The Creative Factor

Big news from The Creative Factor! We are excited to launch our new private leadership community for brand creative directors and designers. The purpose of our community is to help creative leaders grow in their careers and navigate a path to executive roles, board seats, and leading cultural institutions or government agencies.?Wherever they want to go! Our goal is to help organize the shared learning. We know peer-led sharing of pain points, communal benchmarking, and accountability is one of the best ways we can keep innovating. We have an amazing group of people in it and only a few spots left for founding members. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eEKg-MUE

We ended February with a bang. Catch up on what you might have missed in this newsletter. (We are especially excited about our new private leadership community for creative executives.) Now on to the stories!

Creative Factory is a new private leadership community for brand creative directors and designers. The purpose of our community is to help creative leaders grow in their careers and navigate a path to executive roles, board seats, and leading cultural institutions or government agencies. Apply now to join other design leaders from top organizations, including Spotify, Shake Shack, Chobani, NASA, Cannondale, HIMS, Hearst, Flatiron Health, Roblox, Clay, Paramount, The Aspen Institute, and more. https://lnkd.in/eEKg-MUE

“The primary math of the real world is one and one equals two. The layman (as, often, do I) swings that every day. He goes to the job, does his work, pays his bills and comes home. One plus one equals two. It keeps the world spinning. But artists, musicians, con men, poets, mystics and such are paid to turn that math on its head, to rub two sticks together and bring forth fire. Everybody performs this alchemy somewhere in their life, but it’s hard to hold on to and easy to forget." -Bruce Springsteen Read Springsteen's 10 bits of creative wisdom on how to live a fulfilling life, the way we should keep pursuing the craft when times turn hard, and why artists must be dreamers here: https://lnkd.in/eba6jrk2

This week, we ? Learn how Jason Kreher, who leads creative at Ryan Reynolds's company, Maximum Effort, works. ? Share five ways to come up with good ideas, as told by best-in-class makers. ? Invite you to apply to join Creative Factory, our new private leadership community for design and creative leaders at brands. But first, Editor Matt McCue discusses how we "drink our own Champagne" and follow the smart advice of our interview subjects.

Update: We're now at max capacity for attendees. We have started a waiting list, so if you'd like to join us please email at [email protected]. https://lnkd.in/eFw3qqNu

Saturday Night Live Founder Lorne Michaels’s Creative Wisdom Despite leading an iconic show for 50 years, Lorne Michaels is a bit of an enigma. Generations of Saturday Night Live cast members have spent years trying to figure him out – what makes this guy tick? For the first time, Lorne gives full acces into his work and creative life in the new book aptly titled with just his first name, Lorne. The story travels from the origins of Saturday Night Live to what happens behind-the-scenes of Studio 8H, SNL’s storied home in Rockefeller Center. Lorne is both a control freak and hands-off manager who doesn’t laugh as much as you might assume someone in comedy might. He is described as many things, including a tastemaker, a mogul, a withholding father figure, a genius spotter of talent, a shrewd businessman, a name-dropper, a raconteur, and the inspiration for Dr. Evil. Perhaps, the most impressive thing about SNL isn’t its humor, but its longevity. It’s hard to find another creative institution with its staying power and relevance. Here, we share 10 bits of creative wisdom from Lorne that give you a taste of his worldview, obsession with the craft, and how to manage brilliant, high maintenance people: https://lnkd.in/efPk7Vig

This week, we ? Recap our latest Creative & Coffee event featuring insights from creative director Richard Turley. ? Hear from SHoP Architect Angelica Trevino Baccon about what makes for a great space to create. ? Dig into what it is really like when your creative partner is your life partner with two of the best chefs in California. But first, Editor Matt McCue toasts a meaningful milestone... Creative Factor's two-year anniversary.

Valentine's Day Special: When Your Creative Partner is Your Life Partner "Working with Russ so intensely, and actually creating something, has made for a strong personal relationship. We have been able to develop trust and ways of communicating that has strengthened our romantic relationship. It definitely helped us when we recently remodeled our house!" https://lnkd.in/e9682sGT

We had a great time at our latest Creatives & Coffee monthly event featuring creative director Richard Turley. Read our recap to learn from Richard how to push your big, bold creative ideas forward so they don't get stuck in the bureaucratic mud. (And also why he hates mood boards.) By bringing our interviews and advice to life at Creatives & Coffee, we provide a space for attendees to hone their own skills while learning from the pros. It’s about more than inspiration. Attendees walk away with insights that give them a competitive advantage in their work lives. Special thanks to our launch sponsor, Adobe. Please reach out if you know someone who would be a great feature speaker or sponsor for future events. Recap here: https://lnkd.in/ev2rcqT8