We asked insiders and experts from various industries to tell us something they think outsiders are unaware of and we’ve shared a few of those responses below.

Angelo Metz | Musician, producer and educator.

That there are many levels of professional success in the music business. You don’t have to be a celebrity to make a decent living, and you don’t have to be a struggling broke musician. Read more>>

Marissa Kennerson | Author

Writing a book takes many rounds of edits! I think a lot of people hesitate to write because they think they need to make it brilliant and perfect from the word go. It sounds cliche to say that writing is about rewriting, but it truly is. It is a process of discovery and uncovering, and that happens in revision. Revision is not proofreading for spelling errors. My relationship to revision and rewriting has really changed working on my latest manuscript. Read more>>

GLENNA JENNINGS | Artist, Associate Professor of Photography and Social Practice, Community Engagement Director

I am a professor, photographer, community-engagement director, and socially-engaged artist, in no particular order. But it’s my latter role that can often be misunderstood. Art as Social Practice goes by that and other names, and even further definitions and applications. In general, socially-engaged practices involve people and communities in creative debate, collaboration or interaction. When people become the material for a genre, a lot can go ethically and logistically wrong! But at its best, Socially Engaged Art (SEA) works towards long term, reciprocal relationships within communities to address common needs through creative acts of change or awareness-building. Read more>>

Layla Zhan | Creative Designer

In the realm of graphic design, with a specific focus on brand identity and packaging, there’s a fascinating blend of aesthetics and functionality. Outsiders often see the final artwork, but there’s a world of research, collaboration, and strategic decision-making behind it. My experiences, like working on Drybar items in Sephora, have taught me that designs are not just about being visually captivating. They need to convey the brand’s story, resonate with a target audience, and be versatile across various platforms. This depth and multi-dimensionality is something many outside the industry might not recognize. Read more>>

Keith Leung | Director & Production Sound Mixer

The film industry is very well known, but is often very underappreciated and misunderstood. Outsiders rarely understand the amount of work and manpower that goes into even just a single short film – they see big names – actors, directors, producers – but what about the key grip? The first camera assistant?Filmmaking is an intensive, collaborative process – not just in a physical sense, but a mental one, too. As a director, I strive to work on set as crew as much as possible – my secondary occupation is a freelance production sound mixer. I believe that working as a crew member often gives you valuable practical skills, but also puts you in a situation in which you understand what people under you have to go through, and the effort and time it takes. Read more>>

Alvin Archibald | Tattoo Artist

One aspect of the tattoo industry that outsiders often underestimate is the emotional and therapeutic role that tattoos can play in people’s lives. Tattoos are not just ink on skin; they can be deeply meaningful and symbolic, helping individuals commemorate life events, heal from past experiences, or express their identities. As tattoo artists, we often serve as part artist, part therapist, helping clients through their personal journeys. Read more>>

Dennis van der Sanden | Music Producer | Artist | Session Musician

When it comes to music production, an aspect often overlooked is the multifaceted role of a music producer. Typically, a music producer composes the foundation of a song, creating harmony in the form of chords, layering melody, and adding rhythm. After the song has its basic structure and sound, it’s time to go to the studio to write and record with the artist. Then, the right vocal and musical performances have to be compiled into the final composite track. Only when these steps are complete, and all of the foundational musical elements are there, does the real music production start. This stage of the production is much like a puzzle; arranging the instruments in an additive and subtractive way, creating transitions, and adding depth and ear candy. Read more>>

Antoinette Davis | The Freckled Baker & Event Planner

One thing that outsiders are probably unaware of in the baking industry is the process and time that it takes putting together orders and executing events. There are a lot of long and or sleepless nights. The planning, prepping, ordering supplies, shopping, it’s a lot. Then you have to add in family and other work obligations. Often times you see the finished products and are wow’d but the process behind it can be very overwhelming. Read more>>