126. The Spark: Luigi Carnovale, the art of reinvention, and staying true to yourself

Welcome to The Spark—your weekly creative pick-me-up from The Creative Boom Podcast. Each Thursday, we bring you a shorter, snappier episode packed with inspiration, creative news, and practical tips to fuel your creative journey as the week winds down. Whether you need a quick shot of motivation or insights to carry you through, we've got you covered.

We reflected on this week's interview with Luigi Carnovale, in which we focused on the art of reinvention. Luigi shared his insights on navigating new tech, client demands, and personal evolution as a creative. His message? Business is about people, and we are in control of our own paths. If you've been feeling stuck, his words will inspire you to embrace change, just as he has.

In this week's Creative News roundup, D&AD's 2024 Annual Showcase highlights the best creative campaigns and trends, such as fandoms and textural evolution, to inspire the next generation. Headspace introduced Ebb, a generative AI chatbot to support mental health with personalised real-time conversations. Finally, teenage gamer Michael Artiaga made history by resetting Tetris after reaching the highest level. Gosh, it's an amazing feat. I can hear the music in my head now. How it didn't drive him mad, I'll never know. But, understandably, he confessed he'll never play it again.

For The Spotlight, we looked at the independent type foundries set to shine in 2025. From Jessica Walsh's emotionally driven Type of Feeling to Grilli Type's standout creations, these foundries offer fresh, experimental fonts that push boundaries. And the best part? We had nothing to do with the final cut; it was all down to you, the creative community, as you shared your favourites.

Our Book of the Week is Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis, a manifesto for creatives looking to embrace intuition and risk-taking. Drawing from his experiences as an award-winning photographer and entrepreneur, Jarvis offers practical strategies for breaking out of our comfort zone, pursuing bold ideas, and building a fulfilling life rooted in personal passion. Doesn't it feel appropriate, given this week's conversation with Luigi? We thought so.

In our Tip of the Week, we look at how to differentiate yourself. And one way to stand out in a crowded creative industry is by embracing vulnerability. Share your authentic experiences—audiences connect more deeply with honesty than perfection. There's lots more advice on this theme in the article on Creative Boom, so be sure to check it out.

We received different responses from listeners about recent podcast episodes for our Letters to the Editor this week. Mike, an illustrator from Leeds, shared how Seema Sharma's discussion on AI completely changed his perspective, leaving him more optimistic while affirming that the human touch remains irreplaceable. On the other hand, Amara, a creative director from London, expressed concern about AI, cautioning against over-reliance on machines at the risk of losing the originality that defines creativity. Another letter from James, based in Devon, reflected on Luigi's experiences in the design industry. James related to Luigi's decision to leave the city, sharing how his move from London to his hometown led to unexpected creative opportunities while maintaining connections in the capital.

What about you? What do you think? We'd love to hear from you! If you have any thoughts on this episode or anything else from the show, drop us a line at [email protected], and we might feature your email in next week's episode of The Spark.

On Monday, Lisa Smith, global executive creative director at JKR, will join us. She will share hard-hitting insights on leadership, creativity, and building a career at the top. Don't miss it!