The RECESS 2024 Creative Playbook is a guide full of inspirational resources curated by creative professionals to spark new ideas. It features tips and recommendations across categories like books, films, podcasts, events, and more from over 30 contributors. The playbook is structured into sections covering tools, publications, digital sources, community groups, ways to break through creative blocks, industry events, classes, and cultural destinations. Key themes include finding inspiration across diverse mediums, maintaining curiosity through continual learning, interacting with niche communities, traveling to energize creativity, and exploring interdisciplinary skills. Recurring advice is to stay open-minded, gather wide-ranging cultural inputs, surround yourself with people who challenge your perspective, learn by doing/making, and take time to recharge through activities unrelated to work. The overall message is that inspiration can come from anywhere, so creators should explore broadly. With tactical tips from working creatives plus tangible recommendations on what to read/watch/visit, the playbook aims to provide a valuable spark for anyone seeking to boost their creative output and approach challenges with fresh eyes.

1. 2024 CREATIVE PLAYBOOK
30 creatives share their tips, tools +
places they go for creative inspiration

2. WELCOME
You know how tons of companies release 2024 trend
reports? We’re shaking it up + releasing a
PLAYBOOK instead . . . a killer resource that you
can access whenever you need creative inspiration.
We asked 30 creative directors, designers +
strategists to share their tips, tools, tricks +
go to resources for staying at the top of their
creative game.
As Springsteen says, "can't start a fire without a
spark", so let this PLAYBOOK be your creative
spark. Got it? Ok...good.
Xo Jody Orsborn Medina, Founder of RECESS
WELCOME TO THE RECESS
PLAYBOOK 2024 🌵
P2

3. WHAT IS RECESS
BUT FIRST…WHAT’S RECESS?
→ a free online event that happens every month-ish
bringing together creatives, designers + strategists to
share what’s currently inspiring them in the world
→ an Instagram feed where we post projects that were
shared at RECESS + other inspiration we find
→ a community of engaged creatives who stay curious +
seek inspiration everywhere
→ this PLAYBOOK!
+ we have some more treats in the works for 2024.
Follow us + be the first to find out!
P3
Take a break from your
work day + get majorly
inspired with RECESS

4. WHO IS RECESS
RECESS was created by Jody Orsborn Medina, a freelance
Experiential Creative Director who has worked both in-house
(Executive Creative Director for WPP agency Deeplocal) +
freelance for clients across the US, Canada + UK including
Vice, MAS, Live Nation, Jam3 + Secret Cinema. As a freelancer,
she missed having a steady community to share inspiration with
– so she created one. Give her a shout to talk RECESS or your
freelance creative needs: jody@cometorecess.com
WHO’S BEHIND RECESS?
THE RECESS PLAYBOOK CREDITS
→ Created + curated by Jody Orsborn Medina
→ Support from Anna Macko
→ Designed by Julie Vaccaro
→ Photos from Unsplash + Pexels
Special thanks to Emily Rosenblum who asked the question that
sparked this whole PLAYBOOK: “I would love to know the resources
your speakers turn to for inspiration. Where do they find the
projects they present at RECESS?”
P4

5. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Intro/ About The Guide
Table of Contents
Tools + Hacks
Books + Magazines
Newsletters
Websites
Social Accounts
Slack + Networking Groups
Break Through Creative Blocks
Industry Events
Classes
Best of the Rest: Podcasts, TV/Film, Music
Get Out + Smell The Culture
Contributors
Upcoming RECESS Events
P2
P5
P6
P12
P19
P24
P29
P40
P43
P47
P52
P55
P60
P70
P80
WHAT’S INSIDE
P5

6. 2024
TOOLS + HACKS
What we use to support our creativity + to make our lives
(...and now your lives) easier. You are welcome.

7. TOOLS + HACKS: FREE!
P7
YAY TEXT
Via: Julian Leon
Lets you 𝒔𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒙𝒕 to
paste anywhere →
s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶, 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝,
𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒔 + 🅜🅞🅡🅔
EYE DROPPER
CHROME EXTENSION
Via: Arianna Lebed
Pick any color on a
webpage + save it to
your clipboard + color
history
Via: Julian Leon
Bring up the emoji keyboard on a MAC
so you can embed them anywhere 🌵 🔥
🤘
CMD + CTRL + SPACE
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Find icons based on any keyword.
Over 5 million art-quality icons
+ photos available.
NOUN PROJECT
Via: Wale Osunla
Shows how color contrast can
affect people with different
visual impairments
WHO CAN USE

8. TOOLS + HACKS: FREE!
P8
Via: Arianna Lebed
Identify fonts on web pages just
by hovering over them. Also
detects the services used for
serving the web fonts
WHAT FONT CHROME
EXTENSION
Via: Holly Smith
“I use Notion to organize all
my notes, inspiration
collecting, client database, +
project-specific notes,
details, + work.”
NOTION
Via: Wale Osunla
Uses AI to learn which colors you
like + creates limitless palettes
for you to discover, search + save
KHROMA
Via: Alex Aviv
A visual search engine that uses images or
words to search, with answers matching the
overall mood of an image (not just the
elements in it)
SAME ENERGY
Via: Lücy Aa
The world’s
largest video
stills database.
Find the perfect
image to express
your ideas
FILM.AI
Via: Holly Smith
“I use a pomodoro
timer to remind me
to take breaks!”
SESSION
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
“If you’re in a shared deck +
click the face/icon of another
person in the deck. . . it will
take you to the page they are
on! Super helpful when
collaborating.”
GOOGLE SLIDES
SHORTCUT

9. TOOLS + HACKS: FREE!
P9
Via: Angelica Ortiz
The largest database of AIs
available for over 2548 tasks. Find
the best AI tools for any use case
THERE’S AN AI FOR THAT
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
An incredible list of 2024 trend reports
from Adobe, Bompas & Parr, D&AD, TikTok,
Pinterest, WGSN, Trendhunter + more.
Thanks to Amy Daroukakis + team for
putting it together
SO MANY 2024 TREND REPORTS
Via: Spencer MacEachern
A place to save content +
create collections
ARE.NA
Via: Wale Osunla
“This year, I've tried to lean
more into accessibility within
my creative process. This tool
is a colour contrast tool for
generating accessible palettes.”
RANDOMA11Y
GIFRUN
Via: Holly Smith
Keep the app you’re working
with front + center + your
desktop clutter-free. “I've
been using the Mac Stage
Manager to help with focus.”
MAC STAGE MANAGER
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Need to jazz up a deck?
Unsplash + Pexels are two
places for free photos +
videos
STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
Via: Lücy Aa
Create high-def GIF + WebP images
from YouTube + many other sites

10. TOOLS + HACKS: FREE!
P10
Via: Adam Romano
“Great tool for
converting movies
into gifs. I use
this every day for
decks.”
GIFSKI
Via: Multiple
“I use ChatGPT almost every
day for a POV on my writing.”
- Adam Romano
CHATGPT
Via: Rob Blasko
A Mac app that makes typing
emoji faster + easier using
Slack-style shortcuts
ROCKET
Via: Lücy Aa
A database of 5,000+
GIFs representing the
very best visual
techniques in the world
of filmmaking. Helps
build decks +
moodboards
EYE CANDY
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
“Has a feature powered by
Sensei that allows you to
find font names in
flattened artwork.”
ADOBE FONTS
Via: Angelica Ortiz
“When I'm looking for a tool for a
specific thing, I usually check
here to see if someone else has
created one that would help me
accomplish the task faster.”
PRODUCT HUNT
Via: Wale Osunla
Color tester to make sure
the contrast ratio meets
the Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines
COLORABLE
TOP
PICK
Via: Jody Orsborn
“Best tool for removing
the background from
photos! A lifesaver when
building decks.”
REMOVE.BG

11. TOOLS + HACKS: PAID
P11
Via: Jolyon Varley
“App for hotkey paste snippets
of reusable text. Saves a
bunch of time for stuff you
routinely type to people.”
ATEXT
Via: Rob Blasko
Easily convert your media
files to various different
formats
PERMUTE
Via: Adam Romano
Text-to-image AI. “Indispensable
as a creative tool for briefs
+ pitches.”
MIDJOURNEY
Via: Rob Blasko
Resize + reposition windows on your Mac with a
simple Drag & Drop, seamlessly integrated into macOS
MOSAIC
Via: Amy Daroukakis
Canva is an online graphic
design tool. Use it to create
social media posts, videos,
logos + more. Free + paid
versions available
CANVA
Via: Spencer MacEachern
“My favourite tool for collecting
+ organizing design inspiration.”
EAGLE
Via: Gen Sadakane
Enables creators + teams to
easily design stunning animated
content + interfaces
JITTER

12. 2024
BOOKS + MAGAZINES
Who said print is dead?
Reading material to challenge, inspire + look impressive in
the background of your next Zoom call 🤘🤣

13. BOOKS: DESIGN + ART
Via: Wale Osunla
“The Process books
have been a great
insight into the
branding process of
other agencies.”
THE PROCESS’S
BRAND IDENTITY
Via: Genell
Hoechstetter
Explores how space,
materials, sound +
light affect the
mind + body
THE SENSES/
DESIGN BEYOND
VISION
Via: Spencer
MacEachern
Classic book
exploring
human-centered
design
THE DESIGN OF
EVERYDAY
THINGS
Via: Anarachel
Humphrey
A design manual by
Pentagram's Michael
Bierut, collecting
35 years of his work
as a graphic
designer
HOW TO
Via: Yuhan Wang
An essay on
aesthetics that
explores
architecture, jade,
food + even toilets
IN PRAISE OF
SHADOWS
Via: Genell
Hoechstetter
Explores how design
might reframe our
futures: socially,
ethically +
aesthetically
DESIGNS FOR
DIFFERENT
FUTURES
Via: Julian Leon
A primer in visual
intelligence. An
exploration of the
workings of the eye,
the hand, the brain
+ the imagination
THE ART OF
LOOKING
SIDEWAYS
Via: Genell
Hoechstetter
Explores
architecture that
responds to change +
evolving situations
FLEXIBLE
P13

14. BOOKS: DESIGN + ART
Via: Julian Leon
Chronicles a series
of often personal,
always conceptual
projects that blur
the line between art
+ commercial design
IMPRINT
Via: Genell
Hoechstetter
A design movement
built on indigenous
philosophy +
vernacular
infrastructure
LO-TEK- DESIGN
BY RADICAL
INDIGENISM
Via: Roseli Ilano
Comprised of 7
essays, 3 of which
are entirely
pictorial, this
book examines how
we view art
WAYS OF SEEING
Via: Anarachel
Humphrey
Singer + dancer
Maya Angelou
enters NYC + her
love for writing
blazes at the
Harlem Writers
Guild
THE HEART OF
A WOMAN
Via: Rob Blasko
Guides writers
through the entire
creative process,
from concept phase
to production
IMMERSIVE
STORYTELLiNG
FOR REAL &
IMAGINED
WORLDS
Via: Spencer
MacEachern
The essential
beliefs + theories
of a great teacher +
American artist,
Robert Henri
THE ART
SPIRIT
Via: Julian Leon
Exuberant document
of the late Tibor
Kalman's work +
ideas
TIBOR KALMAN:
PERVERSE
OPTIMIST Via: Genell
Hoechstetter
An atlas +
exploration of
video game
cities
VIRTUAL
CITIES
P14

15. BOOKS: CREATIVE
Via: Multiple
“Changed my POV about
how I function in the
world as a creative, +
gave me tools for
navigating the tidal
nature of inspiration”
- Adam Romano
THE CREATIVE
ACT: A WAY OF
BEING Via: Chelsea
Thompson-O'Brien
IDEO founder on
unleashing the
creativity that lies
within each + every
one of us
CREATIVE
CONFIDENCE
Via: Alex Aviv
Unorthodox advice
about work ethic +
the creative process
DO THE
F*CKING
WORK Via: Roseli Ilano
Part of a book
series around
living a full
creative life
from Art Center
College of Design
Professor
Guillaume Wolf
YOU ARE A
CIRCLE
Via: Steffen
Christiansen
Book about
creativity in
business from
Pixar co-founder
Ed Catmull
CREATIVITY, INC
Via: Arianna Lebed
A toolkit for
creativity + radical
self-care
HOW TO NOT
ALWAYS BE
WORKING Via: Chelsea
Thompson-O'Brien
How to be creative
under pressure +
turn ideas into
action
SERIOUS
CREATIVITY
Via: Ariana Lebad
Inspiration + advice
from over 100
makers, artists +
entrepreneurs
IN THE
COMPANY OF
WOMEN
TOP
PICK
P15

16. BOOKS: BUSINESS + GROWTH
Via: Steffen
Christiansen
An infinite mind set
is a prerequisite for
any leader who
aspires to leave
their organization
better than they
found it
THE INFINITE
GAME
Via: Rob Blasko
Explores why
certain brief
experiences can
jolt us, elevate
us + change us
THE POWER
OF MOMENTS
Via: Emma Baines
How to form good
habits, break bad
ones, + master the
tiny behaviors that
lead to remarkable
results
ATOMIC
HABITS
Via: Alex Aviv
A set of insights
about rejecting
conformity +
improving the
status quo
ORIGINALS:
HOW NON-
CONFORMISTS
MOVE THE
WORLD
Via: Emily Rosenblum
“Reminds me that
anything is possible
with a bit of
prototyping.”
DESIGNING
YOUR LIFE Via: Steffen
Christiansen
Get better at
embracing the
unknown + the joy
of being wrong
THINK AGAIN
Via: Emma Baines +
Alex Aviv
The inside story
of Nike’s early
days + its
evolution into one
of the world’s
most iconic brands
SHOE DOG
Via: Amy Daroukakis
How the power of
entertainment can
change our biology,
our beliefs + how
we see ourselves
YOU ARE WHAT
YOU WATCH
P16

17. BOOKS: BUSINESS + GROWTH
Via: Steffen
Christiansen
Key factors that
can generate team
cohesion in any
walk of life
THE CULTURE
CODE
Via: Arianna Lebed
The remarkable power
of giving people
more than they
expect
UNREASONABLE
HOSPITALITY Via: Rob Blasko
Why some ideas
thrive, why others
die + how to
improve your
idea's chances
MADE TO STICK
Via: Steffen
Christiansen
For anyone who
wants to inspire
others or who
wants to find
someone to
inspire them
START WITH
WHY
Via: Yuhan Wang
Why we love (or
hate) everyday
things
EMOTIONAL
DESIGN
Via: Emma Baines
A practical
structure for the
brand building
process
DESIGNING
BRAND
IDENTITY Via: Nick Susi
“Everything by Marshall
McLuhan”! Explores the
nature of media, the
increasing speed of
communication + the
technological basis for
our understanding of
who we are
THE MEDIUM IS
THE MASSAGE
P17

18. MAGAZINES
Via: Holly Smith
International affairs,
business, culture + design
MONOCLE DWELL APARTAMENTO WIRED
FRAME
Via: Holly Smith
Modern architecture
+ design
Via: Roseli Ilano
“I love seeing where artists
+ creatives make their work”
Via: Pauline Ashford
How emerging technologies affect
culture + the economy
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Interior design,
architecture + spatial
innovation
Via: Roseli Ilano
Conversations between
artists of all disciplines
BOMB MAGAZINE BUTT MAGAZINE THE IDLER SLANTED
THRASHER
Via: Jolyon Varley
Photography + interviews
about gay + queer culture
Via: Charlie Cooper Henniker
Philosophical reflections +
cultural commentary
Via: Holly Smith
“Features different cities each
time, focusing on artists,
designers.”
Via: Jolyon Varley
Skateboard + culture
P18

19. 2024
NEWSLETTERS
Inspiration straight to your inbox (aka
emails actually worth opening)

20. NEWSLETTERS: ADVERTISING + TRENDS + STRATEGY
Via: Amy Daroukakis
Latest news + trends that
shape the future of business
Via: Nick Susi + Spencer
MacEachern
Cultural intel + research into
overlooked trends + social shifts
Via: Rob Blasko
For strategy lovers: touches
on advertising, marketing +
brands
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Trend round-up covering
fashion, food & drink +
consumer tech
Via: Alex Aviv
From emerging tech briefings
to ads of the week
Via: Rob Blasko
The people, big-picture trends,
topics + most pressing challenges
we face as an industry
Via: Yuhan Wang
Agency news, trends + an ICYMI
roundup of the week’s best
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Latest news and views on
the Experience Economy
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Youth consumer trends + Gen
Z insights
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Insights on the cultural shifts
driven by Gen Z + Alphas
Via: Emily Rosenblum
Gen Z trends + how Gen Z want
brands to show up for them
Via: Charlie Cooper Henniker
“News items on brand + creative
activity which makes you feel like
you don't need to scroll Instagram.”
P20
TOP
PICK

21. NEWSLETTERS: CREATIVE + DESIGN
P21
Via: Arianna Lebed
Creativity, productivity
boosting tools + resources
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
A curated community of
100,000+ creatives
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Their most popular stories +
cultural recommendations from
across the creative industry
Via: Wale Osunla
“Short & snappy, gives a wonderful
insight into their culture + has the
best bits of inspiration.”
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Surprising stories from the
world of design
Via: Arianna Lebed
Culture & commerce through
the lens of the human senses
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Like Craigslist curated for
Creatives. Jobs, events,
creatives + more
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Community by + for Black
Designers
Via: Roseli Ilano
Weekly "Push Picks" curated
by artist + cultural
programmer Molly Surno
Via: Gen Sadakane
Words to read, images to see,
objects to buy, places to go
Via: Nikhil Shah
“NYC crew, sign up to Nonsense
for weird and wonderful
cultural recommendations.”
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Musings of a creative leader
in Amsterdam via London +
Berlin

22. NEWSLETTERS: GENERAL INTERNET VIBES + PRODUCT/ BRANDS
P22
Via: Elizabeth Goodspeed
Strange + unusual explorations
of common things, explained in
extreme depth.
Via: Holly Smith
Updates about the business
world from Wall St. to
Silicon Valley
Via: Amy Daroukakis
Cultural deep dives on
everything from Peloton to
Mormon bloggers
Via: Multiple
A Webby Award-winning
newsletter about the internet
Via: Rob Blasko
Roundup of stories about
culture + technology
Via: Alex Aviv
Where people find the best
news, GIFs, + trends from
across the Internet
Via: Lücy Aa
a newsletterblogtypething all
about stuff on the internet
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Curating the food + beverage space
to see what’s coming next
Via: Alex Aviv
Discover emerging brands +
the resources to build them
Via: Alex Aviv
New brands, deals, honest
reviews + drops
Via: Elizabeth Goodspeed
Packaging inspiration +
observations
Via:Angelica Ortiz
The viral newsletter about the
world's best products
TOP
PICK

23. NEWSLETTERS: TECHNOLOGY + DIGITAL + AI + EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
P23
Via: Amy Daroukakis
How technology shapes
humanity + vice versa
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Concise analysis on the
metaverse + spatial
computing
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Making the latest AI, AR +
avatar technology more
accessible
Via: Amy Daroukakis
Get the AI trends + tools
you need to know
Via: Multiple
Stories on business, tech
+ the internet
Via: Rob Blasko
Exploring the world of AI
technology, design + building
digital products
Via: Rob Blasko
The newsletter for making you
10x more productive with AI
Via: Amy Daroukakis
In-depth analyses of the tech +
startup landscape

24. 2024
WEBSITES
That are worth having way too many tabs open for.
38 and counting. . . let’s GO!

25. WEBSITES: HALL OF FAME
Via: Multiple
Creative work +
cultural inspiration
IT’S NICE THAT PINTEREST DEZEEN CREATIVE REVIEW
CREATIVE BOOM
Via: Multiple
Visual social platform for
discovering + sharing
creative ideas
Via: Multiple
Leading architecture +
design platform
Via: Multiple
Analysis + commentary
on design, advertising
+ visual culture
Via: Multiple
Celebrating + supporting
the creative industries
Via: Multiple
Celebrating the best
in web design
AWWARDS DESIGN MILK DESIGNBOOM
Via: Multiple
Latest design-focused
trends + innovations
Via: Multiple
Latest news in art, design
+ architecture
P25
TOP
PICKS

26. WEBSITES: DESIGN + ADVERTISING
Via: Nic Moalli
Home of alternative design,
code + content on the web
HOVERSTATES DESIGNINSPIRATION BRAND NEW INTERNET GEMS SEARCH SYSTEM
Via: Holly Smith
Like Pinterest for
designers
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Redesigns + new designs of
notable products
Via: Alex Aviv
I Love Creatives share
their fave websites
Via: Steffen Christiansen
References + tools for
designers
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Brand identity design
+ packaging
BP&O AIGA EYE ON DESIGN FWA ADWEEK COLOSSAL
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Explores what it means to
be a designer today
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Awards + platform for
cutting edge websites
Via: Alex Aviv
News + insights for
marketers, media + agencies
Via: Arianna Lebed
Contemporary art + visual
expression platform
P26

27. WEBSITES: ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS / TRENDS + FORECASTING
Via: Holly Smith
Homes, architecture + interior
design
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST DWELL ARCHDAILY SIGHT UNSEEN APARTMENT THERAPY
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Modern architecture + design
Via: Holly Smith
Dedicated to all things
architecture
Via: Roseli Ilano
Uncovers what’s new in design
+ the visual arts
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Lifestyle + interior design website
Via: Emma Baines
Latest global consumer
trends
LS:N GLOBAL MODEM TRENDHUNTER LUSION LABS SUDOMAGIC
Via: Nic Moalli
Forecasting, innovation
strategy + research papers
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
World's #1 largest trend
platform
Via: Nic Moalli
Explores how new technologies
will affect brands
Via: Nic Moalli
R&D work including creative
coding
P27

28. WEBSITES: CULTURE
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Video channel screening
the best in culture
NOWNESS WALLPAPER BYLINE WE HEART DIRT
Via: Holly Smith
Design-led news, features,
interviews + videos
Via: Elizabeth Goodspeed
Niche observations, sartorial
sagas + deep cuts
Via: Alex Aviv
The intersections between
art, design + lifestyle
Via: Nick Susi
Entertainment, streaming
+ digital culture
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Fashion, popular culture,
nightlife, music, art + film
PAPER MAGAZINE WE PRESENT AIR MAIL ZORA ZINE BANK NOTES
Via: Alex Aviv
Stories of creativity with
tips for creatives
Via: Elizabeth Goodspeed
News + culture at a
civilized pace
Via: Nick Susi
For cultural communities
utilizing blockchain
Via: Arianna Lebed
eCommerce, retail +
creator economies
P28

29. 2024
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS
Get your creative scroll on

30. SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: LINKEDIN
P 30
Via: Multiple
Founder + Director, Molten Immersive Art
Talks #artcuration #immersiveart #artandtechnology
Via: Multiple
Creative Director, RenaiXance
Talks ##performanceart #artandtechnology #ai
OTTO PLESNER
Via: Multiple
Founder + Executive Creative Director, MOTO
Talks #immersive #experiencedesign #experienceeconomy
JASMIN JODRY
Via: Multiple
Creative Director, Gravity Road + TikTok Creator
Talks #tiktok #comedyvideos #advertisinglife
ROB MAYHEW
DOROTHY DI STEFANO
Via: Multiple
Chief Experience Design Officer, VMLY&R
Talks #diversecreatives #advertising #experiencedesign
WALTER T GEER III
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Creative Director, Chorus Agency
Talks #retaildesign #artinstallations #experientialdesign
Via: Nick Susi
Senior Lead, Global Insights, Reddit
Talks #antiracism #criticalthinking #inclusivemarketing
ANASTASIA KĀRKLIŅA GABRIEL
Via: Emma Baines
CEO + Creative Director, Good Shout
Talks #sociology #creativity #innovation
AMY KEAN
Via: Yuhan Wang
Partner + Founder, Gonçalo Silva Arquitectos Associados
Talks #brandesign #interiordesign #architecture
NUNO ANTUNES
GRANT DUDSON
Via: Genell Hoechstetter
Founder + Director, Meow Wolf
Talks #immersiveart #immersiveexperience #themeparks
VINCE KADLUBEK
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Global Head of Creative Innovation, Google EBX
Talks #ai #xr #design #creativity #innovation
MATTHIEU LORRAIN
Via: Angelica Ortiz
VP, Creative & Design, McRae Imaging Inc
Talks #branding #architecture #digitalamarketing
AMAR ALNEMER
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK

31. P 31
Via: Nick Susi
An artist, writer + curator who focuses
on the long-term implications of
technology as it intersects with culture
RUBY THELOT VISAKAN VEERASAMY ZOE SCAMAN
Via: Spencer MacEachern
His mission is to build the world’s best
social graph of friendly ambitious nerds
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Founder of strategy studio Bodacious. Talks
fandoms, creators, brands + emerging
technologies
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
“Every piece of advice Issa Rae gives, be it
using courage to advance your career, making
your own yesses, or not limiting yourself”
ISSA RAE MICHAEL J. MIRAFLOR ANDREW MCLUHAN
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Chief Brand Officer at Hannah Grey VC.
Talks strategy, marketing, ads, brands,
trends. Ex-agency.
Via: Nick Susi
Director of The McLuhan Institute, exploring +
understanding culture + technology
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: TWITTER

32. P 32
For Typography Lovers
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Film stills with their
Pantone color palette
COLOR PALETTE CINEMA
EYECANDY
Via: Jamal Dauda
“My favorite IG account lately.
Fantastic curation + love the
camera technique breakdowns.”
Via: Lücy Aa
Showcases stills + video
from films shot on Kodak
KODAK MOTION PICTURE FILM
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Film clips with the shot
type, lense used + more
STUDIO BINDER
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM
TYPOGRAPHY LOVERS FILM FIENDS
Via: Adam Romano
Platform for
type-based media
TYPE01 TYPOSTERS
Via: Julian Leon
Typographic poster
design inspiration
Via: Adam Romano
Cutting edge typography
CONTEMPORARY TYPE 36DAYSOFTYPE
Via: Julian Leon
Designers share their
view on letters

33. P 33
Via: Julian Leon
The dissemination, understanding
+ appreciation of artists’ books
PRINTED MATTER, INC JAPANESE AVANT-GARDE BOOKS
Via: Wale Osunla
Introduces impressive
rare Japanese books
IDEA
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Book + hat seller of Dover
Street Market
COUNTER-PRINT
Via: Julian Leon
Daily inspiration of
curated design books
BOOKS
Via: Charlie Cooper Henniker
20th Century documentary
photography exploring
British Society
BRITISH CULTURE ARCHIVE NEONTALK
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
“Literally just weird
80s and 90s artwork”
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM
LEARN FROM THE PAST

34. GRAPHICS + DESIGN
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM
Via: Gen Sadakane
Logo, branding & design inspiration
LOGOS.AI GRAFIK FEED
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Showcasing contemporary
graphic design
DESIGN EVERYWHERE
Via: Multiple
Carefully selected graphic
design works
THE BRAND IDENTITY
Via: Steffen Christiansen
+ Julian Leon
Resource for graphic designers
Via: Adam Romano
Showcasing inspirational design
work
DIGITAL ARCHIVE KLIKKENTHÉKE
Via: Steffen Christiansen
Web design inspiration
DESIGN FEED
Via: Alex Aviv
Artist + agency
spotlights + tools
DESIGN HUNGER
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Design, interior, decor, beauty
& lifestyle from Lisbon
P 34
TOP
PICK

35. ARTS + CULTURE
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Long distance shopping list of
a wannabe millionaire
ICAN'TAFFORDTHISBUTMAYBESHECAN ARTSY
Via: Arianna Lebed
Discover, buy + sell art by the
world’s leading artists
AWE CURATION
Via: Nic Moalli
Arts, performances + events to
be experienced body-first
FAMILY STYLE
Via: Roseli Ilano
Arts + culture with the taste
for something more
Via: Arianna Lebed
Unique items from architecture,
art, interiors + industrial design
YATZER VISUAL FODDER
Thought-provoking work from
creators across the globe
RUTTKOWSKI;68
Via: Gen Sadakane
Gallery concentrating on
contemporary art
TOILET PAPER MAG
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Post-internet exploration of
animated, video + still content
P 35
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM

36. ARTS + CULTURE
Via: Gen Sadakane
Men's fashion, sneakers,
music, art + lifestyle
HIGHSNOBIETY HYPEBEAST
Via: Adam Romano
Men's contemporary fashion,
streetwear + culture
CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE
Via: Adam Romano
Everything about art +
architecture
IHAVETHISTHINGFORCERAMICS
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Highlights from the ceramics +
pottery world
Via: Alex Aviv
Makes discovering + collecting
art more accessible
AVANT ARTE MOLD
Via: Alex Aviv
Design + the future of food
DERRICK GEE
Via: Nikhil Shah
“Follow him for music culture.
The connecter between Gen Z
+ Millennials.”
SUNU
Via: Roseli Ilano
Journal of African Affairs,
critical thought + aesthetics
P 36
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM

37. ARTISTS + DESIGNERS
SEBASTIAN ARIEL CURI
Via: Adam Romano
Illustrator + Animator
based in Los Angeles
Via: Wale Osunla
Independent Artist + Designer
RYAN PUTNAM T FONTANA
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
“Our go-to man for commissions.”
KELSEY MCCLELLAN
Via: Alex Aviv
San Francisco-based
Photographer
TROY BROWNE
Via: Wale Osunla
Artist and Founder of Rawr,
collectable balls of art
P37
NICO WILLIAMS
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Anishinaabe Artist who redefines
everyday objects with beadwork
ES DEVLIN
Via: Yuhan Wang
English Artist + Stage
Designer
STEFAN MARX
Via: Gen Sadakane
Contemporary Artist,
Skateboarder + Illustrator
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM

38. Via: Steffen Christiansen
Photographer + Creative at
Studio Propel
SHAZER LLANERA HATTIE NEWMAN
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Maker + Director that works
with paper
NOTORIOUS CREE
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Content Creator + Cree Hoop Dancer
STEPHANIE FALASCHETTI
Via: Alex Aviv
Freelance Art Director +
Designer based in Chicago
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Japanese artist collective based
in Tokyo and Kyoto
EXCALIBUR LP EDITS
Via: Pauline Ashford
Artist + professional
paint chucker
BOOMRANNG
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Mumbai-based artists inspired by
Indian mythology + comics
P38
BEN DITTO
Via: Jolyon Varley
Creative Director of Ditto +
Art Director of Dazed Beauty
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM
ARTISTS + DESIGNERS

39. Via: Nic Moalli
For creative tech + immersive
media professionals
INTERACTIVE + IMMERSIVE HQ DRAGON O²
Via: Adam Romano
Immersive light experiences
using volumetric LED displays
ARVIND SANJEEV
Via: Jamal Dauda
Artist, Design
Technologist + Engineer
P39
VINCENT SCHWENK
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
3D Artist working in
multidisciplinary fields
CREATIVE CODING, 3D DESIGN + IMMERSIVE TECH
M0
Via: Alex Aviv
3D Artist + Multidisciplinary
Designer
Via: Wale Osunla
Visual Artist & Art Director
from Mexico City
MELISSA SANTAMARIA PICO VELASQUEZ
Via: Genell Hoechstetter
Computational Architect +
Multimedia Director
KSAWERY KOMPUTERY
Via: Adam Romano
Creative Coding + New Media
Artist of phygital sculptures
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS: INSTAGRAM

40. 2024
SLACK + NETWORKING GROUPS
We’re all in this together

41. SLACK CHANNELS + NETWORKING GROUPS
P41
Via: Wale Osunla + Anarachel Humphrey
Community to heal, support, amplify, + make space for
the entire spectrum of Black creativity, including
events + a Slack community with 1,500+ Black creatives
Via: Amy Daroukakis
Community of female identifying + non-binary strategists
including a thriving Slack group + opportunities to
share expertise + experiences
LADIES WHO STRATEGIZE
Via: Nic Moalli
A Discord community of creative practitioners working
at the intersection of art, media + technology
CREATIVE APPLICATIONS
Via: Amy Daroukakis
Incubation platform for People of Colour, aimed at increasing
representation in Operational, Commercial + Marketing roles
THE OUTSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE
WHERE ARE THE BLACK DESIGNERS
Via: Amy Daroukakis
A decentralised global collective of 300+ researchers, early
adopters + innovators accelerating better futures
RADAR
TOP
PICK

42. SLACK CHANNELS + NETWORKING GROUPS
P42
TOP
PICK
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
UK community featuring ground-breaking gourmet artists that
will challenge your perception of food, including a series of
talks + an annual Spectacular exhibition + banque
Via: Wale Osunla
Community for people who use Touchdesigner
TOUCHDESIGNER
Via: Holly Smith + Anarachel Humphrey
“Has been great for me + their networking events
were fun + helpful” - Anarachel Humphrey
WORKING NOT WORKING
Via: Spencer MacEachern
“Great community for Canadian strategists.”
APG CANADA
THE EXPERIMENTAL FOOD SOCIETY
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Free mentorship + events for women + non-binary people
in the creative industry
SHE SAYS

43. 2024
BREAK THROUGH
CREATIVE BLOCKS
Break on through to the other side

44. P44
BREAK THROUGH CREATIVE BLOCKS
DECK OF BRILLIANCE
HYPER ISLAND TOOLBOX
OK GO’S TED TALK
THE COLOR ORACLE
IMPULSE APP
SCAMPER
Via: Lücy Aa
Face a blank page with a bit
more confidence! Gives you 52
tools for working up ideas in
short periods of time
Via: Jamal Dauda
“I’m a sucker for
educational apps that let me
warm up my brain before I
have to dive into solving
specific challenges.”
Via: Emma Baines
A collection of methods + activities for
anyone who wants to do things more
creatively + collaboratively in their team
Via: Yuhan Wang
A quick, easy tool +
format for creative
brainstorming
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Ted Talk about finding a
wonderful idea
Via: Julien Leon
A psychological color test that
explores the effect of color on
the psyche

45. P45
BREAK THROUGH CREATIVE BLOCKS
STRATEGY IS YOUR WORDS
DAVID NOTT’S RUG
MAKING VIDEOS
THE ARTIST’S WAY
TAIKA WAITITI’S TED TALK
EXPERIENCES IN VISUAL THINKING
Via: Spencer MacEachern
It features “The Four Points
Framework”, a simple way to ensure
strategic rigor under pressure, +
practical techniques. A must for
strategists.
+ Check out Sweathead’s Best
Strategy Tips of 2023
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
“Sometimes I just need
to let my brain reset +
refresh. Visual ASMR
‘act of making’ videos
like rug making or
pottery wheels are a
great way to do that.”
Via: Nikhil Shah
“At the start of the pandemic, I formed
a group of 70 people who moved through
the journey together! It was
transformational. I learned to create
for the joy of it, the importance of
“feeding the well”, the power of
observation, the strength of a creative
circle. . .the list goes on.”
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Visual thinking strategies + activities
to unlock your creativity + boost your
problem solving capacity
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Ted Talk about using humor
as a key to creativity

46. P46
BREAK THROUGH CREATIVE BLOCKS
PLAY VIDEO GAMES GET OUTSIDE + MOVE
JOURNAL, BABES
WORST IDEA EVER ENJOY THE PROCESS DM PEOPLE!
SEEK OUT ALT INSPIRATION
BREATHWORK
Via: Chelsea Thompson-O’Brien
“I force myself to write out the
‘worst thing’ so I can be in the
process of creating.”
Via: Gen Sadakane
“Have fun, research + good
ideas will follow.”
Via: Nick Susi
“DMing people who inspire me that
I don’t personally know yet.”
Via: Jolyon Varley
“Yoga + breathwork for the
mind/body connection.”
Via: Emily Rosenblum
“Using journal prompts! If something feels
out of reach, I might ask, “What are some
limiting beliefs I have around X?” Writing
down the answer helps me navigate
self-imposed limitations + start working my
way out of a creative block.”
Via: Wale Osunla
“Seek inspiration from alternative sources
such as animation, illustration or different
cultures! I’m really vibing with how K-Pop
artists are approaching design from a
nostalgic lens while bringing it to a modern
audience who didn’t even grow up with it!”
Via: Holly Smith
“I try to calm my brain when I need a burst
of inspiration. For me, this usually entails
walking around the local park + not listening
to a podcast or even music. I truly need
quiet to recharge + be ready for creative
tasks.”
Via: Amy Daroukakis
“Get outside! I get lost on purpose as much
as possible - only looking online is a very
limited look at the reality + wonder of
humans + creativity.”
Via: Steffen Christiansen
“Play some videogames,
notice what they do to
make you understand the
game, then steal it +
apply it somewhere else.”
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
“I like playing video
games because it helps
me relax + then I come
up with good ideas.”
Via: Adam Romano
“I find playing video games
for a bit helps clear out
the clutter. 9 times out of
10 when I come back I have
new ideas.”
Via: Arianna Lebed
“I love games that let you
unwind, escape, + explore
your creativity.”

47. 2024
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Events worth leaving your couch (+ turning off
Netflix) for

48. Via: Amy Daroukakis
Deepen your foresight
practice, learn new
methods + attend
meetups across the
globe
FUTURE FRIENDS WHERE ARE THE
BLACK DESIGNERS
P48
Via: Wale Osunla
Space for Black
creativity, including
events in LA, NY + beyond
THE DESIGN KIDS
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Monthly meet-ups + live
events designed to connect
you to your local design
scene
Via: Angelica Ortiz +
Emily Rosenblum
Monthly global
breakfast lecture
series designed for
creative communities
CREATIVE
MORNINGS
LADIES, WINE +
DESIGN
Via: Emma Baines
Mentorship circles,
portfolio reviews, talks
+ meetups for creatives
in over 285 cities
TYPE THURSDAY
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
For type lovers. Start with
drinks followed by Type
Crit - moderated group
critique where you can get,
give, or listen to feedback
INDUSTRY EVENTS: GLOBAL
TOP
PICK

49. Via: Wale Osunla
An evening of
creative talks from
It’s Nice That
hosted every month
NICER TUESDAYS WXO
P49
Via: Genell Hoechstetter
The world’s first + only
org connecting
innovators from all
experience sectors
CLERKENWELL
DESIGN WEEK
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Features 600+ showroom
events, 11+ curated
exhibitions, installations,
talks + a fringe programme
Via: Brandy
Klingelpuss
Immersive dining
experiences
GINGERLINE SEE NO EVIL
Via: Wale Osunla
Bi-monthly meeting for
animators, designers +
directors to show,
discuss, + create a
sense of community
FREE RANGE
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
New graduates showcase of
creative work where they
plan, curate + build their
own group exhibitions
INDUSTRY EVENTS: LONDON

50. Via: Elizabeth
Goodspeed
Annual festival
focusing on the
contemporary use of
type at Cooper Union
TYPOGRAPHICS FIRST ROUND
P50
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Giving a peek behind the
curtain at initial
design explorations for
logo, identity +
branding projects
UNTITLED ART
Via: Holly Smith
Independent art fair
that’s a platform for
discovering contemporary
art
Via: Gen Sadakane
Leading galleries
from five continents
show significant
works by masters of
contemporary art +
emerging stars
ART BASEL
MIAMI
COMPLEXCON
Via: Nick Susi
Festival of the future,
bringing together the
world’s most influential
brands + artists for a
weekend of style,
sneakers + art
SEGD EXHIBITION +
EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Via: Genell Hoeschtetter
Gathering interdisciplinary
thought leaders to share
inspiration, strategies +
ideas designed to enhance
the human experience
INDUSTRY EVENTS: USA
NYC LA + NYC MIAMI
MIAMI WASHINGTON DC
LONG BEACH

51. INDUSTRY EVENTS: EUROPE
Via: Emma Baines
The Dutch Club for
Creativity with a
number of events
held across the year
ADCN CREATIVE
TECHNOLOGY
COLLECTIVE
P51
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Creative technologists
discuss the latest in
the world of creative
tech
OFFF
Via: Adam Romano
A global platform that
sets the trends in design,
art + post-digital culture
SALONE DEL
MOBILE MILANO
Via: Multiple
The latest trade show
for furniture + design
FORWARD
FESTIVAL
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Festival for creativity,
design + communication
with stops across Europe
AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM BARCELONA
BERLIN
MILAN
TOP
PICK

52. CLASSES
Get proactive with your learning
(+ enjoying getting your hands a little dirty)
2024

53. CLASSES
WATTS ATELIER
DOMESTIKA
INSTRUCTABLES
SWEATHEAD
THE GOOD RETURN
DESIGNING FOR THEMED
ENTERTAINMENT +
EXPERIENCES
UCLA SCREENWRITING
COURSES
P53
Via: Spencer MacEachern
Online + streaming
courses offering
hands-on drawing +
painting experiences
with top professionals
Via: Alex Aviv
Strategy masterclasses
where you run through
10+ exercises to help
sharpen your strategic
instincts
Via: Jamal Dauda
“I loved taking UCLA
Screenwriting courses. There
is no discipline that doesn’t
benefit from the ability to
better construct narrative +
articulate universal themes
through specific stories.”
Via: Genell Hoechstetter
Online courses taught by professionals in
the world of design + creativity
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
User-created + uploaded
do-it-yourself projects. Owned
by Autodesk
Via: Angelica Ortiz
From Walt Disney Imagineering +
Universal Creative to Meow Wolf +
Punchdrunk, this course looks at
creating immersive worlds for guests
to step into.
Via: Emma Baines
British Interactive Media
Association course for women
coming back from maternity leave

54. CLASSES
Tattooing
P54
Tattooing
Kimono
Making
Horeseriding
Rug Tufting
Welding
Foraging
Bass Guitar
Beekeeping
Screenprinting
Silversmithing
Skateboarding
Stained Glass
Archery
Improv
Floristry
Pottery
Indigo Dying
Cross Stitch
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss + Jody Orsborn Medina
“I love learning new skills that expand my
creative world + force me to think outside
the box.” - Jody Crochet

55. 2024
BEST OF THE REST
Podcasts, TV/Film + Music to get your creative vibes
(don’t you just hate the term creative juices?) going

56. BEST OF THE REST: PODCASTS
NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE
WTF WITH MARC MARON
HOTFIRE.LA
FEMALE STARTUP CLUB CAUTIONARY TALES
2BOBS
CREATIVE BOOM THE GREY AREA
P56
Via: Emma Baines
Candid conversations with
creatives to uncover the
secrets to success
Via: Chelsea Thompson-O’Brien
Philosophical take on culture,
politics, + everything in between Via: Nikhil Shah
“Damn I would be so out of the loop if I
didn’t listen to this. Conversations on
business, tech + culture; incredible
teardowns including the recent Steve Jobs
book, Beckham doc, Birkenstock IPO.”
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Revealing conversations with
writers, artists + actors
Via: Emma Baines
Knowledge, tips + strategies from
founders & entrepreneurs
Via: Chelsea Thompson-O’Brien
Conversations on the art of
creative entrepreneurship
Via: Steffen Christiansen
Telling true stories about
mistakes + what we should
learn from them
Via: Jolyon Varley
The original toll free monthly
audio zine

57. BEST OF THE REST: FILM + TV
Via: Wale Osunla
“Animation. Since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I feel
like a completely new source of inspiration + principles have
opened up to me. Whether its stylistic explorations as we see
manifest in the animated Spider-Man films, the hand-drawn
beauty of Cartoon Saloon's stories to the visual trippiness of
Masaaki Yuusa's animated worlds, it's just endless. And that's
just style, when you try to apply animation's 12 principles to
static design or motion graphics, there's just a new level of
experimentation to be explored!”
SPIDER-MAN: INTO
THE SPIDERVERSE
CARTOON
SALOON
MASAAKI
YUUSA
STUDIO GHIBLI DISNEY PIXAR
ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN
P57
Via: Steffen Christiansen
“Every Studio Ghibli, Pixar or
Disney Movie. I’ve also found
a lot of inspiration in their
techniques + storytelling.” Via: Angelica Ortiz
Meet six of the world’s most influential
designers spanning bio-architecture,
costume design, typeface design + more

58. BEST OF THE REST: MUSIC / ALBUMS + ARTISTS
P58
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss Via: Jamal Dauda Via: Jolyon Varley Via: Spencer MacEachern
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina Via: Lücy Aa Via: Jolyon Varley Via: Wale Osunla
Via: Roseli Ilano Via: Brandy Klingelpuss Via: Spencer MacEachern Via: Wale Osunla
CLICK ANY
ALBUM/ARTIST
TO LISTEN
Via: Anarachel
Humphrey + Nick Susi
CHARLES MINGUS LOYLE CARNER WESLEY JOSEPH PETITE BISCUIT
Via: Chelsea
Thompson-O’Brien
Via: Charlie Cooper
Henniker
Via: Emma Baines
BADBADNOTGOOD ARVO PART HELADO NEGRO LAUFEY
Via: Nick Susi Via: Spencer
MacEachern
Via: Roseli Ilano Via: Steffen
Christiansen
STROMAE
YOASOBI JANELLE MONÁE FIRST AID KIT
Via: Yuhan Wang Via: Charlie Cooper
Henniker
Via: Anarachel
Humphrey
Via: Emma Baines
ALICE COLTRANE STORMZY KENDRICK LAMAR PHARAOH SANDERS
Via: Roseli Ilano Via: Chelsea
Thompson-O’Brien
Via: Nick Susi Via: Roseli Ilano

59. BEST OF THE REST: MUSIC / PLAYLISTS + RADIO
Via: Nikhil Shah
24hr ambient radio station
dedicated to deep musical
relaxation
AMBIENT FLO MAGIC SOUL WORLDWIDE FM SUMMER JAZZ CAFE AMBIENT X
Via: Pauline Ashford
The best of Soul + Motown
Via: Nikhil Shah
Underground music, culture +
stories from around the globe
Via: Angelica Ortiz
Bossa nova, jazz + lounge
music
Via: Adam Romano
Ambient, Atmospheric +
Neo-Classical
Via: Rob Blasko
“Paint company Backdrop’s
playlists are curated based on
their color names, like Silver
Lake Dad + Brooklyn Cowboy”
BACKDROP
HOUSE FOCUS LOFI GIRL THE GREAT WHITE
Via: Arianna Lebed
“This house focus playlist on
Spotify has been my go-to
background music for years”
Via: Alex Aviv
“My go-to for everyday work.
I can't listen to lyrical
music while I work because I
get too distracted!”
Via: Rob Blasko
“A cafe in Venice,
California, has seasonal
playlists that are
perfection.”
BBC RADIO ONE
Via: Pauline Ashford
Popular music + current
chart hits
P59

60. CULTURAL SITES
2024
Museums, galleries + experiences that will give
you a mega boost of inspiration
(aka get out and smell the culture)

61. CULTURAL SITES: LONDON
Via: Multiple
Immersive warehouse
+ cafe featuring
over 1,500 neon
signs
GODS OWN
JUNKYARD
DENNIS SEVER’S
HOUSE
PLACEHOLDER
IMAGE
P61
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
“A house that embraces
living history created
by an eccentric American
expat. Cake is half
eaten. Beds are unmade.
Pure magic. Especially
the candlelit tours.”
THE DESIGN
MUSEUM
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
+ Emma Baines
Museum devoted to
contemporary design in
every form from
architecture + fashion
to graphics, product +
industrial design
Via: Adam Romano
One of the world’s
leading contemporary
art galleries
WHITE CUBE OLD OPERATING
THEATER
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Museum of surgical
history + one of the
oldest surviving
operating theatres
SIR JOHN SOANE’S
MUSEUM
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
The extraordinary home +
museum of Sir John Soane,
one of the greatest
English architects + an
avid collector
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK

62. Via: Multiple
Smithsonian Design
Museum blending
innovation +
history
COOPER HEWITT DIA BEACON
PLACEHOLDER
IMAGE
P62
Via: Multiple
Contemporary art
sanctuary along the
Hudson River that
explores art from the
1960’s to the present
PIONEER WORKS
Via: Nick Susi
Red Hook’s
interdisciplinary
art + science hub
Via: Nick Susi
A center for peer-led
programming + the
generous exchange of
knowledge + ideas
INDEX SPACE THE MET
Via: Multiple
NYC’s cultural treasure
trove housing diverse
art spanning centuries
+ cultures
THE INVISIBLE
STORAGE ROOM AT
THE BROOKLYN
Via: Emily Rosenblum
The display of objects
offers an inside look
at how museums work +
provides a glimpse of
their extensive
American collections
CULTURAL SITES: NYC
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK
TOP
PICK

63. Via: Adam Romano
Chelsea’s
contemporary art
hub, fostering
dialogue with
cutting-edge
exhibitions
GLADSTONE
GALLERY
THE MET
CLOISTERS
PLACEHOLDER
IMAGE
Via: Jamal Dauda
“One of my favorite
places in the world.
I’m abundantly
reinvigorated every
time I visit it.”
WENDY’S
SUBWAY
Via: Roseli Ilano
Brooklyn-based nonprofit
library + writing space
fostering a love for books
+ ideas
Via: Arianna Lebed
Spiral journey
through modern +
contemporary art.
Designed by Frank
Lloyd Wright
THE
GUGGENHEIM
MOMA
Via: Multiple
An iconic institution
showcasing masterpieces
from Picasso to Pollock
NEW MUSEUM
Via: Holly Smith
“I attended the Herstory
Judy Chicago exhibition at
the New Museum + highly
recommend! A great blend
of Chicago’s work over the
years + a showcase of
other female artists.”
CULTURAL SITES: NYC
TOP
PICK
P63

64. Via: Anarachel
Humphrey
Foremost museum for
contemporary art in
Portugal, including a
park + 1930s art deco
villa
SERRALVES PEGGY GUGGENHEIM
COLLECTION
PLACEHOLDER
IMAGE
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Peggy’s personal
collection of 20th
century art from Cubism
+ Surrealism to Abstract
Expressionism
CAIXA
FORUM
Via: Arianna Lebed
21st-century sociocultural
centre which opens its doors
to ancient, modern +
contemporary art, music +
poetry
Via: Arianna Lebed
Spain’s national
museum of
20th-century art
MUSEO NACIONAL
CENTRO DE ARTE
REINA SOFIA
UFFIZI
GALLERY
Via: Arianna Lebed
Hosts works of art by
great Italian artists
such as Botticelli,
Michelangelo + da Vinci
LEGO
HOUSE
Via: Charlie Cooper
Henniker
“Awesome for understanding
the range of possibilities
+ combinations that can be
harnessed for structures,
experiences, + immersive
environments.”
CULTURAL SITES: EUROPE
PORTO VENICE MADRID
MADRID FLORENCE DENMARK
P64

65. Via: Jolyon Varley
One of the world’s
leading art
galleries with works
by Velázquez, Goya,
El Greco + more
MUSEO NACIONAL
DEL PRADO
TRIENNALE DI
MILANO
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
Museum of art + design
housed in the Palazzo
dell’Arte, which was
designed by Giovanni
Muzio
SAGRADA
FAMILIA
Via: Adam Romano
Catholic church designed by
Catalan architect Antoni
Gaudi
Via: Jody Orsborn
Medina
Remote park filled
with recovered
statues of former
Communist leaders.
“One of the
strangest, most
thought-provoking
places I’ve been.”
GRŪTAS
PARK
ELECTRIC
LADLYLAND
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
A glow in the dark museum
devoted to presenting
art, minerals, and
manufactured items that
fluoresce under
ultraviolet light.
FONDAZIONE
PRADA
Via: Chelsea
Thompson-O’Brien
+ Alex Aviv
“The Human Brains exhibit
has been on my mind for
over a year!” - Chelsea
Thompson-O’Brien
CULTURAL SITES: EUROPE
MADRID MILAN BARCELONA
LITHUANIA MILAN
AMSTERDAM
TOP
PICK
P65

66. Via: Jody Orsborn
Medina
Botanical garden +
artist’s landscape
garden created in
1923, once owned by
Yves St Laurent.
“Majorelle blue is
one of my fave colors
ever.”
JARDIN
MAJORELLE
GARDENS BY
THE BAY
Via: Brandy Klingelpuss
Showpiece of
horticulture +
garden artistry
TEAMLAB
PLANETS
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
“Best in class of immersive
playlands – takes the word
immersive to a whole
new level.”
NAOSHIMA ART
ISLAND
Via: Adam Romano
Island known for its
contemporary art
museums, architecture +
sculptures
FRENCH
CONCESSION
Via: Brandy Klinelpuss
Tree-lined area filled
with cafes, concept bars,
+ breweries, boutiques,
art galleries + antique
stores
MARRAKECH SINGAPORE TOKYO
SHANGHAI
NAOSHIMA ISLAND
CULTURAL SITES: AFRICA + ASIA
P66

67. Via: Elizabeth
Goodspeed
Curated collection of
over 100,000 items
related to lettering,
typography,calligraphy
+ graphic design
LETTERFORM
ARCHIVE
TALIESIN
WEST
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Frank Lloyd Wright’s
winter home + studio in
the desert. “It’s a
masterclass in designing
spaces for artists to
work + collaborate.”
MASS
MOCA
Via: Multiple
One of the largest centers
for contemporary visual art
+ performing arts in the US
with vast galleries and a
stunning collection of
indoor + outdoor performing
arts venues
Via: Arianna Lebed
Located in a
breathtaking
waterfront
building. Boston’s
destination for new
art + ideas
ICA WALKER ART
CENTER
Via: Roseli Ilano
11 galleries of modern
+ contemporary art that
focus on the visual,
performing + media arts
of our time
CY TWOMBLY
GALLERY AT THE
MENIL COLLECTION
Via: Emily Rosenblum
A single-artist building
containing 33 paintings +
11 sculptures the artist
chose to place there
CULTURAL SITES: USA
SAN FRANCISCO PHOENIX MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON MINNEAPOLIS HOUSTON
TOP
PICK
P67

68. Via: Arianna Lebed
Modern + contemporary
art in the celebrated
Gordon Bunshaft-
designed cylindrical
building
HIRSHHORN
MUSEUM
PRELINGER
LIBRARY
Via: Elizabeth
Goodspeed
Private library that
holds over 50,000
books, periodicals +
pieces of print
ephemera
NORTON
SIMON
Via: Emily Rosenblum
Collection of European
paintings + sculptures,
spanning the Renaissance
to the 20th century
Via: Gen Sadakane
Contemporary art
museum focusing on
exhibitions of
international
contemporary art
THE BASS
MUSEUM
DESERT BOTANICAL
GARDEN
Via: Jody Orsborn
Medina
50,000 desert
plants nestled amid
the red rocks of
the Papago Buttes
TERLINGUA OR
MARFA, TEXAS
Via: Emily Rosenblum
“The landscape of
west Texas.”
CULTURAL SITES: USA
WASHINGTON DC PHOENIX PASADENA
MIAMI PHOENIX WEST TEXAS
P68

69. Via: Adam Romano
Art collection that
includes around 2,800
works by Damien Hirst,
Andy Warhol, Jeff
Koons, Marcel Duchamp
+ more
MUSEO
JUMEX
MUSEO
NACIONAL DE
ANTROPOLOGÍA
Via: Steffen
Christiansen
The largest collection
of ancient Mexican
artifacts, spread across
23 rooms
XOCHIMILCO
Via: Jody Orsborn Medina
Famous canals of Xochimilco,
the last remnants of a vast
water transport system built
by the Aztecs. Ride around
on colorful gondola-like
boats
PALACIO
BAROLO
Via: Holly Smith
Landmark building
inspired by Dante’s the
Divine Comedy
MUSEUM
OF ART
Via: Anarachel Humphrey
More than 11,000 artworks,
including paintings,
sculptures, photos + more
from various periods from
Europe, Africa, Asia + the
Americas
MEXICO CITY MEXICO CITY MEXICO CITY
SĀO PAULO
BUENOS AIRES
CULTURAL SITES: MEXICO, ARGENTINA, BRAZIL
P69

70. CONTRIBUTORS
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us your time + wisdom.
People: follow, support, hire these folks. They are all absolute gems.
2024

71. CONTRIBUTORS
Lücy Aa
Art Director, Mother
London, UK
Pauline Ashford
Senior Creative,
AMV BBDO
London, UK
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Emma Baines
Global Head of Creative,
Tony's Chocolonely
Amsterdam, NL
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Alex Aviv
Director of Creative
Strategy, MAS
Brooklyn, NY
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Have conversations with people
from different industries.
Very inspiring.”
“Try to counteract all of the hours
spent at a laptop/with pen + paper by
making things, repairing things, etc.”
“If you’ve hit a creative roadblock,
step away (physically) + come back to
it. Sometimes, to be creative, you
simply have to do nothing (even if
it’s just for an hour).”
“I always aim to read read read +
read some more. Fiction, non
fiction, anything. Try everything
at least once!”
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
P71

72. CONTRIBUTORS
Steffen Christiansen
Founder & Creative
Director, Studio 28k
Toronto, CA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Jamal Dauda
Group Creative Director,
Stept Studios
Los Angeles, CA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Rob Blasko
VP, Strategy & Brand,
Public School
Los Angeles, CA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“It's so cliche, but let your
"Why?" flag fly. Ask the question
about everything, to further
understand + deepen your context.
Endless curiosity usually leads
to infinite potential.”
“Keep your live organized +
minimize negativity around you.
That way you have more mental
space to navigate creative
challenges.”
“Travel! Short staycations. Two week
Eat Pray Love moments. Whatever it
is. I always pick up bits of the
places I go + it always seems to
inform my approach in ways I could
never imagine.”
Charlie Cooper Henniker
Head of Experiences, ITV
London, UK
“Look up more.”
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
P72

73. CONTRIBUTORS
Elizabeth Goodspeed
US Editor-At-Large, It’s
Nice That + Independent
Graphic Designer
Providence, RI
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Amy Daroukakis
Cultural Strategist,
Culture Concierge
London, Berlin, Athens
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Live with an outlook of abundance
over scarcity - this will shape
how you share, connect, or show up
in the world.”
“Save everything; look at it
closely. Take low-brow culture
seriously, + high-brow culture
with a grain of salt.”
Genell Hoechstetter
Creative Director,
Art Processors
Santa Fe, NM
“Be yourself so that the
people looking for you can
find you.” -Arlan Hamilton
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Anarachel Humphrey
Art Director, Hi5.Agency
Brooklyn, NY
“When I’m feeling stuck or can’t
seem to find the answer I’m looking
for, rather than try to force it I
let go + do something active. Even
just a light stroll through the
neighborhood is enough to at not
feel so stuck in my own thinking.”
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
P73

74. CONTRIBUTORS
Brandy Klingelpuss
Creative Director, The
Robin Collective Ltd
London, UK
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Julian Leon
Director of Design,
MAS
Astoria, NY
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Arianna Lebed
Senior Creative
Director, Mas
Brooklyn, NY
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Hydrate, not even kidding - my
mind + body are so much better
when I have had enough water.”
“Don’t force it + trust your gut.” “Inspiration exists, but it
has to find you working.”
-Pablo Picasso
Roseli Ilano
Head Of Community,
Eventbrite
Oakland, Ca
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Ask yourself this question
every time: is my approach
generative or extractive?”
P74

75. CONTRIBUTORS
Nic Moalli
Creative Innovation Lead,
Invisible North
Brooklyn, NY
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Angelica Ortiz
Senior Creative +
Technologist, Media.Monks
Amsterdam, NL
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Spencer MacEachern
Strategy Director,
Zulu Alpha Kilo
Toronto, CA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“It's one of Sam Altman’s ideas, but
do it today not tomorrow. Especially
if you’re a ruminator like me,
recognizing the compounding benefits
of speed + urgency has made a huge
impact.”
“Don’t worry about being relevant.
An idea can be relevant as hell but
still be boring as f***.”
“When it comes to inspiration, what
you put in is what you get out. Take
time to refill your creative cup by
exploring different forms of
creativity so there's multiple sources
of inspiration during your next
brainstorm + to encourage original,
unique concepts.”
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Jody Orsborn Medina
Freelance Creative
Director, Experiential
Toronto, CA
“Learn new things! Stay curious.
In the past couple of years I
started an all-girl Bruce
Springsteen cover band, learned
to skateboard, etc.”
P 75

76. P 76
CONTRIBUTORS
Wale Osunla
Graphic Designer,
Studio Moross
London, UK
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Honestly, just trying to
maintain a student-like
approach to the world +
creativity”
Adam Romano
Independent Creative
Director
New York, NY
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“It’s so important to stay connected
to what inspires you. It can be easy
to slip into autopilot mode, but
giving yourself time to take in
culture in whatever form you connect
with can give your work a boost.”
Emily Rosenblum
Freelance Marketing +
Brand Experience
Strategist
Austin, TX
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Listening (to people,
nature, sound) can be an art
form.”
Gen Sadakane
Creative Director,
Fake Agency
Berlin, DE
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“You have to be interested + open,
there is so much happening + it’s all
fun. NFT was super interesting last
year + this year was the breakout for
AI. Be curious, test it, decide for
yourself if it’s good + have an
opinion.”

77. P 77
CONTRIBUTORS
Chelsea Thompson-O’Brien
Strategy Director,
Experience.Monks
Toronto, CA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Nick Susi
Executive Director,
Strategy, dotdotdash
Brooklyn, NY
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“What you pay attention to + who you
surround yourself with shapes how you
live + create. If you want to change
your life + work, change your
attention + people around you.”
“I try to keep a beginner’s mindset in
at least one area at all times, which
improves my curiosity, humility, +
PLAYfulness across the board.”
Nikhil Shah
Creative Entrepreneur
(Polaroid, Mixcloud,
Qube)
New York, NY
“The importance of creative movement.
I love bringing creativity, freedom of
movement + play into physical movement
exercise.”
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Holly Smith
Freelance Creative
Director / Founder,
High Noon Studio
Los Angeles, CA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Don’t get stuck in an echo chamber
or cultural bubble. It’s easy to do
but so much is learned from
listening to opposing arguments or
accepting new cultural
experiences.”

78. CONTRIBUTORS
Yuhan Wang (Yoyo Wang)
Experiential Design,
Gradient Experiential
Boston, MA
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
Jolyon Varley
Co-Founder / Head of
Brand, OK COOL
London, UK
NAME:
ROLE:
📍:
“Have fun + fuck what
anyone else thinks.”
“Stay curious, if your cup is full
you cannot add new things into it.
Any knowledge unrelated to design
could bring an impact to your
design. Because sometimes good
design is invisible.”
P 78

79. 2024
UPCOMING RECESS EVENTS

80. P 80
February 22 March 21 April 25
SAVE THE DATE
Subscribe to the RECESS newsletter to
make sure you don’t miss when the tix
are released (they always sell out!) →
Featuring Speakers From
VTProDesign
Anomaly
Pinterest
MAS
Featuring Speakers From
Analog Folk
Momentum
Moment Factory
Studio Moross
Featuring Speakers From
It’s Nice That
Art Processors
Tony's Chocoloney
Free online events bringing creatives together to
share what’s currently inspiring them in the world
SIGN UP
EMAIL ADDRESS
CLICK HERE TO
SIGN UP
2024 EVENTS

81. NOW GO GET MAKING!
+ follow
RECESS!