The Inspiration Focus

What are the cultural artefacts, random objects, rituals and synaptic sparks that generate fresh ideas? We talk to some of ad land’s most innovative thinkers about creative inspiration. What it is, where they find it and do the AI bots have it too...

Insight

Alan Watts' AI awakening

Two London creatives, inspired by both artificial intelligence and the British philosopher Alan Watts, have brought Watts' insight and wisdom into the 21st century allowing him, from beyond the grave, to reflect on some of our most existential questions.

Insight

The world we were born into no longer exists

Musing on the Pixar mantra 'The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art', Chris Boyle, director and co-founder of mixed-media production studio Private Island, explores how humankind's creative evolution is linked to our – eventual – willingness to embrace and be stimulated by new tools.

Insight

The importance of being mentored (and what’s AI got to do with it?)

Mentorship has always been vital to creative growth and inspiration, but how does it stand up in an AI-driven world? Chad Sipkin, owner/editor of Consulate, explains why human connection, collaboration, and hands-on experience still surpass machine learning’s capabilities, ensuring that artistry remains at the heart of the process.

Talent

Kika Douglas: full-spectrum creativity

Chief creative officer at 180 Amsterdam Kika Douglas discusses the power of getting noticed, the secrets to leading and inspiring your clients as well as your team, and the expansion of female creatives across the industry

Inspiration

Talking 'bout my inspiration

What was the spot that brought you into advertising? shots speaks to some of the globe's top creatives to find out which commercial sold them more than just the product.

Insight

Why conflict can inspire creativity

Sometimes a calm, compliant approach can pay dividends but, in other scenarios, pushing back is the best way to move forward. UNIT9 director Anthony Rubinstein takes a look at how conflict can sometimes be the path to creativity.

Inspiration

Inspired thinking; the ads that made me

As we continue this month's Inspiration Focus, we hear from five more advertising luminaries who reveal the commercials which persuaded them to get into the advertising industry.

Insight

The key to creative freedom is thinking like a kid

We're all born with childlike creativity, with abundant imaginations and the ability to embrace wonder. But, asks Florence director Kelsey Laroche, when does that stop, and why? And, more importantly, can we learn to grab hold of it again?

Inspiration

Talking 'bout my inspiration

Continuing this month's Inspiration focus, shots catches up with seven creatives from all corners of the industry to discover the spots that sold them a career in advertising.

Inspiration

Wetherspoons; fashion inspiration to be floored by

You can be inspired by many things; poetry, art, the glint of sunlight off a crystal clear lake or, in this instance, the brilliantly garish carpets on the floors of Wetherspoons bars. Here, Jack Snell, a creative at BMB London, talks about how he and his creative partner Joe Lovett decided to create a fashion line side project from pub chain floor fabric.

Insight

Scroll, swipe, repeat: are inspiration echo-chambers destroying our creativity?

Will Sansom explores how bite-sized content erodes our ability to be original, and what we can do to salvage it.

Insight

Border force; the power of creative constraints

From tight budgets to production logistics and legal compliance, are constraints the boundaries of creativity, or its foundation? Selena Schleh talks to industry insiders about the pros and cons of restrictions – both external and self-imposed - on the creative mind.

Insight

The fine art of brand collaboration

Warhol did it. Dali did it. But outside of the luxury business, few contemporary artists are getting into bed with brands. Tim Cumming sets out to build up a picture of how artists and brands may work together.

Insight

Why we should all be a bit more Banksy

Mysterious, humorous, surprising and truthful, Banksy gets the popular vote when it comes to work that interrupts both our surroundings and our days. Geoffrey Chang, Creative Lead at eight&four, lifts the metaphorical curtain on how Banksy is showing the ad industry how it’s done.

Insight

Why your next great idea could be found at home

The work/life balancing act can be a difficult tightrope to tread but, says Art Class director Oren Kaplan, instead of keeping the two things separate why not let worlds collide, using home life's everyday distractions and domestic chores to switch on your inspiration?

Inspiration

Talkin 'bout my inspiration

Our final look at the work that brought ad champions into the industry sees eight greats recall the spacemen, gerbils and slaps that left a mark.

The Photography & Cinematography Focus

In a cacophonous digital culture that bombards us with a stream of personal image-sharing and branded visuals, it can be hard for photography to stand out. This month, shots pulls focus on the DPs and photographers whose work sets the optic nerves a-tingle and considers the input of non-human image generators.

The YDA 2024 Focus

The rising stars who won Golds in this year’s Young Director Award share with shots the origins and ideas and behind their films, the production highs and lows and what they’re planning next.

The Music and Sound Focus

With sometimes just seconds to tell a story and set tone, the aurals – as well as the visuals – need to be spot on in ads. This month we sound out the musical maestros and foley funsters worth listening out for.

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