Creative Minds: Alice Chou on being a daydreaming workaholic

Name: Alice Chou

 

Origin: Taiwan

 

Places lived/worked: Taipei

 

Pronouns: She/her

 

CV:

 

Chief creative officer, Dentsu Taiwan, 2015-present

Executive creative director, Dentsu Taiwan, 2012-2015

Group creative director, Dentsu Taiwan, 2009-2012

 

1. How did you end up being a creative?

 

Maybe it's because I love writing, thinking, observing people, words, movies, music, dreaming, listening to stories, creating stories, and sharing stories. Aside from being a creative, I have yet to find anything else I am as passionate about.

 

2. What's your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?

 

I'm particularly proud of "In Love We Trust" for Sinyi Realty, which won Taiwan its first Cannes Entertainment Lion Grand Prix. 

 

 

3. What's your favourite piece of work created by someone else?

 

“Government of Tuvalu—The First Digital Nation” is something I deeply admire for its innovative approach in preserving a sinking nation’s culture, heritage, and sovereignty. This is incredibly powerful!

 

 

4. What's your favourite book of all time?

 

“Alice in Wonderland” remains a favourite! It mirrors my life’s journey of curiousity, surprises, frustrations and triumphs in an adventurous dream world.

 

5. What kind of student were you?

 

On the surface, I was a smart and well-behaved student. Deep down, I was an irresponsible, imaginative, slightly rebellious girl who yearned to challenge reality.

 

6. What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

 

During the Leonid meteor shower, I laid on the rocks by the crashing waves all night, counting meteors until dawn—with a few dozes in between. I hear it’s good luck!

7. What's on your bucket list?

 

Someday, I hope to write down all the stories hidden in my heart without having to consider the commercial aspects of things, such as product placements.

8. What advice would you give to a 10-year-old you?

 

Many things that scare you are opportunities for growth, so embrace them fearlessly.

 

9. How would your co-workers describe you?

 

My colleagues often label me as a workaholic, but I simply find joy in working hard and producing meaningful results.

 

10. Do you have any secret or odd talents?

 

I can fall asleep anytime, anywhere. I often dream, and they sometimes spark creative ideas. Maybe it has something to do with my name being Alice.

 

11. What's your guilty pleasure?

 

My guilty pleasure? It's a classic tale of midnight showdowns with my favourite TV series, where one episode magically turns into an all-night marathon until the sun starts to rise. And then there's my Olympic-level procrastination: lying around, daydreaming about cleaning my room or hitting the gym, but somehow mastering the art of doing absolutely nothing instead.