The Creative Condition podcast

What we learned about creativity from Brandon Consultants’ founder Richard Taylor:Roots grow deep. Origin stories matter. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to innovateConsidered candour saves everyone time and frees up creativityHelping the human in front of you sets the foundations for great workIf someone works hard and is good at what they do, get out of the wayThe full episode 232 in long and highlights form is out now!Richard Taylor has spent over 30 years in the design industry, working across branding, visual identity, packaging, and much more. For the past 12 or so years, he'd headed Brandon:"In a chaotic world, great brands can be ignored. We’re here to help.We switch brands on by understanding how they connect with people. Some call it research; we call it rigorous naivety. Exploring without arrogance or assumption to build a genuine picture of the real world.So we can unearth insights that help awaken brand potential."Richard shares his learnings, observations, beliefs, and evidence of achievements in commercial creativity.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.brandon-consultants.com/aboutHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4 

The full length episode is also available now!Richard Taylor has spent over 30 years in the design industry, working across branding, visual identity, packaging, and much more. For the past 12 or so years, he'd headed Brandon:"In a chaotic world, great brands can be ignored. We’re here to help.We switch brands on by understanding how they connect with people. Some call it research; we call it rigorous naivety. Exploring without arrogance or assumption to build a genuine picture of the real world.So we can unearth insights that help awaken brand potential."Richard shares his learnings, observations, beliefs, and evidence of achievements in commercial creativity.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.brandon-consultants.com/aboutHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

The highlights episode is also available now!Richard Taylor has spent over 30 years in the design industry, working across branding, visual identity, packaging, and much more. For the past 12 or so years, he'd headed Brandon:"In a chaotic world, great brands can be ignored. We’re here to help.We switch brands on by understanding how they connect with people. Some call it research; we call it rigorous naivety. Exploring without arrogance or assumption to build a genuine picture of the real world.So we can unearth insights that help awaken brand potential."Richard shares his learnings, observations, beliefs, and evidence of achievements in commercial creativity.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.brandon-consultants.com/aboutHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

What we learned about creativity from UNICEF's Office of Innovation's Elinor Samuelsson.Nature’s systems run through everything – adopt them!Boredom is an abundant source of creativity, imagination, and understanding ourselvesStudying and observing our feelings enables us to own them for a happier lifeEnabling true creativity requires great organisation and preparationLanguage can cast spells!AI is still evil, but there are beautiful uses of itElinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems.Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and access to vital services are just a few of the challenges that form puzzle-like project briefs for Elinor and her team when they seek to establish the children most in need of support. Creativity, design, and innovative systems can help to transform layered and ubiquitous information into directions to make a huge difference, and Elinor takes us through how this all works.This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring example of why creativity must take its rightful place in global education systems when we face myriad challenges to our way of life.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.unicef.org/innovation/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

(The highlights of this episode are also out now, for those with less time or patience to listen to my waffling!)Elinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems.Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and access to vital services are just a few of the challenges that form puzzle-like project briefs for Elinor and her team when they seek to establish the children most in need of support. Creativity, design, and innovative systems can help to transform layered and ubiquitous information into directions to make a huge difference, and Elinor takes us through how this all works.This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring example of why creativity must take its rightful place in global education systems when we face myriad challenges to our way of life.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.unicef.org/innovation/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

This is the crunched edition of episode 231 for those with less time or patience for my prattling! The full-length episode is also out now.Elinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems.Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and access to vital services are just a few of the challenges that form puzzle-like project briefs for Elinor and her team when they seek to establish the children most in need of support. Creativity, design, and innovative systems can help to transform layered and ubiquitous information into directions to make a huge difference, and Elinor takes us through how this all works.This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring example of why creativity must take its rightful place in global education systems when we face myriad challenges to our way of life.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.unicef.org/innovation/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

'Invisible Hands' was a term American writer and professor Joseph Campbell used to describe the sense of flow in the right direction when creating purely, when following our bliss.I've become fascinated by it, and explore the idea in this episode. Logic is often king in our frightened brains, but when we commit to what instinct and the wellspring of our being suggest is right for us, and create accordingly, it's amazing how doors open, and people who can help us emerge in our lives.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://mkgeeknight.co.uk/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://baycroftpublishing.wixsite.com/baycrofthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Seemingly overnight, Meta, Adobe, and Squarespace, among others, have issued robust terms to users that would see creative industry professionals surrender their work to train Artificial Intelligence models.This is a ramble from a confused illustrator who would rather not hit the big red button on Instagram, and would rather not have to quit Photoshop for the last time. But what does it mean to accept such an invasion of privacy, and how do we all feel?It's a worrying precedent and a corporate play that suggests the tightening of the net in late-stage capitalism.Here are some thoughts that might move the discussion forward between designers, artists, illustrators, photographers and many more visual communicators.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://hbr.org/2023/04/generative-ai-has-an-intellectual-property-problemhttps://www.creativeboom.com/resources/everyones-talking-about-cara-but-is-it-any-good/The AI Artist Audit: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-194-the-artist-ai-audit-art-automation-is-here/id1038442077?i=1000618735470Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/

This week's episode HIGHLIGHTS for those who can't spare the time for the long-form FULL episode. Enjoy!Radio remains a timeless and unique medium in the age of abundant TV and film streaming services. There's an intimacy and a human quality that has seen it endure despite countless technological advances, and it invites the imagination of the listeners in a way no TV broadcast ever could.Football commentary represents arguably the most passionate form of commentary, but what of the creativity of the people whose trained voices take us as close to the action as possible without stepping foot in stadiums? How does it work, how do we get into such a career, and what makes for a great sports broadcaster?BBC Radio 5's Alistair Bruce-Ball is best known for his football commentary and work as the host of the Fantasy 606 podcast. He joins me to discuss why radio is enduringly popular among football fans. What is its place in the 21st century? We also talk golf commentary, Alistair's career path, opportunities in the modern broadcasting industry, personality's role in success, and unlikely highlights covering more obscure sports.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaAlistair will be covering Euro 2024 on the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_five_liveHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/

The first in a new series of takeaway episodes in which I distill 5 key takeaway tips about creativity from this week's guest conversation.The full conversation is available now on episode 229, and you can see the video version of this podcast on The Creative Condition Youtube channel.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaAlistair will be covering Euro 2024 on the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/liveHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/