In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, creativity is defined simply as the ability to create and the quality of being creative. As humans, we tend to label creatives as people who make art, who craft, who make unusual work, and who create new ideas. But creativity is much more than that: it transcends the traditional boundaries of artistry and manifests in problem-solving, decision-making, and everyday interactions. Creativity also cultivates resilience and adaptability by encouraging individuals to explore new perspectives and embrace uncertainty. In a world where change is constant, these qualities are invaluable, enabling us to navigate challenges with grace and resilience.
For me, creativity and inspiration are a part of everything I do. I am a senior graphic designer and web designer by trade, an oil painter, an illustrator, a sunset junkie, a mushroom admirer, an animal adopter, and an architecture and art history enthusiast. I’ve been both blessed and burdened with an endless well of creativity and joy that flows through my work. There are absolutely days in which my creative well is bone dry, but I take my dogs out on the trail and spend time watching the world around me, or I pop on Netflix’s Fantastic Fungi, or episodes of Abstract: The Art of Design: Cas Holman [designing for play], Neri Oxman [bio-architecture], Paula Scher [graphic design], or Olafur Eliasson [the design of art], and man, the creative wheels begin to spin again and my well fills with water once more.
Some of my art pieces!
At least once a week, I talk with my husband about an idea or a “business venture” I want us to take together—from custom woodworking with a focus on cat furniture and intuitive design to opening a screenprint shop that supports local Maine artists to working with the city to build safe communities for the homeless that provides kick starter opportunities. The list goes on and on. I am driven, hungry to learn more, do more, explore more, and be more— a manifestation of “Yes, And.” For people who don’t feel innately creative, where do they start?
I believe inspiration is everywhere; and to me, some of the most creative people we should look up to are children! Children are innately curious, innovative, mini engineers of sorts exploring the world around us and testing the boundaries of what things are and can be. If you give a group of children a set of blocks with no directions, each child will create something beautiful and unique. We should ask questions of why and how. We should learn from creative minds that haven’t been spoiled by “no,” but instead enthusiastic “YES, and mores.” To quote Cas Holman, “for me, design is a means to an end. It’s not about an object, but what an object facilitates.” If we continue to be driven by curiosity about interacting with an object, toy, nature, and experiences versus our learnings, we can continue to grow versus halt creativity.
As we grow older, our pursuit for creative excitement can begin to dim. In traditional schooling, we are taught to build the set a certain way, we are taught to learn one way, to write on ice cream lined paper just this way, and in a sense, we are forced into a box of what the world thinks we need to be, not what we should be. The question we need to ask, is how can we keep creativity and wonder alive through constant pressures of conformity? Is it through reading a book, painting a masterpiece, cooking a delicious meal, crafting a compelling story, learning a new dance, planting a permaculture garden, skiing down a mountain, swimming in a lake, or solving a challenging math problem? Yes. Yes. And yes.
Creativity comes in any shape and size, in any profession, big or small. If we look at creativity as a partner in life, we can feel its impact as it can promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being by allowing individuals to tap into their innate talents and passions at work or in their everyday life.
Here’s the kicker: Creativity isn’t just for “naturally creative” people. It’s a skill that anyone can develop with the right mindset. I had an art teacher in high school, Gregory Barry, or better known to Oakmont alumni as Mr. Barry, who always used to say, “just because you think you can’t draw, doesn’t mean you can’t draw.” He was someone who created an environment that encouraged curiosity, risk-taking, and learning from failure. I was always an imaginative thinker, building Legos® for hours, solving puzzles, playing with Breyer horses, but I didn’t realize I could truly draw or paint until I was a freshman in high school. I could always visualize things but could not put pen to paper. Fun fact, I was quite awful at fine art. It wasn’t until I took four years of art classes with Mr. Barry for me to see my creativity bloom; I was given the space for my personal creative journey that has led me to here. But what can we learn from this?
In a business sense, this means fostering a culture where employees feel safe exploring new ideas without fear of judgment. If you’re an individual, it means making time for activities that spark your imagination, trying new things, and being open to seeing the world through fresh eyes.
Whether in the office or at home, creativity is a powerful tool that can transform not just your work, but your entire outlook on life. Choose whatever flavor of creativity fills your soul, and run with it, and never stop.
While writing this piece, I was speaking with a fellow colleague [Lindsay Kerr, Senior Designer], and she shared something she heard while in college, and I couldn’t agree more: “Creativity is a muscle and is something you must flex, hone, and build up. The best ideas come from exercising your creative thinking. Anyone can be creative—it’s creative ideas and thoughts, not just the execution of creative assets.”
Ultimately, creativity isn’t about being “the best” at something—it’s about embracing the process of creation itself. It’s about finding joy in the unexpected, asking ‘yes, and,’ and letting it fuel everything you do. Collaborate with your peers. Build upon ideas. Explore the world. Find yourself. Whether in the office or at home, creativity is a powerful tool that can transform not just your work, but your entire outlook on life. Choose whatever flavor of creativity fills your soul, run with it, and never stop.
So, the next time you’re stuck in a rut, facing a challenge, or just looking for a little more spark in your life, remember: Creativity is your best friend. She is your ride or die. She was the friend we had when we were kids building sandcastles on the beach or playing floor is lava. She pushed you to try things without fear of failure. We walked hand in hand through our imaginative worlds to get us to where we are now. It’s the thing that can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary—and isn’t that what life’s all about? In a world of gray, black, and white, be the color. Your unique color.
