#sparkchamber 021323 — Radit Mahindro
Another Monday, another chance to spotlight a bright star in the creative universe, as #sparkchamber welcomes graphic designer Radit Mahindro. Originally from the port city of Surabaya on the Indonesian island of Java, Radit studied graphic design and tourism branding. He moved to Lombok after graduation, and then to Bali where he now lives and works. Which, since 2010, has been in the hospitality sector, engaging in various full- and part-time roles including graphic design, marketing, revenue management, new projects, and product development. “I’m currently preparing a book that chronicles the evolution of hotels [the building] and hospitality [the feeling and interaction] in Bali from the 1930s until the 2020s. The plan is to publish it next year.”
Two years ago, Radit began working with Aman, first as a consultant, then joining full-time in June 2021. Now Regional Director of Marketing, he officially oversees four Aman resorts, one Aman residence, and one Aman private yacht. Wondering about his influences, Radit tells us, “Music inspires me a lot. I took many references from music and adopted ideas from the music industry into my own work in hospitality. I’m a huge fan of The Beatles, Björk, Radiohead, Michael Jackson, and Kanye West. Putting their personal lives aside, they are all great artists with amazing works and mindset about anything related to their works: art, stage, lighting, marketing, and sales distribution.
“I also love how Heinz Henn and Ivan Pavlovich [from Rockstar Games] built the mood and the world of Vice City, San Andreas, and Liberty City. I’m still regularly listening to GTA soundtracks, which sometimes help to imagine a particular setting [color palette, landscaping, interior decor, etc.] in the context of hospitality.”
In December, Radit spoke with Colin Nagy on topics of hospitality, Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human, and Dapur Bali Mula in the Monday Media Diet of the Why Is This Interesting substack — a wonderful interview where we learn more about his work history, what he reads, what he eats, and Java Style. Well worth the read!
1.] Where do ideas come from?
Mostly from daily life: music, people in the street, food, films / movies, etc.
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
For now I’m quite comfortable to say that I’m living by the Javanese way of life called “memayu hayuning bawana” which means the cosmos [microcosmos — inner soul and macro-cosmos —the physical universe] is beautiful, but we shall make it even more beautiful.
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
I work during office hours [formally], and in the evening [combined with reading and looking for some inspiration]. There is no specific reason why it’s becoming my working rhythm. I just find it comfortable. And I’m lucky that my working space in Aman is quite open with large windows and surrounded by trees and garden, so me and my team feel relaxed and can communicate easily.
4.] How do you know when you are done?
Technically I have deadlines and goals in numbers. So, whenever I reached both, I consider my tasks are done. But mentally, I like seeing each task as working in progress because there are always bigger aspirations beyond deadlines and numbers: purpose in life, experiential value, etc. So I will be done when I’m dead, hahaha.