CreativeMornings

LEVEL UP: How to Turn Your Content Into Career Opportunities

Kyle Baptista — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:22:00 -0400

Whether you’re looking to attract clients, land freelance work, grow your business, or build your personal brand, the right content can help people understand exactly what you do and why they should work with you.

In this Virtual FieldTrip on showing your work, with Content Creator Lucas O'Keefe, we’ll explore how to create content that does more than earn views: it creates opportunities.

Watch the recording to learn how to create content that builds trust, demonstrates your expertise, and positions you as the obvious choice in your field.

This FieldTrip is a part of Level Up, a series of workshops and resources designed to help you grow, gain confidence, and take meaningful next steps in your creative career. This series is made possible by CreativeMornings’ global partnership with Adobe .

Want more helpful tips to level up your creative career? See all of our upcoming LEVEL UP Virtual FieldTrips.

Fun Stuff To Click On

Kyle Baptista — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:06:00 -0400

Welcome to our joyful, little corner of the internet where we share our favorite links that we discover each week.

Your napkin sketch is only one step away from becoming a finished logo. §

Why adult friendship feels increasingly radical.

Will we ever get out of the color recession?

Embrace your multitudes.

Too much slop?

Search this visual database of art from museums around the world.

This study calculated the ideal length of time to hang with friends.

Make more cool maps. †

Don’t ignore the writing on the wall for creative industries.

This Bob Ross lorem ipsum generator is what the world needs right now.

Everything you do feeds everything you do.

§ Curated by CreativeMornings HQ and brought to you by our partners.
† Thank you to Damini Rathore for submitting these links.
You can submit a link too.

Want even more fun stuff to click on? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter and we’ll send cool links right to your inbox.

Featured Talk: How to Win Any Argument

Kyle Baptista — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:01:00 -0400

“Communication is the digestive system of relationships.”

You can’t win an argument by proving you right. The only positive outcome is gaining a deeper understanding of each other through vulnerability and compassion. Kiu Coates shares how to recognize negative communication patterns, address their cause, and transform any conflict into an opportunity to soften and connect. Dig into his talk for our Lisbon chapter.

^{Photo by Daiane Eloisa.}

Discover more inspiring CreativeMornings talks from our chapters around the world.

Featured Talk: The Heart of The Matter

CreativeMornings — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:18:00 -0400

“I can write about love and desire and longing in a hundred different ways. It’s the same story and I’m just telling it a different way every time.”

Nationally renowned poet Hanif Abdurraqib examines how to build stories with strong entry and exit points that guide the reader towards deeper insights.

Inspired by energetic 1970s Soul Train episodes and grueling Great Depression-era dance marathons, Hanif demonstrates how to get to the heart of what you want to say in his talk for our Columbus chapter.

^{Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard.}

Discover more inspiring CreativeMornings talks from our chapters around the world.

Fun Stuff To Click On

CreativeMornings — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:01:00 -0400

Welcome to our joyful, little corner of the internet where we share our favorite links that we discover each week.

What will you keep, cut, or create? Your mid-year creative check-in awaits. §

How to make something people will care about.

Why are more people learning to play an instrument?

A collection of backgrounds from old video games.

The dying art of hand-painted restaurant signs.

Why do people doing good work burn out? †

The best street photography of 2026.

Find the right room for your idea to flourish. †

These makers get paid again when their work is sold on the secondary market.

This popular artist uses a typewriter instead of paint.

For social thread- he has a book coming out

5 tips for dealing with unemployment.

§ Curated by CreativeMornings HQ and brought to you by our partners.
† Thank you to Loretta Turner and Heidi Fiedler for submitting these links.
You can submit a link too.

Want even more fun stuff to click on? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter and we’ll send cool links right to your inbox.

Featured Talk: Build Momentum

CreativeMornings — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:28:00 -0400

“It could be a shit idea, but it’s all about momentum at the end of the day. You force yourself into a corner and you have to do something.”

Conceptual artist and entrepreneur, Dominic Johnson-Hill has repeatedly earned mass media coverage for his ideas like selling cans of smog as a commentary on the air quality in Beijing. His secret for creative success? Just take action on an idea and let the ensuing panic turn into progress. Watch his talk for our Hong Kong chapter and make your idea happen.

Discover more inspiring CreativeMornings talks from our chapters around the world.

Fun Stuff To Click On

CreativeMornings — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:21:00 -0400

Welcome to our joyful, little corner of the internet where we share our favorite links that we discover each week.

Maybe having fun should be your strategy?

The distance between idea and outcome is closing.

Process your past through your art.

These books will make you a better designer.

This artist knit an entire grocery store.

Have we optimized the beauty out of life?

Free, printable graph paper.

Balancing ambition and burnout. †

One word explains why the world feels like a lot right now.

You can only make a reservation at this hotel by mailing them a letter.

† Thank you to Caru Jones for submitting this links.
You can submit a link too.

Want even more fun stuff to click on? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter and we’ll send cool links right to your inbox.

August's Theme is NAKHLAH

CreativeMornings — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Our theme for August is NAKHLAH. It was chosen by our Khobar chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Rahaf Al-Badri.

Nakhlah نخلة (pronounced NAKH·lah) is an Arabic word meaning “palm.”

When a storm hits, palm trees bend with the wind while other trees break and fall.

So, in times of adversity, look to the palm for inspiration to sustain your creative practice. The spongy fibers of its trunk are not rigid; they flex instead of snapping. The palm also depends on its network of roots spread wide under the ground; just as we all need a network of people supporting us as we grow.

Our Khobar chapter had this to say about the significance of this month’s theme:

“This theme is a tribute to resilience, generosity, and rooted creativity — symbolized by one of the most iconic trees in Arab culture. The palm thrives in tough conditions — just like creativity under pressure. The date palm is deeply woven into Saudi identity, found on the national emblem and in everyday life — from food to folklore.”

Watch this video from our Khobar chapter for more on what NAKHLAH means to them.

Because flexibility and resilience gives you the strength to bring more beauty into the world.

August Playlist: NAKHLAH

CreativeMornings — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:01:00 -0400

Our theme for August is NAKHLAH. It was chosen by our Khobar chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Rahaf Al-Badri.

Nakhlah نخلة (pronounced NAKH·lah) is an Arabic word meaning “palm.”

Enjoy songs that will make your body sway like a palm tree in the wind with our playlist for August’s global theme NAKHLAH. Listen to the tracks added by our global community and add your favorite song that reminds you of palm trees.

Here’s how to your favorite song to the playlist:

Go to the playlist using this link to YouTube Music.

Click “join” on the pop up that appears.
Search for the song that you want to add.
Click the three dots next to the song title.

Select “Save to playlist” from the menu that appears.

Select our NAKHLAH playlist in the popup that appears.

Meet our NAKHLAH illustrator: Rahaf Al-Badri

CreativeMornings — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Each month, CreativeMornings has a different theme for the talks given at our local chapter events around the world. It is our tradition to work with an artist in our community to create an illustration for each monthly theme.

Our theme for August is NAKHLAH. It was chosen by our Khobar chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Rahaf Al-Badri.

Nakhlah نخلة (pronounced NAKH·lah) is an Arabic word meaning “palm.”

Rahaf Al-Badri is a Creative Director and visual artist exploring culture, identity, and connection through visual storytelling.

Rahaf shared the following reflection on her illustration for this month’s theme:

مستلهمة من زراعة النخل، حيث تفصل بين كل نخلة وأخرى مسافة تحفظ نموها. رغم المسافة تنمو معًا، كما تفعل المجتمعات حين تتوازن بين المساحة والتواصل.

Inspired by palm planting, where distance allows each tree to thrive. Apart yet growing together like communities that balance space and connection.

Listen to how to pronounce Rahaf’s name.

You can see more of Rahaf’s work on her Instagram @Rahaph_.

Selected Works

Fun Stuff To Click On

CreativeMornings — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:34:00 -0400

Welcome to our joyful, little corner of the internet where we share our favorite links that we discover each week.

Better photos, faster. A few small adjustments → a big difference. §

Gathering people together is a radical act.

Don’t blow up your life. Find a new way to bend.

The career benefits of being flexible.

The best dates aren’t found by swiping right.

The health benefits of being flexible.

Unblock your creative block. †

Mending is the future of fashion.

Your work today is a gateway to your dream tomorrow. †

Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Create your own future.

The cost of playing it safe in creative work.

§ Curated by CreativeMornings HQ and brought to you by our partners.
† Thank you to Anna Mouchref and Mike Nicholson for submitting these links.
You can submit a link too.

Want even more fun stuff to click on? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter and we’ll send cool links right to your inbox.

LEVEL UP: The Art of Showing Your Work

CreativeMornings — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:00:00 -0400

Most creatives already have plenty of raw material, sketches, drafts, and behind-the-scenes moments, but struggle to turn it into content that feels cohesive, intentional, and engaging.

In this Virtual FieldTrip on showing your work, with Brand Strategist & Web Designer Amy Chan, we’ll explore how to use simple, effective formats like carousels, process reels, before/after slides, and video + text storytelling.

Watch the recording to see how Adobe Express + Firefly can help unify your content and discover practical ways to present your work more clearly online.

Want more helpful tips to level up your creative career? See all of our upcoming LEVEL UP Virtual FieldTrips.

Sketch Notes on COMPETENCIA

CreativeMornings — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Each month, CreativeMornings chapters around the world host talks on a theme – and members of our local communities take sketchnotes (visual notes created with a mix of handwriting, drawings, hand-lettering, and other doodles.)

^{Photo by Linda Grigo from our Cologne chapter.}

Our theme for July was COMPETENCIA. It was chosen by our Santiago chapter in Chile and illustrated by Valentina Gonzáleze.

Competencia (pronounced “kohm·peh·TEN·see·ah”) is a Spanish word that translates to “competition.”

Sherrill Knezel captured Gina Cornejo’s talk from our Milwaukee chapter.

Petra Sonnenberg captured Klaus-Jürgen Deuser and Christian Schmidt’s talk from our Cologne chapter.

Lauren “Bambi” Reid captured July’s Quiz Show event from our Charlotte chapter.

Eli Neugeboren captured DJ Spooky’s talk at our New York chapter.

If you create your own sketch notes at a CreativeMornings event, share a photo of them with the hashtag #CMsketchnotes and tag us, so we can include them in our next roundup.

Chapter Highlights: From Drag to Bicycling

CreativeMornings — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:05:00 -0400

Every CreativeMornings chapter is organized by a team of local volunteers who pour their hearts into creating fun and interesting events that foster meaningful connections. Check out these recent highlights from around the world.

Our Mexico City chapter decorated drag fans (and had a dance off on stage) at their June event.

Our Freiberg chapter did a scavenger hunt for our COMPETENCIA theme. Our Bengaluru chapter wrote a new preamble to the Indian constitution. Our Ulaanbaatar chapter had their July event with a music festival in a giant tent.

Our Grand Rapids chapter held their July event at a roller rink. 🛼

Our Basel chapter held a beautiful outdoor event in July.

Our Omaha chapter challenged attendees to paint while wearing boxing gloves with the question “What can you knock out of your life?” at their July event.

Our Charleston chapter highlights a different local artist each month. Our Wellington chapter took a textguided tour of an art museum for our CURATE theme.

Our Nashville chapter did a drawing exercise during their June talk.

Our Wroclaw chapter sketched together for our CREATE theme.

Our Islamabad chapter rode bicycles for their July event.

Want in on the fun? Find a CreativeMornings chapter near you.

Featured Talk: Become Your Best Self

CreativeMornings — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:50:00 -0400

“I also have to honor the parts that are really gross, and the uncertain, and the scary.”

Like a beautiful butterfly emerging from a cocoon, we all have to go through our "goo" phase. Keshia Hay, a private chef, uses this metaphor to reflect on resilience, reinvention, and staying true to oneself. Watch her talk from our Nashville chapter for a lesson on embracing all the cycles of our life.

Discover more inspiring CreativeMornings talks from our chapters around the world.

Fun Stuff To Click On

CreativeMornings — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:46:00 -0400

Welcome to our joyful, little corner of the internet where we share our favorite links that we discover each week.

It’s time for your mid-year creative check-in. What will you keep, cut, or create? §

Get unstuck in your comms career without leaving your desk. §

Practice the joy of noticing.

The best new fonts this month.

Protect your energy when promoting your work. †

How stamps get designed.

Try making your work absurd.

The world’s biggest pop-up book is bigger than you think.

Beat the heat with your creativity. †

Listen to voice messages from around the world.

The secret to making great art is making bad art.

If you could pick another life, what would you do?

§ Curated by CreativeMornings HQ and brought to you by our partners.
† Thank you to Ivy Chan and Keva Epale for submitting these links.
You can submit a link too.

Want even more fun stuff to click on? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter and we’ll send cool links right to your inbox.

Fun Stuff To Click On

CreativeMornings — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:24:00 -0400

Welcome to our joyful, little corner of the internet where we share our favorite links that we discover each week.

Turbo boost your comms career, without hitting pause. §

How to find inspiration where no one else is looking.

A movement to bring the blogroll back.

All of your creative endeavors meet the same fate.

Art that takes you higher.

The Sad Dads Club makes us smile.

Why followers don’t matter on social anymore.

Collaboration beats competition.

Just think about your life and write it down.

You're weirder that you think. †

Combine your passions.

§ Curated by CreativeMornings HQ and brought to you by our partners.
† Thank you to Noelle Grattan for submitting this link.
You can submit a link too.

Want even more fun stuff to click on? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter and we’ll send cool links right to your inbox.

Featured Talk: How to Flex Your Creativity

CreativeMornings — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:29:00 -0400

“The currents are really strong right now, asking us to conform, to comply, to go in the same direction as everyone else.”

Sharing his photography under a Creative Commons license and dealing with his son’s chronic illness taught Kris Krüg the cathartic power of developing your own creative voice.

He challenges the awesome and awful aspects of AI in his talk for our Vancouver chapter, while putting it in context of the history of creative remixes. He ends with practical and ethical recommendations to manage AI’s role in developing creative work that you don’t want to miss.

Discover more inspiring CreativeMornings talks from our chapters around the world.

LEVEL UP: Designing for the FIFA World Cup

CreativeMornings — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:24:00 -0400

Dive into the the evolution of World Cup posters throughout the tournament’s history.

In this Virtual FieldTrip on designing for the World Cup, with Executive Creative Director Rich Tu, you’ll go behind the scenes on the design and creative process behind the 2026 World Cup poster.

Watch the recording for a unique perspective on designing for a global project.

Want more helpful tips to level up your creative career? See all of our upcoming LEVEL UP Virtual FieldTrips.

LEVEL UP: The Art of Self-Promotion: Marketing Yourself as a Creative Professional

CreativeMornings — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:14:00 -0400

This session is for creatives who want to feel more confident promoting themselves without feeling cringey or overwhelmed.

In this Virtual FieldTrip on self promotion, with Brand Strategist Phil Pallen, you’ll get a breakdown of simple ways to build your presence, share your work, and get noticed especially if you’re just starting out.

Watch the recording and reflect, plan, and leave with a remixable checklist that makes self-promotion feel doable.

Want more helpful tips to level up your creative career? See all of our upcoming LEVEL UP Virtual FieldTrips.