Are We There Yet?
Creativity cheat codes for the curious creative.
Ever since this year began I feel like I’ve subconsciously been taking a daily audit of how many times I’m creative for myself as compared to how many times I’m creative for work.
It’s not that I’m keeping error-free tally, but I think because I’ve always been an enthused proselytizer for the Create-For-Yourself industrial complex that I’m always aware of whenever I’m not being creative for myself enough.
And that’s not to say I’m not having fun. I’m so lucky to work with and for clients that have design deliverables that excite me. I’m also so lucky that we collaborate with each other in ways that feel enjoyable, fair, and fun. I’m always gratified to see—and design—a project through.
If that’s the case, why is my brain choosing to leave me whispers of you’re not doing enough for yourself? Hmm. My brain would be right. So far this year, I’m pretty sure I’ve only posted just-for-fun posts 5 times, while the rest are case studies of work. But shouldn’t my brain compute that to be a good thing?
I’m digging real deep into the guttings of my brain to figure out exactly why. And, ladies and gents and everyone in between, it’s looking like the culprit is who the culprit always is: social media.
Don’t pretend to be shocked, because we all knew this answer was coming. For what would this publication be if not a longhand typescript of the badnesses of social media?
On some real shit, it’s not social media but merely the gamification of it that should be tried for crimes against Jamesmanity. I’ve talked about this phenomenon before, where, if you are a digital creator of some sort, each platform is a game and each post you put out is a round, and you either win or you lose, but one thing stays the same: when one round finishes, you always wanna go for another. But the thing is that while the game is fun and there’s level-ups and new powers and armors to acquire, what happens when you inevitably run out of manna for another round?
Anyway.
I’ve dispelled this phenomenon from my life since realizing its existence last summer, and my relationship with both social media and creativity have flourished; I’m not listlessly scrolling on my phone anymore, I’m a lot less likely to post just to indulge the algorithm gods, and I spend more of my screen time on apps outside of social media, like, say, actual video games!
Anyway (again).
My message is don’t keep track. Of anything. Or at least try to care a little less every day. Mathematics is for mathematicians, and we’re creatives. Post whatever, whenever. I feel as though my musings always end at this juncture of “WHO CARES!!!! POST!!! DON’T POST!!!! FK IT ALL!!!!” But it’s true, and I can’t say I can be bothered to do anything about it. Just like we should all be when it comes to the cadence of our posting.
🧩 CREATIVITY CHEAT CODES
Shut up. Sometimes—actually, a lot of times, at least for yours truly—the best thing to do when you’re trying to be creative is to do nothing. For me, this means shutting my laptop and putting down my phone and closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Find a “shut up” practice that works for you—is it to make a little merienda? Go out on the street and interact with people? Have a dance party? Try it all and land on one that you like and likes you back. And don’t be afraid to switch it up.
Act stupid. I’m being for real. Browse around the internet and learn something new. Even if you already know how to do it, look for another—better, different—way to do it. I like to go on YouTube and look at mograph things because I suck at mograph things. So what do you know how to do, but kinda suck at? I say this because it’s a great practice to Always Be Learning. The creative landscape is so big and wide and diverse that—and I type this with nothing but optimism and a smile on my face—there is no finish line.
Look elsewhere. Your inspiration won’t come to you if you don’t look for it, yes. But sometimes, it’s not about that you’re looking, but where you’re looking. Remember that inspiration comes from everywhere, takes any and every form. I once created a poster on anti-trans legislation after seeing a Nokia ad.
🎰 JAMES JUNK JUKEBOX*
Last month I jokingly said that this month’s lineup would probably just be my top 5 songs from COWBOY CARTER, and I’m afraid it’s true. That record is addicting in every sense of the word. That said, I love nothing if not a good sticking-to-traditions, so here are 5 songs from this month that I’ve loved and think you would, too.
TYRANT, Beyoncé – What did she put in this song? Everything.
Head Head Honcho, Kim Petras – When she first dropped Slut Pop Miami, I loured in judgment of the tracks on the album. I’m happy to announce that I’m eating my words and it’s actually a gorgeous objet d’art that deserves its 10s.
Super Ego, Babe Rainbow – I recently discovered this band’s discography and I’m in it, in it, in it. They look and sound like they’re surfers from Redondo Beach but they’re actually from Wales, which tells us that you can be anything you aspire to be as long you’re male and white.
Giving Up The Gun, Vampire Weekend – I saw these boys at Coachella and it was hot.
Challengers: Match Point, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – I saw Challengers on opening weekend and BAYBEE, I was seated in more ways than one. What a film. The entire soundtrack to this film is vaporwave gold, gold, gold. Please tune in.
🌪️ THINGS THAT HAVE KEPT ME UP AT NIGHT THIS MONTH
Jojo Siwa’s rebrand (and how Brit Smith’s version of Karma completely outdoes hers)
What exactly Sabrina Carpenter means when she talks about that “me espresso”
How I’m gonna get tickets to Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER tour where I’ll have to fight the rest of the country in the process
How I got back to the hotel every night of Coachella weekend
Whether or not I should cut my hair (leaning towards yes. Thoughts?)
👔 A SCREENSHOT FROM THIS MONTH WITHOUT CONTEXT
👔 LIFE UPDATE IN 300 WORDS OR LESS
The end of the month of April sires an abundance of gratitude and feelings of luck and felicity. The end of the month of April also sires a resounding, “Oh Lord, today [this month] drained me.”
Let’s run down what’s both drained me but got me grateful this month, shall we?
Coachella Weekend 1 (which I went VIP to pro bono by way of graphic design, by the way, if you ever need a reminder to keep truckin’ on this whole graphic design thing), an exact epitomization of no sleep 👏 bus 👏 club 👏 nother club 👏nother club 👏 nother club 👏 plane 👏 next place 👏 no sleep 👏 nother club 👏 nother club 👏 nother club 👏 nother club👏 nother club 👏 nother club 👏 nother club 👏 nother club, ending with a sprained ankle, but it’s okay because I went home with a good tan;
Taking of car matters, which is categorically the worst part of being an adult, but it’s okay because everything ended up fine and I didn’t have to shell out as much as cash as I thought I would;
April Mercury Retrograde, which truly, without question, undeniably, conclusively, and surpassingly beat my ass. The universe added extra chemicals to this retrograde’s recipe because how come I was getting whacked damn near every day? Gig rejections, overdue invoices, inadequate running weather, a desolate pantry, an equally desolate zest for life. You name it, I was going through it. But it’s okay because it’s over now and it’s in the past. Though I’d like to issue a public announcement of triumph to my roommate for prevailing a victor through my demon-like disposition for a good week there.
May will slay! I claim it. And if not, I’ll try in June. Talk soon.
🫗 CHAOS FUEL
🧹 Fonts
Redaction 70 by Titus Kaphar and Reginald Dwayne Betts, Parkshore by Hustle Supply Co., Texicali by nickqtx
🛝 Internet Things
Baby Reindeer on Netflix – Josh and I played this on the TV one Sunday night and completely inhaled it all the way through. Wowowow. What a study in catharsis, honesty, and vulnerability. If you want a show to watch this weekend, let it be this. Please be warned of sexual assault content.
Guilty As Sin Music Video – Gay country. Why not.
NOT Wieden+Kennedy (screenshot below) – Something to play around with instead of doing your work. Use on desktop!
🌐 IN YOUR ORBIT
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