The Power of Paper and The Most Inspiring Journey of Creativity and Change. Meet Ross Symons.

Loading player...
Ever wondered how folding paper could change your life? In this episode of "Something Shifted," Sean Loots sits down with Ross Symons, who swapped web development for the ancient art of origami and the captivating world of stop motion animation.

Discover how a simple 365-day origami challenge catapulted Ross into the spotlight, earning him projects with high-end brands like Christian Dior and Disney.

Ross opens up about overcoming skepticism, the power of self-motivation, and the significance of showcasing one's creative journey, all while reimagining the true meaning of success.

www.white-onrice.com
www.somethingshifted.co.za

Ross Symons' career change (00:00:02) Ross discusses his career change, luck, and intuition guiding his creative pursuits.

Origami and Instagram project (00:01:20) Ross explains his origami project and using Instagram as a digital record for his creations.

Struggles in a corporate environment (00:02:28) Ross reflects on his challenges in a corporate environment and his transition to working for himself.

Early fascination with computers (00:04:50)
Ross talks about spending time with computers and his interest in sound and content creation.

Career path resistance and choices (00:06:21) Ross discusses his career choices and the resistance he faced in pursuing film school.

The pseudonym "Calvin Rockstar" (00:08:17) Ross explains the origin of his pseudonym and reflects on his inner child.

Impact of 365-day project (00:13:02) Ross reflects on the impact of his 365-day project and the potential alternative scenario without it.

Exploring and adapting creative pursuits (00:15:25) Ross emphasizes the importance of exploring new creative projects and adapting to changes in the creative process.

Embracing imperfection and sharing work (00:19:33) Ross shares insights on embracing imperfection, sharing creative work, and approaching the creative process with a long-term perspective.

The magic of paper and technology (00:21:53) Ross discusses the unique blend of stop motion and paper folding, highlighting the role of paper and the challenges and respect it commands.

Defining success in a creative life (00:23:15) Ross shares his personal definition of success, emphasizing the fulfillment of living a creative life and the impact of his work on others.

The importance of time (00:24:42) Ross talks about the significance of having one's own time and its role in achieving success.

Self-reflection and self-sabotage (00:26:18) Ross discusses how he has been his own obstacle and the importance of self-awareness in personal development.

Failing forward (00:28:02) Ross shares a story about a mistake in his work and how he managed to rectify it, highlighting the value of learning from failures.
6 Mar English South Africa Self-Improvement · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

12 Tremors Before Christmas

Year-end brings with it feelings of nostalgia and reflection. And while lifequakes are big events that permanently alter the course of a life, we want to recognise the smaller shifts and shakes - tremors, if you will, that sent us on a detour. This episode is a compilation of 12…
16 Dec 36 min

Waiting To Exhale.

Tanya has struggled to breathe since the day she was born. From viral infections to lung disease, Tanya was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans. The narrowing of Tanya's airways could not be reversed by medication. Considering the diagnosis and years of health challenges, she got on with living her life. By…
2 Dec 23 min

"I was alone with him when he died."

Zuraida was the last person to see her dad alive. The last person to speak to him. She was also the last person to comfort him. She was 13 years old. This traumatic event affected her deeply, leading to feelings of abandonment and a tendency towards hyper-independence. Zuraida discusses how…
18 Nov 25 min

One Rescue Breath Changed Three Lives

Sean shares his personal journey through a lifequake, detailing the challenges and transformations that come with raising a child with profound disabilities. He reflects on a critical incident involving his daughter Zoe, the emotional turmoil of hospital visits, and the lessons learned about resilience, empathy, and the importance of community…
4 Nov 16 min

Get Ready For All Of The Feels

Join me for the new season of Something Shifted, the podcast that asks some of South Africa’s most interesting people to share how significant life shifts, perceived as devastating, can lead to profound personal transformation and empowerment. Something Shifted with Sean Loots leans into the joy and discomfort of unexpected…
22 Oct 1 min