These are some of the apps and tools I use, some of the things that inspire me, and some things that I just find interesting. Using great tools inspires me and my teams to do great work.
LIFESTYLE:
First and foremost, let’s talk about lifestyle. I’m a huge believer in daily habits and the power they have to transform your creative life. I don’t want this to be prescriptive but I want to share some of the daily habits that I have adopted. Maybe try some of these out or find ones that work for you. Things I try to do every day… Yoga, Meditation, Move my body (run, bike, swim), Drink water, Eat clean, Create something (write, draw, paint, photo, video, animation), Play (guitar, banjo, mandolin), Read, Practice gratitude, Get decent sleep. There you have it. I don’t always get it in but I do my best and I find when I do these things I am much more productive and creative. Give it a whirl, see if it helps.
HARDWARE:
This is some of the hardware I’m excited about using and makes creating a joy.
Apple
Beautiful and intuitive tools make creating all that much more enjoyable. Desktop, Laptop, iPad Pro, iPhone. The integrated ecosystem makes creative work so easy and intuitive.
Wacom
I love my Intuos Pro. I use it every day for illustration, photo work, and just tooling around.
Canon
For still photography my go-to camera is my Canon 6D. I take it everywhere I go. Canon glass is second to none.
Sony
For shooting video Sony FS100s are my favorite run-and-gun camera, for larger shoots I rely on my FS7s.
SOFTWARE:
This is where I spend a great deal of my time. These are some of the apps I couldn’t do without.
Adobe
For making creative content Adobe is second to none. Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, Audition, Lightroom, InDesign, Xd, I honestly couldn’t do what I do without these tools.
MODO
My 3D content creation tool of choice. Model, Texture, Animate, MODO knows how to get it done. 3D can often be intimidating and difficult to understand. MODO is made for artists.
BOOKS:
These are some books that I find inspiring. I’m always reading something.
Start with Why
Simon Sinek
Leaders Eat Last
Simon Sinek
Creative Calling
Chase Jarvis
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
Adam Grant
Give and Take
Adam Grant
The Art of Creative Rebellion
John S. Couch
Creativity Inc.
Ed Catmull
Creative Confidence
Tom Kelley
Feck Perfuction
James Victore
The Accidental Creative
Todd Henry
Making Ideas Happen
Scott Belsky
Art is Work
Milton Glasser
Sorry Spock, Emotions Drive Business
Adam Morgan
ReWork
Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Creative Strategy and the Business of Design
Douglas Davis
The Art of Innovation
Tom Kelley
Change by Design
Tim Brown
Dare to Lead
Brené Brown
The Making of a Manager
Julie Zhuo
The Book of Beautiful Questions
Warren Berger
Think Again
Adam Grant
Herding Tigers
Todd Henry
Radical Candor
Kim Scott
It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work
Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
MAGAZINES:
A little something to keep inspired.
Hi Fructose
Great for visual inspiration.
Juxtapoz
Great for visual inspiration.
SITES/BLOGS:
Some sites and blogs I like to visit to keep my informed and inspired.
99U
Provides actionable insights on productivity, organization, and leadership to help creatives people push ideas forward.
Invision
The digital product design platform used to make the world’s best customer experiences.
Motionographer
Inspiring work and important news for the motion design, animation and visual effects communities.
Medium
Get smarter about what matters to you.
Premium Beat
Video editing, Video Production, Motion Graphics, they cover it all.
No Film School
A resource for all things filmmaking.
Fstoppers
A community based photography news website featuring the latest industry news and original articles from photographers and videographers.
SLR Lounge
Photography and videography news and reviews.
Adobe
You can access the latest blog posts from across the company and perspectives from Adobe executives.
CONFERENCES:
Some great conferences to check out if you are looking to recharge your creative batteries.
99U
The Adobe 99U Conference is a one-of-a-kind live experience that inspires creative professionals to bring their ideas to life and shape the future of the industry.
Adobe MAX
MAX brings together the world’s top creatives and best-in-the business experts to get inspired, learn skills, and play.
HOW
One of the largest annual gatherings of creative professionals in the world, HOW Design Live is a career-changing, life-altering experience.
CLASSES:
We should always be looking to broaden our horizons.
IDEO U
IDEO U is an online school where leaders can unlock their creative potential and build their problem-solving skills.
Masterclass
MasterClass offers online classes created for students of all skill levels. Our instructors are the best in the world.
Lynda.com
Learn software, creative, and business skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Join today to get access to thousands of courses.
CreativeLive
Online classes in photography, graphic design, craft & DIY, marketing, business and entrepreneurship.
PEOPLE TO FOLLOW:
Some people I look to for insights and inspiration.
Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is an unshakable optimist who believes in a bright future and our ability to build ittogether.
Seth Godin
Seth is a writer, a speaker and an agent of change.
Tina Roth-Eisenberg
Tina Roth Eisenberg is a Swiss designer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is best known for founding the Swiss Miss design blog and studio.
Chase Jarvis
Chase Jarvis is an American photographer, director, artist, and entrepreneur.
PODCASTS:
Put that commute to good use.
Design Matters
In 2005, Debbie Millman started a radio show, Design Matters, the first ever podcast about design and an inquiry into the broader world of creative culture.
Chase Jarvis Live
Chase Jarvis sits down with the world’s top creative entrepreneurs and thought leaders and unpacks actionable, valuable insights to help you live your dreams in your career
The Crazy One
In every episode, Stephen Gates will help you find new breakthroughs in your career, creativity, and leadership.
The Accidental Creative
Weekly tips and interviews with top thinkers, leaders, and artists for over a decade.
Real Creative Leadership
Practical guidance for any creative director seeking to bring the value of creative ideals to the highest levels of their organization.
Creative Mornings
CreativeMornings, a breakfast lecture series for the global creative community, brings some of our most remarkable and inspiring archived talks—from hometown heroes to design legends to community leaders
WATCH ONLINE:
Some essential resources to watch online.
Start With Why
Simon Sinek | TEDx Puget Sound
Why Leaders Eat Last
Simon Sinek | 99u
How to Get People to Follow You
Simon Sinek | Inside Quest
Quieting the Lizard Brain
Seth Godin | 99u
STREAMING SHOWS:
Some shows to watch to keep inspired.
Abstract: The Art of Design
Step inside the minds of the most innovative designers in a variety of disciplines and learn how design impacts every aspect of life. | Netflix
Chef’s Table
In this Emmy-nominated series, meet culinary stars around the world who are redefining gourmet food with innovative dishes and tantalizing desserts. | Netflix
What’s keeping you inspired? Drop me a line and let me know.