Creatively Blog

Jumpstart your creative career with $5,000 monthly grants

CreativelyMade is a weekly celebration of the best work on Creatively—and you choose the winning projects! Each week, our community posts their creative projects, elevates great work, and champions talent on Creatively. Winning work will be announced weekly, and each month, one CreativelyMade winner will receive a grant up to $5,000.

Here’s how it works:

Each time you upload a new creative work (each, a “Project Submission”) to the Creatively online platform (the “Platform”) during the Contest Period (as defined below), you will be entered into the Contest.

1. Each week during the Contest Period, Platform users, including certain members of Creatively’s team will be able to vote for their favorite Project Submissions that were uploaded to the Platform during that week by “voting” for Project Submissions. Creatively may give specific user’s “votes” more influence than other user “votes” at Creatively’s sole discretion. The top three Project Submissions that receive the most votes each week (the “Weekly Finalist”) will be entered into a pool (each a “Pool”).
2. Each month, Creatively will select one Prize Winner from the Pool of twelve (12) Weekly Finalists from the prior four weeks.

View the full CreativelyMade rules below, as well as the FAQ’s here.

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CreativelyMade Contest Rules

​​OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES

Sponsored by Creatively

BY ENTERING INTO THE PROMOTION YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT: (I) YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS; (II) YOUR ENTRY AND THE PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROMOTION WILL BE SHARED WITH CREATIVELY; (III) CREATIVELY’S USE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO THE CREATIVELY’S PRIVACY POLICY AT THE LINK PROVIDED IN SECTION 17 BELOW; AND (IV) YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THAT SECTION 14 BELOW CONTAINS A BINDING CLASS ACTION WAIVER AND SECTION 16 BELOW CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSE, WHICH AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

1.Sponsor. 

The sponsor of the CreativelyMadeTM contest (the “Contest”) is Creatively, Inc., located at 450 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10014 (“Creatively”).

2. Acknowledgement.

As a condition of participating in the Contest, each entrant (“you”) agree: (i) to be fully and irrevocably bound by these Contest Official Rules (the “Rules”); (ii) that the Rules will be interpreted and applied by Creatively at its discretion; (iii) that all decisions made by Creatively are final and binding on you and all other participants; and (iv) that Creatively may change the Rules at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion without notice to you. Your eligibility to win a prize is conditioned on your full compliance with the Rules fulfilling all other requirements set forth in the Rules and by Creatively.

3. Eligibility.

No purchase is necessary. The Contest is open only to individual legal residents of United States and the District of Columbia, who are at least 18 years old at the time they submit an entry. The following parties are not eligible to enter: (i) Creatively and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and representatives (the “Creatively Entities”); (ii) Creatively Entities’ employees and members of their immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, and children); (iii) individuals living in the same household as Creatively Entities’ employees and (iv) prior CreativelyMade prize winners. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.

4. Contest Period.

The Contest begins on July 11, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time and Winners will be chosen on a monthly basis until such time that Creatively concludes the Contest, in Creatively’s sole discretion (the “Contest Period”). Project Submissions that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will not be accepted or eligible for a Prize.

5. How to Enter. 

Each time you upload a new creative work (each, a “Project Submission”) to the Creatively online platform (the “Platform”) during the Contest Period, you will be entered into the Contest. Project Submissions can be from any creative discipline listed on the Platform, including but not limited to photography, film, animation, digital art, 3D art, illustration, and live productions. For more information about submission requirements, please visit https://creatively.life/terms. Please note that each entry must be wholly original. BY SUBMITTING PROJECT SUBMISSION, YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT: (A) YOUR SUBMISSION IS WHOLLY ORIGINAL AND DOES NOT INFRINGE UPON OR MISAPPROPRIATE OR OTHERWISE VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTY, AND (B) YOU MEET ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 3 HEREIN AND ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS IN THESE RULES. 

6. Number of Submissions. 

You may submit multiple different Project Submissions during the Contest Period. 

7. Selection of Winners. 

Each week during the Contest Period, Platform users and certain members of Creatively’s team will be invited to vote for their favorite Project Submissions that were uploaded to the Platform during that week by “voting” for such Project Submissions. Creatively may give specific user’s “votes” more influence than other user “votes” at Creatively’s sole discretion. Voting each week begins Monday 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time and ends the following Sunday 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. The top three Project Submissions that receive the most votes each week (the “Weekly Finalist”) will be entered into a pool (each a “Pool”). Each month (the “Monthly Entry Period”) our Creatively will select one winning Project Submission (each, the “Winning Project Submission”) from a Pool of the twelve (12) Weekly Finalists from the prior four weeks. Creatively will evaluate the Project Submissions based on their artistic merit and originality.

The Winner will be the individual that is listed as the “Project Publisher” for the Winning Project Submission as of the date the Winning Project Submission was uploaded to the Platform. Creatively will not provide any Prize to and will not be liable to any other party that worked on any Winning Project Submission.

We expect the Winner will be selected promptly following the end of each Monthly Entry Period. The selection of the Winners will be conducted by Creatively, whose decisions on all matters relating to the Contest shall be final and binding.

8. Prizes and Odds.

The Winners of the Contest will win a prize of up to $5,000 (the “Prize”). Odds of winning during any month depend on the number of eligible entries received during that Monthly Entry Period. In no event shall Creatively be obligated to award more Prizes than the number of Prizes stated in these Rules. Each Prize is nontransferable and must be accepted as awarded. No substitutions or transfer of the Prize are permitted, except at the sole discretion of Creatively, which reserves the right to substitute the Prize (or a portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. All taxes on the Prize are the sole responsibility of each Winner. Once a Winner has been successfully determined pursuant to the procedures identified above, the Prize will be sent to the Winner via ACH payment.

9. Ownership of Submissions. 

You shall retain ownership of your Project Submissions. Creatively and its affiliates and service providers and each of their respective licensees, successors, and assigns shall have the royalty free, worldwide right in perpetuity to use, reproduce, modify, perform, distribute, and display your submission on its website, Platform and apps and in connection with the operation, marketing and other exploitation thereof and its business generally. 

10. Notification of Winners. 

Winners will be notified by email sent to the email address associated with their profile on Creatively.life from which their Project Submission was made. Each Winner is required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within 3 days of the date the e-mail notification is sent in order to claim their Prize. Each Winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth in the Rules or otherwise set forth by Creatively.

11. Disqualification and Forfeiture.

At the sole discretion of Creatively, disqualification, forfeiture and the selection of alternate Winners may result from any of the following: (a) a Winner’s failure to respond to email notification within three (3) days after its transmission; (b) the return of an email notification as undeliverable after three (3) attempts; (c) a Winner’s failure to provide Creatively with the Declaration of Compliance and satisfactory proof age, identity and residency; or (d) a Winner’s non-compliance with the Rules. In the event of a Prize forfeiture, Creatively may, in its sole discretion, award or not award the forfeited Prize to an alternative Winner.

12. Publicity. 

As a condition of entry into the Contest, except where prohibited by law, each Winner, by accepting a Prize, hereby grants to Creatively a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license and right, to publicize, broadcast, display and/or otherwise use each Winner’s name, city, state and biographical material (collectively, “Licensed Rights”) in any media now known or hereafter devised throughout the world in perpetuity for advertising and publicity purposes, without additional review, compensation, permission or approval of the Winner.

13. General Conditions.

Creatively Entities are not responsible for: (a) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based upon inaccurate information provided by Winner; (b) any electronic miscommunication or failure, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit your ability to participate in the Contest or your ability to claim your Prize; or (c) any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in the Contest. Participation in the Contest is at your own risk. In its sole discretion, Creatively reserves its right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Contest for any reason. If the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, event of force majeure or other event or circumstance out of the control of Creatively, including, but not limited to, those caused by or related to the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 (and all related strains and sequences) or other pandemic, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Creatively in its sole discretion, Creatively may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Rules, (b) terminate the Contest and award one or more Prizes in its sole discretion, or (c) terminate the Contest without awarding Prizes. Creatively reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the Creatively website or Platform or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Creatively reserves the right to seek damages (including attorneys’ fees) and any other remedies to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by Creatively to enforce any provision of these Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other rights of Creatively. Creatively Entities are not responsible for claims, injuries, losses or damages of any kind resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the awarding, delivery, acceptance, use, misuse, possession, loss or misdirection of the Prize. Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Rules in any way or at any time.

14. Class Action Waiver.

Except where prohibited, YOU agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action.

15. Release; Limitations of Liability; Indemnification.

Your entry into this Contest constitutes your agreement to release and hold harmless the Creatively Entities and Creatively’s advertising and promotion agencies, and other companies associated with the Contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, managers, partners, employees, equity holders, representatives, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest, the Prize, and/or the Winner’s use or enjoyment of the Prize, including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the processing of entries or in any Contest-related materials; (f) entries and responses to Winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind; (g) any Winner accepting, possessing, using, or misusing of any awarded Prize or any portion thereof; or (h) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from any entrant’s participation in the Contest. Under no circumstances shall the Released Parties, be responsible or liable for the Winner’s expenses, including, without limitation, tax obligations, or any other obligation of the Winner. 

Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR THE WINNER’S EXPENSES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TAX OBLIGATIONS, OR ANY OTHER OBLIGATION OF THE WINNER.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE RELEASED PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RELEASED PARTIES’ TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR AS A RESULT OF THE PROMOTION EXCEED $100. YOU WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR INCREASED.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties and their successors, and assigns from and against all claims arising from: (a) your breach of these Rules; (b) your Project Submission infringing upon or misappropriating or violating the rights of any third-party, including the right of publicity of any party; and (c) the acts and omissions of any entrant and/or Winner.

16. Disputes

IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS CONTEST, EITHER PARTY SHALL FINALLY AND EXCLUSIVELY RESOLVE THE DISPUTE BY BINDING ARBITRATION GOVERNED BY THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT (“FAA”).  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of Creatively in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than New York.

17. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

You understand and agree that information collected from you is subject to Creatively’s privacy policy located at https://creatively.life/privacy-policy, and your use of the Platform is subject to Creatively’s Terms of Use located at https://creatively.life/terms (the “Terms of Use”).

18. Winner’s List. 

To request any legally required winners’ list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (unless otherwise prohibited by local law) to Creatively, Inc., 450 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10014, Attn: CreativelyMade™ Contest Winners’ List. All such requests must be received within three (3) months after the end of the Contest.

19. Questions. 

If you have any questions regarding the Contest, send an e-mail to feedback@creatively.life with the subject line “CreativelyMade™ Contest.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):

Which projects are eligible for CreativelyMade?

CreativelyMade is open to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old at the time they submit an entry (i.e. publish a project). Employees of Creatively, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Previous CreativelyMade contest prize winners are also not eligible. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Can I opt out of being a part of the weekly leaderboard?

At present, all projects submitted each week are automatically eligible to be featured on the CreativelyMade weekly leaderboard. If you have a concern about one of your projects being featured, please reach out to us at feedback@creatively.life.

How are the weekly winning projects chosen?

Each week’s CreativelyMade contest closes on Sunday 11:59pm ET, at which point the top three projects on the CreativelyMade leaderboard are automatically the weekly winners, unless any project is disqualified from consideration based on Creatively’s community guidelines and terms. Every “vote” your project receives helps elevate it to the top of the weekly leaderboard!

How are the monthly grant winners chosen?

At the end of each month, all eligible weekly winning work from the previous month will be eligible for a cash grant up to $5,000, to be awarded at Creatively’s discretion. Project Submissions can be from any creative discipline listed on the Platform, including but not limited to photography, film, animation, digital art, 3D art, illustration, and live productions—provided they are wholly original. For more on submission requirements, see the Contest Rules.

Do I still own my CreativelyMade submissions?

Of course! We believe creatives should retain the rights to their own work, and you have sole ownership and copyright to any work you upload on Creatively.

How can I help my project rise up the CreativelyMade leaderboard?

Every “vote” helps your project rise in the rankings, so share a link to our project with others or give it a boost on social media to encourage your friends and colleagues to give your project more votes on Creatively.

What happens if I’m in a different time zone and I post a project on Sunday after the period ends?

Each week’s CreativelyMade contest closes on Sunday 11:59pm ET, so if you post a new project after that time, you will be automatically entered into the following (current) week’s contest.

How can I tell where my project ranks?

If you navigate to your project page, you’ll see a CreativelyMade banner at the top of the page if the project is in contention for this week. In the banner, you’ll see whether your project is currently ranked within the top projects, and if you tap the “Share” icon, you’ll also be able to see how many votes you’ll need to rise to the first position on the weekly leaderboard. If your project is currently ranked in the top projects, you’ll also be able to see it on the CreativelyMade leaderboard!

How many projects can I submit to CreativelyMade each week?

As many as you’d like! Just add a new project to your Creatively portfolio, and that project will be entered into contention for that week’s CreativelyMade.

Can I resubmit the same CreativelyMade project another week if I don’t win?

Only new projects published to Creatively each week are eligible for CreativelyMade, so you’re not able to re-submit an existing project for consideration. That said, if you’ve updated one of your projects to the extent that it’s now fundamentally different, we encourage you to publish a new project featuring that new work! 

What if I collaborated with another creative and/or brand on a project that’s currently in contention for CreativelyMade?

Collaboration and giving credit for creative work is at the heart of Creatively, and we encourage you to ensure all collaborators and brands are given proper credit for their work on any creative projects on our platform. In spotlighting and celebrating our weekly winners, we will strive to credit any collaborators where possible. Should you be selected as a CreativelyMade grant winner, any money awarded is yours to keep or share with collaborators as you choose. For more on CreativelyMade submissions and eligibility, please refer to the CreativelyMade Contest Rules.

How will I get paid if I’m selected to receive a grant?

CreativelyMade grants will be awarded via ACH payments.

Through surrealist, dystopian imagery, Gianni Lee challenges viewers’ perception of reality. In the physical realm, Lee works primarily with acrylic and spray paint on canvas and wood, opting for bold color palettes and harsh brush strokes; Lee’s NFTs comment on the transition from Web2 to Web3, a meta-critique that blurs the line between form and content and reflects his interest in the distortion of time and space.

Aside from creating visual art, the multi-talented Lee is also an accomplished music producer, international DJ, and fashion designer who has garnered the attention of outlets like Interview Magazine, Hypebeast, and the L.A. Times. He has collaborated with several well-known brands including Cîroc, Hennessy, Nike, Levi’s, and Gucci to create content at the intersection of music, art, and fashion. Lee uses his platform IRL and in the metaverse to address social, cultural, and political issues in America and abroad, telling his stories through the many-eyed monsters of his futuristic universe, which simultaneously beckon and caution us.

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram. 

What is the first creative project you remember? 

My first creative project was when I was in high school. I was working with the AND1 team on a national industrial design project with other high schoolers. As one of the winners, I was commissioned to paint a bench for the flagship AND1 store.

Describe your aesthetic in three words. 

Futuristic. Minimal. Progressive.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

The most fulfilling collaboration I’ve worked on was with Levi’s. They gave me the means and ability to create my own collection, and the cashflow to shoot an entire campaign and implement a marketing strategy. It felt amazing to have that much freedom to bring my ideas into the physical realm. 

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

My current NFT project “Persephone,” required me to not only learn the crypto industry but also understand and adapt to the culture behind it, from communication with potential collaborators to opening my art up to collaboration with talented animators. NFTs made me acquire the fundamental tools to communicate with a multitude of creatives and tech workers in various fields and disciplines.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

Creativity is something you can be born with, but I also believe you can learn it. You can learn it by being around other creatives, opening your mind to new ideas and concepts, etc. We have the ability to create life, so I also believe we have the ability to create other things as well, it just depends on where we put our time and energy. 

What’s the last dream you had?

I had a dream that I owned a Korean BBQ restaurant. Pretty standard dream, nothing crazy, what made it cool is that I was still an artist even in the dream. What artist do you know that owns a Korean BBQ joint? 

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I hope they write that my work made them want to pick up a sketchpad and pencil. 

Follow @giannilee on Creatively

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

Throughout Pride Month, we’re spotlighting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ creators who champion queer visibility through their creative works—including multi-hypenate creative Jorge “Gitoo” Wright.

An NYC-native, Gitoo uses his talents in casting, producing, and art directing to help major brands drive culture. He is an active casting director, creative producer, host, and professional personality who has worked on projects for Mercedes-Benz, Soundcloud, British GQ, Marc Jacobs, Nike, Beats by Dre, Calvin Klein, Telfar, and more. He is also a member of ONLUNCHBREAK, a thriving creative agency that has piqued the interests of A-listers like Beyoncé and Pharrell, aiming to shape the way brands communicate with the world. 

Aside from casting and producing, Wright’s talents range from modeling to styling to getting the crowd moving; he has been a muse for portraits by acclaimed painter Kehinde Wiley and is the host of the worldwide day party phenomenon, Everyday People. His community keeps him grounded, and gives him a grace when he isn’t at his peak—the kind of unwavering support that lets him be the creative powerhouse he is, with the portfolio to prove it.

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram. 

What is the first creative project you remember? 

In high school, I created and produced my school’s first ever talent show. I didn’t even realize I was producing, I just wanted to show off with my friends while my high school paid for it. They still do it to this day! Makes me proud.

Describe your aesthetic in three words. 

Active and attractive. 

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

I street-cast a commercial for NBA x Beats by Dre in Compton, California. I must have cast over 25 youth basketball players. They were so excited to be part of an NBA commercial. All the kids had pumped looks on their faces. The letters of appreciation I received from their parents were actually so heartwarming that I was like, “wow, I love this!” 

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

Working with my roommate and good friend Thuan Tran at On Lunch Break (OLB) really taught me my self worth. Being able to work on your own time and have your opinions heard is so valuable and necessary. 

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I feel like creativity is something that’s nurtured. I’d like to believe everybody has a bit of creativity in them. I’m not sure it can be taught though. 

What’s the last dream you had?

I had a dream that I was locked up abroad, in London to be exact. Don’t ask!

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

Listen, if they’re writing about me in 100 years, they’re gonna say he got the job done and he did it with style! 

Follow @gitoo on Creatively

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

In honor of Juneteenth, this special edition of our Q&A series focuses on the outstanding literary works of Jason Reynolds. The visceral tales of this #1 New York Times bestselling author beautifully capture what it is to be Black in America right now.

Putting pen to paper every day to practice his craft, Jason Reynolds has written over a dozen books for young people, including “Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks,” “All American Boys,” “Long Way Down,” and “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You.” It was rap that first inspired Reynolds to begin writing poetry at nine years old. He focused on prose for approximately the next two decades before exploring young adult novels.

Based in Washington DC, the gifted wordsmith has been the recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and an NAACP Image Award, among several other accolades. Now, at the top of his game, Reynolds is the current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, an initiative of the Library of Congress. He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS This Morning, and Good Morning America. Jason is also on faculty at Lesley University for the Writing for Young People MFA Program. If writing is his sport, his words are “slam dunks.” 

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram. 

What is the first creative project you remember? 

I don’t know if I’d call it a project, but I’d say the first piece of creative expression was when my grandmother died. I was ten years old and I saw my mother cry for the first time. It was chemically changing. I used to study rap lyrics and read liner notes, so I just mimicked whatever I was reading at the time and wrote some lyrics for my mom. She printed it in the funeral program and that was the first time I was made aware that creative expression, my words and language, had power. That was the beginning of this whole journey.

• Describe your aesthetic in three words. 

Black, sophisticated, and authentic.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

This last one I did with my homeboy Jason Griffin, “Ain’t Burned All The Bright.” It’s a special one because it requires an awful lot of vulnerability to trust somebody, to trust anybody else, to deal with what we’re all dealing with over the last few years as it pertains to our racial dynamics. Working with this dude who has been a friend of mine since I was 17, while acknowledging the fact that he’s a White man who is a part of this conversation, was an interesting and important experience for the both of us. We’ve been through it all together—we’ve gotten into those nasty conversations trying to suss out what it all means, and I think that’s necessary. We’re not going to run from any of it. We just lean into the discomfort of it all to figure out where we stand, and I think that’s healthy.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

That’s tough because they all do. When you work as a writer, the complicated part is that it requires such solitude, such silence, and the issue with being silent is that you can’t run away from yourself. All of those voices can no longer be distracted like we’re able to do in our everyday lives. And because there is no band, no troop, just you, I think it’s impossible to not be changed every single time. You’re literally dealing with your stuff in order to make the thing that you’re making. You’re forced to sit with your insecurities, your fears, your doubts, and your lies—all of that just sits with you as you get this thing out. That’s what I love about writing! It’s a gauntlet every time, but it’s the most beautiful experience in the world on the other end.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I actually think creativity is something you’re born with and that it’s taught out of you because I think creativity is rooted in curiosity, and I’ve never known a child who was not curious about the world. And if curiosity is what breeds imagination, then it’s the muzzling of curiosity that kills said imagination. A lot of that comes from schools, parents, adults, and neighborhoods who say that a child can’t ask “inappropriate” questions. You tell a child they can’t ask questions, then you kill a child’s curiosity. If you kill a child’s curiosity, then you kill a child’s imagination, which then kills their creativity. So, they have it already, we as a society educate them out of it.

What’s the last dream you had?

I should say something wild, but honestly, I can’t remember.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

That he tried his best and worked at a level that made everybody feel like he was magic. That’s it! I was fortunate to grow up in a time where the people that we admired still felt magical. Michael Jackson was a magician. Michael Jordan was a magician. We thought these people could really fly, and I miss that. So, when my time is up, I hope someone has that same feeling about me.

Follow @jasonreynolds on Creatively.

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

Throughout Pride Month, we’re spotlighting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ creators who champion queer visibility through their creative works—including eighteen-year-old visual artist, activist, and curator, Diana Sinclair.

Sinclair’s multi-media artwork centers around themes of self-exploration, social justice, and identity. She was a YoungArts 2021 winner in photography, and has displayed work at SCOPE Miami and Art Basel. Her work has been featured in publications such as Hypebeast, Teen Vogue, and the Guardian, among other outlets.

Since entering the NFT space early last year, Sinclair’s accomplishments already include being featured in TIME Magazine, landing herself on Fortune’s “NFTy 50” list. For Juneteenth 2021, she curated “The Digital Diaspora,” an NFT exhibit and auction dedicated to celebrating the work of Black artists, with proceeds benefitting the LGBTQIA+ community and Herstory DAO, a group she cofounded to collect the works of marginalized creatives. As a young person navigating the metaverse, Sinclair believes that the next renaissance will be born out of the intersection of art and technology, and is passionate about creating work that embraces this evolution.

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram. You can also learn more about this year’s “Digital Diaspora” event during NFT NYC next week here.

What is the first creative project you remember?

When I was really young, my dad would task me with a “daily challenge” to draw something for him by the time he got home from work that day. I have pages and pages of these artworks—it’s a great first memory of setting out a plan to consistently create art.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Forward. Vibrant. Fluid.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

A few days ago, my friend Drifter (@driftershoots) took me exploring to photograph and document this abandoned power plant in New Orleans that’s going to be demolished soon. At the end of the trip, we decided to climb one of the two towers on the top of the building. We scaled a 300-foot ladder up the side of the tower and photographed the top and the whole way up. Surprisingly, I felt incredibly calm the entire time and it actually satiated this need to lay out a tough goal and accomplish it while being creative. We haven’t yet released the photos or videos from the trip, but it left me with the urge to keep creating and pushing new ideas.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

“I Am the Black Gold of the Sun” is one of the very first photo series that I developed. I created it during the summer of 2020 on my very first camera, a gifted old Nikon. Learning to photograph during the pandemic posed a lot of challenges but helped me understand that there’s always a way to find a creative solution to any limitations, and it has really helped me apply that mindset to new situations. I shot that series on my own with one model in the ocean, and I had to get very creative with props, posing, directing, etc. to get the shots I wanted. All of this while still figuring out how a camera works!

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I think it can be both! Most people are born creative, I think, but then are taught to see the world in a specific way which closes them off to alternative ways of thinking and being. In my eyes, creativity can also be taught, not by teaching someone what to think, but by showing them how to open their minds to all the creative possibilities that are right in front of them. Some people need that veil of confirmative thinking lifted so that they can reach their full potential.

What’s the last dream you had?

Weirdly, even as a visual person, I don’t remember my dreams well! I have zero recollection of my last dream, ugh.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

As a visual artist, I think more about what artworks my art will inspire in the future. I hope to be a stepping stone and beacon of reference for other artists who look like me and share my struggles. In the future I hope to inspire films, exhibitions, music, and many other genres and forms of displaying art. There are some artists whose message and work impacts a whole generation and I plan to be one of those people.

Follow @dianasinclair on Creatively

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

All week long, we’ve been showcasing creative work from the Class of 2022 and featuring exciting job opportunities at top brands. In this week’s special edition of our Q&A series, we’re sharing advice from leading creative brands and visionaries on how to jumpstart your creative career with your best foot forward. 

To help graduates navigate the journey of finding meaningful creative work, we spoke to individuals in charge of recruiting, hiring, and mentoring creatives at Billy Reid, Old Navy (Gap, Inc.), Legends, Colossal Media, and Tapestry (Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman.) 

Learn more about the Creatively Class of 2022 here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram and TikTok. 

What key things should Class of ‘22 graduates be looking out for when starting their job search? 

“Do people stay for a while? Have they been promoted? What are the current openings they have? These days, I would also encourage a recent graduate to look beyond the traditional ‘well established’ organizations. Be open to start up companies where you might get more responsibility and wear many hats. And don’t just look at organizations in your city. Expand your search as many companies are hiring remotely.” – Diana Costescu, Director, Talent Acquisition, Tapestry (Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman)

“Your first job after college—although important, exciting, & nerve wracking—is just that: your first job. Keep in mind that your career will evolve, you will take wrong turns and right turns, you may change your mind, and if you’re diligent you will have many jobs throughout your career that each fill a specific piece of what you need and want at different points along the way. As you begin your search, just remember: it’s likely not forever so don’t feel the pressure to fulfill all your hopes and dreams in one role. There will be more.” – Nick Perrotta, Art Director, Old Navy

“Graduates should be looking for companies or job roles that align with their values and offer job growth.  It is important to do some research and find out how the company is doing financially, what does that company value, and how do they treat their employees.” – Karis Jones, VP of People and Culture, SKIMS and GOOD AMERICAN

What’s one creative project / career milestone that taught you something about yourself?

“I realized that keeping things real and personal is the best approach for me. You don’t have to make things up if it comes from that perspective. Our Levis project taught me that you never stop learning. You can have a voice, even when collaborating with something as an established brand.” – Billy Reid, Founder and Fashion Designer, Billy Reid 

“When leading the Old Navy Men’s design team, I learned that communication and collaboration is integral to growing and inspiring those around you. It is important to hear all voices and to create safe spaces for creative thinking and dialogue.” – Ali Otto, Senior Director Design, Old Navy

What’s something creative graduates can do to stand out from other candidates? 

“Present a solution before the company asks for one. There’s so much public information about companies on their social and websites. Look at what they are currently doing and come into the interview with a better solution proposed and some creative ideas to show.” – Shaina Shiwarski, Co-Founder, Legends 

“Be excited about the place you’re applying for. At this stage in the game, your enthusiasm for the role really can be the difference maker. No matter how qualified you are for a role, if you’re acting blah or aren’t able to explain what excites you about the role, the hirer will notice. You can’t teach enthusiasm!” — Michael Small, Senior Editorial Manager, Old Navy

What positive differences do you see in today’s working world from that of your parents’ generation? 

“These days you can be multidisciplinary. I have met people that graduated with a journalism degree who ended up being the head of ready to wear design at a prominent fashion brand.” – Diana Costescu, Director, Talent Acquisition, Tapestry (Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman)

“There is a paradigm shift that is happening between the employers and the employees. In our parents’ generation, the corporations held all the power. They told you where you needed to live and the process and structure you needed to follow to accomplish your financial and career goals. Now the power is shifting to the individuals. With the increase in remote and digital work – you have the power to decide where you live, what job(s) you want to explore and the values that are important to you within an organization. Access to freelance opportunities, like one’s provided through Creatively, also empower hybrid work environments where you can explore different projects with different companies and create your own brand.” – Shaina Shiwarski, Co-Founder, Legends 

“We have seen a trend in flexible work schedules and more regard for employee mental  health. This is very positive for employees overall, but also offers more options for working parents, people with disabilities, and candidates living in rural areas.  We have also seen support for BIPOC employees with the passing of laws like the Crown Act and businesses offering company wide training on bias and anti-racism.” – Karis Jones, VP of People and Culture, SKIMS and GOOD AMERICAN

What’s the best piece of advice you’d like to share with  the Creatively Class?

“At the onset of a creative career it is important to remember that you have a voice—and yes you will use that voice to build a portfolio, create a professional network and exceed client expectations—you will also use your voice to create change. Change the practice, change the aesthetics, change the landscape, change the industry. My best advice to accomplish this is stay attentive. You can learn something new from everyone you interact with on a professional level so learn to pay attention early, this will prove invaluable.” – John Samels, Creative Director at Colossal Media 

“Be true to yourself and trust your instincts. When you feel aligned with what you are doing the magic happens!” – Stephanie Daniel, Co-Founder and CEO, Legends

“The worst advice is also the best — it’ll happen when it’s supposed to happen. Sometimes, when you’re looking for a job, it can feel like it’s just never going to work out. You’ll get rejections, or ghosted by recruiters and it’ll all feel hopeless. And someone will tell you, “Hang in there, it’ll happen!” And inside you’ll die a little and probably hate them for giving you such empty advice. But what sucks is that they’re right! Something will happen. It’s the crappiest part of this whole deal — you’ll do everything right and sometimes it won’t matter. You’ll hear crickets. And when it feels the most hopeless and you’re ready to say screw this, you’ll get an email asking if you’re free to interview and just like that, you’ll have a job. You just had to wait.”— Michael Small, Senior Editorial Manager, Old Navy

Explore All CC’22 Jobs Here

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

This Pride Month, we’re spotlighting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ creators who champion queer visibility through their creative works—including Crystal Anderson and Lakiesha Herman who spearhead the Clio Award-winning experiential house, a very good job. 

Founded by the power couple in 2020, “a very good job” is an advertising house focused on film, television, music, and fashion. Initially establishing themselves as an events company, the co-founders quickly pivoted to premium gifting experiences for major film and TV launches, and have since worked with networks such as Showtime, STARZ, HBO Max, Netflix, and Amazon Studios to help brands and studios tell their stories.

Herman is a designer and digital strategist whose work has spanned the advertising and music industries. Most notably, she has worked at ad agencies BBDO and Translation, and at Columbia Records, playing an integral part in projects for companies and musical artists like State Farm, FedEx, Solange, and John Legend. Anderson, who adds her hands-on expertise to the picture, attended Howard University and has experience spearheading production on some of the most popular experiential events like Tough Mudder, the Museum of Ice Cream, and 29Rooms. Together, these two fierce leaders use their platform to destigmatize conversations around mental health and promote narratives of what it means to navigate the world as Black queer women.

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram. 

What is the first creative project you remember? 

We produced our first live event together in March 2020 while we were both still employed at our nine-to-fives— we immediately knew we wanted to make this our full-time job.

Describe your aesthetic in three words. 

Weird. Wonderful. Wild.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on? 

Our work on Blindspotting with Starz was our most fulfilling project. We took a chance and went super conceptual and the project came out so cool!  We ended up winning the biggest award of our careers with that project.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

What a tricky question! I genuinely have taken so many learnings from each project. I had never worked in the agency world before creating a very good job, so I’ve become an intern and a founder and head of creative at the same time! -Crystal

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

I believe creativity evolves as long as you allow yourself to be weird and throw ideas out. I genuinely think we have to let kids be wild without borders. Those kids become the creative geniuses. —Crystal

I think everyone is born creative, but rarely do people survive past childhood and still believe in it. Either through art scars or institutionalization, it’s lost, and that’s a great shame. We’ve missed out on so many geniuses. —Kiesh

What’s a dream collaboration or project you’ve always wanted to do? 

Our dream project is to produce the Academy Awards gifting suite! It’s been on our radar for so long and is a dream collaboration!

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work? 

I want people to talk about how we made space for other Black Queer people. We want to be remembered as people who disrupted the ad world and forged a new space for other people to walk. We want young folks to walk by the house we used to live in and say, “that’s where Crystal and Kiesh made a very good job.” 

Follow @averygoodjob on Creatively

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

In partnership with Creatively, IMPACT’s immediate focus is to create opportunities for Black and Brown creatives and adjacent professionals in the form of jobs and internships, but we know that fostering a more equitable and diverse fashion community starts with understanding how to promote advancement on a daily basis.

We talked to one of our IMPACT brand partners, award-winning designer Billy Reid, about inclusivity, creativity, and starting a career in fashion. 

What’s a common misconception about launching a career in fashion? 

A career in fashion is so much more than just designing great clothing. The industry is a multifaceted and multi logistical endeavor that touches on so many parts of a business from creation, marketing, distribution, inventory management, sales, retail, wholesale, direct to consumer, and so on. There are so many career avenues within the industry to explore.

Name three qualities you look for in a creative job candidate at Billy Reid 

Attitude, work ethic, and being a good person.

What unique position does Billy Reid hold in furthering IMPACT’s goal of creating a more diverse and equitable fashion industry? 

I would first say sharing our involvement and building awareness of our support for CFDA IMPACT. As a supporter and being actively engaged, it’s important we also influence our peers in the fashion industry to get involved in furthering IMPACT’s mission. 

Additionally, it’s also about ensuring we share our opportunities equitably but also be proactive in leveraging our experience to be mentors, developing an equitable pipeline of talent, and constantly exploring ways to authentically connect.

How does fashion influence the conversation around race? 

Fashion has the ability like art, music, and food to bring people together, find common ground, have a conversation, and educate. As designers, we present collections in a way that tells a story. We have the ability and the responsibility to decide who and how we include people to share that vision and tell that story. 

IMPACT is a CFDA developed initiative to identify, connect, support, and nurture Black and Brown creatives and professionals in fashion.

See more jobs from Billy Reid and our IMPACT partners here!

This AAPI Heritage Month (APAHM), we’re proud to be placing creative leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent at the forefront of our community channels. Today, we invite you to meet Khyati Trehan, an Indian graphic designer and visual artist based in New Delhi. 

Khyati Trehan specializes in playful 3D renderings, rooting her work in texture, emotion, and copious amounts of research. Trehan is an independent graphic designer and 3D visual artist who cuts across many disciplines. Trehan believes that all things both physical and digital are connected through invisible strings, and her job as a designer is to discover those threads, drawing out such connections that may otherwise go unseen.

Trehan’s expertise has led her to create work for the Oscars, New York Times, New Yorker Magazine, Apple, Adobe, Absolut, Deepmind, Instagram, and Snapchat. In 2017, she was recognized by Print Magazine’s 15 New Visual Artists Under 30, was chosen as the Artistry Creator of the Year at Adweek’s Creator Visionary Awards, and won the ADC Young Guns 19. If that weren’t enough, she made it onto the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in India. 

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram. 

What is the first creative project you remember? 

My sister and I remixed a nursery rhyme into a very very bad pop song. It was from the series Poldy and friends, a group made of a scarecrow and three birds, which is hilarious in retrospect. I still remember my rap bit in it.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Emotive, playful, optimistic.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

Having worked in several companies, it always felt like I had to make a choice: either I’d be doing high level, strategic, discovery-rich, research-heavy work, or I’d live in the granular world, carefully crafting the details. I found the sweet spot in collaborating with Karin Fyhrie and her design collective, Sovereign Objects. The work spans from strategy, building brands, and image-making to expanding beyond marketing, logos, and worldbuilding missions. 

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

My college classroom project “The Beauty of Scientific Diagrams” taught me that ideas are really about discovering patterns and finding relationships between seemingly unrelated things; as if every object, person, and concept on the planet is connected by invisible strings. My job as a designer is to do detective work and hunt for the string. Since this project, my design practice has been a lot about drawing parallels and hunting for invisible connections that others don’t see until you show them.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

Definitely taught. I believe every trait is conditional. Creativity is a habit, it’s something that can be practiced, requires an open mindset, and takes a lot of work.

What’s the last dream you had?

I swear I remembered it this morning but it’s vanished now. So annoying when that happens!

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I hope people say my work makes them feel something, communicates more than words ever could, and lingers in people’s minds long after their eyes have moved elsewhere.

Follow @khyatitrehan on Creatively

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

This AAPI Heritage Month (APAHM), we’re proud to be placing creative leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent at the forefront of our community channels. Today, we invite you to meet Shomi Patwary, a Bengali-American director and producer based in New York City. 

Shomi Patwary is a creator who leaves his unconventional mark on every project that he touches. His skills range from directing and producing, to cinematography, editing, and graphic and web design. An audiovisual storyteller, Patwary has worked on projects with cultural icons ranging from Beyonce to Mariah Carey, A$AP Rocky to Diplo, and Shah Rukh Khan to Wu Tang Clan.

Patwary is the co-founder of Illusive Media, a creative collective that specializes in music videos, branded content, and commercials. Hailing from Virginia Beach, he’s built long-standing creative relationships with fellow natives like Pharrell, The Neptunes, and Clipse, notably working with them since early in his decades-spanning career. With an eye for the absract, Shomi has directed award-nominated videos and worked with top brands including Adidas, Snapple, Apple, and Sony Music. Most recently, Patwary has taken on a new role as a television director for the hit Showtime late-night series Desus & Mero.

Patwary’s signature approach is to be up-close-and-personal with the camera, moving as one with the subject—culminating in a visual experience that is at once both dynamic and authentic.

You can check out more of their work here. 

What is the first creative project you remember? 

The first creative project I remember is designing the CD cover for The Clipse’s “We Got It 4 Cheap” mixtape. This was at a time when I was still learning how to use Adobe Photoshop. I didn’t even consider myself a designer yet at the time, but I acted like I did just so I could land the gig.

Describe your aesthetic in three words. 

Vibrant, abstract, gritty.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

The most fulfilling collaboration I’ve worked on was with A$AP Rocky; he and I were frequent collaborators in the 2010s and we co-directed Yamborghini High together, a video tribute to our friend A$AP Yams who had passed away. This wasn’t a radio-friendly record, yet it went platinum and got more than 100 million views. 

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

I was hired to direct a short film for a high-end luxury eyewear brand called Gentle Monster, and it was the first time I worked with what felt like an unlimited budget. I had access to the best talent in every aspect of filmmaking, from an amazing set designer to an incredible cinematographer. This was a project that I impressed myself with, I am typically not impressed with my work as I am my biggest critic. I realized that if I surround myself with the best of the best, it allows me to learn and evolve as a visual artist. 

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?  

I think it’s both. Some people are naturally more creative, but that doesn’t mean they have the best taste or education. With a proper education in the arts, you can potentially tap into your creativity to the max. 

What’s the last dream you had? 

I feel like I dream about the most mundane things. It’ll be something like one action that loops over and over again to a point where I actually don’t ever remember my dreams. I think it’s a result of sensory overload in my waking life. 

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work? 

As I’m getting more into TV and film, I hope that people describe what I did as honest and pure. 

Follow @shomipatwary on Creatively

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective. 

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life