Short, actionable thinking on how to avoid the things that limit creativity in teams and individuals.

A newsletter for people in creative and entrepreneurial careers and those about to start them. Receive regular writing that will help you and your teams keep creativity alive.

About me

I have been writing to help creative careers thrive since 2013. I have spent the past 20 years in design and innovation, the creation of IP and the development of international brands. Alongside gifted colleagues, that work has been honoured by the Apple Design Award, the Royal Television Society Award, D&AD, BIMA, Webby’s and the Art Director’s Club in New York and used by over 20 million people.

Some of this work has been created while serving as part of the global creative leadership for agencies in WPP and Publicis Groupe and some in venture capital-backed startups. Today, I’m the founder and CEO of healthtech company Aide Health, the author of Spark for the Fire: How Youthful Thinking Unlocks Creativity, and I have an online course, Sell the Idea, to help people effectively pitch and present their work.

A significant portion of my time is spent with creative education. For the past six years, I have been on the advisory board of D&AD Shift, a free night school for underrepresented young creatives, and I am Governor at Arts University Bournemouth, one of the top higher education institutions in the UK. More information about me here.

Will this suddenly have a paywall?

No, it will stay free. If you feel you would benefit, you can buy my book or course. Otherwise, keep your money.

Why this newsletter?

Creative careers are hard, but most people in them or pursuing them can’t imagine doing anything else, so they need support. I routinely need it. There is too much perspective shared by theorists and not enough shared by practitioners. This newsletter aims to reduce that gap.

You can find me on LinkedIn.

Ian