Arrest All Mimics: The Original Thinking And Creative Innovation Podcast

During a recent appearance on Adobe's 'Creative Connections' show by Kladi Vergine and Elise Swopes, an audience member asked me how I discovered I could write, given that I'm an illustrator.I wanted to elaborate on my concise answer with a longer form consideration of my author timeline.Back 'The Creative Condition' book on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/the-creative-condition-bookThe Creative Condition is sponsored by Illustration X. You can see their global roster of artists, illustrators, and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwriter.com

Column 7 in the ongoing series of articles written by The Creative Condition host and illustrator Ben Tallon.Exploring the nature and behaviour of creativity, the latest looks at vulnerability and it's potential value in sending the right message to potential clients.You can read any of the previous columns at designweek.co.ukThe Creative Condition is sponsored by Illustration X. You can see their global roster of artists, illustrators, and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwriter.com

We all know - on some level at least - the importance of good nutrition for good health. But how many of us equate it to effective creativity? It took me the longest time to start eating, every day, to fuel a firing brain, and positive mood, to give myself the best chance of hitting my optimal performance zone.It's been a revelation, and that was in part to do with Kimberley Wilson. Kimberley is a psychologist specialising in nutrition, who educates about 'whole body mental health.'Kimberley's life-altering book, 'Unprocessed: How the Food We Eat is Fuelling the Mental Health Crisis' paints an equal part frightening, and revelatory picture of how severe the lack of nutritional education is, and what it means for all of us.We discuss many of the topics, and what we can do to improve our health for better creativity.https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/unprocessed-how-the-food-we-eat-is-fuelling-our-mental-health-crisis-kimberley-wilson/7073333?ean=9780753559741https://www.kimberleywilson.co/aboutThe show is support

Phaidon was founded 100 years ago, in 1923, with the intention of producing beautiful affordable books, predominantly on art.To celebrate the milestone, I'm joined by Creative Director Julia Hasting who has worked on many titles over several decades. We discuss her story, the role of print books in the digital age, what it takes to produce a book of this magnitude, the people involved, and the collaboration required to make it work.Supported by founding sponsor https://illustrationx.comhttps://www.phaidon.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliahasting/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

As The Creative Condition Book Kickstarter launches, here is an exclusive 1st chapter of the book, 'What is Creativity.'You can support the campaign by getting your copy ahead of the March 2024 release and bringing the idea to life. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/the-creative-condition-bookSupported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comHosted by Ben Tallon:bentallon.combentallonwriter.com

After 2 years of writing, 10 years of study and research, a lifetime of observation and lived experience, and 200 podcast episodes, 'The Creative Condition' book is ready, and I need your help!Creativity has been an infinite joy in my life. It has become my calling. It brings together communities, energises societies, empowers individuals, and has enabled the continued survival of our species. And yet it continues to be lumped in the same basket as artistry and marginalised at every level of education.Here is what creativity means to me, what I'd like to change, why I've chosen to write another book on the subject, and why I'm asking for your support as the book Kickstarter launches.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comHosted by Ben Tallon:bentallon.combentallonwriter.com

Have you ever been told, or thought you need to toughen up? Or that you're a weakling for feeling more hurt than others at the hands of events in your surroundings? Or wondered if you're strange for feeling more joy than other people seem to when times are good? It's likely you're a highly sensitive person.For the 200th episode of The Creative Condition Podcast, I'm joined by sensitivity and introvert expert Jenn Granneman, co-author (with Andre Sólo) of 'Sensitive: the Power of a Thoughtful Mind in an Overwhelming World to discuss sensitivity in depth.We live at a time when conversations around the mind and well-being are at an all-time high, and people like Jenn are playing a huge role in providing us with more tools to map out our own creativity. Hopefully, this one will add great value!Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at illustrationx.comwww.introvertdear.com/https://www.instagram.com/jenng

Somewhere in those big hardback books of collected design that we had around the studios in which I studied, or perhaps it was in the 'Handwritten' book of collected hand lettering, I found the work of Stefan Sagmeister - the infamous talk poster for which he'd carved the information into his own torso.His reputation as a great designer is more than earned. Since 1993, working out of New York, he has created work for The Rolling Stones, HBO, Lou Reed, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum through Sagmeister Inc.His new book, 'Now is Better', out on October 4th with Phaidon is a tonic to the doom and gloom spirit of 24-hour news cycles and social media. It's a thing of visual beauty, but also promotes long-term thinking and perspective, so we can be better, happier, and more creative people to address the problems we face.We discuss these themes and more.The book will remain on my coffee table for the days when I get the blues!Photograph by James Braund.Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponso

The two types of creativity: Are you balancing your intellectual and emotional creativity? It's the key to staying motivated, passionate, and energised. Here's why.Column 7 in the ongoing series of articles written by The Creative Condition host and illustrator Ben Tallon.Exploring the nature and behaviour of creativity, the latest looks at vulnerability and it's potential value in sending the right message to potential clients.You can read any of the previous columns at designweek.co.ukThe Creative Condition is sponsored by Illustration X. You can see their global roster of artists, illustrators, and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwriter.com

Creative Stories #1: Cheeky BatmanA ramble about what a silly graffiti doodle can teach us about creativity, mental health, and reframing the world around us.Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwriter.com

Dance school was a cheap hobby for Stephanie Powell-Baxter and her siblings to attend. Now she performs choreography and dances on Strictly Come Dancing, in London West end musicals, and in major movies.We discuss different types of intelligence, the community spirit of dance schools, creativity in schools, and Steph's parental perspective on making sure her children get the right balance. There's also a fantastically grungy road story from the world of dancers after dark.Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comPhoto by Amy Cook: https://www.amycookphotography.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/p/ChkuzrjI4xA/https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

Mac Ferrari and Jake 100 share the inspiring Bikestormz story. Together they built something from the ground up to help people come together through community and creativity, through something simple and positive against a backdrop of troubled young people hurting each other.We discuss what the bike represents, the misconceptions, demonisation, and the evolution of the ride-outs and bikelife community since it began.What's next for Bikestormz as Mac shares his feelings on handing the reins to Jake for the next phase of a beautiful project.The show is supported by Illustration X. See their illusration and animation portfolios now at https://illustrationx.comPhotography by Adam Corbett Studio. http://www.adamcorbett.com/The next ride-out is August 19th 2023: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/19th-august-bike-stormzhttps://instagram.com/jake100https://www.instagram.com/bikestormz_/?hl=en

I'm joined by the Executive Creative Director of Wasserman, Rich Jones. Wasserman is a sports & entertainment marketing company based in LA and Rich shares his experience of fighting for creativity, and keeping things fresh in a time-based industry.We dig into the importance of healthy relationships and a dynamic, fun environment for staff not just to do their job, but to be themselves and a part of something in which they matter.Rich reminisces about the days of big drawing desks and the smell of marker pens, but also offers some interesting thoughts on adapting creativity to new roles and new technologies as times change.As ever, the show is supported by founding sponsor, Illustration X. You can view their global range of illustrators and animators at https://illusrationx.com. The agency recently gained B-Corp accreditation!https://www.teamwass.com/https://bentallon.comRich on Linkedin: https://shorturl.at/gN249

Kelly Korzun made the decision not to make money from her art. The purity of it meant too much to her, and we get into that, along with the twinned journey with Marc Chagall she grew aware of.How did her artist interview and feature project, 'METAL & DVST' originate, and why is it essential to embrace your 'shadow' self for mental wellbeing.We get onto the unlikely, but interesting topic of pornography.As ever supported by founding sponsor and b-corp Illustration X - https://illustrationx.comhttps://www.metalndvst.com/https://www.instagram.com/metalndvst/?hl=en-gbhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

Automation is here. At first subconsciously, then consciously, I found myself factoring AI into my decision-making - the work I chose to create, the direction I chose to push forward in, and the broader value of each of my skills.As an artist, illustrator, letterer, podcaster, writer, and speaker, each of my disciplines came under the lens of this new technology.Like all tech before it, much good and bad will come of it. So where do we, as independent artists, illustrators, designers, and writers fit into the conversation? I chose to conduct an audit of my practice and share it with you in the hope it might encourage similar audits and introspections. We are already late, and if we are to thrive moving forward, we have to understand the role of AI in our industry, what it might enhance, and of course, what it might eradicate.The show is supported by Illustration X, a certified B Corp representing the world's best illustrators, animators and artists. https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://theaoi

Pretty Clever is a Bournemouth-based design studio. Described as 'smart, caring, ethical folks who are keen to make a positive impact on the world' I'm joined by founder John Burton who discusses their recent B Corp accreditation, when he realised he wanted to make work for good, and the winding road he had to take to get there.We sign off on a hopeful message in worrying times for humanity, to hopefully drag a few heads out of the soupy despair...Check out the Pretty Clever home at: https://prettycleverstudio.com/Supported as ever by fellow B Corp agency Illustration X. Browse their global range of illustrators and animators now at https://illustrationx.comFor my art: https://bentallon.comFor my words: https://bentallonwriter.comPlease do consider leaving a review, subscribing, and spreading the word to support the show.

Graphic designer Kieron Lewis joins me to discuss his work and creative story, from south London roots to freelancing, via Olga & Kay, his brilliant collaboration creating meaningful work for great causes, to his recent design for 'Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism' - a staggering showcase of the power of considered, impactful activism.The show is sponsored by founding supporter Illustration X. Head to https://illustrationx.com now to see their global range of illustration and animation portfolios.https://kieronlewis.com/https://www.olgaandkay.com/abouthttps://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/still-breathing-100-black-voices-on-racism-100-ways-to-change-the-narrative-suzette-llewellyn/5038645?ean=9780310126737https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.com

Karalyte enables next-generation entrepreneurs, brand leaders, and creators to create meaningful and memorable brands for the world. Together with her team, founder, Egle Karalyte has helped to elevate such brands as Cooper/DesignIt, Fotolia/Adobe, MTV Lebanon, The New School, Paris Telecom Incubator, Google Campus London.She joins me as she launches 'Bloomerang' - her impressive new game design to help anyone, whether they are creating a brand, an art piece, or simply searching for their way under the sun. Bloomerang supports all creators no matter where you are in your adventure.We discuss the value of guardrails when trying to direct our creativity, the organic growth of Egle's idea to use the game format to share the work and learning she's been brilliantly doing for years, and looking for fairies in childhood.Episode 191 is supported by founding sponsor, Illustration X. See their global range of illustration and animation portfolios at https://illustrationx.comTo learn more about Egle and Bloomerang, vis

'Life on a Lamppost' is a short fiction story written by Ben Tallon, for a book produced by OFFF Festival 2023.Here is the exclusive audio version with a score by Dirty Freud.The times are troubled and we've all felt the rising panic in our stretched minds. Here is one take on it.The show is supported by Illustration X. See their global range of illustrator and animator portfolios at https://illustrationx.comFor Dirty Freud's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dirtyfreud or his Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c5NcXidirDDqL3sc3vW8Shttps://www.offf.barcelona/https://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.com

In a capitalist society, knowing how to do the right thing is tough. Katie Klencheski showed signs from an early age - through her drawing and ideas - that she cared about something bigger than herself. Via a winding road, she founded what became Smakk Studios - a New York-based agency supporting brands that want to make a positive impact.We get into the confusing world of ethics from a consumer, creative, and business standpoint, discussing work in packaging, branding, design, and more, and the nature of conversations had around sustainability with clients.How much room is there for us as individuals and agencies to ethically challenge our clients?Get our thoughts and feedback over @bentallon or @bentallonpod on social media, or hello@bentallon.com via email.The show is supported by the founding sponsor, Illustration X. See their global range of illustrators and animators at www.illustrationx.comhttps://smakkstudios.com/https://www.instagram.com/smakk_studios/https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comM