The Creative Mindset

Innovation doesn’t spring up by chance but at intersections of different factors such as cultures, disciplines, and points of view.On this week’s episode, we welcome Greg Hoffman, former CMO of Nike, to hear how he made his way up from design intern at Nike, Nike’s most iconic campaigns across his 27-year career, and links between creativity and leadership. Beyond a professional narrative, Greg also unravels emotional experiences and his journey from youth to rediscovery and connection with his birth family.Greg Hoffman is a global brand leader, former NIKE Chief Marketing Officer, and founder and principal of the brand advisory group Modern Arena.For over 27 years, Greg held marketing, design, and innovation leadership roles at NIKE, including time as the brand’s CMO. In his most recent role as NIKE’s Vice President of Global Brand Innovation, he led teams tasked with envisioning the future of storytelling and consumer experiences for the brand.Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:03:31 Greg’s background and rise to a leadership role at Nike0:08:13 Designing the Nike Shox logo0:10:08 Going back to the first logo design after exploring 80 different versions0:13:28 The importance of diverse voices and perspectives in decision-making0:14:09 The success of the Nike Shox launch and its disruptive nature0:20:07 Reflecting on impactful work in football marketing0:21:58 Personal and professional challenges as a minority0:23:47 Leveraging early life experiences for empathy and inclusivity0:26:06 Lack of diversity in marketing, design, and advertising industries0:28:28 Adoption and the recent ability to discuss experiences openly0:30:11 Nature vs. nurture and unlocking hidden talents in leadership roles0:34:55 Emotional impact of discovering biological family ties0:43:30 An eclectic family and how Innovation happens at intersections0:48:06 Inspiration drives creativity and curiosity drives inspiration0:51:40 Three takeawaysEpisode References:Emotion by Design | Greg's Bestselling BookThe Modern Arena | Corporate SiteGreg Hoffman | InstagramRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rei shares his views on what the future holds for design agencies amid the rapid ascent of AI. He explores the essential mindsets designers should adopt in their collaboration with AI, draws on concrete examples illustrating the gradual integration of technology over time, and uncovers the potential for AI to serve as a catalyst for elevating creative output. Kaz Tamai comes on our show with questions as Co-founder and CEO of Zypsy, an award-winning design and investment firm for startups in San Francisco.Episode References:Kaz Tamai | LinkedInZypsy | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Four steps for building our personal brands as designers, as read by Simon Osmont.The Intersection is Rei’s weekly newsletter that explores what the future holds at the intersection of creativity and technology. Episode References:Branding You | ArticleRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s better to be a good editor than a good writer or designer with the flourishing of AI, according to Pum Lefebure.On this week’s episode, we welcome back Pum, co-founder and chief creative officer of Design Army, to delve into the value of creativity across different levels, the importance of staying true to one’s creative identity amidst changing trends, and how developing a positive mindset can help you stay resilient in changing landscapes.Timestamps:0:00:00 Intro0:01:34 Value of different levels of creativity0:03:57 Importance of storytelling and brand decisions0:05:45 Staying true to one's creative identity0:06:28 The need for a foundation and vocabulary in creativity0:08:40 The role of experience and expertise in creating good art0:10:19 AI as a rebirth for middle-aged creatives0:12:30 The influence of gaming on advertising and creativity0:14:47 Staying positive and optimistic in a chaotic world0:15:56 Lightning questions0:20:21 Main takeawayEpisode References:Adventures in A-EYE | Campaign SitePum Lefebure | InstagramDesign Army | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As various industries explore the potential of AI, the value of actual photo shoots and the human touch are not going down any time soon.On this week’s episode, we welcome back Pum Lefebure, co-founder and chief creative officer of Design Army, to hear about the significance of one’s point of view in using AI, insights on why she prefers Midjourney V4 over newer versions, and scenarios where she would opt out of using AI in creative processes.An award-winning creative director and savvy business leader, Pum has developed numerous international campaigns for high-profile clients such as Adobe, Netflix, Neenah Paper, The Ritz-Carlton, PepsiCo, Saucony, Hong Kong Ballet and the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.Guided by an entrepreneurial edge, Pum has elevated Design Army’s reputation as a trendsetter while establishing her own hallmark: a distinctive union of the artistic and the commercial. With a rare balance of creativity, strategic thinking, and industry savvy, she has proven that good design is the cornerstone of good business. Her thought leadership has appeared in Fast Company, the New York Times, Adweek, Entrepreneur, and Forbes to name a few. She currently serves as Vice Chairperson on the Board of Directors for The One Club for Creativity in New York.Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:01:31 Time and costs spent on a typical campaign without AI00:03:18 Clients pay for the idea00:04:31 Process creating the campaign00:06:10 AI can democratize design 00:11:38 Midjourney V4 vs V500:13:45 When to use actual video and photo shoots00:14:42 Splitting roles between AI and humans00:19:02 An obsession for remaining relevant00:20:48 Three takeawaysEpisode References:Adventures in A-EYE | Campaign SitePum Lefebure | InstagramDesign Army | InstagramDesign Army | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is it like for a professional designer to use AI for client work, and how can you find the right balance between AI and humans to enhance output?On this week’s episode, we welcome Pum Lefebure, co-founder and chief creative officer of Design Army, to hear about how she built a full-fledged campaign using Midjourney. From specific processes to the nuanced balance between AI and human touch, she shares the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating AI for creative processes.An award-winning creative director and savvy business leader, Pum has developed numerous international campaigns for high-profile clients such as Adobe, Netflix, Neenah Paper, The Ritz-Carlton, PepsiCo, Saucony, Hong Kong Ballet and the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.Guided by an entrepreneurial edge, Pum has elevated Design Army’s reputation as a trendsetter while establishing her own hallmark: a distinctive union of the artistic and the commercial. With a rare balance of creativity, strategic thinking, and industry savvy, she has proven that good design is the cornerstone of good business. Her thought leadership has appeared in Fast Company, the New York Times, Adweek, Entrepreneur, and Forbes to name a few. She currently serves as Vice Chairperson on the Board of Directors for The One Club for Creativity in New York.Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:02:00 Introducing the Adventures in A-EYE00:11:38 Visual Descriptions of Adventures in A-EYE00:14:24 Process to start off the campaign00:16:01 Ethical precautions in using AI00:20:41 Breakdown of Pum’s four-week project00:24:18 AI is the future of design00:25:10 Possibilities and creativity that AI allows00:27:03 Use AI as a tool instead of being a slave of AI00:27:26 ClosingEpisode References:Adventures in A-EYE | Campaign SitePum Lefebure | InstagramDesign Army | InstagramDesign Army | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When creativity works, business impact and returns outsize anything derived from efficiency, according to Tara Tan.On this week’s episode, we welcome back Tara Tan, Founder and Managing Partner at Strange Ventures, to hear about her investment experience at IDEO Ventures, qualities that she looks for in company founders as a designer-turned-capitalist, and specific examples of design helping companies succeed.Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:01:12 VC Hits and home-runs throughout Tara’s career 00:03:23 If a founder doesn’t value design00:04:41 Case 1: How design helped shape PillPack00:06:06 Case 2: How River Financial turned to design to discover its users00:08:38 Early stage companies and product-market fit00:10:03 Founders have a personal purpose tied to their business00:10:33 The art and science of finding unicorns00:18:57 Capitalism needs creativity, more than creativity needs capitalism00:19:45 Lightning questions00:23:10 Three takeawaysEpisode References:Tara Tan | The Strange ReviewTara Tan | LinkedInRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Creatives and capitalists generally don’t mix well in the sense that creatives would spend as much time and money making things, while capitalists prefer to monetize as efficiently as possible. This may be an overgeneralization, but what if this tension between the dichotomy was actually a good thing?On this week’s episode, we welcome Tara Tan, Founder and Managing Partner at Strange Ventures, to take a deep dive into the world of venture capital. We’ll hear her views on the tension between capitalists and creatives as an investor-turned-designer. The conversation includes specifics about Tara’s career, what led her to founding Strange Ventures, and the intimate relationship between design, technology, and business. The conversation wraps up a discussion on how AI can help businesses scale and be more creative.Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:03:22 Tara’s transition from designer to investor00:11:06 What does a venture capitalist do?00:12:57 Tension between Capitalists and Creatives00:16:14 Advice for all technical and creative founders00:17:41 Business is storytelling with numbers, Design is storytelling with pixels00:19:46 Design discovers, Design distills00:21:48 Human creativity will increasingly come at a premium00:25:26 AI will enable creativity to scale00:30:52 AI provides contextual intelligence as a canvas to work on00:33:14 Product of a creative brainstorm with AI00:38:28 Three takeawaysEpisode References:Tara Tan | The Strange ReviewTara Tan | LinkedInRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rei answers questions on how AI tools, WEB3, and new technologies may affect our professions. Referring to the emergence of photography as another significant moment for the relationship between technology and humans, Rei talks about how technology is an opportunity for new forms of expression.Liya Safina comes on our show with questions as a digital product designer based in Hawaii, and Head of Creative and Innovation at Safina & Shektman, Inc.Episode References:Liya Safina | Online PortfolioLiya Safina | LinkedInRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rei answers questions about personal branding. He shares his observations on the impacts of technology on personal branding, the importance of finding the perfect medium for yourself, and advice on measuring personal performance. Reflecting on years of building and writing, which led to a pivotal publication, Rei also talks about how quality, consistency, and patience are key in creating a personal brand.Liya Safina comes on our show with questions as a digital product designer based in Hawaii, and Head of Creative and Innovation at Safina & Shektman, Inc.Episode References:Liya Safina | Online PortfolioLiya Safina | LinkedInRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate SiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.