Joshua Davis: Never Let Success Get In The Way of Creativity

About this presentation

As creatives we strive for some form of success — some mountaintop, goal, or recognition. So what happens when we finally reach the thing we've been aiming for? After a lifetime of experimentation, artist Joshua Davis found his growth slowing after receiving high-level acknowledgment for his work. "I got lazy, I got comfortable, and I produced less," he says.

Stagnant and absent of the fear that fueled his creativity, he embarked on a multi-year journey to make himself uncomfortable: switching tools, methods, and collaborators. Along the way, he discovered the pitfalls of the known and the importance of play and fear in the creative process.

Please note: This talk contains adult language.


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3:04 what are the pitfalls of success
7:56 the great secret: the type of work you make is the work you'll get hired to do
12:00 "The reason I'm terrified - the ideas of I've done what I was going to, what do I do now?"
13:!1 "The industry wants to replicate rather than innovate..."
16:33 commercial projects
18:33 "In fear, my greatest thinking occurs."
21:22 What is success? -- Some things you self define. "I had goals, I reached them, I got lazy..."
21:42 Churchill
23:13 New experiments, new chapter.





About Josh Davis

Joshua Davis, is a New York based artist, designer, and technologist producing both public and private work for companies, collectors, and institutions. Currently he is residing at Sub Rosa as Interactive Director.


About 99U

The 99U delivers the action-oriented education that you didn't get in school, highlighting real-world best practices for making ideas happen.