Pirajean Lees’ Post

I enjoyed listening to this panel talk hosted by Pirajean Lees on the subject  ‘Does originality still exist?’ ⤵️ Here are some key takeaways on how to stay original, that stood out to me: In your creative research: ➡️ Fight against the algorithm! Instead of going online and having information and visuals fed to you, look at old books and read articles in magazines. You will find something that sparks the unexpected.   ➡️ Eliminating the usual ideas: ask AI for a list of ideas and then choose something NOT on the list. 👀 What's the last bit of original content or design that stood out to you?

I was shared an Are.na board of studio bios and positioning last week. https://lnkd.in/eBWXMdfC Super interesting to see a generally homogenous landscape of very serious positioning statements! As an industry, we really do appear in the copy to take ourselves so very seriously. There are definitely some exceptions that are strategically brilliant in this selection but what shook me from this curation was the very clinical tone we have as creatives. What I'm asking is – where has the creative fun gone? The unique personality? I know often the work is the USP of the studio - but why not twin it with a distinct position on what you stand for and your philosophical approach to creative work as a whole?

What moves the needle in creative work? At Creating Space ✦ Creative Studio, we've built our foundation on these three pillars. Every day, we see how the intersection of writing, design, and vision brings transformative results for our clients. • Ideas remain ideas until you give them shape. • Design stays flat until you give it purpose. • And vision? It's just a dream until you build it into reality. This is what moves us forward. This is what builds legacies. #CreativeStudio #DesignAgency #CreativeDirection

Ask not “how intelligent are you?” but rather, “how are you intelligent?” That’s one of my favourite quotes from the much-missed Sir Ken Robinson, he of the famous TED talk from 2006 (“Do schools kill creativity?”). His wisdom came to mind during an event in Manchester last night at GRIT Studios in the Great Northern Building (Deansgate). My pal John Cooper was hosting an evening for creatives in this wonderful space, a place where “grafters & crafters” can work, play and exchange ideas. John was keen to invite business types and not just artists, so I guess I fall into the former category. However, it struck me that we all have our own form of artistic expression and, for me, it’s about helping people say what they want to say in a more engaging way. I’m helping them paint pictures (through the spoken word) in the minds of those they’re trying to influence. Sir Ken makes the point about intelligence coming in all shapes and sizes, and it’s the same with creativity. The problem, he reminds us, is having the creativity educated out of us. I really enjoyed John’s interview with illustrator/graphic artist Barney Ibbotson (right). His work can be seen in several parts of Manchester (and far beyond) and it was interesting to learn about his creative process. Interestingly, being given totally free rein by a client isn’t terribly helpful. “Oh, do what you think is best, go crazy,” isn’t much of a brief! A big thanks to John for making it all happen and to the creative folk I met like Caroline B. and Joanne Oatts who made this ‘business type’ felt very much at home! #creativity #storytelling #communicationskills #networking

“Look for the people doing interesting things (hang out in those spaces)”. 👉🏻 Where do YOU hang out to meet the interesting people doing interesting things? Steph Clarke’s talk at CreativeMornings Melbourne is a short talk that punches with thinking points. 👀 I’ve been exploring “backcasting” recently — thinking about future anemoia and how we will package things that seem weird to eat today — but didn’t realise there was actually a name for it. 🗯 The notion of “it’s either going to be a good time or a good story” is brilliant for self-motivation when the sofa looks more enticing than going out. #8 is my favourite: “Look for the people doing interesting things (hang out in those spaces)”. This is what I’ve been doing for the last 11 years. I’ve gone from hanging out with other designers to chefs, scientists, musicians, perfumers, psychologists, scented installation designers, semioticians, poets, linguists, crossmodalists and futurists. The weird and wonderful projects I work on today reflect this mix. I’ll put the link to Steph’s talk in the comments. 👉🏻 Where do you go to find the interesting people doing interesting things?

What are the biggest problems creative directors face in 2024?...👀 Research by Frontify and D&AD offers fascinating insights into what's bugging them today. We outline their challenges and offer some practical solutions, too. https://buff.ly/3MUksAd #creativeindustry #creativeindustries #creativedirectors #creativeproblems #designstudio #graphicdesigning #graphicdesign #inassociationwith #creativeboom

Quick Tip: Save the post! I always wanted to talk about this topic. when i sat and started writing, i never thought it'll go so long and i had to slice it as several parts 😅 The Battle between Art and Design holds much more depth and controversy. i guess it can never be elaborated or settled in any mediums. As far as my brain can think of this topic, I see Art and Design as a spectrum and not so polar opposites to debate over, but i can be wrong too! share your thoughts in the comments section! Stay tuned for the next part! #Art #Design #Perspectives

Completed reading the book "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon. Being creative is so simple, or is it? Austin Kleon explains in a simple and creative manner how we can nurture our innate creativity. A few points for enhancing creativity include researching a variety of topics, not waiting to get creative, starting to write, using hands instead of keyboards, doing side projects and hobbies, sharing work with others, etc. This is a great and quick read to pep up your creative skills. Go ahead and grab your copy. #steallikeanartist #austinkleon #creativity #inspiration #innovation

From Memes to Magical Worlds: The Full Spectrum of Creative Possibility. Our latest creative journey spans magical LED-lit worlds for #CatriceCosmetics x #cosnova shot by #PerAppelgren and the #HankeBrothers, a bold book design for the feminist collective LEBEFRAUU, and intimate portraits and memes shot by Maria Barton for krisenchat – each project a wonderful example of the creativity unfolding when different minds and visions collide. We're not just designers. We're storytellers, concept alchemists transforming raw ideas into a visual language that resonates. For brands that dare to defy convention. #StudioNonsens #CreativeConcepts #CreativeDirection #ArtDirection #Design #Storytelling

Just finished the course “Making the Impossible Possible: OK Go on "Design Better"” by Design Better! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eqgrB8_H #creativityandinnovation #creativityskills.