We believe everyone is creative so seeing people express what creativity means to them for our 2016 #BeCreative campaign has been amazing! We’ve spoken with everyone from professionals to students, illustrators to cosplayers, and the diversity in creative talent is great to see.
Over the next month, we’ll be talking in more detail with some of the characters taking part in the campaign to dig deeper into the topic of creativity.
Yumi
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Hokkaido, Japan and I’ve been living in London since 2001. I get lots of stuff from both places. Zen, manga, and Japanese traditional patterns are a big part of my work, but then so is hip hop.
What creative work do you do?
I’m a visual designer – I design everything you see with your eyes, from printed materials to computer animations. My streetwear brand 4649 is where I do my best creating at the moment. It lets me use all the skills I’ve acquired professionally and beyond.
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity is the power you have to turn negative things into something positive. It’s like when you yell in the dark and someone hears you and understands.
Most challenging part of being creative?
Keeping the creativity coming. Everybody has times when they run short on energy. You have to take those times as a part of the creative process –  keep searching for the next inspiration till you get back in your stride.
Why should young people be creative?
Creating demands a lot of energy; when you’re young you’re full of energy, and creativity comes easy. That’s the best time to start.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
Hip Hop music and the black civil rights movements are the biggest inspiration to me – they taught me to express myself and stand for something positive, by any means necessary.
Gokcen
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Chester UK, and I’m originally from Mersin, Turkey. I think this gave me diversity in culture and interests from experiencing life in both of these places.
What creative work do you do?
I’m a 3D artist, which involves 3DÂ modeling, animation, sculpting 3DÂ printing, and model painting.
What does creativity mean to you?
I get excited every time I start creating something new. It makes me motivated, makes life interesting and is pretty much like meditating in a way. I like to be able to share my ideas visually. I feel like I need to do this.
Most challenging part of being creative?
Always have to improve yourself, and you are never really satisfied with what you make. Also, not being influenced by the artists you love!
Why should young people be creative?
To make the world a more interesting place to be in, to have an imaginative mind, to be unique.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
I decided to be a 3D artist after I watched Shrek. That’s basically it, I decided as a kid. Then I have always been into comic heroes and fighting game characters, so they influenced me a lot I think.
I am also very into steampunk and retro concepts like that, I will generally put some goggles on the figures I make. I find them amusing.
So overall, it’s not really certain people who have influenced me, it’s general concepts.
Collet
 
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Sydenham South-East London. When I decided to go to university in North London (Middlesex Uni). I moved to North-West London and stayed, I’m in a place in my life now where I feel I can express myself through, film, music, art and fashion.
What creative work do you do?
I write film scripts make short films I also am creatively building a business called mise-en-scene to help creative people who are already at learning institutions get their foot in the door, to gain field experience setting up their practical skills for an instant career in the creative media industry.
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity is peace, love, and freedom to express yourself which ever way you need to without restriction from outside or academic forces.
Most challenging part of being creative?
There are never enough hours in the day to be as creative as you wish to be, and when you do find that time, not everybody will welcome that creativity.
Why should young people be creative?
Albert Einstein said Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. And I think without imagination you cannot be creative. These things are one in the same.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
My favourite movies and TV shows such as Evil Dead and Xena and my favourite artist Frida Kahlo and of course my Mother. She went to Paris fashion school and got her Diploma and she also qualified in hairdressing she is an amazing artist herself and I got all those qualities from her right down to her love of movies 🙂
Sandy
Where did you grow up?
I grew up between Cairo (Egypt) and East London, I believe this had helped shape my creativity by being exposed to two completely different cultures.
What creative work do you do?
Filmmaking – Director, producer and workshop facilitator.
What does creativity mean to you?
I believe creativity is all around us, it’s in how we look at nature or how we explore a new route home. Being in touch with the little details of our everyday life can have an influence on our creativity.
Most challenging part of being creative?
Being creative. In a capitalistic, robotic world it is a challenge to be a creative person and feel the freedom of it.
Why should young people be creative?
Creativity will help along with their imagination, it will give them a sense of freedom, confident and power which I think young people are struggling with at the moment.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
I have been influenced by different people. Khaled Abol Naga an Egyptian filmmaker and human rights activist; I find his work and who he faces within the creative industry due to his activist action challenging, daring and very inspiring.
