We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Carolina Nuñez

Hello, I’m Carolina Nuñez Bussolini, a visual artist from Argentina with a lifelong passion for art. My journey began at a young age, creating on any scrap of paper I could find. Today, I’m inspired by the beauty of music and nature, letting colors and forms flow freely in each piece. Read More>>

Abigail Kochunas

It’s the only thing that ever made sense to me. It’s my purpose. Art speaks a universal language that can have a deep and lasting impact on people. It wakes people up from sleepwalking through life. It defines and leads movements. I have always known I was supposed to help humanity through art. Read More>>

Destine’e Donald

I have chosen to pursue a creative career because it aligns with my passion. I derive immense joy from the creative process, and the prospect of receiving compensation for my work further enhances my motivation. Read More>>

Xinyi (cherry) Qu

I pursued a creative career because I’ve always been drawn to the power of design and creativity to solve problems, connect people, and create meaningful experiences. Growing up, I loved organizing activities and bringing people together—I found so much joy in creating moments where people could collaborate, connect, and feel part of something bigger. Over time, I realized that design has the same ability: it’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about fostering connection, telling stories, and addressing real-world challenges in innovative ways. Read More>>

Keju Luo

Music has always been a central part of my life. I grew up in China during the final days of the Dakota era (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakou), spending my teenage years collecting CDs and listening to bands like Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine. I picked up the guitar, though I never became particularly skilled, and my early attempts at making music involved programming MIDI using a mouse and keyboard. In college, I played in bands and taught myself more about producing and mixing. Read More>>

Hao Chen

I pursued an artistic and creative career because art has always been my way of understanding and refracting the world around me. From a young age, I was captivated by the striking visuals of classical artworks, which sparked my desire to create. Over time, my interests evolved beyond traditional forms, leading me to explore interactive and immersive media. Read More>>

Temani Hill

I pursued a creative career because since I was young music has always been my calling. Music has saved my life, given me purpose and allowed me to heal through expressing myself. Although growing up pursuing art wasn’t seen as a “real career”, i’ve never wavered from my path. Read More>>

Maximilien Monclair

Well, when it came to professional wrestling, I was scouted for this career.

Growing up in my teenage years, I loved watching pro-wrestling. I always refer to myself as a child of the WWE “Attitude Era.” However, I never really thought I’d actually be one in real life. I’m an actor and screenwriter foremost, and I love working out. Being in top physical shape has always been a goal of mine, specifically because of pro-wrestling. Read More>>

Cindy Negrete

Music holds deep roots in our family tree, with my husband’s lineage boasting generations of talented musicians. My father’s love for singing instilled a similar passion within me, paving the way for a shared interest that brought my husband and me closer. As we started our own family, it felt natural to pass on this rich musical heritage, teaching our children Read More>>

Jan Portisch

For me it was the most logical thing to do. Music has always been a big part of my life. I started playing Piano when I was 5 and switched to Bass in Middle School. I joined my school’s Jazz Big Band and from that moment on it was clear that I want to do this for the rest of my life. Playing music with people, connecting with the audience and being able to share my emotions through my instrument as a career seemed like the best thing ever. Read More>>

Kotaro

Pursuing an artistic career has always felt like a given since I was a kid. Even before I really understood what having a “career” meant, I could feel that art would be at the creative forefront of my life. From the earliest time I could hold a pencil, painting what I see around me and from imagination feels as natural as breathing. Illustrating stories is my forte, so if I don’t paint them out, life would quickly lose its color. Read More>>

Ging Chen Sow

Ever since I was a kid, I knew I couldn’t do a normal 9-5 job. I was restless and full of ideas. Around high school, I got my hands on my first DSLR camera and it opened up a whole new world for me. Years later, I went from this kid who shot photos and videos for the school magazine to a proud alumni of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Read More>>

Derek

Music has always been a deep fascination of mine, especially Western pop music. Growing up, I was a huge fan of artists like Katy Perry, One Direction, Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran. However, pursuing a career in the arts didn’t seem like an option for me, coming from a traditional Asian family where stability and success were often equated with careers in medicine, law, or business. That mindset began to shift when I attended an international high school in Shenzhen, China. There, I connected with friends who shared my passion for pop music. Together, we attended concerts, took music classes, and even started writing and producing music. Read More>>

Gally

I’ve always been a creative person. Growing up, I was constantly involved in artistic activities—whether it was entering the school art shows or being a part of the school plays. In fact, my last role in a play was as Captain Hook, which was a fun and memorable experience. I always had an active imagination, and that creative energy was a huge part of who I was. Read More>>

Hongzhou Wan

I have a built-in tendency always to try and take on new things since I was little. I saw people doing repetitive work, and I found that terrifying. It becomes a natural pathway for me to get intimate with my practice and establish such a career thereafter. Read More>>

Sophia Lopez

Art has been an integral part of my life since I was a kid. My heart always yearned to be an artist, but I couldn’t decide on a specific art form. I always knew that could do more with it since drawing and being creative has always been my outlet. There are several reasons why I chose a creative career, but ultimately, it because I’ve always felt this passion deep within me. Read More>>

Lindy Lin

When I think about why I pursued a creative career, the answer is simple: photography brings me joy. I remember the moments after a photoshoot, sitting down to review the images, and my husband catching me smiling at the screen. That joy- that deep sense of fulfillment- was my sign that I was doing what I was meant to do. It’s a feeling that has stayed with me throughout my journey. Read More>>