Every day we hear of new brilliant ideas: drone-delivery service, 6G technology, code-generated paintings, how artificial intelligence and machine learning can make our lives easier…the list goes on and on. But ideas without action are just a pipedream regardless how visionary it sounds. To put ideas to work, creatives need execution support. They need to be equipped with the right tools, work in a team of like-minded individuals, led by an experienced leader and to begin with, they need a platform.
Aiming to create an avenue for young creators to showcase their talent and creativity, HP Malaysia carried forward their annual mentorship programme — HP Mentorship Project to allow creatives from all backgrounds to materialise their creative ideas by leveraging today’s technology.
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak to Jess How, Country Marketing Manager of HP Malaysia and Daniel Veerapen, one of the mentors of the HP Mentorship Project to better understand the whole idea behind this project, and also to find out how was the mentees’ experience throughout the mentorship process. So, check out our conversation below to learn more.
Q: What’s the objectives of the HP Mentorship Project?
HP: The HP Mentorship Project aims to create possibilities for Malaysia’s youth while enabling their creativity through HP technology and devices. The selected mentors strive to motivate and empower young creators to stretch their wings and create art that stays true to themselves. Through the HP Mentorship Project, 11 lucky mentees gained an up-close and rewarding mentorship experience as the mentors came together from across different creative genres to aid them in their journey.
Q: What inspired HP to host such a project? What motivated HP to carry forward this project from last year?
HP: With the right tools and guidance, anyone can become a creator. The HP Mentorship Project is a platform for young creators where they’ll receive the right equipment and a chance to work with industry experts to gain valuable experience within their favourite creative fields. Today’s youth are more empowered than ever to create work and art that is meaningful to them – from songs that shed light on important social causes to digital arts that touch on issues that matter to them. It’s been amazing to see, and work with the newer generation as they create, connect, and collaborate through this project. And this actually inspired HP to continue with hosting the project annually.
Q: How creativity can be enhanced by leveraging technology? How can creativity and technology coexist?
HP: Since technology has seeped into every facet of our lives, HP knows it is more important than ever to empower creatives with HP’s thoughtfully designed laptops so they can create whatever and whenever they want. Each mentee and mentor received a stunning HP laptop — either HP Sepctre x360, HP ENVY and HP ZBook Firefly — jam packed with powerful features and innovations to gear up their creative journey, or even kickstart a career in the creative field.
The mentees and mentors found it extremely easy to bring it with them nearly anywhere. They were able to carry out their mentorship session in any place, from a recording studio, coffee shop to the comfort of their home.
According to the mentees, features like the HP’s Quickdrop, the flexible touch screen or the Digital Pen were very helpful as they could easily jot down notes, share ideas across, write lyrics and record samples, which smoothen the mentorship process greatly.
Q: Why did HP Mentorship select Daniel Verapeen, Zee Avi and Edwin Raj to be the mentors?
HP: HP identified and collaborated with mentors who shared the same values with the brand campaign’s intent; to grow talents to new heights and to create possibilities while enabling creativity. With the right devices and opportunities, along with our visionary mentors, together we can uplift these young creators, and help them to grow and elevate their skills with the head start they need to excel in their creative fields.
Q: How does it feel like to be a mentor in the HP Mentorship Project?
Daniel Verapeen: I share the same values as HP and the campaign’s intent. That is to grow talents to new heights, to create possibilities, and more importantly, enable creativity amongst young artists and producers in Malaysia. I also wanted to cultivate and advance collaboration amongst young artists who need a platform to break through.
When I began my journey with music production, I started with just a computer in my room, and slowly I grew my skills and my business — eventually leading to me owning my own studio. My mentees are brilliant, and I foresee their success in the future with the hard work and etiquette I’ve seen from them. They greatly remind me of myself when I was younger. Their creativity and diligence have not only inspired me to continue teaching, but I also feel proud to be a part of their creative journey as they create with the HP laptops, just as I did all those years ago. With the technology provided by HP, we’re continuing that legacy of using today’s technology to create tomorrow’s possibilities.
Q: What are you looking for in your mentees? (Traits? Interests? Skills? Creativity? etc)
DV: During the selection process, we specifically sought out creative souls who expressed themselves through their music or art. We looked for a passion for creation that could be propelled and built up via HP’s technology, and we took them under our wings so they could be nurtured throughout the mentorship journey as they utilised all the technology, tools and know-how provided to them.
Q: What kind of audio/visual art piece you’re planning to produce with your mentees?
DV: Together with the mentees, we conceptualised an audio visual experience that could be experienced both virtually, and physically. Utilising the powerful HP laptops, we were inspired to produce creative art pieces that are a mix of beautiful animations and ethereal music.
Q: What’s the specialty of HP laptops? How can it aid in the creative process, especially in the production of work?
HP: The mentees utilised the 2-in-1 flexibility of the HP devices and found themselves empowered to create their music easily. HP QuickDrop further helped in streamlining their process of producing, mixing and mastering as they transferred files back and forth between each other. Using the touch screen while listening to the tracks they were working on through the Bang & Olufsen tuned speakers let them dynamically adjust the mixes of their songs following their creative ideas.
Menteens also mentioned the touch screen on their laptops had been a huge boon while they produced the music for the HP Mentorship Project. It streamlined the process and made it intuitive for them to use the music production software. They said it felt as if they were back in the studio with their mentor.
Q: How can mentees benefit from this project?
Jonathan Lee (@jonisback97): I always thought I didn’t have the skills to be a producer, but after working with Daniel, I was inspired to push myself out of my comfort zone, and to produce more music with the help of HP laptop.
Jesslyn Ting (@jesslyn.tst): I had been producing music alone and always dreamt of being a music producer. Participating in this HP mentorship project allowed me to better understand how to express myself with my music, at the same time feel more confident and efficient as I was given an amazing laptop to work with.
Cyrus Kwok (@coney_inu): The HP laptop is tremendously helpful. I used it to develop a track with my singing partner, and the touch screen was convenient for quickly adjusting the volume faders and automating different processes while mixing and mastering my star track. I also realised I rely on HP’s QuickDrop heavily whenever I work on the drafts on our final song.
Embark on your creative journey with HP’s performance laptop: HP Spectre x360 14, HP ENVY 14 or HP ZBook Firefly G8 today and start letting your inner star shine!
Also, don’t forget to check out HP Malaysia’s Facebook page for more updates!
