What’s Your Why?

We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.
Growing up I was always making things, either on my own, or with my mom or Grandmother. I think I was drawn to a creative field because I wanted to be connected in some way to the craft of making. There is so much that go into making a space, from the structure itself, down to the furnishings, it’s like an endless opportunity for creativity. In particular, I’ve always been drawn to spaces more than objects, because you can enter/occupy them. The experience, from the outside to within, and how you engage with each over time, stretches out the experience. I like that space has the ability to create memories. What could be more artistic! Read more>>
I’m not sure I have a single reason for pursuing a creative life/career. As cliche as it sounds, I feel like it chose me. From a young age and to today, creating has always been a way for me to express myself, feel safe, serve others, and understand the world around me. I was a pretty shy and introverted child growing up in the middle of 6 siblings. Any large family comes with chaos – and I would find peace and comfort in my arts and crafts projects. It was a smaller world that I could control. This path always felt like the obvious choice. To be a designer/creative/artist/whatever you want to call it, you have to be curious, constantly learning, listening, questioning, adapting, and asking “what if”, and “why”. This way of being came very naturally. Read more>>
Performing arts has always been a part of my life. Whether it was music, dance, theater— I have always found myself most at home when creating or participating in anything relating to the performing arts. It’s just something that I knew early on, that this is not only what I wanted to do, but I needed to do. I remember being about 7 or 8 years old and just knowing that this was my path. I auditioned for plays, dance groups, choirs, art centered schools—all of it made sense and just aligned to who I knew I was. I didn’t understand the ‘why’ in those younger years…all I knew is I enjoyed the work. I enjoyed rehearsals & practice. Read more>>
I had a couple of people throughout my life tell me that I had a personality for social media and would push me to create content. I never really took it seriously until I kept hearing it from different people. I eventually took the first step with creating DetroitFinds313, and the rest is history! Read more>>
I started to pursue a creative career because my creativity is my outlet. In 2020, I lost my father to COVID and was diagnosed with depression. I needed something where I could express how I was feeling, my highs and lows in a productive way. The first photoshoot I ever creative directed was dedicated to capturing my journey with depression but in a beautiful way. Read more>>