the creative career starter pack

whether you're just starting or looking to level up, your creative career thrives on a combination of technical expertise and the right personal approach. beyond the basic skills everyone talks about, here’s what will truly set you apart.

🎨 for designers

must-have skills:

• visual storytelling – it’s not just about knowing photoshop or figma, but understanding why certain designs work and how to evoke emotion through them

• branding and identity design – crafting consistent and memorable brand assets

• motion graphics – learning after effects or other animation softwares for engaging animations

• ui/ux fundamentals (if you’re interested in product design) – mastering wireframing, prototyping, and user research

best tools:

• figma – for collaborative ui/ux design and more

• blender or maya – for those interested in 3d design and rendering

• adobe illustrator – vector design tool for logos, icons, and scalable illustrations

• adobe photoshop – photo editing and graphic design software for high-quality visuals

key mindset:

• design with empathy – understand the user’s needs before making creative decisions

• stay ahead of trends – follow design communities and regularly refresh your portfolio

• embrace feedback – great design is a process of iteration and refinement, so keep at it

📈 for marketers and strategists

must-have skills:

• consumer psychology – understanding why people buy and how they make decisions

• data-driven storytelling – interpreting insights and turning them into compelling campaigns

• growth hacking – finding creative, low-cost ways to expand an audience

• paid and organic marketing – mastering both ad strategy and social media engagement

best tools:

• google analytics – tracking audience behavior and campaign performance

• meta business manager – running targeted facebook and instagram ads

• notion, airtable, or monday.com – for organizing campaign data and creative assets

• canva – for creating fast, simple social media graphics

key mindset:

• test, learn, optimize – marketing is all about experimentation and iteration

• understand the user journey – create campaigns that speak to customers at every stage

• blend creativity with analytics – the best marketers balance intuition and creativity with data

🎥 for videographers and multimedia creators

must-have skills:

• storyboarding and scripting – planning the narrative before filming

• lighting and cinematography – knowing how to enhance visual storytelling

• audio engineering – ensuring clear sound design for polished productions

• video marketing strategy – understanding the platforms and formats that perform best

best tools:

• adobe premiere pro – video editing software for films, social content, and commercials

• davinci resolve – free, professional-level video editing

• descript – edit video and audio through text-based commands

• audacity – free software for audio editing and mixing

key mindset:

• create, create, create – don’t let gear limitations or perfectionism stop you from creating

• master pacing & engagement – keep viewers hooked with strong editing and storytelling

• collaboration builds skills – work with others to learn new techniques and expand your reach

🌟 for everyone

crucial skills and mindset:

• make peace with imperfection – your first version of anything will suck. that’s part of the process. the difference between an amateur and a pro is how quickly they iterate and refine

• creative resilience – rejection, criticism, and creative blocks will happen. those who thrive aren’t the most talented, but the ones who keep pushing forward

• set boundaries to protect your creativity – burnout is real, and no, working longer doesn’t mean working better. learn when to step away and recharge

• adaptive thinking – trends change, tools evolve, and platforms shift. being versatile and willing to unlearn and relearn is your biggest advantage

• deep listening – truly hearing your clients, audience, or collaborators will help you produce work that resonates and solves real problems

• self-promotion without the cringe – being great at your craft means nothing if no one knows about it. learn to talk about your work confidently without feeling like a salesperson

• knowing when to break the rules – the best creatives know when to follow conventional wisdom and when to throw it out the window

all in all, remember that

creativity isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about building technical skills, using the right tools, and developing an adaptable mindset. no matter which path you take, remember that staying curious, resilient, and open to learning will be your biggest advantage. embrace the journey, and start creating!

i hope this was helpful—lmk if i missed anything!

🫶 nina