The Creative Mindset

I&CO

I&CO founding partner Rei Inamoto speaks with the world’s leading practitioners of creativity from industries such as art, design, architecture, cuisine, and much more, to offer a glimpse into the minds of what it takes to build a successful career. In each episode, these creative luminaries share their beginnings, intimate moments of success and failure, and pieces of advice for work and life.


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#030 - Overcoming Subconscious Bias and Promoting Inclusivity in Action
21-03-2024
#030 - Overcoming Subconscious Bias and Promoting Inclusivity in Action
Offending someone by not taking the time to understand their culture can be unintentional but impactful.Rei dives deeper into the critical imperatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices with Darren Wesley Martin Jr. and Dr. Rubina Malik from Bold Culture. Together, they talk about detailed lessons gleaned from a firsthand collaboration between I&CO and Bold Culture, shedding light on the blind spots that hinder fostering inclusive workplaces. From unintentional offenses to impactful consequences, the discussion underscores the importance of grace, education, and open dialogue in addressing biases. Founded by Darren Martin Jr, Ahmad Barber and their independent parent company Streamlined Media & Communications (SMC) in 2016, Bold Culture was born as a response to the slew of culturally uninformed marketing messages being put out by brands and their agencies, and the apparent lack of representation and inclusion in the offices of the communication and tech industry at all levels.Bold Culture is inspired by the necessity of diversity and inclusion in the communications-tech ecosystem. How brands communicate with their consumers, how they build their products, how their products are perceived and used, are all connected to diversity, equity and inclusion. That is why Bold Culture is within the intersection of developing inclusive workplaces and ensuring inclusive marketing messages are authentically delivered.Timestamps:0:00:00 Intro0:01:20 Discussion on the specific example of cultural context in a video series0:03:41 Importance of considering styling, setting, and storytelling in representation0:05:16 Impact of harmful advertisements and the need for immediate action0:06:31 Addressing blind spots and biases in the workplace0:08:30 Common blind spots and pitfalls in diversity, equity, and inclusion0:09:35 Importance of education and grace in addressing biases0:11:16 Blind spots related to assumptions and cultural understanding0:12:49 Personal experience with a DEI officer's assumption about Ramadan0:13:16 Reflecting on how to address the situation with education and empowerment0:13:16 Diversity encompasses race, gender, ability, sexuality, and socioeconomic status.0:13:49 It is disrespectful to represent women in a stereotypical way. Education on the history of women globally is necessary.0:14:36 Calling in and calling out are two approaches to addressing bias and microaggressions.0:15:18 Calling in allows for self-correction, while calling out is a more direct approach to stopping harmful language.0:16:19 It is important to challenge harmful language and educate others about diversity.0:17:06 Offending someone by not taking the time to understand their culture can be unintentional but impactful.0:18:11 The post-affirmative action era raises concerns about future college admissions for minority students.0:19:21 Offense can be taken when assumptions are made about cultural practices. Taking an extra step to understand can make a big difference.0:20:02 It is everyone's responsibility to avoid assumptions and take the time to understand different cultures.0:22:02 Small actions can contribute to creating inclusive and equitable communication.Episode References:Bold Culture | Corporate SiteDarren Martin Jr. | LinkedInDr. Rubina Malik | 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.
#029 - Unveiling the Nuances of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
07-03-2024
#029 - Unveiling the Nuances of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Understanding DEIB requires recognizing subtle nuances beyond the surface, including socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds not immediately visible to the human eye.On this week’s episode, we welcome Darren Wesley Martin Jr. and Dr. Rubina Malik from Bold Culture to hear about the intricate relationship between the visibility of diversity, tangible actions for equitable workplaces, and the cultural shifts post-George Floyd. The discussion dives deep into the distinction between equality and equity, how biases cloud corporate spaces, and the proactive paths companies can venture toward inclusion. Founded by Darren Martin Jr, Ahmad Barber and their independent parent company Streamlined Media & Communications (SMC) in 2016, Bold Culture was born as a response to the slew of culturally uninformed marketing messages being put out by brands and their agencies, and the apparent lack of representation and inclusion in the offices of the communication and tech industry at all levels.Bold Culture is inspired by the necessity of diversity and inclusion in the communications-tech ecosystem. How brands communicate with their consumers, how they build their products, how their products are perceived and used, are all connected to diversity, equity and inclusion. That is why Bold Culture is within the intersection of developing inclusive workplaces and ensuring inclusive marketing messages are authentically delivered.Timestamps:0:00:00 Intro0:02:12 Definition of DEI: diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging0:03:49 Importance of equity in creating equal opportunities0:05:59 DEI and B require action, not just conversation0:07:53 Difference between equality and equity0:09:29 Examples of equity in the corporate and educational world0:11:54 Tangible examples of how Bold Culture helps companies provide equity0:13:44 Recap and conclusion of the conversation0:13:28 Darren Wesley Martin Jr. discusses the challenges of getting paid in the creative industry for diverse influencers0:16:03 Rei Inamoto asks about the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the corporate space0:18:15 Darren Wesley Martin Jr. explains the reasons for the DEI backlash and the importance of companies being transparent about their efforts0:20:14 Darren Wesley Martin Jr. suggests implementing competency-based hiring and diverse hiring committees to increase diversity and equity in the workplace0:22:45 Three takeawaysEpisode References:Bold Culture | Corporate SiteDarren Martin Jr. | LinkedInDr. Rubina Malik | 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.
#028 - The Power of Risk-Taking in Building Brands
22-02-2024
#028 - The Power of Risk-Taking in Building Brands
Uncharted territories are intimidating, but being the first to step out and take risks could help your brand set yourself apart. On this week’s episode, we welcome back Greg Hoffman, former CMO of Nike, to hear about the role of risk-taking in fostering Nike’s pioneering brand ethos and how companies and brands can take risks while staying authentic and true to company values. Drawing inspiration from the world of sports, Greg highlights the Brazilian national football team as a compelling example of not just prioritizing the victory, but the ‘how’ behind the win.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:0:00:00 Intro0:00:10 Greg Hoffman's background at Nike0:01:00 Taking risks as a leader and brand0:03:33 Greg's personal risk of choosing marketing over design0:04:08 Failure as a step towards success0:06:23 Taking risks with concepts and projects0:08:20 Incentivizing risk-taking and creativity0:09:56 Going first and creating a revolution in the industry0:11:19 Carving out time and space for parallel ideas0:12:47 Brazil national team as an example of risk-taking0:14:11 Greg's childhood admiration for Brazilian football0:15:41 Brazil's focus on playing the game beautifully0:15:41 Brazil's success belongs to the people as well as the team.0:16:26 The story of the photo shoot with the Brazilian national team and the fans.0:17:22 Open scrimmage and training session with the Brazil team.0:18:41 Fans storm the field during the training session.0:19:26 The connection between Brazilian athletes and the people.0:20:04 Including the fans in the Brazil World Tour campaign.0:21:21 Creating an emotional connection through human characteristics.0:21:47 Capturing the fans was not initially part of the plan.0:22:13 Being resourceful and adjusting on the fly.0:22:40 The authenticity of capturing the fans organically.0:23:46 Authenticity is paramount in building a resonating brand.0:25:14 Revealing different aspects of brand personality over time.0:25:56 The risks and backlashes considered in the "Dream Crazy" campaign.0:26:10 Building on previous campaigns to challenge the status quo.0:27:36 Using the 30th anniversary of "Just Do It" to inspire and challenge.0:28:35 The personal connection between Greg and Colin Kaepernick.0:29:21 The importance of authenticity and amplifying athlete voices.0:30:00 The personal and professional connection in the room during the campaign.0:30:39 Telling a story authentically and reaching the most people.0:31:17 The importance of objectivity in creative work0:31:57 Bringing out work that is never forgotten0:32:33 Lightning questions0:35:33 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.
#027 - Former Nike CMO’s Reflection on Design, Leadership, & Life
08-02-2024
#027 - Former Nike CMO’s Reflection on Design, Leadership, & Life
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.
#024 - Creatives in the Age of AI
28-12-2023
#024 - Creatives in the Age of AI
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.
#023 - Client Projects with a Futuristic Lens
14-12-2023
#023 - Client Projects with a Futuristic Lens
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.
#021 - Venturing Into the Intersection of Design and Capital
16-11-2023
#021 - Venturing Into the Intersection of Design and Capital
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.
#018 - Embracing Friction in the Workplace
05-10-2023
#018 - Embracing Friction in the Workplace
Debating in the workplace can be challenging - even personal at times - but a degree of friction is important for creativity to flourish, according to Joel Podolny.On this week’s episode, we welcome back Joel Podolny, the CEO and co-founder of Honor Education, to hear about specific episodes and lessons that he’s learned from his experience at Apple, the defining line between debate and argument, and what enables a company to be great at executing collective creativity.Joel Podolny is the CEO and co-founder of Honor Education, a technology company focused on higher education and corporate learning. Honor’s mission is to create and scale transformational education through collective engagement. Prior to founding Honor, he served as Vice President at Apple and Dean of Apple University, overseeing leadership, management, and culture. He has also served as Dean of the Yale School of Management and held several faculty positions at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard University, authoring or co-authoring over 30 articles and two textbooks. Joel received his BA, MA, and PhD in sociology from Harvard University.◆Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/reiinamoto/◆Twitterhttps://twitter.com/reiinamotoTimestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:02:56 Common purpose leads to the best decision00:03:39 Significant decisions at Apple00:06:13 What tipped Steve Jobs over00:07:45 It's about the idea, not who said what00:08:39 Collective Creativity00:10:31 Debate v. Argument00:14:50 Creativity comes with friction00:15:44 About Honor Education00:17:19 Examples of Collective Engagement00:26:12 Lightning Questions00:29:18 Closing and three lessonsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#017 - Designing Creative Ecosystems in Academia and Corporate
21-09-2023
#017 - Designing Creative Ecosystems in Academia and Corporate
A creative edge is critical for companies and individuals to remain competent and innovative. But what exactly do environments fostering creativity look like, and how should they be designed?On this week’s episode, we welcome Joel Podolny, the CEO and co-founder of Honor Education, to share his insights gained from teaching at business school and Apple University throughout his career. He shares his thoughts on what fosters creativity in both academic and corporate settings and outlines three steps to make a company more creative.Joel Podolny is the CEO and co-founder of Honor Education, a technology company focused on higher education and corporate learning. Honor’s mission is to create and scale transformational education through collective engagement. Prior to founding Honor, he served as Vice President at Apple and Dean of Apple University, overseeing leadership, management, and culture. He has also served as Dean of the Yale School of Management and held several faculty positions at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard University, authoring or co-authoring over 30 articles and two textbooks. Joel received his BA, MA, and PhD in sociology from Harvard University.◆Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/reiinamoto/◆Twitterhttps://twitter.com/reiinamotoTimestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:02:34 Is creativity nurture or nature? How do you promote creativity in the context of education?00:04:15 Creativity is original thought and skillful action 00:07:53 Key learnings about teaching00:09:45 Transformative learning experiences allow students to walk out as another person00:10:51 Classes on what makes “innovation”00:18:10 Diverse views flourish with skillful presentation00:19:33 How can different views be presented in a corporate setting?  00:23:32 Common purpose anchors creativity 00:25:29 Reverence for expertise 00:27:30 Closing and three steps to make a company more creativeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#014 - Why Creativity Needs a Seat at the Adult’s Table
10-08-2023
#014 - Why Creativity Needs a Seat at the Adult’s Table
Creatives are often seen as the crazy ones, and creativity as a nice-to-have in the context of business. But that’s not going to be enough for businesses and individuals in an age where creativity may be the only job left for humankind.On this week’s episode, we welcome back David Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Squarespace, to hear about the importance of creativity at the adult’s table, effective ways to understand a company’s value proposition and what it truly cares about, and insights on companies placing ads during the Super Bowl.David Lee is the Chief Creative Officer of Squarespace, leading their award-winning creative team. David has been honored as Brand CCO of The Year by Ad Age in addition to his team becoming Ad Age In-House Agency of the Year. During his time, Squarespace has been honored as the Brand of the Year by the Art Directors Club, and the number one globally awarded in-house agency of the year at the One Club for Creativity. David has won an Emmy Award, been included in the Adweek Creative 100 List and named as one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company. He has also been recognized by the Gold House A100 list, honoring Asian Pacific leaders who made the greatest impact on culture and society. David graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and currently serves on their Board of Trustees.◆Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/reiinamoto/◆Twitterhttps://twitter.com/reiinamotoTimestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:02:06 Defining creativity at the adult’s table and what that meant for David00:07:13 Company founders are the answer to what a company cares about00:08:52 Specifics that convinced a new beginning00:10:34 Work and life spaces are the best brand expressions00:19:27 Moments where creativity propelled business at Squarespace00:28:45 Is an ad spot during the Super Bowl worth it for companies?00:36:19 Career questions and a Midlife crisis00:43:55 Lightning Questions00:48:12 Three takeawaysSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.