Thoughtful Approach to Creative Work

🚫 You Are Designing the Wrong Way As a Senior UX/UI Designer and CEO at BlitsTech, my daily work requires ensuring the design is Perfect. I've seen a common trap many of us fall into: diving headfirst into Figma (or any other design tool) without taking a moment to step back and think. Design is more than just the tool you use; it's about solving a problem. So, before your fingers hit the keyboard, pause and take a deep breath. Reflect on your audience - who are you designing for? What are their challenges? And most importantly, what brings them joy? In a world obsessed with speed, slow down. 🐢 🔍 Conduct Research - Fully immerse yourself in the context. Consider the environment in which your users will interact with your interface, as it is just as important as the design itself. 🎨 Seek Inspiration - Explore your surroundings for inspiration. Whether it's from nature, art, architecture, or even your daily routine, it can ignite your creativity. ✏️ Sketch - Every sketch, no matter how rough, helps shape your understanding of what is effective and what is not. 🤔 Contemplate - Allow your mind to wander for the sake of creativity. Give yourself the space to think freely and let your imagination lead the way. Design tools are incredibly powerful, but they are just that—tools. They don't think; they create. That's your job. Embrace the messiness of the creative process. Welcome the uncertainty. The best solutions often come from the most unexpected places. The next time you're about to jump into Figma, pause. Think. Dream. Design the right way. #UX #UIDesign #DesignThinking #CreativeProcess

🌟 Unleashing the Creative Spark: Strategies for a Sustained Innovation Journey 🌟 Throughout my innovation journey, I've discovered that we often bypass the necessary preconditions for nurturing creativity. It's a nuanced equilibrium, a blend of components that, when harmoniously combined, unleash our inventive spirits' full potential. Let me share with you the pivotal elements from my reflections: 1️⃣ Space: More than a physical corner, it's an expansive mindset. In my quest for creativity, I've found that both openness and curiosity are vital. Cultivating environments—be it physical, mental, or social—that promote broad thinking has been key. 2️⃣ Improvisation: The prowess to think swiftly and adapt spontaneously has been indispensable. Not merely confined to structured plans, but even more about gracefully navigating the unforeseen. 3️⃣ First Principles Thinking: Deconstructing complex issues to their essence and reassembling solutions from the bottom up has allowed me to innovate based on what genuinely works beyond assumptions. 4️⃣ Comfort in the Unknown: Embracing the lack of answers has led me to unconventional solutions. Lingering in uncertainty has been a gateway to exploring complex problems. 5️⃣ Safety for Autonomy: Free thought stems from a sense of security. It's in the safety of thought that the autonomy of the self is born, creating a sanctuary where ideas can thrive. 6️⃣ Embodiment: Acknowledging that our bodies are reservoirs of memories and insights, and learning to listen to its wisdom has opened unexpected paths for my creative thinking. 7️⃣ Dynamic Environment: Constantly stimulating and challenging my routine thought processes and perceptions has kept my mind flexible and open to new concepts. 8️⃣ Reflective Reservoir: I've learned that returning to past ideas with fresh eyes can transform dormant thoughts into renewed, actionable innovations. Some ideas also need time to evolve. 9️⃣ Time Travel: I tackle problems by envisioning the desired outcome and plotting the course backward. This method simplifies complexity, offering a clear, attainable plan for achieving objectives. 🔟 Boredom: I've embraced the lack of stimulation as a prelude to a creative surge. In the quiet, some idea seeds find fertile ground to sprout. 🔍 I'm curious about your strategies to tap into creativity and flow. What practices fuel your creative engine? Do any of the practices above resonate with you? I look forward to reading your insights and hope we can refine our collective approach to sustaining creativity and innovation.

This book changed how I thought about my business. And how I think as a creative. “The Creative Act – A Way Of Being” by Rick Rubin isn’t just inspirational, It’s a deep, strategic reframe of how you approach creativity, leadership, burn out, frustration and self-expression. Five years into building Because of Marketing, I’ve realised that if you want to build something that outlives you, it has to start with how you think. I haven't put this book down and recommended it to so many friends and founders! Almost every page, I’ve underlined or highlighted specific words and sentences. But here are my key takeaways: → Creativity Is About Awareness, Not Control Rubin reminds us that creativity starts with paying attention. Ideas don’t appear because we force them, they emerge when we create space for them to surface. As founders, we often try to force ideas into existence. But the real breakthroughs come when we step back and allow space for them to unfold. → It Expands Your Thinking Beyond A Core Problem Rubin draws from music, art, philosophy, and nature. If you’re stuck on an idea, look at other industries for inspiration. It helps you build a more expansive worldview. → Creativity Has to Be Sustainable We work in an industry that never stops, especially now we have entered the Q4 craziness. Rubin offers a roadmap for long-term creativity. He shows you how to create habits, environments, and practices that keep ideas flowing over time, helping you avoid self doubt and burn out. Because of Marketing has over 700,000 people who have hit that follow button. I don’t want Because of Marketing to only exist.  I want it to matter to our audience. For the past year, we've really honed in on where we seek inspiration, pushed ourselves creatively, studied other industries, and continue to refine every piece of content we put out. I could dive deeper but reading this book reminded me why I care so much about building Because of Marketing. - Active awareness. - Boundless curiosity. - A deep respect for the creative process. And I’ll leave you with a few of my favourite quotes from the book: “Your entire life is a form of self-expression.” “Creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human.” “Failure is the information you need to get to where you’re going.” “Faith allows you to trust the direction without needing to understand it.” If you’re building something; whether it’s a brand, a business, a community or your career, this book will challenge how you see creativity, overcome self doubt and connect with your inner child. Let me know if you’ve read it! 🤎

Figma announced several new features using Generative AI. Far more interesting than the features were the responses from designers. Although many were worried about the increasing role of AI in design, other responses lamented the narrowing understanding of design. To say that AI is coming for our jobs is to reduce design to putting pixels on a screen. We expect team members to understand that we’re not just rectangle painters, and yet sometimes we forget it ourselves. My holistic view of design emerged when I researched creativity and innovation, seeking out the behaviors and mindsets that enable the best creative work. I summarized what I learned in three mindsets -- curiosity, skepticism, and humility -- that are essential for individuals participating in creative endeavors. Moreover, I sought a model of design that didn’t prescribe a particular series of tasks, that didn’t focus exclusively on the deliverables, and that could scale to accommodate different sized problems and different sized constraints. I developed a model called the Discovery Activities Matrix. This two-by-two doesn’t prescribe particular activities or deliverables. Instead it helps designers and teams be intentional about where they are in developing their ideas and adjusting their behaviors to meet the needs of the object of their work. The model addresses four types of activities: ~ Gather: Filling gaps in your knowledge and understanding to inform the process ~ Process: Analyzing new information to put it into context for the problem ~ Explore: Considering a variety of approaches for addressing the problem ~ Focus: Zeroing-in on a single direction How does creativity work? My hypothesis is that we’re drawn to one of these four types of activities depending on the need of the thing we’re working on. Maybe we have a hunch that the enterprise needs a tool to support a business process, so we GATHER to see how that process works today. Maybe we’ve confirmed our hunch, but we don’t know enough to know what’s important, so we move to EXPLORE to consider a variety of solutions. Using those explorations, we move to FOCUS to identify the right constraints, even if we haven’t found the solution yet. At any given moment, I’m doing one of these types of things in service of the design. This movement between the activities is guided by our perception of what the work needs at any given moment. It’s a compelling philosophy, but a bit naive. The real world doesn’t give us the luxury of floating along until we find a solution. That doesn’t diminish the strength of the model. I know what I need to do, I know what’s missing from my process, even if I’m constrained from doing it. Frankly, there’s a role for AI in every one of these quadrants, but understanding what the work needs at a given moment is a decision for a human to make. Not because an AI can’t do it (eventually), but because listening to the work and deciding where to take it is the ultimate act of creativity.

From Studio to Strategy: How I Use Art School Critique to Lead My Team Creativity is often seen as the domain of artists: abstract, emotional, maybe even a little chaotic. But as someone who lives in both worlds = fine art and the precision-driven diamond industry. I’ve come to see creativity as something much more powerful: a leadership tool. In my studio, creativity is expression. In my team, creativity is communication, empathy, and collaboration. And sometimes, it means reimagining something as fundamental as how we give feedback. The Feedback Problem:- When I first began managing my team at AMIPI INC. (in the diamond industry) I noticed a common issue: people were reluctant to give or receive feedback. Conversations around performance were often guarded, surface-level, or avoided altogether. This wasn’t just a communication problem, it was holding back growth and innovation. So I asked myself, how would an artist approach this? Enter: The Critique Circle:- In art school, critique isn’t just part of the proces, it is the process. We hang our work on the wall, step back, and invite others in. The goal isn’t to tear it apart. It’s to learn, evolve, and see something new. It’s about trust. I brought this approach to my team by introducing something I call Critique Circles: • We replaced performance reviews with creative review sessions. • Everyone shared their “work in progress” whether it was a sales pitch, product idea, or report on a whiteboard or presentation screen. • Feedback followed a three-step flow: what works, what could be explored further, and what inspired you. • We included visuals, metaphors, even sketching when words fell short What Changed:- Within weeks, the dynamic shifted. Team members no longer feared feedback , they welcomed it. They began offering ideas freely, asking for input before being told, and even initiating their own mini critique circles on or in meetings. The result? • Faster iteration and better results. • Deeper team trust. • A more emotionally intelligent culture. What started as an artist’s instinct turned into a cornerstone of how we collaborate. Creativity Is a Culture, Not a Department! I believe creativity isn’t a skill reserved for “creatives” it’s a mindset. When we infuse it into leadership, we unlock human potential in the most unexpected places. Even in an industry as exacting as diamonds, creative leadership has helped me build not just better products, but a stronger, more connected team. And if you’re someone who leads, builds, or manages, don’t underestimate what you already have inside you. Your creative instincts might just be your greatest asset. 12-ft commissioned artwork for a hedge fund’s main boardroom (client confidential). Grateful to create at this scale.

Artists often "get into the zone" when creating by achieving a state called "flow," which involves deep focus, a clear goal, immediate feedback on their work, and a balance between perceived challenge and skill level, allowing them to become fully absorbed in the creative process without self-conscious distractions; this can be facilitated by setting up a dedicated workspace, listening to music that inspires them, and minimizing external interruptions. Key elements of getting into the "zone": Clear goals: Having a specific idea or direction in mind helps guide the creative process and maintain focus. Positive mindset: Approaching the creative process with optimism and a willingness to experiment can enhance flow. Suitable environment: Creating a dedicated space with minimal distractions can help artists immerse themselves in their work. Sensory stimulation: Using music, scents, or visual cues that evoke the desired mood can trigger inspiration. Practice and skill development: The more proficient an artist is in their medium, the easier it becomes to achieve flow. Immediate feedback: Being able to see the results of their actions quickly allows artists to adjust and adapt their work in real-time. Brainstorming ideas, sketching rough drafts, and gathering materials beforehand can help artists feel prepared to start creating. Mindfulness techniques: Meditation or deep breathing exercises can help calm the mind and focus attention. Rituals: Establishing a consistent routine or pre-creative activity can signal to the brain that it's time to enter a creative state. Letting go of self-criticism: Allowing oneself to experiment freely without fear of making mistakes can foster creativity.

If you want to do creative projects but never have the energy, try this: Nature is more than just a backdrop for relaxation; it actively enhances our creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Getting out into nature with a clear aim to do creative work as a massively underrated tool. Here’s my protocol for an intentional day of personal projects: → 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 Begin your morning by stepping outside. Feel the natural elements (the sun, a breeze, the texture of grass). Just a couple of minutes can really clear the mind, calibrate your senses, and sharpen focus. → 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Carry a notebook and pen on a short walk in a nearby park or natural setting, away from digital distractions. Write down a maximum of 3 things you’d like to focus on. Put a star next to the one that is your highest priority - the one that, once completed, would make the day a success. → 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 To get the creative juices flowing, handwrite down a short answer to each of these prompts: • Describe your natural surroundings. • What’s 1 trait you want to exhibit today? • What’s 1 thing you’re grateful for? → 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Curate a workspace with natural elements (e.g., plants, natural light, open windows for fresh air). The more minimal and distraction-free, the better. Brew your hot beverage of choice, take a deep breath, and start your day with a 2-hour uninterrupted block focussed on your highest priority task. → 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 Introduce short, regular walking breaks in your routine, preferably in natural, green spaces. Experiment with different levels of stimulus: Notebook, no notebook. Music, no music. Use this time for reflection or pondering creative challenges, letting the natural environment stimulate new perspectives. → 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 As daylight shifts to dusk, allow your mind to naturally transition to relaxation. Under soft lighting, jot down any lingering thoughts or reflections in a journal. Close the cognitive chapter on productivity, and enjoy an evening of leisurely reading, cooking, and resting. -- This is an excerpt from an initiative I recently took part in called 'The nature of work' - a collaboration between Unyoked and LinkedIn. They invited Lizzie Hedding, Samantha Wong, James Hurman, Cayla Dengate, Jimmy Lyell and I to create a guide on using nature to slow down and focus on the things that really matter. 🏕️ One takeaway for me: Whether you're an athlete, VC, or musician... try to build more exposure to the natural world into your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly rhythms. Hope you enjoy the guide as much as we did making it. Link in the comments👇

I'd like to share with you a powerful method that's been instrumental in our journey towards making more nuanced and balanced decisions. The Six Hat Solution, developed by Edward de Bono, is a powerful tool for teams and leaders. It's designed to help people explore different perspectives towards a complex situation or challenge, making our decision-making process more structured and comprehensive. 1. Emotional Viewpoint: Reflecting on our emotions offers initial insights. How does this situation make us feel? Personally, the prospect of our upcoming project invokes a mix of excitement and apprehension. Acknowledging our feelings can highlight potential concerns or areas of strong motivation. 2. Factual Analysis: Grounding our discussion in facts ensures a solid foundation. What are the undeniable truths of our current situation? With our project, the realities include our deadlines, budget constraints, and the resources at our disposal. These facts help clarify the scope of our challenge. 3. Optimistic Outlook: Focusing on the positives, we identify which aspects are most likely to succeed. In our scenario, the creativity and resilience of our team stand out as invaluable assets. This positivity is crucial for maintaining momentum. 4. Critical Perspective: Conversely, acknowledging what might not work allows us to anticipate and address potential issues. For us, the constraints of time and the untested nature of some technologies are concerns that need strategic planning. 5. Creative Exploration: By thinking creatively, we open the door to innovative solutions. Could adjusting our approach or incorporating new methodologies enhance our outcome? This phase pushes us beyond our initial assumptions. 6. Synthesised Solution: Finally, integrating all perspectives, we determine the most viable path forward. A phased project implementation, leveraging both proven and new technologies in stages, appears to be our best strategy. What complex decisions are you facing that could benefit from this multi-perspective approach? #leadership #mindset #culture #growth #success #problemsolving