The hottest Creative Process Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Aaron Moultan: Love Letter to the Secret Sleeper Cell

Do Not Research • 99 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Community Creative Process Cultural Exchange Artistic expression
  1. The author recounts their deep involvement and transformative experience within a secret online community called the 'Super Secret Sleeper Cell' on Discord, where they found a sense of belonging and creative inspiration.
  2. Through connections made in this online community, the author underwent a spiritual and artistic awakening, leading them to question the traditional art world and empower themselves to create new forms of expression.
  3. The narrative evokes themes of community, artistic resilience, the power of online connections, and the idea of embracing change and new beginnings through creative collaboration and self-discovery.

Amazement

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📚 Literature Poetry Creative Process Publication Inspiration
  1. The author shares their journey of writing and rewriting a book of poems over the years, highlighting the importance of revisiting and restructuring creative works over time.
  2. The process of creating a collection of poems involves carefully selecting and arranging individual pieces to create a cohesive and meaningful narrative thread throughout the book.
  3. Self-publishing can be a valuable outlet for producing work and refining one's craft, leading to personal growth and the eventual creation of a polished manuscript for publication.

It's hard to make art with AI, but it's not impossible

ART⋂CODE • 13 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Creative Process Digital Art
  1. Making art with AI can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. The key is finding a way to express your personal vision through the tools.
  2. Using AI might streamline the creative process, but it can also make it harder to put your unique voice into the work. You need to find a way to infuse your style into what AI generates.
  3. Art is not just about making choices; it's about a deeper connection between the artist and their medium. Embracing this relationship can lead to more meaningful creations.

🦕 in pursuit of an angry-enough dinosaur

vrk loves paper • 119 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Creative Process Illustration Digital Art
  1. Working for yourself can be really enjoyable and fulfilling, even if it's only been a short time. The freedom to set your own schedule can lead to a lot of excitement.
  2. Balancing social time can be trickier than expected. Meeting friends and networking is fun, but too many meetings can drain your social energy.
  3. Working on creative projects, like printers or art pieces, can be a great way to explore new ideas and keep yourself engaged while enjoying the process.
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The Art of Memory: An Interview with Becky Moon

The Memory Palace • 19 implied HN points • 14 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Creative Process Art Philosophy Art Education Art history
  1. Art and philosophy can work together to help people understand complex ideas better. By connecting these two fields, we can find new ways to teach and talk about philosophical concepts.
  2. Using art to explore memory can make abstract ideas more concrete. Artists can visualize philosophical thoughts, which helps both the artist and the philosophers communicate their ideas more clearly.
  3. Taking time to think deeply is essential in both art and philosophy. It’s important to pause and consider the reasons behind our actions, which leads to better art and richer philosophical insights.

What I’ve Been Reading This Year

Cybernetic Forests • 139 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Data Bias Creative Process Social Commentary
  1. Reflection on the problems and implications of AI-based image generation in art
  2. Consideration of the origin and context of AI training data, highlighting issues like exploitation and biases
  3. Exploration of rethinking AI images as material for artistic expression, and the importance of artists reclaiming agency over these tools and the images they create

Bringing Back Friday Exhibitions

The False Consensus Effect • 78 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibitions Paintings Artists Creative Process Art Community
  1. The author is planning to host Friday exhibitions at their home, showcasing their work and welcoming visitors to enjoy art and music.
  2. They express frustration with societal issues like lack of fresh food and proper shelter, presenting a critical view of American consumerism.
  3. The post delves into personal reflections on art, life, and the desire for a simpler, more meaningful existence.

The Crazy-Eyed Wild Ambitions Phase

DruGroup • 119 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Creative Process Personal Reflection
  1. In a mid-life crisis, someone tried working on a doctorate but lost passion early on. This taught them it’s okay to explore interests, even if they don’t pursue them long-term.
  2. They started writing a science-fiction novel and put a lot of effort into it, but eventually faced challenges and had to put the project on hold. It shows that creative endeavors can be complicated, and it’s normal to hit bumps along the way.
  3. The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and doesn't always bring clear answers. It's important to embrace change and reflect on personal growth, especially during challenging life phases.

The Unwritten Rules of AI-Generated Code & Prose

Code & Prose • 2 HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Software Development Creative Process Human-AI Interaction
  1. Using AI for brainstorming and research is fine, but just copying AI text isn't right. It's important to create your own original work.
  2. In coding, using AI to help write code is accepted because it's seen as a tool for solving problems. Many startups even use AI to write a big chunk of their code.
  3. People still look down on using AI for creative writing because it feels less personal. Original human writing has a unique touch that AI cannot replicate.

The Hard Truths of Writing

Trantor Publishing • 119 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
📚 Literature Writing Authors Creative Process Criticism
  1. Writing is hard work that requires consistency and dedication over time to improve and complete projects.
  2. It's important to finish your work and put it out to an audience for feedback and building a fanbase.
  3. World building is essential but should not overshadow the storytelling aspect; focus on story first and use world building to enhance it.

Graphophobia

radkat and other animals • 58 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Creative Process Self-reflection
  1. The author has a fear of writing but is addicted to it, struggling with the idea that what's inside may not translate well outside.
  2. Writing can distract from original ideas and create fear of judgment from others, leading to a sense of responsibility for the words' longevity and impact.
  3. Despite the challenges, the author finds joy in the act of writing and the creativity it brings.

Inside the process - New York Times Book Review

On Looking • 219 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Process Collaboration
  1. The illustrator focused on rephrasing text in their own words to take more control and use visual cues effectively in creating the illustration.
  2. Having the freedom to choose between portrait or landscape format allowed the illustrator to experiment with different compositions and ideas.
  3. Collaboration with the art director and making small tweaks throughout the process significantly contributed to the final outcome of the illustration.

On Creative Process

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Process Writing Techniques
  1. The creative process involves distinct phases, and creative friction arises when there is a mismatch between the phase and the task.
  2. There are at least four main phases in the creative process: collective, connective, creative, and critical, each playing a vital role in creating and refining work.
  3. To enhance creativity, it's beneficial to keep the phases of the creative process separate, allowing for more efficient and energizing workflow.

An interview in 'Significance' magazine

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 19 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Data Visualization Graphic design Creative Process Visual Arts Communication
  1. Learning basic rules of data visualization helps you make better choices but it's also important to know that there aren't hard and fast rules. Understanding conventions allows you to decide how to present data effectively.
  2. Using a bar graph is often better than a pie chart for comparing numbers, but beyond that, your choices matter more than following strict rules.
  3. The key is to use the knowledge you've gained about perception and cognition to guide your decisions, creating a unique approach to data visualization.

Bodies Bodies [A Primer]

The Author Is Dumb • 6 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Authorship Books Creative Process Personal narrative
  1. The author is working on a new book that will be written in real time and is focused on themes of faith.
  2. Unlike previous works, this book will not have a paywall, promoting access to everyone, while still appreciating paid subscribers.
  3. The style of this book might be different, potentially being more autobiographical and experimental compared to the author's other writings.

Manifesto

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 13 Sep 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Artists Art history Creative Process
  1. Productivity in art can be surprisingly high, as shown by Paul Klee who sometimes created 500 works a year. This suggests that making art can be more about the enjoyment and flow of the process rather than just the final product.
  2. There’s a common belief that art needs to be carefully crafted and special, but prolific artists often create works continuously for their own satisfaction rather than for external validation.
  3. Instead of viewing work and leisure as separate, finding joy in continuous creation like Klee did can lead to a more fulfilling life, where making art feels more like living fully rather than just a job.

Changing Directions at Midlife

The Reclamation Era • 79 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Personal Growth Anecdotes Creative Process
  1. It's okay to change your path in life, especially during big transitions like midlife. Making changes can bring peace and excitement.
  2. Taking care of your health is really important. Prioritizing well-being can lead to new opportunities and passions.
  3. Writing a book can be a fulfilling goal, and sharing the journey can inspire others. Embrace the ups and downs along the way.

a letter about the creative process of a writer

Tumbleweed Words • 38 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
📚 Literature Creative Process Writer Reflection Inspiration
  1. The creative process for a writer involves drawing thoughts from a subconscious place and crafting them into words on a page.
  2. Creating meaningful work requires dedication and perseverance, despite doubts and external distractions.
  3. Reflection and inspiration from past experiences play a significant role in fueling the creative process.

The Zero Has Traces of the One

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Multimedia Creative Process Collaboration Technology
  1. The process of creating art can be just as significant as the final product, with each step informing the meaning and depth of the work.
  2. Art can contain multiple layers of meaning simultaneously, reflecting complexities like trauma and grief that are typically not straightforward.
  3. There is a challenge in balancing authenticity and polish in creative work, as well as in navigating the pressures of social media and algorithms.

Notes from Retreat

As Ever • 7 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spiritual growth Artistic expression Personal Reflection Community Creative Process
  1. Spiritual exercises help us face our true selves. It's important to be honest about who we are and what we feel.
  2. Artists have a responsibility to share beauty that helps others. Creating art should be about serving people, not just seeking approval.
  3. Change can be scary because it means letting go of what we know. Trusting in a higher purpose can lead to surprising growth and deeper understanding.

Vibes Driven Development: Trust Your Vibes (and ignore everything else)

An Ode to Restlessness • 1 HN point • 26 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile methodologies Creative Process Workplace culture Innovation
  1. Vibes Driven Development (VDD) is all about using your mood and environment to guide your coding. Instead of sticking to strict plans, you let your feelings and instincts shape your work.
  2. To implement VDD, create a cozy workspace, choose music that inspires you, and stay flexible with your coding ideas. Trusting your vibes can lead to unexpected creativity and solutions.
  3. VDD offers a fresh break from traditional methods like Agile and Waterfall, which can feel rigid and stressful. It encourages developers to embrace spontaneity and find their own rhythm while coding.

DALLE, AARON, Kata: Strategies for Legibility

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 28 Aug 22
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Image Synthesis Creative Process
  1. Harold Cohen developed AARON in the 1970s, an AI program that co-created art with him, showcasing a unique relationship between the artist and the machine.
  2. Artists can infuse their spirit into tools and images, as seen in the Japanese textile tradition, emphasizing purpose and repetitive practice.
  3. Strategies for artist legibility within sophisticated image-making systems like DALLE2 involve using prompts, selections, and exploring the concept of feedback loops through repetition and variation.

My Last Commission That Looks Like This

The False Consensus Effect • 19 implied HN points • 24 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Art market Creative Process
  1. Sometimes, artists struggle with the challenges of taking on commissioned work, as it can change their creative process and compromise their artistic values.
  2. Pricing art can be a complex and delicate task, involving considerations of time, materials, and the artist's worth.
  3. Artists often face the dilemma of balancing financial needs with the desire for artistic freedom and expression, which can lead to difficult decisions in their artistic journey.

The Art Critic Part II

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 15 Jan 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Criticism Art market Social Commentary Creative Process
  1. The post discusses the events surrounding the Capitol riot on January 6, highlighting the insurrection, sedition, and impeachment of a U.S. President and lawmakers.
  2. The author reflects on the art world, critiquing the influence of money and power in auctions and the value of artwork compared to the intentions of the artists.
  3. Effective altruism and the debate around the impact of creating art versus supporting charitable causes are explored, with strong criticisms towards the idea of art being considered frivolous in the face of global suffering.

Intracranial tectonics

Perambulations • 3 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Problem Solving Creative Process
  1. Some people believe that writing helps them reveal and correct deficiencies in their thinking process.
  2. The author finds it difficult to write and think simultaneously, preferring to have a structured idea before writing.
  3. Engaging in activities like playing video games can help the author's subconscious mind solve problems related to writing.

Screening + Q&A: Jane Schoenbrun: We're All Going to the World's Fair (2021) w/ Tomi Faison

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Internet culture Creative Process Visual storytelling
  1. The film 'We're All Going to the World's Fair' directed by Jane Schoenbrun is about a young girl's experience on the internet, reflecting the personal relationship many people have with online communities.
  2. Jane Schoenbrun's approach to filmmaking involves collaboration and exploring personal experiences through creative expression, showcasing a style that blends personal storytelling with the online world.
  3. The interview touches on themes of hierarchical structures in the film industry, the intersection of online culture with loneliness, and the potential for artists to create meaningful work by understanding and utilizing different mediums.

Singing a Song with Data

Handy Data • 0 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎶 Music Data Analysis Composers Cultural impact Creative Process
  1. European countries like Germany and Austria had a significant concentration of classical music composers, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and historical support that influenced the development of musical talent.
  2. Most classical composers had lifespans between 60 to 80 years, with some outliers, showcasing how personal health and living conditions played a role in their creative lives.
  3. Composers had a varied range of composition durations, with works lasting between 20 to 50 minutes being common, while some, like Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Mass in B minor,' pushed the boundaries with significantly longer pieces.

9 Steps To Hire The Right Designer

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🪑 Design Graphic design Hiring practices Work Culture Creative Process Team Management
  1. It's important to hire based on shared values and character, not just skills. People can learn skills, but their attitude and fit with your team are crucial.
  2. Ask candidates about their life goals and mindset. Understanding what drives them helps ensure they align with your company's vision and culture.
  3. Communication is key in a design role. Look for designers who listen well and empathize with clients, as it leads to better designs and relationships.

Notes from a Lost Future of AI Art

Cybernetic Forests • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
🕹 Technology AI Art Image Generation Model Training Data processing Creative Process
  1. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) were used in AI art and photography to understand the fundamentals of AI image generation, before being largely replaced by Diffusion models.
  2. To be an AI photographer, learn what the AI requires to work efficiently, take numerous photographs (500-1500), and capture the space around interesting elements to create patterns.
  3. After obtaining a dataset of images, cropping, rotating, and reversing them can significantly increase the dataset size, leading to different outcomes when training a model, which can be done efficiently using tools like RunwayML.

Revision Notes, Er, Notes on Revision

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 22
📚 Literature Writing Tips Creative Process Book Publishing
  1. It's important to get the main idea of your story right before you start revising. If you focus on editing without a solid foundation, you might end up doing extra work later.
  2. When revising, only focus on the parts that will really affect your overall story. Don't waste time on small edits if big changes are needed.
  3. Keep your revisions organized and make it fun! Use different tools and methods to keep your attention, and don't hesitate to set aside parts that aren't working for you yet.

Spontaneous vs planned writing

VS Blog • 0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Creative Process Artistic expression
  1. Spontaneous writing feels fresh and improvisational, like a journey into the unknown.
  2. Planned writing tends to be more serious and structured, often focusing on presenting ideas well rather than the essence.
  3. Engaging in spontaneous writing may tap into your subconscious more effectively, allowing for a flow of ideas and creativity.

song-writing process

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎶 Music Songwriting Creative Process Recording Improvisation Collaboration
  1. Songwriting starts with an idea, usually recorded in voice memos, and then the group collaborates to develop it into a full song.
  2. Ideas can vary in how complete they are when presented to the group. Sometimes one person has a full vision, other times it's just a spark.
  3. It's common to forget good ideas, but the focus should be on enjoying the process rather than getting attached to any single idea.