What 23 Years in Motion Design Teaches You About Creativity and Change with Kalika Sharma

Podcast
Written By Carl Cleanthes

This week, I had the incredible honor of talking with Kalika Sharma, a creative director, NYU professor, and founder of AntidoteFX, now in its 23rd year. Kalika’s journey through the creative industry is nothing short of epic, spanning from hand-drawn animations on a 16mm Oxberry animation stand to leading high-end global campaigns for brands like Marriott Bonvoy and Brooks Brothers.

Her ability to combine artistry with strategy has positioned her at the top of her field, all while mentoring others and staying on the edge of new technology. Oh, and did I mention she produced the iHeartRadio Music Festival while five months pregnant with twins? Absolute legend.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • What it was like to animate frame-by-frame using a chalkboard and film

  • How Kalika landed her first gig at Nickelodeon through relentless portfolio iteration

  • Why working on “Little Bill” revealed her love for variety and led to a pivot into commercials

  • The scale and creative challenge of producing 30 bespoke videos in 15 languages for Marriott Bonvoy

  • How to keep your artistic spark alive while pivoting alongside evolving tech like AI

  • The ethical implications and copyright challenges creatives face in the AI era

  • Balancing the use of AI tools while preserving originality and storytelling craft

  • The importance of mentorship and creative community for career longevity

“Bad art is its own form of tragedy.” – Kalika Sharma

Kalika hits a nerve with this one. In a world flooded with fast content and AI-generated shortcuts, we sometimes forget the slow burn of mastering a craft. This quote is a reminder that real, intentional art requires patience, fundamentals, and humanity. When we lose that, the result might look good on the surface, but it often lacks the soul that connects with people. And that disconnect? That’s the tragedy she’s talking about.

In this episode…

Talking with Kalika felt like stepping into a masterclass on adaptability, creativity, and grounded leadership. We explored her roots in traditional animation, her evolution into commercial work, and how she’s facing the challenges of AI with both skepticism and curiosity. What stood out most was her unwavering commitment to creative integrity, even in a time when shortcuts are celebrated. Whether you're a student, seasoned artist, or someone trying to find your footing amid rapid tech changes, Kalika’s story is a testament to the power of showing up, pivoting with purpose, and always keeping your craft sharp. Huge thanks to Sherene Strausberg (87th Street Creative) for connecting us with Kalika and making this episode possible.

Until next time,

Carl Cleanthes

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Epic Made.

Epic Made creates memorable animation, digital art, and graphic design to elevate brands.

They are a collective of talented artists across a multitude of disciplines who can handle the creativity and communication of any project.

Epic Made has created commercials, key art, social content, and more for leading entertainment brands such as the SYFY Network and Nickelodeon.

To learn more, go to www.epic-made.com or send an email to hey@getepicmade.com.

Carl Cleanthes
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