The Creative Condition podcast

One-half of Studio BND (But Never Dull) Ben Mottershead joins me to discuss allowing neurodivergent people to flourish in the right creative environment.Ben has ADHD and gives a great insight into the need for balance in a design environment so the weaknesses can be managed or carried by better-equipped people, and the strengths can be housed in a way that benefits all.We also get into the vital role of in-person socialising and positive relationships away from the screen among many other things.Out tomorrow! Supported by IllustrationX https://illustrationx.comhttps://studiobnd.com/https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

It's rough out there. We can't do it all on our own. Nor should we try.A ramble about protecting mental health by identifying our cause.Supported by Illustration X. https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.com

The 2nd in the new series of articles written for Design Week, brought to you in audio format by The Creative Condition, supported by Illustration X.The debates rage about AI art and design. Will we fall to the singularity, or can we assimilate this great tool into our profession? Only creativity and human empathy will decide.Read in full at designweek.co.ukbentallonwriter.combentallon.comillustrationx.com

DixonBaxi is 21. Founders Simon Dixon and Aporva Baxi return to the show after five years. A lot has happened.We talk about what it takes to stay fresh, creative, and energised over the course of a long-term project. Why it's critical to create work for yourself to ignite passion and the challenge of designing for football clubs.This one is jam-packed with advice and insights for those in the visual communication world.The show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X. Their global portfolio of artists, illustrators, and animators can be seen at https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://dixonbaxi.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

What is a flow state? How do we enter them? When do we have them? I'm joined by Professor Anna Abraham, a neuroscientist and psychologist who specialises in creativity. We cover the value of switching off in a hyper-busy world, and why creativity has a critical role to play in our futures and human happiness.The show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X. Their global portfolio of artists, illustrators, and animators can be seen at https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttp://www.anna-abraham.com/https://bentallonwriter.com

Illustrator Ollie Hirst joins me to discuss the importance of understanding the broader scope of illustration work, channeling our own adversities, and promotion.He is relatively new to the industry but has many valuable insights into working as an editorial illustrator and why it is unsustainable to rely on one market for income in these uncertain times.Stability is crucial for freelancers and he provides tips and experiences on the matter.Supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.comhttps://www.olliehirst.co.uk/https://bentallon.com

The 2nd in the new series of articles written for Design Week, brought to you in audio format by The Creative Condition, supported by Illustration X.'Be Yourself' is strong advice... if you know what yourself means. Ben Tallon explores the idea of the self and ways we can better embrace all aspects of personality and feeling to illuminate the right path for our creative lives.Read in full at https://designweek.co.ukhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://illustrationx.com

Dan Kieran decided to leave Unbound, the crowd-funding publisher he co-founded in 2010. From the outside looking in, this was not a logical decision. But returning to his role as a writer felt right. We discuss this in-depth, why our instincts and feelings are often our greatest compass, and why we routinely defy them.This is a mazy chat about finding our way by learning to see the crumbs left in our path. Dan shares an inspiring story of overcoming adversity that will blow your mind!Supported by https://illustrationx.comhttps://twitter.com/dan_kieranhttps://unbound.com/https://bentallon.comhttps://www.idler.co.uk/

Dark nights, bad news and bad weather. The dangerous cocktail that awaits us in winter 2022 can be tempered and managed if we can find the right balance of physical activity, good nutrition and screen time.I'm joined by NuPhysio & Fitness founder Matt McArdle to discuss the vital importance of strengthening mental health by staying active and keeping our minds and creativity honed.With some great takeaway tips and insights for all levels of physical fitness.The show is supported by Illustration X. See their broad range of illustration and animation portfolios now at https://illustrationx.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nuphysioandfitness/https://bentallon.com

Public services budget cuts. Free public space built on, sold off, privatised. Poverty rising. Violent crime soars. The mental health crisis deepens.2022 UK is a fierce place to grow up in 2022 if you are born into a fight. Without love, kindness, money, or guidance, bad things happen. We know this. The research supports what we already see and know and yet education continues to allow these unfortunate young people, who are all of our futures, to fall into the cracks.Too many of them end up in various secure children's units, where great work is being done to give them a chance of rebuilding broken lives.I'm joined by an unnamed head of home from one of the units to discuss her experiences of using creativity, care, and respect to tune into young people who have suffered and caused suffering when it need not be this way.It's a fascinating look at why further punishment and demonisation are not the way, and why a broader life education is essential for those who have not had a good start in life.Please subscribe and review to support The Creative Condition for free, and visit the founding sponsor of the show, Illustration X at https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bikestormz.co.uk/?hl=enhttps://www.duy.org.uk/https://www.yuaf.org/