The 4Cs of Creativity

Over the past 5+ years of designing, through all the late-night eureka moments and the inevitable burnouts, I’ve noticed that my creativity thrives under a certain set of circumstances.

Now, this isn’t yet another internet trick from Twitter or some magic formula. It’s just a set of fundamental, human things that we all tend to overlook in the storm of life.

So here are “The 4Cs of Creativity” - where ideas flow easily and creativity feels natural.

1. Curiosity

As a kid, I was always diving into something—whether it was reading books, flipping through encyclopedias, or getting lost in documentaries. I couldn’t help it; I just needed to know how things worked. That same curiosity stuck with me, and over the years, I’ve built this mental library of ideas, facts, and perspectives. Whenever I’m designing or looking for inspiration, I find myself pulling from that repository of knowledge. The more you absorb, the more connections you can make, and that’s where creativity really starts to flow. For me, curiosity is the fuel that keeps the creative process alive.

2. Conversation

Some of my best ideas didn’t click while I was grinding away alone at my desk. They came during 2 a.m. drives, late-night hangouts on the balcony, at networking events or while simply sitting in cafés with friends. We’d dive into anything & everything from art and history to science, and the interconnectedness of it all. Those conversations sparked new ideas. Creativity thrives in those unexpected exchanges. The more I connect with others, the more inspired I feel. Plus, conversations often lead to travel, and traveling has really shaped the way I see things.

3. Collaboration

For a long time, I believed I had to do everything solo to prove my worth. But over time, I realized that’s a pretty limiting mindset. Real magic happens when you collaborate. Sure, you can be a master at your craft on your own, but if you want to create something bigger, something that truly scales, you need to bring others into the mix. When you find the right people, it’s like creativity amplifies. New ideas come out of nowhere, and suddenly, you’re building something greater than what you could’ve done alone.

4. Coffee

Now, I know this might sound cliché, but coffee is a big part of my creative process. It’s not just about the caffeine—it’s about the ritual. Every day, I spend 15 minutes brewing the perfect cup. It gives me the space to pause, reflect, and step away from everything. It’s like hitting the reset button, whether I’m starting the day or shaking off a mid-afternoon slump.

The act of making coffee itself is a small creative process. There’s no outcome to chase, no money to be made—it’s just something I do for the sake of doing it right. You’re fully present, meticulous, simply for the pleasure of it. And having activities like this in life is crucial. For you, it might be dancing, sketching, or getting lost in a good movie. Whatever it is, find that thing that lets you pause and just enjoy the process.

The reason I’m sharing these isn’t because they’re groundbreaking. In fact, they’re probably pretty obvious. But we tend to forget them—especially when deadlines loom or we get so caught up in the grind that we stop exploring, stop talking, stop being curious. If you tap into these little things, though, it might just work magic.

And on that note, I’m off to make my coffee. Cheers to that. ☕️🏃🏻