AI and human creativity truly coexist? Absolutely. AI is a reflection of human creativity – it’s built on the ingenuity and teamwork of countless people. Far from replacing creativity, it enhances it.
Favourite Tools
- Figma – It’s revolutionized global collaboration and made workflows seamless.
- Runway – Perfect for putting creative work in motion and creating videos.
- Virtual Electric – Their canvas approach to image generation is fantastic.
Dream Project
I’d love to work on a high-profile creative campaign for a company like Nike or Spotify. Imagine inventing the next Spotify Wrapped or something equally innovative that feels like a festival – it would be an amazing challenge.
Career Advice
Be braver. Trust yourself and your voice – it matters more than you think. Advocate for yourself and don’t hesitate to take risks. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out, learn from others, and focus on the process, not just the outcome. Creativity is about iteration – don’t get too attached to individual pieces of work. Sometimes the best thing you can do is delete it and start fresh.
FAQs
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in design?
A: I was introduced to Adobe’s Illustrator in high school, and it was a revelation. I was hooked immediately and began exploring design in every way I could.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
A: Managing client feedback. It’s high-stakes, and it often involves leadership teams and strong emotions. Open communication and active listening are key.
Q: How do you stay creative?
A: I make time for self-reflection, whether that’s through exercise, meditation, or simply taking a walk. Sometimes the best ideas come when I’m not actively trying to find them.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career?
A: Be brave. Trust yourself and your voice – it matters more than you think. Advocate for yourself and don’t hesitate to take risks.
