On the ownership of creativity

Creativity is an extension of who we are. Whether an artist, designer, writer, or musician, it is a personal practice that we perform in our everyday lives. And because of this nature, it’s only natural for us to feel ownership over it; it could probably spring from the desire to set ourselves apart and make sure our ideas are uniquely ours.

But it becomes a completely different experience once that same mindset becomes more paralyzing than fulfilling.

As an educator and creative designer, I have observed a pattern in and out of the classroom; it’s the hunger to stand out and be consistent in doing so.

While this is a vital aspect of every creative’s life, I also know and have experienced a few heartaches here and there in my design and creative journey.

As somebody who embodied the same struggle in both my student and professional life, I’ve spent countless times worrying about standing out and ensuring that whatever work I put out would be different from everything that we already see. Over time, after countless successes and errors I realized that in this lifetime, one cannot have complete ownership of the styles that we put out for visual or experiential consumption. And maybe, we don’t really have to worry about it in the first place.

The reality is everything that we create is, in some way or form, influenced by something that has already existed in the past — whether it’s history, culture, or personal experience. And in this digital age, inspiration has become more accessible than ever. With this truth come two things:

We will, at some point, share the same creative influences with others. It could be in the form of style, color palette, choice of font, trend patterns, even our writing voice.

Someone out there will likely come up with something similar to what we have done not because they copied us, but simply because of the shared inspirations, movements and even patterns.

Now, where does this all lead to? Does it mean that creativity has become a pointless act? To me, it’s not. It only means that we, who desire to keep creating and inspiring, need to shift our energy and mindset from “who did it first” to “who made it with more sincerity”— because each choice leads to a different impact.

For years, I held onto the mindset that setting oneself apart in many ways was the key to success and influence. My mind was clouded over making sure that I do not produce similar-looking interiors, photographs, or artworks. Yet instead of feeling creatively in control, I felt enslaved and drained — constantly running in a wheel, trying to “out-unique,” yet ending up failing. The ego-breaking experience and realization led to the peace of mind that this behavior is not sustainable. The most liberating realization after this was that creativity is not about ownership; it’s about authenticity and sincerity.

In his book, Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon talked about how all creative work operates on things that have come before, and with this nothing can be considered completely original. Embracing this kind of mindset has led me to stop worrying and begin focusing on being honest in pursuing my creative process. This decision helped me start enjoying my work again, as it completely shifted my focus from desperately standing out and competing, to finding out the reasons why I do what I do and remaining true to the vision of any project that lands in my hands.

Now, you might ask, if originality should not be the goal, what is? I believe that it is the pursuit of authenticity: the desire to create anything that feels true, to create anything that succeeds in connecting with anyone who will interact with your work, to create a less tangible yet sustainable impact or change in the life of whoever experiences your work.

What are some of the prompts that helped me shift my focus?

Instead of obsessing about finishing first to claim ownership, focus on your process and embrace the idea of finishing with a purpose. What are you trying to tell? What perspective are you bringing to the table? Our whys are what make our work more meaningful.

Instead of competing, find your rhythm. Constantly wanting to outsmart, outdo and be unique will consume you; in all aspects of your life, it is the quickest road to burnout. Allow yourself to create at your own pace, pause and look at your work from afar, and observe if there must be adjustments to improve the overall output. Consistency over pace.

Use trends as tools, do not run away from them and let them cripple you. We must learn to teach ourselves that trends aren’t the enemy, it’s about what you do with these trends that matter most. Use them as references, use them to find your own interpretation and process.

Over the years, I have come to realize and witness that people do not connect with our works because they haven’t seen them anywhere yet, but mainly because our works allow them to feel. If you ever find yourself feeling creatively protective, just know that you are not alone and that it is a phase that many of us go through. But there must come a time that we tell ourselves that this should not define our creative journey.

Embracing the fact that creativity is a shared experience will help us ground ourselves and remember that sincerity will always outshine originality. At the end of all this, when our works are displayed or turned over for people to see or experience, it’s no longer about answering the question of who did it first or who did it better. It all ends by answering why it was done, how it was done, and how it created an impact on those who experienced it.