Whether you’re an individual marketer or leading a team, “martech” is all the buzz right now. What does this term mean? And why are we talking about it? Let’s dive in.

What is Martech?

Martech, short for marketing technology, refers to the variety of tools that companies use to automate, streamline, and market their products and services. Google Ads, Sprout Social, HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce, Asana, WordPress, Drupal, Power BI — it’s all martech.

An individual team’s collection of platforms is known as a “stack.” Martech stacks can range from simple to highly complex — with some enterprises having 20+ tools in their stack, according to our recent LinkedIn poll.

For additional perspective, we asked two martech experts to share how they define the term.

Greg Kihlström, an experienced marketing consultant and creator of The Agile Brand, a marketing technology podcast, says:

“Martech encompasses the platforms and processes that enable marketers to reach audiences using digital means. It serves a broad array of purposes — from collecting data, to displaying and distributing content and experiences, to reporting and acting on the results of the efforts.”

Voloria Pettiford, a Creative Circle freelancer and marketing consultant, says:

“To put it simply, ‘martech’ is the product of marketing tools and technology working happily together. There was a time when ‘digital marketing’ was trending. Martech is very similar — except now, automation, AI, and analytics have been added to the mix.”

Why are we talking about it?

Martech isn’t new; enterprises have been leveraging these tools for years. But in today’s world, leaders are turning a sharp focus to how the tools are used, how they work (or don’t work) together, and the impact it all has on the customer journey — an experience that matters now more than ever.

According to online software marketplace G2, the martech solutions marketplace has grown 27.8 percent year-over-year, increasing from just over 11,000 solutions in 2023 to more than 14,000 in 2024.

Greg says he’s seen a significant demand for martech consultation over the last six months. “Organizations — not just marketing teams — need assistance in understanding which martech tools are right for their company and how to make the best investments.”

For example, Greg explains how many organizations are struggling to meaningfully understand and utilize AI in their stack. He says, “I help them understand where AI-based tools and methods can make the biggest impact and achieve maximum ROI.”

Voloria’s sentiment is similar. She experienced a martech consulting boom in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, and it’s been steady since. “Leaders are reevaluating their platforms and the people on their teams,” says Voloria. “Most companies have martech tools, but they’re not using them properly, or they’re not investing in the right ones. They need help streamlining.”

Why is this significant?

No matter what technology a marketing team has at its disposal, it’s essential to have an experienced team of talent in place to get the most out of it. “If just one marketing operations employee is deploying multiple tools, it’s likely that each tool is not being used effectively, and that employee is probably on target to burn out fast,” says Voloria.

What good is the technology if teams don’t have the bandwidth to leverage it?

When marketing leaders source new talent these days, they’re increasingly looking for specialists with experience in the specific tools they’re using. And the smart hiring managers are looking not just for platform-specific expertise, but for candidates with a proven ability to quickly upskill and learn a variety of technical applications. That’s the best way to prepare for sustained success in our rapidly evolving digital environment.

If you’re a job-seeker, read this: Many digital marketing and creative functions have evolved to either focus on or heavily involve martech. The jobs our clients are looking to fill may not specifically call out “martech” in the job title or description, but you can bet you’ll be asked about your martech skills in the interview process. If you’re interested in learning more about how to position yourself for these trending roles, read this: Martech and Your Job Search: Trending Roles, Areas to Upskill, Tools to Master

Takeaway

Enterprises have their marketing technology under a microscope. They’re focusing on which tools make the most sense for their organization, how the tools work together, and where to make the best investments — including their talent.

If you’re an organization looking to streamline your martech, let us know. Whether you have a specific martech challenge to tackle, need a full team of support, or are just looking to fill one critical role, we’re here to help.

If you’re craving more on the latest trends in martech, join our conversation with Greg Kihlström and Voloria Pettiford during our upcoming webinar on Tuesday, August 6!

 

About the Author.
Kayleigh is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or laughing at Corporate Natalie videos, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to ensure you never miss the latest.

 

Let’s face it — the recent release of GPT-4o is a bit anxiety-provoking for many. In our recent poll, 55% of our online community said GPT-4o made them feel “worried and uneasy.” And the comments on OpenAI’s YouTube videos joking about humans being “toast” aren’t comforting to read. The world is going to implode!  

Wait.

Pause for a minute. Take a deep breath. And, try to avoid catastrophic thinking.  

What is AI anxiety, exactly?

Coined by Day One Agency, AI-nxiety is a term used to describe unease about the overarching ramifications of artificial intelligence on human creativity and ingenuity. 

Fear of and resistance to new technological advancements has been common for centuries.

This technology newsletter by Jennifer Walter at Discover Magazine articulates it clearly. She explains how it’s normal to be wary of things we aren’t familiar with. When the bicycle began to rise in popularity in the 1890s, consumers were fearful of the harm the transportation technology might inflict on society. Physicians wrote about “bicycle face,” a condition described as “dark circles under the eyes” in female cyclers — physicians said the activity was dangerous to their health.  133 years later, it’s hard to imagine being so resistant to a bicycle, right?  

In the 19th century, photography was an “art world outcast.” People saw it as a thoughtless device for replication, one that lacked the refined feeling and sentiment that we get from paintings. When you fast forward to today, photography is considered fine art, and it can be an incredibly lucrative profession.  

How to Cope with AI Technology Advancements  

With the rise of generative AI, we are on the cusp of more groundbreaking changes that will alter our reality. Here are five productive ways to digest the changes, leverage what’s available to you, and ease your mind a bit.  

Be mindful of media exaggeration.   

With rapid AI advancements getting all the buzz lately, it can start to feel like you’re an AI adaptation laggard. You’re not. The media often dramatizes news stories about AI, which can fuel anxiety and misconceptions.  

A 2023 Gallup study of nearly 19,000 U.S. employees and leaders discovered that most employees — seven in ten — don’t regularly use AI in their job. Only 1 in 10 employees uses it daily, and within that 10%, most adapters reported using it to carry out routine tasks.  

However, like the evolution of AI, these usage rates are expected to change quickly, so now is the time to jump on board.  

Educate yourself. 

Understanding how AI works, as well as its potential benefits and limitations, can demystify the technology and reduce fear. Reliable sources of information can provide a more balanced landscape and help ease the anxiety coming from the unknown.  

Thanks to the AI innovators and early adopters, there are hundreds of how-to videos on YouTube — high-level tutorials for beginners, step-by-step instructions for specific AI tools, guides on using AI to boost your productivity, and more. Consider checking out these four channels recommended by an expert panelist on a recent Creative Circle webinar:  

  1. AI Explained 
  2. Sebastian Kamph 
  3. Two-Minute Papers 
  4. Matt Wolfe 

If you work in the creative space, review the summary of this webinar where three experts share how creatives can best position themselves to thrive in era of AI. 

 Focus on control.  

Anxiety is often related to a lack of control. Get a feeling of control back by concentrating on the aspects of AI that you can influence. 

Consider staying informed about how AI impacts your field, advocating for and using ethical AI practices, or learning new skills to stay relevant in our changing job market.  

Join the conversation. 

Talking about our problems and verbalizing our fears has been a source of relief for centuries. Process your anxieties with a friend or a coworker. Perhaps you’ll find that others feel similarly. 

Prioritize participating in conversations with AI experts or online communities to gain different perspectives and reduce feelings of isolation. Attending a webinar with an open chat might be a good place to start! If you’re looking for an online community, here’s a list of seven popular AI communities to choose from.  

Practice mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. 

If the latest news on AI is triggering a tightness in your throat and a knot in your stomach, try stepping away from it and leaning into a mindfulness practice. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation have been proven to help reduce stress for decades. Consider finding a meditation or yoga studio near you, or give this Spotify playlist a listen. 

Remember, AI is a tool — a powerful one — but it doesn’t replace the human touch. Embrace its potential, stay informed, and find a balance that allows you to thrive. AI can help humans do some incredible things, but YOU are still the artist behind the masterpiece.  

 

About the Author.
Kailey is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or laughing at Corporate Natalie videos, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to ensure you never miss the latest. 

Creative Circle is thrilled to share that we have won ClearlyRated’s 2024 Client and Talent Awards for service excellence! This marks the sixth consecutive year winning the award on the talent side, and the fourth consecutive year for clients. 

ClearlyRated, a satisfaction research firm, presented these awards in partnership with Gold sponsor ClearEdge Marketing based on the 2023 results of weekly surveys that Creative Circle administered to clients and candidates. 

“At Creative Circle, our guiding principle is to deliver a uniquely outstanding customer experience,” said Creative Circle President, Matt Riley. “We’re extremely proud to see our dedication to that goal recognized in these awards from ClearlyRated. I want to thank every Creative Circle employee for ensuring our clients’ and candidates’ experiences remain our topmost priority.” 

“I’m so excited to introduce the 2024 winners alongside their verified ratings and reviews on ClearlyRated.com,” said ClearlyRated CEO, Eric Gregg. “Creative Circle again proved their commitment to providing outstanding experiences and superior service. They’re raising the bar for excellence and I couldn’t be more proud to celebrate their success.” 

Client Results 

Our clients completed 775 satisfaction surveys in 2023, rating us on average as a 9.1 out of 10. Our Net Promoter Score of 71.2% is nearly double the industry average of 36% and categorizes us as “excellent” in client satisfaction. 

Clients rated us most highly — with more than 97% rating us positively — in communication speed/responsiveness, candidate presentation, and communication clarity. 93.4% of clients agreed that they will partner with Creative Circle again in the future. 

Here are a few of our favorite responses: 

  • “As the VP of Marketing, my team balances a lot of initiatives and has high levels of accountability to drive growth for our company. I need to find ways to expand my team’s capacity and capability without breaking the budget or opening a full-time role. Creative Circle is the perfect solution to this challenge. I am to quickly scale my team with high-quality talent for specific projects or for longer-term engagements that require part-time work. I’ve worked with Creative Circle for more than 5 years at several different companies and they’ve helped source designers, PPC strategists, content writers and SEO experts. They are my first call when I need to expand my team short term or long term. Highly recommend!” 
    • Kathleen O., VP of marketing for a software company 
  • “You provided pre-vetted candidates that have a reliable level of experience in the field. You’re also very (extremely) responsive.” 
    • Amy M., creative director for an advertising agency 
  • “Creative Circle made the process simple for me. I have a lot on my plate and sourcing well-qualified talent takes time. We were able to get up and running with our new freelancers in just days. The portal made communication and selection so easy. It feels great to be supported by the team at Creative Circle.” 
    • Dawn C., senior marketing services manager for a nonprofit 

Candidate Results 

Our candidates completed nearly 4,000 satisfaction surveys in 2023, rating us on average as a 9.1 out of 10. Our Net Promoter Score of 72.2% is more than double the industry average of 30% and categorizes us as “excellent” in client satisfaction. 

Candidates rated us most highly — with more than 92% rating us positively — in Creative Circle’s communication and responsiveness, how they were treated by our clients, and how prepared they felt for their roles. 

Here are just a few of the positive responses we received: 

  • “Creative Circle is professional, friendly, and fast. I know they want me to do well. The positions are incredible opportunities. I feel they have my interests in mind as well as the interests of their employer clients.” 
    • Chris A., marketing automation manager 
  • “The opportunities I’ve received with big organizations and companies through Creative Circle is beyond compare. Being represented and having support from recruiters makes a huge difference when looking for a job. I’ve had a wonderful experience working with different Creative Circle offices and recruiters.” 
    • Jenny B., content creator 
  • “I love how Creative Circle supports their clients and resources. They were with me every step of the way during my contract and we’re quick to solve any issues that may have come about. I can always depend on Creative Circle to provide great quality service. They are #1 when it comes to recruitment hands down.” 
    • Arshaun C., information architect 

To get in touch with Creative Circle for marketing or creative services, fill out this form and somebody will be in touch shortly. If you’re a candidate looking for work, apply to roles on the Creative Circle website here. 

About Creative Circle 

Creative Circle provides marketing and creative services, including studio and flex bench teams, agency services, talent acquisition, and consulting. Our strength comes from our talent community, and our power lies in leveraging this network to provide flexible custom solutions for our clients. 

Creative Circle is part of the Commercial Segment of ASGN Incorporated (NYSE: ASGN). To learn more, visit creativecircle.com.  

About ClearlyRated 

Rooted in satisfaction research for professional service firms, ClearlyRated utilizes a Net Promoter® Score survey program to help professional service firms measure their service experience, build online reputation, and differentiate on service quality. Learn more at https://www.clearlyrated.com/solutions/. 

Freelancing isn’t just a side hustle anymore — it can be your full-time job (and a lucrative one, too!). As of January 2024, there are an estimated 76.4 million freelancers in the United States, and ~40% of them freelance full-time. To back that up, we asked our creative community how many freelance hours they log each week. The response? 36% are leveraging freelance work as their main income stream.  

It’s clear that creatives are consciously opting for the freelance path, and for good reason. We asked two of our seasoned recruiters, Elizabeth Calabrese and Jayce Reyes, how to thrive as a full-time freelancer. Here’s what they had to say:

Freedom, Flexibility, and Self-Management

Being a freelancer means you’re the captain of your own ship, the CEO of your freelance business. “You can decide when and where you work. Your freelance hours can flex around your personal needs, plus, there’s a lot of opportunities to work remote,” says Elizabeth.  

Picture this: You’re putting the finishing touches on your latest design project, sipping hot coffee in your work-from-home attire (we’ll let you decide what that looks like) while the rest of the 9–5ers are still stuck in rush hour traffic just to get to the office. 

And can you do this full-time? Yep! But you’ll likely need to pick up multiple part-time gigs. And doing this well requires organization, clear communication, and time management.  

Elizabeth stresses the importance of project management. “When juggling part-time gigs, find a method that works for you. It could be splitting up your days per client, or creating time blocks for each client each day.”  Elizabeth suggests looking into project management tools to help manage your workload across clients. If you need somewhere to start, our Creative Circle favorite is Asana. 

Diverse Portfolio and Higher Pay

Freelancing full-time enables you to diversify your portfolio relatively quickly.   

When hiring managers see your comprehensive range — from web design to content writing to social media management — they’ll perceive greater value, making you a highly sought after candidate.  

Jayce Reyes shares that the most in-demand skills he’s seeing at the moment are “technical skills related to digital platforms, coding, and specialized software.” He reminds us to never undervalue soft skills. “Effective communication, time management, and adaptability are universally valued across industries,” says Jayce. Freelancers should consider gigs in fields with growing demand, such as digital marketing, data analysis, or user experience design.  

But don’t just diversify your skills — explore different industries, too.   

Jayce explains how experience in multiple verticals can be particularly advantageous when trying to make more money. “Freelancers can strategically seek out opportunities in specific verticals that have higher demand for their skills and offer greater compensation.”  He adds, “Find the industry that calls to you and take on gigs there. Becoming an industry-specific expert can enable you to command higher rates due the specialized nature of your services.”   

When setting wage expectations, consider each project’s scope, complexity, and the value you provide. Decide on a pricing structure (hourly, per-project, or retainer) that aligns with your work style and your financial goals. Jayce says, “It’s crucial to periodically reassess your rates as your experience and market demand evolve.”  

To access detailed salary breakdowns for creative, marketing, and tech roles, check out our salary guide.  

Link Arms with a Recruiter

One of the biggest challenges freelancers face is finding consistent work. And when you’re freelancing full-time, the work needs to keep flowing. That’s where a trusted recruiter comes in — they know you better than your favorite coffee shop barista! 

Recruiters do the heavy lifting to find relevant openings, make client intros, and negotiate the best rates on your behalf. At Creative Circle, our connections with top companies get your resume in front of the right people and provide you access to positions that aren’t posted anywhere else. Plus, when you work with us, you’re on our payroll. So, you can immediately cross “send invoice” off that to-do list in your new project management tool 😉.    

We’re Here to Help

With great freedom comes great responsibility. Managing every aspect of your freelance business — setting schedules, constant communication, meeting deadlines, client satisfaction, invoicing — can be overwhelming, but Creative Circle is here to help you. If you’re interested in dipping your toes in the gig economy or are ready to dive into freelancing full-time, connect with us here! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. 

Simple logos are everywhere. Corporate giants like Pepsi, HBO Max, and Johnson&Johnson simplified their logos in 2023 as part of a larger rebrand. In 2022, we saw GSK, Nākd, and Buick make a big shift toward minimalistic designs.  

And then of course, there’s Pringles. Back in 2020, Mr. Pringle went bald, and his mustache turned to flat black. It completely divided the internet!  

So, do consumers like it?  

Social media posts like this one, lamenting the standardization and simplification of the Super Bowl logos, have been circulating for several years. Graphic artists, in particular, don’t seem all that inspired by the designs. 

  • Veronica Fuentes, a digital marketing manager in Los Angeles, says, “There’s a fine line between brand recognition and creativity. We must never sacrifice one for the other.” 
  • Lorit Queller, a content manager in Los Angeles, suggests big recognizable brands (like the NFL) have an opportunity to make their logos unique and fun. 
  • Ernest Esterne, a graphic designer in West Palm Beach, ardently states that “creativity died in 2011.”  

If consumers feel that the evolution to minimal logos is boring, why are corporations so tied to the trend?  

Brand Recognition: Cutting Through the Noise  

Simplifying a logo makes it easier to recognize, according to Blue Text Marketing Agency.  A clean and simple design stands out in a complex and cluttered digital environment. Bold and well-defined shapes, minimal colors, and clear typography grab attention quickly and are easier to recall.   

Adaptability: We Live in a Digital World 

Before the digital era, logos were seen in entirely different contexts (billboards, newspapers, packaging). “The world now operates from the palm of our hands; we’re working on smaller screens with smaller real-estate,” says LinkedIn’s Digital Marketing Leader Jennifer Buntin. From small mobile devices to large desktop monitors, logos designed with clean lines and minimal details can easily be scaled up or down without losing their visual impact or legibility. 

Timeless Quality: Leaves Room for Change  

By eliminating unnecessary details and complexities, minimalistic logos can transcend passing design trends and maintain a timeless appeal. Additionally, such logos are less likely to be tied to specific products, giving brands some flexibility to change services over time. Unless you’re McDonald’s. Their giant French fry logo (bent into the shape of an “M”) is arguably the most timeless and more famous than its actual menu. Can you imagine McDonald’s without the Golden Arches? 

 

What do you think? Are simple corporate logos a smart and timeless move, or does this trend suppress creativity and make it harder for brands to stand out? Join the conversation on LinkedIn!

What started as a simple screensaver has become a dynamic destination. What?

If you let a Roku idle for a bit, you land in an immersive, magenta-hued cityscape, where you can explore art deco theaters, cozy diners, elegant cafes, noir-ish mansions, and a romantic moon-kissed lagoon, all with a Blade Runner-esque vibe. This noteworthy screensaver has taken on a life of its own — known on social channels as Roku City — with fans dreaming of packing their bags to move in. That’s the power of some seriously good UX.

When most folks flick on their Rokus, the streaming hub that says it has more than 70 million active accounts, it’s generally because they want to watch a movie, show, or event. However, what has become quite clear is that many of these people are also spending a bit of time watching Roku’s dynamic screensaver.

“This particular screensaver has taken on a life of its own,” said the New York Times last year, pronouncing that idle Rokus had become “the unlikely venue for a massive public art experiment.” With the sheer size of Roku’s customer base, millions of homes peek into Roku City every night, providing a window into its dazzlingly enigmatic streets. “It’s always golden hour in Roku City — it’s really appealing to everyone,” shared Cheryl Singletary, a design director at Roku. And over time, an enthusiastic subculture of Roku City devotees has emerged on the web.

This digital cityscape was born in 2018 and was designed by Kyle Jones, a freelance graphic designer at the time who now works at Pixar. He imbued the digital urbanscape with 30 plus movie references, from the emerald city of Oz to Sleepless in Seattle, King Kong, Spider-Man, and more — crafting an aesthetic that dances between Art Deco and noir.

In the foreground, we see a shining strip of theaters with lit marquees, romantic restaurants, cafes, and apartment buildings. But across the river is a more pleasingly frightful affair, with rampaging monsters, voluptuous volcanoes, and other assorted chaos. This friction-y contrast is part of what makes Roku City so mesmerizing and easy to space out to as your mind wanders into the contours of this land that is, yes, a screen saver.

Now, this digital Gotham is folding in something new: advertising.

While it’s a nascent endeavor, it’s a sign that Roku is pioneering new ways to grow at a time when other streaming services are cutting costs to stem subscriber loss. Roku had a strong last quarter of 2023, growing total revenue 20% year-over-year and, for the first time, opened Roku City up to major brand advertisers like MaNel and McDonald’s, integrating those brands’ visuals into their now-iconic screensaver, presenting a new way to engage their audience.

Earlier this summer, Grimace appeared in Roku City, bringing McD’s Golden Arches and all to R.C.’s Main Street, part of the first branded ad deal on the screensaver. Barbie’s marketing campaign this summer included adding an extravagant three-story Dreamhouse to Roku City, complete with an extensive shoe closet, hot pink slide, and rocking dance floor — along with a Barbie-branded Roku Movie Theater, with billboards showcasing the film’s trailer — representing a revolutionary approach to movie marketing. And more recently, an Acura dealership and a Walmart opened their own virtual storefronts, leaving some to speculate that Roku City may be spawning Roku Suburb.

Right now, it’s not clear exactly how much money Roku City ads may be bringing in, but Roku has said that there is more to come, suggesting that demand is higher than capacity. What is clear, however, is that Roku is building an ad-friendly digital city — which has become increasingly valuable real estate.

Last May, Paramount+ muscled into the Roku City space with its own “neighborhood” vis-à-vis a brand takeover that reimagined R.C.’s digital streetscape with Paramount-centric landmarks, from its logo to visual homages to Star Trek and Top Gun: Maverick among others — with billboards in this Paramount corner leading straight to Paramount content. What makes these engineered spaces valuable is the UX that makes them believable. Digital innovation is entering a new era of invention — and stellar UX is at the helm.

 

__________________________________

Takeaway

The contours of the marketing landscape are ever-changing; Roku has crafted a monetizable digital metropolis, birthing a completely new way to engage with its customer base. Marketers, take note. If you want to lead your company’s UX marketing innovation charge but need help figuring out where to start, Creative360 can help you dream up a whole new world where you can proudly plant your very own brand flag.

GET IN TOUCH

Is your creativity tap running dry? Keep the juices flowing with these five suggestions from our talent network.

They say “creativity knows no bounds” … or does it? We love the days when our imagination takes flight: words flow freely onto the page and designs fall into place perfectly. But what about the days when they don’t?  

If your creativity tap is running a little dry lately, you’re not alone. We asked our talent network to share their top tricks to stay inspired — here’s what they had to say, plus a few of our own ideas mixed in. Consider these suggestions to keep the juices flowing! 

Study and appreciate the work of others.

Making time to analyze other creative work — be it through reading, exploring hashtags on social, or visiting a museum — can help you discover new techniques, styles, and perspectives that enrich your own work.  

Jeff Cunnigham, a lifelong storyteller, writer, and editor in Hampton, Virginia, shared “To me, creativity is a lot like a bank account: every time I sit to create, I’m making a withdrawal. Reading, I’m making a deposit. Too many withdrawals without corresponding deposits, and I’m over drafting on myself.” 

Take time for yourself.

When we don’t take time for ourselves, our creativity suffers. Many creatives shared that they make time to enjoy hobbies completely unrelated to their work, such as exercise, daily meditation, travel, or stepping into nature.  

Kim Matthews, freelance editor and writer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, says “self-care enhances creative stamina, flexibility, and resilience — and the ability to solve problems as a result.”  

Jessica Befera, art manager at FCI Brands, says “sometimes great ideas and creative solutions come when we’re in rest mode.” She notes that conscious resting and rejuvenating is key, rather than “doomscrolling.”  

Find a creative community.

Creating by yourself can feel a bit lonely and boring. Consider immersing yourself in a network of people who are creating too! Explore Dribbble and Behance to get started. And when you’re ready, give Reddit a try — Reddit houses a large range of creative communities, where you can share your work, ask for feedback, and find inspiration.   

Maintain an idea log or design journal.

Don’t lose sight of the ideas that wake you up from sleep at 2 a.m., or the ideas that spontaneously pop into your head while you’re in the grocery line or sitting in traffic. Write them down in a dedicated log that you have easy, constant access to; we suggest a small notebook or a note tab on your smartphone. The action of writing down your ideas forces you to think more deeply about them. Then, when you’re in need of some inspiration, scroll back through your notes and see where your ideas take you.  

Dan Milbourne, a creative director and graphic designer in Philadelphia, PA, says he puts pen to paper before even washing the sleep out of his eyes. “I spend 10 minutes every morning drawing what comes to mind.” Noting that the outcome doesn’t matter, the pen just needs to move. Dan adds “Once it’s out, it’s out! Move on.” That’s his motto.  

Change your environment.

Is there a two-day old coffee mug pushed off to the side of your desk (we know, we do it too), trace crumbs kicking around under your keyboard from a “working lunch,” or a stack of old post-it notes that could probably get tossed? Clean it up!  An organized desk isn’t just visually pleasing; it’s also less of a distraction.  

Once your desk is tidy, consider sprucing up your space with inspiring elements that reflect your passions: a framed piece of your own artwork, an affirmation or quote that resonates with you, a photo from your favorite vacation, etc.  

And when the desk is clean and the vision boards are all hung, but you’re still not feeling inspired, consider taking a day to work somewhere new. Have you heard of the “Coffee Shop Effect”? Research suggests the background noise of clanking plates and the buzz of a coffee machine improves performance on creative tasks. So, if you were looking for permission to indulge in another Café au Lait, consider this it.  

 

To keep up with our creative community, subscribe to our newsletter and follow Creative Circle on LinkedIn. We post polls and conversation starters on trending topics every week!