The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

If I Don't Write It Down, Will I Remember It?

The Reclamation Era • 19 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Writing down memories and thoughts can help preserve them better. This practice helps keep our experiences alive even as time passes.
  2. Childhood experiences shape who we are and influence our creative paths. It's important to acknowledge how these moments impact our lives.
  3. The bond between siblings is unique and plays a significant role in our storytelling. Sharing these stories can strengthen relationships and inspire creativity.

What AI Can and Cannot Do for UX

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 87 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. AI has a strong role in user experience and professionals should embrace it.
  2. AI is creative, productive, and can create and analyze content at scale.
  3. AI may eventually design good user interfaces but will never replace the need for human users in user research.

#79 Design in ruins

Design Lobster • 139 implied HN points • 02 Aug 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. In design, historical elements like spolia can add depth and connection to the past, bringing a sense of continuity and richness to modern creations.
  2. Everyday objects can be repurposed creatively in design, transforming the mundane into something unique and intriguing.
  3. Just like cities are built on top of ruins, digital technology and computer code have layers of complexity and history woven within them, reminding us that things are not always as sleek and clean as they seem.
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#78 What is an "eye" for design?

Design Lobster • 139 implied HN points • 26 Jul 21
🪑 Design Creativity
  1. Having an 'eye' for design involves a sensitivity to visual inconsistencies and a focus on communication in design.
  2. Designers can train their 'design eye' through practice and exposure to visual stimuli.
  3. Design can be more experimental and escapist, like the theatrical plates and trays by Piero Fornasetti.

Bots do it better

The Rectangle • 84 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Teens can excel at activities even if machines can do them better
  2. Robots surpass humans in various tasks, from sports to creative work
  3. Human achievements still hold value and are not made irrelevant by advancements in AI and technology

Total Editor Death

The Carousel • 32 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. The role of editors is really important for great writing; many famous writers had editors who helped shape their work. Without skilled editors, quality in mainstream writing seems to be declining.
  2. Today's editors often don't believe in finding true talent and instead focus on what's already popular. This can limit the discovery of new, unique voices.
  3. Creative industries seem stuck in a loop, choosing familiar successes over new ideas because of decision fatigue. There's hope that this might change as more people explore DIY platforms for fresh talent.

Tripwire Minds, Clockwork Days

Breaking Smart • 10 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. There isn't a one-size-fits-all health routine for being creative. Some great creators thrived despite poor health, while others were fit and still achieved less.
  2. Having a regular schedule can help get more work done, but real breakthroughs often come from changing things up or dealing with strong emotions.
  3. Creativity seems to need both structure and some chaos. A mix of steady habits and moments of intensity is often the best way to spark new ideas.

Nugget interactions

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Team bonding is important for a positive work environment. Everyone had fun during the lunch meeting, showing that a high-performing team can still enjoy each other's company.
  2. Setting clear goals and planning tasks can increase productivity. One engineer felt proud to share that his work velocity improved when he had defined milestones.
  3. Ambition can be a double-edged sword in creative work. A local artist believes that staying present and less ambitious helps him create better art.

Self-portraits and reflection

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. When you're stuck for ideas, take a walk. Sometimes, the best thoughts come when you give yourself a little time and space.
  2. Take time to define what you love and share it with others. Showing appreciation for someone else's work can go a long way.
  3. Make art often, even if it's just silly or small. It can lift your mood and spark bigger ideas down the line.

#60 What is idea sex?

Design Lobster • 159 implied HN points • 22 Mar 21
🪑 Design Creativity
  1. Human prosperity thrives on the exchange of ideas between groups and individuals, leading to innovative creations like the mouse emerging from a combination of various specialized knowledge.
  2. Idea Sex, as popularized by James Altucher, involves combining existing ideas in unexpected ways to generate new and valuable concepts. It's about the magic of recombining familiar thoughts.
  3. Design problems are best tackled by creating prototypes quickly, testing them, and refining based on feedback. Remember, less time in your head, more time on iterations when it comes to design.

When the Internet Was for People

Path Nine • 12 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. The internet used to be a place for genuine creativity, where people shared their thoughts and ideas without worrying about making money. Now, it's more about popularity and profit.
  2. AI is changing the way we create, often leading to superficial content instead of meaningful work. This trend can make us lose interest in real, deep creativity.
  3. To bring back real creativity, we need to be picky about the content we engage with, support authentic voices, and focus on making things that truly matter, not just what's trendy.

Summer

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Cryptic crosswords are tricky puzzles that require solving clues in a playful way. Unlike regular crosswords, you need to think creatively and not take clues at face value.
  2. In cryptic crosswords, clues can have double meanings, leading you to the answer in unexpected ways. For example, words like 'wicked' can relate to 'wick' in 'candle' instead of 'bad'.
  3. The fun of cryptic crosswords comes from the challenge and the groans you make when you finally figure out a clever clue. It's all about enjoying language and wordplay.

Think Again

CTOrly • 39 implied HN points • 30 Aug 22
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Writing down your thoughts helps you truly think and solidify ideas
  2. Crafting and molding your thoughts can give them weight and impact
  3. Regularly writing and forcing yourself to think better can be beneficial for your present and future self

Creativity Is a Privilege for the Wealthy. Or Is It?

The Intersection • 19 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Creative opportunities are often more accessible to the wealthy due to having the resources to pursue them.
  2. Money can provide the freedom to explore creativity without the worry of basic necessities like a roof over your head.
  3. Acknowledging and being grateful for the privileges we have can help us be more empathetic towards others who may not have the same resources.

#066 ✰ Big lights will inspire you

Objet • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Objet aims to bring back joy and pride in our relationship with shopping and objects.
  2. Isma's ceramic piece has soul and meaning, reflecting her passion for slow fashion brands.
  3. The Objet app introduces a new feature 'in my mind' for users to save shopping-related notes and bounties.

What does it mean to be a muse?

Sissiphys’s Adventures • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Social opening occurs when we break free from social norms and roles, inviting others to do the same.
  2. Humor arises from benign violations of social norms, creating a space for exploration and play.
  3. Proactive artists act as healers, inspiring individuals to embrace creativity and break free from societal constraints.

A Brief Selection of Dreams

Autoscriptorium • 19 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Recording dreams upon waking helps in better memory and more frequent dreaming.
  2. Dreams detailed in the post involve vivid imagery, like sheep turning to smoke and a moving tree of the dead.
  3. The dreams feature intriguing symbolism and interactions, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

Redemption (8/13)

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. It's okay to have breakdowns in front of friends; they can help you through tough times. Sharing your struggles can actually strengthen your relationships.
  2. Making art with friends can be a rewarding experience. It's even better when everyone is supportive and working together for the love of the craft.
  3. Leadership is about offering support and encouragement. A good leader helps others feel confident and safe, allowing them to express themselves fully.

Hallucinations Acche Hain

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Hallucinations in AI models can be a double-edged sword; they can lead to creativity but also cause issues with trust. It's important to think about how much we can rely on these chatbots.
  2. Some researchers believe that hallucinations help chatbots become better partners in creativity. They argue that these 'mistakes' can lead to unexpected and innovative ideas.
  3. Despite the risks, there's a fascination with the unpredictable nature of AI chatbots. Embracing their quirks could potentially unlock new ways of thinking and collaborating.

Strange Fool Moon Business Week

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 19 Mar 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The art industry is often influenced by cronyism and corporate models, leading to a disconnect between artists and genuine artistic expression
  2. To combat cronyism in art, there are solutions like boycotting third-party galleries and fostering local artist communities
  3. Artists should focus on creating genuine connections, nurturing local art scenes, and prioritizing artistic expression over corporate influence

Perfect Days.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 66 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The movie 'Perfect Days' explores finding beauty in the everyday moments, emphasizing the importance of living in the present and appreciating the small details around us.
  2. Creativity is about connecting dots in new ways, as showcased in the process behind the film and how it surprises in an AI-driven world.
  3. The film highlights the contrast between modern digital life and traditional analog elements like cameras, film, and cassette tapes, urging a deeper connection with the present moment and our surroundings.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 69 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. It is possible to over-revise your writing, which can lead to loss of freshness and spontaneity. It's important to find a balance between revising too much and too little.
  2. Taking your writing too far in revisions can help you understand your prose better. Push past the point of reason to see the impact of over-revising, then dial back and restore the essence.
  3. Maintaining freshness in subsequent drafts improves with time and practice. Developing the ability to see your work with fresh eyes more quickly is a skill that can be honed over time.

Why do publishers and film studios come up with new material?

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Many people believe that publishers and film studios create new material because audiences prefer something fresh. However, it might just be that studios think new things sell better, even if there are timeless classics people still love.
  2. People are naturally drawn to innovative styles and effects in films and books. But it's important to remember that a good story can shine regardless of whether it uses modern techniques or classic styles.
  3. Marketing also plays a big role in why new works get more attention. Stars and buzz around new releases can draw audiences in, but classic works could also gain popularity if promoted better.

To own a colour

On Looking • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The concept of owning colors through NFTs has sparked controversy and raised questions about the value and ownership of colors in art and society.
  2. Colors are a complex interplay of history, scarcity, and cultural significance, dating back to the Middle Ages and continuing through to modern controversies like Vantablack and International Klein Blue.
  3. The discussion extends to the philosophical and cognitive realms, where the idea of selling colors as NFTs challenges the immaterial nature of colors and the relationships between types and tokens.

Better late than never. . .

The Reclamation Era • 59 implied HN points • 12 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. It's okay to take your time when starting something new, like writing. Commit to it, even if it feels hard at first.
  2. Sometimes, life gets busy and it's hard to carve out time for yourself. Finding moments for small pleasures can make a big difference.
  3. Asking for help can feel tricky, but it's important to lighten your load and take breaks when you need them. Everyone needs support, even moms!

Cash, Culture, Creativity

Venture Prose • 219 implied HN points • 13 Mar 20
💼 Business Creativity
  1. Speed of reaction is crucial under tough circumstances. Act now as every step matters for the future. Be extra-rational about managing cash.
  2. Maintain a strong culture by reinforcing trust, commitment, and results. Regular communication and active listening are key during challenging times.
  3. Challenging situations can spark creativity. Encourage your team to think innovatively and explore new ideas when faced with adverse conditions.