Creatively BlogGet the skills you need to create dynamic, engaging video content for social from Nancy Nguyen, a self-taught multidisciplinary storyteller. Nguyen has a passion for creating strong visual concepts that communicate clear ideas, creating meaningful ideas, and differentiating brands within the market.
“Finding your voice as a creator is always a work in progress”.
Nancy Nguyen, Content Creator.
Learn how to create holiday-themed drawings based on personal narratives from New Yorker cartoonist and illustrator Colin Tom. Tom received a BFA in painting and a BA in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia before moving to Brooklyn to pursue a creative career. He started submitting illustrations to The New Yorker in 2014 and was published in 2015. Since then, he has become a regular contributor, in addition to exhibiting paintings and drawings in New York and internationally.
“Single-panel cartoons are a very concise way to express yourself”.
Colin Tom, Cartoonist and Illustrator.
Get the skills you need to create a commercial film project from Shomi Patwary, an acclaimed filmmaker and producer who has worked with stars like Beyonce, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Diplo, and more.
“You can help create the next big client.”
Shomi Patwary, Filmmaker
In this class, Shomi will take you step-by-step through the pre-production process of collaborating with a brand on a commercial film project including building storyboards and shot lists, and working through brand approvals—all using his Snapple film, “A Corner Story,” as a key reference.
In addition to his direction and producing skills, Shomi is also a talented cinematographer, editor, and graphic and web designer. At the 2016 MuchMusic Awards, Shomi was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, and Best MuchFact Video for “Might Not” by Roc Nation’s Belly featuring The Weeknd. Shomi was a director and executive producer on Sony Music’s official documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The documentary won 8 Telly Awards, including the gold award for general documentary. Shomi has worked with Beyonce, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Diplo, Shah Rukh Khan, Kevin Hart. Mark Ronson and many others. Shomi’s production company Illusive Media has collaborated with Google, Facebook, UPS, Snapple, Mountain Dew, Adidas, Pepsi, the NBA, Disney, and many others.
“The tools are not the trick, your imagintion is.”
Shomi Patwary, Filmmaker
Get the skills you need to manage your money as a creative freelancer from millennial money expert Tonya Rapley, and the “Money Honeys”: Chantel, Devin, and Freddie from BuzzFeed’s “LadyLike” show. In this class, you’ll learn financial literacy basics like negotiating rates, saving, and investing, along with freelancer money successes and horror stories.
“The first step to financial literacy is being comfortable talking about money”.
Freddie Ransome, Money Honeys
Learn the intricacies of costume design from the award-winning designer behind the films BLACKKKLANSMAN, Passing, Till, and more.
“The use of wardrobe, silhouette, accessories and texture can help elevate a story and truly make it feel real”.
Marci Rodgers, Costume Designer
Marci Rodgers is known for her ability to bring stories from script to screen through impeccable detail and authenticity. From her work on Spike Lee’s Academy Award-winning period film, BLACKKKLANSMAN, for which Rodgers received a Costume Designers Guild Award nomination for the film’s rich palette and ‘70s wardrobe, to her contributions to Lee’s modern reboot of SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT on Netflix, Rodgers has designed her way to an incredible resume.
“You have to be okay with constructive criticism and understand that it’s not personal. Once it’s personal it can never go back to business”.
Marci Rodgers, Costume Designer
In this class, you’ll learn about Rodgers’ career path as a costume designer, as well as her process for both film and commercial work—from inspiration and character studies to color theory.
Learn how to work closely with other creative minds to create one cohesive work from two talented, frequent collaborators: choreographer Maiya Redding and filmmaker Niara Seña. Redding and Seña have collaborated on a number of creative projects, and will walk through the working process of one of their shared projects, “The Evolution of Womb(man)hood,” from the initial concept and budget planning to the thorny post-production process, where everything comes together. In this class, you’ll learn how to be bold enough to believe in your own ideas, while also staying open to others’ perspectives—ensuring your final, collaborative work feels cohesive and exciting for all.
“Having respect for what we do individually helps us to not step on toes”.
Niara Seña, Filmmaker
Niara Seña received her BFA in acting from SUNY Purchase, and has gone on to become a freelance writer, director, and producer—in addition to her acting career. She has also founded her own production company, SunflowerSol Productions, which helps artists of color create projects in a safe and brave space.
“You need to accept that conflict is part of the process. You can’t get caught up in your ego”.
Maiya Redding, Coreographer
Maiya Redding received a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase, studying abroad at the Korean University of Arts (K-Arts) in Seoul, South Korea, for four months. She has created various works in New York City, including “Breaking through the Generational Curse” at Alessandra Corona Performing Works and “Chicago Luvin” at Dance Lab NY. After receiving her MFA in Dance from Hunter College, Redding worked as an Adjunct Lecturer and Ballet Professor, and has since moved on to an Adjunct Professor role at Hofstra University. As a choreographer and instructor, Maiya’s intention is to introduce audiences to a new reality, and is passionate about giving voice to the voiceless.
Seña and Redding have collaborated on a number of works, with Maiya choreographing and Niara directing, including “The Evolution of Womb(man)hood” and “Letters to Medusa” with SunflowerSol Productions.
A panel conversation on how to get started—and succeed!—as a working creative, featuring industry leaders like Melissa Battifarano, Creative Director, VP of Design; Abby Morgan, alice + olivia SVP of Global Marketing; Dani State, Design Recruiter for Canva, and more. Moderated by Creatively’s president and interim CEO, Jess Weber.
“It’s okay to be the beginner. It’s okay to make a mistake.”
Abby Morgan, alice + olivia SVP of Global Marketing
A workshop on how to create a portfolio that gets you noticed and earns you a dream job, featuring consultant and creative strategist DonYé Taylor, joined by Canva’s Design Recruiter, Dani State.
“When creating your portfolio, try to really communicate the impact and the value that your art has.”
DonYé Taylor, Consultant and Creative Strategist
In celebration of #Pride Month, we’re spotlighting LGBTQIA+ creators who champion queer visibility through their creative work—like viral content creator, actress, and comedian, Nicole Bloomgarden.
Nicole’s signature content delivers quick-witted sarcasm in a nonchalant tone that embodies her triple-Taurus placements. Her creation of Travis Scott’s “Out West” challenge in 2019 put her on the map, resulting in millions of views as countless TikTokers and celebrities replicated her choreography. The viral trend ultimately resulted in a Fortnite collaboration, as the winner of their Emote Royale Contest. Nicole’s work has also been recognized by The Washington Post, Complex and Insider for her activism and contribution in giving black creators such as herself the credit they deserve.
In addition to going viral and growing her audience, Nicole has partnered with several brands like American Eagle, Snapchat, Ruffles, and more. Recently, she made her debut acting as Giana Carter in Amazon Prime’s “Intentions.” Nicole continues to actively pursue her career as an actress and influencer, positively impacting many online users along the way.
You can check out more of Nicole’s work on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
What is the first creative project you remember?
When I was 9 or 10 I went door-to-door handing out flyers that I made by hand telling all the neighborhood kids that I was performing a show in my front yard that night. When all my friends came, I would point to people in the audience of 5 and tell them to give me a scenario to act out. I had them laughing all night—my first memory of wanting to be an entertainer.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Effortless. Relatable. Comfortable.
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
My collaboration with Fortnite was the most fulfilling collaboration I have endured thus far. I think this collaboration was so impactful because it gave me a taste at what I was capable of. The second you start truly believing you can do something is when things start happening; this collaboration opened up mental blockades of self doubt and allowed me to start digging deep and reach my full creative potential. To have created something in my childhood home during a pandemic that caught the attention of millions around the world, and then eventually one of the most popular video games in the world, was life changing.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?
I believe you start to tap into your creativity when you start to care less about what people think of you and listen to your own heart more and what fills it up. Basically, the more you start living with your soul instead of your ego the more creative you’ll be, which is why I think creativity can be developed.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
I know this is crazy, but truly nothing. I had to start naive and learn, it was all part of the process. What I do know now is I THANK my mom for forcing me to keep it PG because a digital footprint is so real! People still send me content I posted from YEARS ago.
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
Stay genuine and honest. I think people take professionalism too seriously and start to lose their sense of self. You can be professional and respectful without having to lose your personality. Being your true self confidently and unapologetically will be contagious for whoever you’re working with and they will naturally start to do the same I’ve found.
7. One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
I want people to talk about how I stayed true to myself and my work. I made art that spoke to me and what I liked. I want people to talk about how through being unapologetically myself I inspired others to be more themselves. Me loving every aspect of myself helped others do the same.
Follow @NicoleBloomgarden on Creatively.
Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.
Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life
In celebration of AAPI month, we’re thrilled to spotlight Australian-born, LA-based chef and food stylist, Sandy Ho—an artist in the kitchen with a passport full of flavors.
Sandy’s cultural roots and unique experiences combine to bring a splash of color and Vietnamese nostalgia to the culinary scene. Initially on a path to become an artist, Sandy found that her creativity was meant for the kitchen as a result of working in restaurants to pay for art supplies. Inspired by a childhood spent in the kitchen with family—wrapping, rolling, cooking and eating together—she spent the initial years post-graduation mastering the culinary arts in Melbourne. From there, she embarked on a globe-trotting journey, curating one-of-a-kind food experiences for guests across Italy, Croatia, the British Virgin Islands, Sardinia, Greece, and Thailand. The experience gave her a deep appreciation for local farmers and the seasonality of ingredients.
Upon landing in Los Angeles, she launched Sandita’s—a creative, monthly dinner series where each meal is a testament to her ethos of fostering positivity through shared flavors and meals. Since then, Sandy has been working closely with brands and chefs to help bring their food experience to life with signature events, pop ups and unique food styling.
You can check out more of Sandy’s work on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
What is the first creative project you remember?
I have always loved diving into my imagination and using colors and patterns and light. Even as a child, I would cut and reshape my mothers clothing very much to her dismay, I would draw and paint abstract imaginings on leaves and on the back of my dad’s work papers and always found myself in the kitchen with my family playing with different colored herbs and vegetables like toys.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Whimsical. Bold. Gentle.
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
Cultured Magazine Art Basel Dinner in 2021, I loved working with Sarah and Rebecca. And they allowed me to really go the distance with my creativity on the dishes.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?
I think it’s both! You have to want to tap into that side of yourself and of course, the world around you and the company you keep will always continue to shape how you voice your creativity.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
That I will always make the right decision if the decision is for myself 🙂
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
Listen, listen, listen! And be brave enough to share your expertise in a kind and open way.
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
Sandy’s work was a fully-committed, honest re-telling of her life and all the colors she experienced along the way.
Follow @sandyho on Creatively.
Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.
Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life