Get to know
The only caveat about Joan: never leave hungry.
When fed, this human, Creative, and Library of Odd Sayings is brimming with ideas and surprises that swing from mischievous to meaningful. Her work bridges care, craft and curiosity - always asking, “why?” and often saying, “why not?” to new and unexplored worlds.
Joan is my favourite definition of ‘unexpected’ because the surprise is always so good, it makes you laugh, feel and look at life in a new way. She is also wise - reminding me once, without prompting, “Life is challenging enough, lunch doesn’t have to be.”
Written by my favourite creative partner & best friend, Lynette Sandhu.
Chief of Mischief, Master of Words & Wonder
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Beautifully written by my favourite creative partner.
My turn to add a few details. My name is Joan Lim, a senior creative with over 10+ years of experience in Advertising. I'm all about creative curiosity and asking one too many questions.
My journey has taken me from photographer to potter, graphic designer to chilli oil maker, and art director to generative AI explorer. These days, when I'm not creating ads, you'll find me at the pottery wheel, in the kitchen, or photographing people near and far.
I believe creativity works best with a little fun, a lot of care, and real human connections first.
(Fair warning: If you like it spicy, I may share a jar of my Gremlin chilli oil if you ask nicely.)
Brands I’ve worked with
Experience
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Freelance
Mar 2024 – Present, Available for freelance or contract basis
Work across multiple indie agencies such as Alt/Shift, Assemble Agency, Think HQ & Good One Creative
* Won 1 pitch – Penrite Oil (at Good One Creative)
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Mustard Creative
Nov 2022 – Mar 2024, Full-time
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Akkomplice
Feb-Nov 2022, Freelance to Full-time
* Won 2 pitches – Sorbent and Slater&Gordon Lawyers
* #6 Best Ads in Australia – Sorbent ‘Behind Every Great Australian’
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, BWM Isobar (Dentsu Creative)
Aug 2021 – Jan 2022, Freelance
AWARD SCHOOL TUTOR, Noisy Beast
Aug 2021
ART DIRECTOR, Noisy Beast
Oct 2015 – Oct 2021, Full-time
*Won 1 pitch – Porsche Australia (PR & Social)
*Kieran Reads Bedtime Story
5 finalists at Axis, and 7 finalists at AWARD, converting into one silver and two bronze.
DIGITAL DESIGNER, Yump Digital
Sep 2015, Freelance
CREATIVE INTERN, The Story Lab & Monster&Bear
Jun-Nov 2014, Internship