MCI (P) 064/11/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.
Interviews
Imaginary Ones co-founder Clement Chia on creating an impact with NFTs
The self-taught animation artist shares the key to becoming the co-founder of one of the world’s firs and largest web3 marketplace for NFTs and crypto collectibles.
Clement Chia is a self-taught animation artist with a bold vision to make an impact in the brave new Web3 world.
“Everyone has a little magic in their lives. We just need that spark of imagination to create something new and exciting,” says the 35-year-old co-creator of the popular Imaginary Ones (IO) NFT series launched in early 2022.
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Within minutes, the first drop of 8,888 IO NFTs featuring Chia’s signature cheerful 3D animated characters in pleasant pastels sold out. According to OpenSea rankings, IO is currently 145 on the world’s first and largest web3 marketplace for NFTs and crypto collectables, and is the top Singapore NFT project in the marketplace.
In October, Chia scored another coup when IO caught the attention of HUGO BOSS executives in Germany who reached out to him via LinkedIn for a collaboration on the brand’s metaverse, making this the first Asia-born NFT project to land a long- term partnership with an international fashion label. In early November, HUGO x Imaginary Ones released an exclusive NFT collection of 1,001 3D animations titled Embrace Your Emotions.
He is also the co-founder of Offset.Sg, a motion design specialist firm that has worked with international brands, such as Coke, Heineken, Unilever, and Google, to create digital content, as well as Offeo.com, a platform that uses technology to enable businesses to develop creative content quickly and efficiently.
Upcoming IO projects include developing exclusive experiences in HUGO’s metaverse and offering NFT holders utilities such as staking and whitelist opportunities for future projects.
A post shared by Imaginary Ones (@theimaginaryones)
What is the secret to Imaginary Ones’ success?
Originally, I was creating Instagram art for fun, but those went viral over time. So when NFTs became a thing, I created five characters and posted them on social media, had a good response, and decided to launch my own project.
In addition to NFTs, the focus is on building a community. Jumping directly into it is not going to work if nobody knows who you are. Having a following made my project more visible.
Authenticity and community separate good projects from those that are there for a quick buck.
What are you doing differently in Web3?
I strongly believe Web3 has a huge potential to change the world because it is still being shaped. We want to ensure that we create a positive space for everyone.
You will see that IO has a style that is distinctly different from many other Web3 projects that are often male-dominated. We aim to make IO’s aesthetic much more inclusive and accessible to people of all ages and genders — males, females, parents, kids, and everyone else in between.
When I was buying NFTs, the culture was always about “grinding” or performing repetitive tasks in Discord or Twitter to get on the Allowlist. That felt wrong. I wanted to make a change in the space, so our community activities involved more wholesome activities, such as going out for a walk or learning a simple magic trick.
I would like IO to be more than just beautiful art or art with a message. Spreading positivity in the very way we build our communities and engaging with the world are what it’s all about.
What impact has the recent crypto crash had on the future prospects for NFTs?
In many ways, the crypto crash was unavoidable. With so many projects mushrooming overnight, it grew too fast as people wanted to be a part of it. As a result, many projects were launched without a clear purpose or community foundation. However, the crypto crash had one important benefit: it has shaken out unsustainable projects and weeded out opportunists from those who are here to stay for the long haul.
In launching a successful NFT, what is the most important lesson you learned?
Every day, new Web3 projects debut around the world. Authenticity and community separate good projects from those that are just there for a quick buck. A project must have meaning. It is not just about pretty or unusual creatives. There must be a purpose and a message because a great NFT project is one that can bring communities together.
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A post shared by Imaginary Ones (@theimaginaryones)
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MCI (P) 064/11/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.
