Release Day with Chicago Creatives

We’ve started something new and we’re really excited about it.

FieldTrips are meetups to interact, learn and collaborate in an effort to level-up your creative life.

Built on top of our 20,000 monthly attendees at CreativeMornings  talks, FieldTrips are designed and organized by amazing individuals and organizations from within our community. They are offered in the same  spirit of generosity that has powered CreativeMornings events for the  past decade.

From  coffee breaks to workshops and yoga to talks, CreativeMornings Chicago extends its platform and welcomes you to host Virtual Field Trips. If you have something creative to share, we encourage you. Apply! Let’s continue to inspire each other and reconnect.

Apply to Host a Local FieldTrip.

#Illustration above by Monica Rief. #creativemornigs

The past few weeks have had most of us Working At Home for the first time. How is that going for you? If you’ve had some trouble adjusting, here are some general starter tips to help ease into the Way We Work Now:

1. Stake Your Claim

Roll out bed and set up on the couch with your laptop, a box of donuts, and the TV remote? Nope, designate a dedicated Work area. Ideally, a separate room with a door. A desk set-up in a corner, an armchair off to the side with a good light source; any space that will signal to you and your cohabitors you are “at work.”

2. Set Your Boundaries

Found your spot? Great, start with your “regular” company office hours. First, no commute! Use that time to get ready for your day, then step into your office. You are now at work. 

Designate a 4-hour time period as office-hours for reading and responding to emails, Slack, Zoom meetings, phone calls (uh, what are those?). It should be the time when you interact most with others professionally. Managers should designate a period that is convenient for all on the team, especially if there are members in different time zones. 

The other 4 hours are uninterrupted production hours: write that proposal, design the layout, edit the photo shoot, schedule the next event. Modify this time to best suit your energy level. For example, I work best in the mornings, so 10:00 am–2:00 pm are my production hours and 2:00 pm–6:00 pm are office hours. That is not to say I don’t produce work during office hours—I just know my mind tends to wander in the afternoon.

3. Communicate

This is the most important tip to keep everyone on your team on the same page. Set up a to-do workflow. I prefer a combination of Trello, Slack, Dropbox, and Zoom, but there are many other options. Whatever combination of tools you use, key points are What/How, Who, and When.

• What is the goal (and how is it reached)?
• Who is responsible?
• When does this need to get done?

Write it all down and then use it! Modify as needed. Perhaps you will discover some things are unnecessary or too complicated. Talk with your team. You might feel like you’re over communicating with your detailed messages, especially if this is not your normal way of interacting with your clients and colleagues, but when it comes to e-chat, more is better than less. Use the due dates! That will help with the scheduling boundaries you’ve set above.

Essentially, as everyone is practicing social distancing, we can’t rely on the visual and physical cues that get us through our workday. Designating a map accessible to all, with clear priorities and best practices will do wonders to keep everyone productive and sane. 

Christine DePedro is a Creative Project Manager and Consultant with more than 30 years experience producing print and digital content. She was the first Art Director of The Cambodia Daily newspaper and produced the first digital iPad edition of Condé Nast BRIDES magazine. Christine is currently the Volunteer Coordinator for CreativeMornings/CHI and photographs street art from around the world @streetsmart_chi.

Hit me up at control@ticktick-boom.com for individual or corporate consulting on remote workflows and best practices. 

“When in doubt, take the steps you need to follow the path of your own joy. This path is your purpose.” April is #CMpurpose. This month’s theme was chosen by @Indianapolis_CM and illustrated by @jasonratliff.

Our guest speaker for February is Marian Cook, a kickass woman who is a voice in emerging technology and innovation. Currently, Marian is a Principal at Slalom Consulting and she also leads a gubernatorial advisory board composed of heads of innovation from large corporations in the State of Illinois. 

Checkout my interview with Marian and learn how she invests in herself and why she got started in tech. Hope to see you at our #CMinvest event on Friday, February 21 at Fjord Chicago.

1. February’s theme is Invest, how do you invest in yourself? There are many ways, such as focusing on what’s next on a macro level (future trends, technology convergence, etc.), taking on new and challenging work, actively working on my thinking skills, reading, and surrounding myself with people I admire and can learn from. Foundationally, though, I invest in protecting the sovereignty of my mind.  I block off time for deep thinking, deep work and daydreaming about what’s possible in the world of ideas. 

2. What initially drew you to the tech industry? I always want to know what’s next. My father, as a mathematician and physicist, set a great example of deeply desiring to understand the universe. As a little kid I remember playing in the halls of Argonne National Laboratory, where my dad worked, so I was always surrounded by men and women who were insatiably curious..

3. Creatives often draw from life experiences, identities, communities, interests. How have your experiences or the like have shaped how you approach technology? My philosophy has always been to seek what’s next. We’re a fascinating and inventive species living in an astonishing time! Take a step back and look around you. It is thrilling. Yes, scary, but also thrilling. The world is a rich buffet of ideas, options and opportunities. I want to know what’s next!   

4. How do we create more equity for underrepresented communities to be represented in the tech industry? This is a tenacious and complex problem. One of the ways to solve this problem is by being aware of who is in the room and making sure that we invite others in. Always bring others along.

5. How do you manage your time? Science shows that handwriting makes you process information differently and remember better. I hand write my to do list daily. I don’t cut and paste it day to day. I want to think about and prioritize each item on that list and how it relates to my bigger goals. Strategically and proactively managing task lists and aligning your tactics with your strategy is perhaps the most important task you have.

6. What is your secret superpower? My curiosity! I am curious about how my brain works. I actively study how to learn and how to think.

7. Who is another creative person / organization in Chicago that we need to know about? Eva Maddox, an interior designer who is the pioneer of branded environments.

8. Where do you find creativity in Chicago? In the neighborhoods of Chicago, I enjoy photography and capturing street art such as murals and graffiti. Such powerful inspiration unleashed!

9. Lastly, what’s a dream project/ collaboration for you? I would love to put together a team for the Learning Global Grand Challenge organized by Singularity University and tackle social justice issues.

Blog post by Social Media Manager, Brenda Uribe

February’s Theme is Invest. “Convert your doubts into positive currency and bet on yourself.” Our Hong Kong chapter chose this month’s exploration of Invest and Bao Ho illustrated the theme.

“Courageous, creative work begins below the ground.” Our Québec chapter chose this month’s exploration of Roots and Félix Girard illustrated the theme. 

October’s theme is flow and I had the opportunity to interview this month’s speaker, Ricardo Mondragon. Ricardo is a talented Mexican artist and music composer. We met at Daily Bar where we chatted about his work, where he finds creativity in Chicago, and what keeps his flow going. Read below to learn more about Ricardo’s thoughts on community, culture, and this month’s theme. 

1. October’s theme is Flow, in one sentence or less, how do you define Flow?
 A state of harmony.

2. What’s your flow? I have many flows. Music, art, food, animals, running. Nature flows with me.

3. You combine, art and music, what is your creative process like? I begin in my music studio, and look for harmonic forms that are aesthetically pleasing. I then visualize them in 2D and pass on to 3D, depending on the project. Materials and gravity mold my creative process until my eyes are satisfied.

4. How has technology impacted the type of work that you create? Technology drives the art.

5. What do you want people to take away from your work? Whatever they want, whatever they choose to take out of my work. I want to have a conversation with them through art.

6. What does your work mean to you? It is a lifestyle. It’s my way of a better understanding about the world we live in.

7. You were born in Mexico, how does your culture influence your work? I like to choose vibrant colors for my art. I also think that Mexico has molded me into who I am. I like to think that we are a collection of everyone we’ve met - where you were born and where you have traveled. All these experiences brings you to the present self.

8. Where can we see some of your work? I am showcasing my work with other artists at Hyde Park Art Center. The exhibit is called Intersectional Touch.

9. What kind of sounds represent you? I believe that we all have a frequency - vibrations that resonate to connect with others. I don’t have a specific sound that represents me, but if I had to choose my favorite sound, I would pick the chord D minor.

10. What does community mean to you?
 Individuals who help each other succeed.

11. What’s on your current playlist? 
Les Baxter, Voodoo Dreams

12. What are you reading now? I am reading Reductionism in Art and Brain Science: Bridging the Two Cultures by Eric Kandel and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.

13. What is your secret superpower?
 Being hungry for life!

14. What keeps you up at night? 
Thinking about art, my next steps, and how I can do better work.

15. Best advice you live by? I follow my gut, it’s the best flow. If for any reason you made a mistake, you will learn. But if you are right, it will only assure you that you are following the right path, which is usually the case.

16. Where do you find creativity in Chicago?
 Museums, art centers, restaurants, breweries, architecture, everywhere.

17. Who is another creative person / organization in Chicago that we need to know about?


• Chicago Sculpture International
• DCASE
• Hyde Park Art Center
• Chicago Artist Coalition 
• 3Arts

Bauhaus Meets Chicago

As CreativeMornings’ Features Writer, I was able to attend City As Lab, an interactive two day experience led by Ashley Lukasik, former CreativeMornings speaker and co-producer of The New Bauhaus documentary film. City As Lab is a celebration of the Bauhaus 100th anniversary and its influence on Chicago's experimental, creative legacy of "making as thinking". Below are my most memorable experiences and what I learned from the event. 

Opening day began at Boxville, Chicago’s first street food market and container mall located in Bronzeville. It was chosen as one of the most provocative examples of creative entrepreneurship in the city today. Seeing Boxville for the first time I was captured by the bright colors of the shipping containers, live music, and energetic vendors. We met with the founder, Bernard Loyd, and learned about his mission to make Bronzeville a hub for black cuisine. His focus is to use culture and commerce to revive his community. 

We also met with Chicago muralist Sam Kirk. Sam spoke to us about her mural, “Bronzeville Beauty” and the importance of creating art that celebrates individuals who are underrepresented. As I gazed at her mural I saw the image of a young brown girl with lush hair and full of possibilities. Her mural celebrates the young women who live in Bronzeville. 

Afterwards, we got to explore Boxville and mingle with vendors. One of the things that stood out to me was how engaging the space was. The size of the shipping containers made the space intimate, thus I was made to interact with the people and objects around me. For example, I met Edo, co founder of Be Creative, who shared his clothing line and artwork with the group. 

We concluded the evening with a Bauhaus-themed experiential designed by Filigree Suppers. The dinner party was full of surprises and creative freedom. We were asked to set the table and select our plates made my ceramic artist, Asley Lin Ames. We were also given markers and encouraged to draw on the table cloths designed by Edo. At the end of the night we were allowed to cut our table cloth art pieces and take them home with us. The hands-on and personalized experience amplified my connection to the event because I was able to keep physically pieces of the event and thus remember the people I met and the spaces I was a part of. 

City As Lab taught me that it is essential to design spaces that bring individuals from different backgrounds together in order to build meaningful and genuine connections.  

You can catch the New Bauhaus film at its premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival on October 17th and 18th. https://www.thenewbauhaus.com/. 

Hi Chicago pals,

We have a special treat for you this month. I had the opportunity to interview Rachita Vasan, our very own CreativeMornings’ volunteer member. Rachita is a Junior Strategist at Leo Burnett and is currently leading some meaningful social justice projects at her work space. Check out the full interview to learn about her favorite books, current playlist, and the best advice she has gotten.

1. What have you gained from being part of the CreativeMornings volunteer team? I have learned so much from multiple disciplines that I am not exposed to on a day to day basis.

2. The projects that you’ve worked on have focused on social justice issues. What approach did you take to make sure that the projects stayed true to the mission? I work at Leo Burnett and we have a diversity and inclusion platform called Create Greater Than which centers on the idea that conversations create change. One of the projects that I co-lead is Create Greater Than Fridays where we bring in speakers. I spoke at one of the events about unconscious bias. I focused on how it impacts the work that we do.. in order to educate and empower everyone that I work with.

VIDEO OF CREATE GREATER THAN FRIDAY link - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6HVcayxXHEEdE6MpB0EsUV?si=3wbDX6zXTa6QJptqEtt3Fw

3. August’s theme is Justice, in one sentence or less, how do you define Justice?
 Justice is not just evening the playing field but understanding where people come from and understanding that everyone’s story is important and unique.

4. Who is your social justice role model? Jameela Jamil, actress from The Good Place, because she owns up to her mistakes and is an outspoken advocate for body positivity, representation, and transparency.

5. What does community mean to you?
 Community is a gathering of people who are motivated by the same things. The communities that enrich me are my strong female friends, CreativeMornings, and Sofar Sounds.

6. What’s on your current playlist? 
Sylvan Esso, Lizzo, Vampire Weekend, The Beach Boys, Local Natives, Brockhampton, Tennis, Maggie Rogers, Tyler the Creator, Death Cab for Cutie. A little bit of everything, really.

7. What keeps you up at night? 
When I’m in the middle of a book and I can’t put it down. Also, the fact that the bees are dying.

8. What are you reading now?

1. Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
2. How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
3. Educated, Tara Westover
4. The Library Book by Susan Orlean
5. The Power by Naomi Alderman
6. Good Omens, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

9. What is your secret superpower?
 The ability to make a good pun; my constant need to ask questions and question everything while still trying to maintain empathy.

10. What do you do when you feel creatively stuck?
 I read, wash dishes, and do yoga.

11. Where do you find creativity in Chicago?
 The events that I attend such as CreativeMornings.  

12. Best advice you live by? Live life like a middle age white men in congress and just assume you are entitled to everything and deserve a seat at the table. Also, ask for forgiveness, not permission.

13. How does Chicago influence you or your work?
 Chicago influences my work because Chicago’s creative community is inclusive and incredibly collaborative, more so than a lot of other cities I’ve lived in.

14. Who is another creative person / organization in Chicago that we need to know about?
 826CHI, a non-profit creative writing, tutoring, and publishing center dedicated to amplifying the voices of Chicago youth.

15. What advice would you give to someone going to their first CreativeMornings event? Come with an open mind and talk to people, because everyone is hungry for that connection.

16. Lastly, what’s one fun fact about you that’s not on your official bio? I usually read 100+ books a year.