#creative confidence

There is a quiet moment every creative person knows well. You sit down to write, paint, design, cook, sing, or build something new, and your mind goes blank. Or worse, it fills with doubt. This is exactly where creativity affirmations step in, gently reminding you that your imagination is not something you have to chase. It is already living inside you, waiting for permission to come out and…

What if your creative confidence isn’t something you either “have” or “don’t have”… but something you can activate?

Read or download Issue 23 now to explore more surprising findings and mental fuel for your curiosity.

In this episode of Have a Cup of Johanny, I open up about one of the hardest lessons I learned as a new writer: how self-doubt shaped the way I received my very first feedback. Like many new writers, I just wanted people to love me and love my project. But instead of pausing and filtering through the feedback, I took it all to heart. I changed everything. And in the process, I lost the story I…

When your creative spark gets met with eye rolls, snide comments, or “it’s just a phase,” it can feel like your joy is on trial. In Creativables Issue 17, Aunty Brilliantrix dishes out her signature mix of sass and wisdom for anyone whose passion isn’t taken seriously. Whether it’s cosplay, collecting, or creating in any way that lights you up, she’s got you covered.

Read her full take in issue 17.

🎨 Top 10 Graphic Design Trends for 2025 (AKA: The creative glow-up you didn’t see coming.)

Still vibing with 2024 trends? Too late. 2025 just rolled in wearing metallics, retro serifs, and a pixel crown. Ready to see what’s trending?

🤖 1. AI-Powered Design AI won’t replace you—it’ll help you look like a genius. Use it to enhance ideas, automate the boring stuff, and add that "wow" finish.

⚪ 2. Bold Minimalism Minimalism’s gone beast mode. Big fonts, strong colors, no fluff. Say more with less — loudly.

💿 3. Metallics Shiny silver, chrome, and dusty hues are on the rise. If your design sparkles a little, you’re on the right track.

🟣 4. Pixels Pixelation isn’t a glitch anymore — it’s a statement. Retro + tech = yes please.

🌀 5. Wild Shapes Geometric? Abstract? Amoeba-looking blobs? 2025 says: go wild with shape play.

🌾 6. Textured Grains Perfect is boring. Add a little grain or grit to give your design depth, warmth, and "real human made this" vibes.

🎨 7. Maximalist Illustration Forget subtle. Fill your canvas with chaos, color, and tiny details that make people zoom in and stare.

🧠 8. Retro Serif Vintage typefaces are back, baby. Pair with modern layouts for the perfect mix of nostalgia and now.

🕯️ 9. Gothic Badges & Crests Want to look established and mysterious? This medieval-meets-modern trend brings serious vibes to logos and branding.

✍️ 10. Handcrafted Doodles, scraps, sketchy letters — embrace imperfection. The handmade look hits different in an AI world.

💡 Final tip: Don’t follow trends blindly. Find what fits your voice, your vibe, and remix them into something uniquely yours.