Five Things That Make a Great Creative Professional (In my Opinion).

1. Curiosity – Always Asking ‘What If?’

Creativity thrives on curiosity. The best ideas often come from questioning how things work and imagining how they could be better. My app concept, Rello, was born from asking, “What if swapping clothes could be as seamless as online shopping?” That single question led me to develop a platform that not only promotes sustainable fashion but also connects like-minded people in their local communities. From writing a literature review to researching user behaviour to refining the app’s visual identity, curiosity kept me engaged and open to new ways of improving my design.

2. Adaptability – Being Open to Change

The creative industry moves fast, and being adaptable is key. Whether it’s adjusting to client feedback or learning new software, a great creative professional knows how to pivot when necessary. I realised this firsthand when working on my music video for artist Willow Star, where I originally envisioned using stylised 2D elements. As the concept evolved, I explored 3D liminal spaces in Blender and experimented with chrome-finished mannequins to match the luxurious and surreal aesthetic. This flexibility allowed me to create something more visually striking than my initial plan.

3. Problem-Solving – Finding Solutions, Not Just Ideas

Creativity isn’t just about making things look good; it’s about solving problems. When designing my website Explore Yorkshire using Bootstraps framework, I felt like every other line of code was bringing challenges with layout adjustments and navigation. Instead of forcing a design that didn’t work, I refined the user experience by restructuring the site’s navigation and incorporating a secondary menu for easier access to different sections. The result? A website that wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing but intuitive and user-friendly.

4. Communication – Articulating Ideas Clearly

Being able to communicate your creative vision is just as important as having one. Whether it’s presenting concepts to clients or collaborating with a team, a great creative professional knows how to get their ideas across. During my time at Rizhao Polytechnic’s Creative Media summer program, I had to pitch ideas to people from different cultural backgrounds, explaining my design choices in a way that resonated with an international audience, despite a language barrier. This experience strengthened my ability to break down complex ideas into clear descriptions - something I apply in both written and visual design.

5. Resilience – Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward

Creativity comes with its fair share of setbacks. Not every idea works, and not every project goes as planned. When working on my portfolio, I initially struggled with how to structure my work in a way that felt cohesive while showcasing my range. After multiple revisions, I found that breaking down my layout and creating clear category distinctions (Motion, Design, Web) made my work more navigable. The early drafts weren't failures, simply stepping stones toward a stronger final product.

Final Thoughts

These five traits—curiosity, adaptability, problem-solving, communication, and resilience—have shaped my approach to creative work. As I step into the industry, I know that technical skills will always evolve, but maintaining this mindset will allow me to thrive in any project or role I take on. Thank you for reading.