How to Live Like a Creative
About
Seeking to further our understanding of what it means to lead a creative life, we surveyed over 2000 members of the talented Format community at the end of 2015.
“How do today's photographers, designers, illustrators, artists, filmmakers and other creative pros spend their time?” we mused. “Where do they reside? How do they work—and more importantly—play? What are their differences and similarities?”
Shattering the disorganized, sleep-all-day, drink-all-night "starving artist" stereotype, our results depict a group of confident, business-minded, active individuals that are passionate about their crafts. United beyond a penchant for spectacles and motorcycle jackets, they’re driven by the need to express themselves and maintain a sense of achievement.
Here, we’ve teamed up with illustrator Sam Island to visualize their daily habits, hour by hour. Consider it a step-by-step guide to achieving a modern creative life.
Follow the timeline, peruse the data and let us know: how does your day match up?
step 1
7:30am
Wake up in the morning at your downtown apartment and recall your dreams
74% live in a city
50% live in an apartment, condo or loft
67% of creatives wake up between 6am and 8:59am
89% remember their dreams, either somewhat or vividly
66% have zero tattoos
67% of creatives wake up between 6am and 8:59am
74% live in a city
50% live in an apartment, condo or loft
89% remember their dreams, either somewhat or vividly
66% have zero tattoos
step 2
8:30am
Throw on your glasses and drink your 1st of 2 coffees, as your dog tries to get at your breakfast
50% wear glasses
67% like to drink coffee
32% of those that like coffee or tea drink 2 cups per day, on average
61% eat 3 meals spread throughout the day
50% own a cat or dog
50% wear glasses
67% like to drink coffee
61% eat 3 meals spread throughout the day
32% of those that like coffee or tea drink 2 cups per day, on average
50% own a cat or a dog
step 3
9:30am
Start working from the organized chaos you call home—alone—by skimming through the morning’s trending links
45% primarily work from home
58% prefer to work in organized chaos over a perfectly tidy space or complete mess
64% consider themselves to be introverts
45% read online articles more than books, magazines and even Netflix descriptions in 2015
45% of respondents primarily worked from home
58% prefer to work in organized chaos over a perfectly tidy space or complete mess
64% consider themselves to be introverts
45% read online articles more than books, magazines and even Netflix descriptions in 2015
step 4
10:00am
Respond to your friend's joke on Facebook with a tears of joy emoji
45% check social media every hour
45% cited Facebook as their most used social media platform
The tears of joy emoji was respondents’ most used of 2015
45% check social media every hour
45% cited Facebook as their most used social media platform
The tears of joy was respondents’ most used emoji in 2015
step 5
11:00am
Grab a pen, jot down some notes, and start producing something real
45% prefer to write with a pen, over a pencil, keyboard or touchscreen
20% find themselves to be most creatively productive during the late morning, between 10am and 12:59pm
45% prefer to write with a pen, over a pencil, keyboard or touchscreen
20% find themselves to be most creatively productive during the late morning, between 10am and 12:59pm
step 6
1:00pm
Take a photo of your lunch and post it to Instagram
40% cited Instagram as their most used social media platform
45% check social media every hour
45% check social media every hour
40% cited Instagram as their most used social media platform
step 7
2:00pm
Throw on your leather jacket and excitedly drive to your studio to review your latest work with a client
60% work from 2 or 3 spaces each week
21% have a studio, co-working space or personal office
47% used a car as their primary mode of transportation in 2015
48% own a leather jacket
49% prefer to share their work when it's fully complete, over sharing it when it's an idea or a work-in-progress
45% are very confident in their work
60% work from 2 or 3 spaces each week
21% have a studio, co-working space or personal office
48% own a leather jacket
49% prefer to share their work when it's fully complete, over sharing it when it's an idea or a work-in-progress
47% used a car as their primary mode of transportation in 2015
45% are very confident in their work
step 8
6:00pm
Power down and go for a run, while streaming a mix of music through your earbuds
66% work out once a week or more
Running, cycling, weight training, yoga and hiking were the most popular forms of exercise in 2015
59% listen to music through streaming
Musical preferences were split between Alternative, Rock, Electronic, Indie Pop, Hip Hop and Rap, Pop, Jazz, R&B and Soul, Classical and Other
54% prefer earbuds over headphones
66% work out once a week or more
54% prefer earbuds over headphones
20% of respondents ran more than cycling, yoga, weight training andother forms of exercise in 2015
59% listen to music through streaming
Musical preferences were split between Alternative, Rock, Electronic, Indie Pop, Hip Hop and Rap, Pop, Jazz, R&B and Soul, Classical and Other
step 9
9:00pm
Order pizza, crack open a beer and chip away at your passion project
The average respondent ordered takeout 2 times a week in 2015
24% ordered pizza most frequently, over other takeout options such as Chinese, American and Thai
34% opt for alcohol as their poison choice, while 31% indulge in food
35% drink beer most frequently, over wine and spirits
54% regularly juggle a couple of creative projects at once
20% find themselves to be most creatively productive during the night, between 9pm and 11:59pm
The average respondentordered takeout 2 times a week in 2015
24% ordered pizza mostfrequently, over other takeout options like Chinese, American and Thai
54% regularly juggle a couple of creative projects at once
34% opt for alcohol as their poison choice, while 31% indulge in food
20% find themselves to be most creatively productive during the night, between 9pm and 11:59pm
35% drink beer most frequently, over wine and spirits
step 10
12:30am
Get into bed, whisper “je t’aime” to your partner, and fall asleep for 7 hours
60% of respondents are in a relationship, engaged or married
57% had 1 sexual partner in 2015, while 22% had more
64% speak more than one language
59% sleep for 7 hours or more each night, on average
60% of respondents are in a relationship, engaged or married
64% speak more than one language
57% had 1 sexual partner in 2015, while 22% had more
59% sleep for 7 hours or more each night, on average
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