Andy J. Miller shares how his ADHD has become his superpower in his creative work, allowing him to excel in divergent thinking and making creative connections.
Andy J. Miller emphasizes the importance of human connection in art and creativity, highlighting the need for authentic connections in a future full of artificial intelligence.
Deep dives
The Power of Creativity and ADHD
Andy J. Miller, host of the podcast 'Creative Pep Talk,' shares how his ADHD has become his superpower in his creative work. He discusses his unique way of thinking and how it allows him to excel in divergent thinking and making creative connections. Andy also shares tips for boosting creativity, such as finding ways to make boring projects fun and reinventing briefs to align with personal interests. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your own taste and using it as a guide when creating. Additionally, he explores the role of human connection in art and creativity, highlighting the need for authentic connections in a future full of artificial intelligence.
The Art of Storytelling and Illustration
Andy J. Miller, an illustrator and host of the 'Creative Pep Talk' podcast, discusses how storytelling is at the core of his work. He explains that all his creative endeavors, including illustration and podcasting, center around visual storytelling and using symbolism and analogy to convey a narrative. Andy shares his journey of starting the podcast to create a valuable resource for other creators and to fulfill his own passion for podcasting and public speaking. He highlights the importance of having a nuanced palette and deconstructing the elements of creative work to enhance one's own practice.
ADHD as a Creative Superpower
Andy J. Miller opens up about his experience with ADHD and how it has shaped his creative process. He describes the challenges he faces, such as difficulty in focusing, executive function issues, and the constant struggle with feeling bored and needing variety. Despite these challenges, Andy believes that ADHD is his superpower, as it allows him to think divergently and see connections in a unique way. He shares strategies for managing ADHD and harnessing its benefits, such as playing with problems rather than just solving them. Andy also discusses the role of creativity in navigating and embracing ADHD.
The Future of Creativity and Authentic Connections
Andy J. Miller shares his hunch about the future of creativity in a world influenced by artificial intelligence. He believes that human connection and authenticity will remain paramount in creative work. Andy suggests that people's desire to connect with other humans, rather than automated systems, will continue to drive the creative industry. He reflects on the connection between art and the artist, noting that people struggle to consume art from individuals they perceive as inhumane. Andy concludes that embracing imperfection and human connection will be crucial for creators to thrive in the future.
As data people, we tend to be more logical and analytical, which makes navigating creativity’s ambiguity a little tricky. So I called on Andy J. Pizza to help us out. To me, he is creativity personified — illustrator, author, podcaster, and more! He’s worked with big clients like The New York Times and Nickelodeon, and has a new book coming out where he illustrates “invisible things.”
In this episode, Andy shares how his ADHD has become his superpower in his creative work, the little tricks he’s found that help him create, how he sees critique in a new way, and he shares his three phases of inspiration. Plus, Andy predicts what will be necessary for creators of all kinds in a future full of artificial intelligence. Even though he’s not a dataviz designer, you’ll see many parallels in your work. Let’s go!
