The human mind is not equipped to cope with the information overload we all experience in out western lifestyles. We burn out and stagger through our lives paying bills, consuming, neglecting, and misunderstanding our creativity to the detriment of our happiness and fulfillment.In 1993 Tom Hodkinson founded 'Idler' magazine - a publication dedicated to calling for a slower, more wholesome way of life, questioning the earn and spend ethic. Tom joins me to discuss most of modern life, with special...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 32 min
The first in a series of audience question-focused episodes of the podcast. This one is from designer Steve Cardwell, wondering about the validity of a portfolio comprised of personal work when starting afresh, or changing direction in an arts career.Any further responses to the question, questions for future episodes, or opinions on the question-based format are most welcome!Supported by Illustration X, who represent the best of global illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comHost...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In 2018 I met Murugiah for episode 102 of The Creative Condition Podcast. He had results, and he was freelancing successfully as an illustrator and artist, but there was a fragility about him. The earliest seeds of his current, flourishing art style were starting to flower, but they were mere dots in the soil.In 2020, on 'Cabin Cast 5', bright green buds had emerged, and spots of colour were trying to push out.Now as we stare down both barrels of 2024, he returns and things are in full bloom. An...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 24 min
Designit is home to 700+ designers, analysts, brainstormers, creators, doers, dreamers, explorers, geeks, leaders, learners, lovers, mamas, papas, renegades, strategists, marketers, tree-huggers, visionaries, question-askers with diverse expertise and perspectives working together to solve complex problems.I'm joined by their head of design and creative in the Americas, Christine Pizzo as we get into large-scale design for positive change, design leadership, motorcycles, and the role of tech in ...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 11 min
An excerpt from 'The Creative Condition' book about creativity in education, including the story of stealing a child's drawing.You can back the book on Kickstarter here with just 4 days left to get your advance, contributor copy: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/the-creative-condition-bookAs ever, the show is supported by the founding sponsor, illustration and animation agency, and b-corp Illustration X. https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter....
Nov 30, 2023•19 min
We hear it all the time, 'You are what you eat!' - but how seriously do we take our diet when it comes to our mental health? For the longest time, for me, the answer was 'not very.'We identify a raft of other aggressors when it comes to our moods, but we are living organisms and we require constant good nutrition to operate at our best.As part of the November mental health special episodes, following on from Kimberley Wilson on ep 202, I'm joined by microbiologist Zuzanna Karwowska. Zuzanna work...
Nov 21, 2023•58 min
During a recent appearance on Adobe's 'Creative Connections' show by Kladi Vergine and Elise Swopes, an audience member asked me how I discovered I could write, given that I'm an illustrator.I wanted to elaborate on my concise answer with a longer form consideration of my author timeline.Back 'The Creative Condition' book on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/the-creative-condition-bookThe Creative Condition is sponsored by Illustration X. You can see their ...
Nov 14, 2023•40 min
Column 7 in the ongoing series of articles written by The Creative Condition host and illustrator Ben Tallon.Exploring the nature and behaviour of creativity, the latest looks at vulnerability and it's potential value in sending the right message to potential clients.You can read any of the previous columns at designweek.co.ukThe Creative Condition is sponsored by Illustration X. You can see their global roster of artists, illustrators, and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwri...
Nov 09, 2023•8 min
We all know - on some level at least - the importance of good nutrition for good health. But how many of us equate it to effective creativity? It took me the longest time to start eating, every day, to fuel a firing brain, and positive mood, to give myself the best chance of hitting my optimal performance zone.It's been a revelation, and that was in part to do with Kimberley Wilson. Kimberley is a psychologist specialising in nutrition, who educates about 'whole body mental health.'Kimberley's l...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Phaidon was founded 100 years ago, in 1923, with the intention of producing beautiful affordable books, predominantly on art.To celebrate the milestone, I'm joined by Creative Director Julia Hasting who has worked on many titles over several decades. We discuss her story, the role of print books in the digital age, what it takes to produce a book of this magnitude, the people involved, and the collaboration required to make it work.Supported by founding sponsor https://illustrationx.comhttps://w...
Oct 31, 2023•45 min
As The Creative Condition Book Kickstarter launches, here is an exclusive 1st chapter of the book, 'What is Creativity.'You can support the campaign by getting your copy ahead of the March 2024 release and bringing the idea to life. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativecondition/the-creative-condition-bookSupported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comHosted ...
Oct 26, 2023•20 min
After 2 years of writing, 10 years of study and research, a lifetime of observation and lived experience, and 200 podcast episodes, 'The Creative Condition' book is ready, and I need your help!Creativity has been an infinite joy in my life. It has become my calling. It brings together communities, energises societies, empowers individuals, and has enabled the continued survival of our species. And yet it continues to be lumped in the same basket as artistry and marginalised at every level of edu...
Oct 24, 2023•40 min
Have you ever been told, or thought you need to toughen up? Or that you're a weakling for feeling more hurt than others at the hands of events in your surroundings? Or wondered if you're strange for feeling more joy than other people seem to when times are good? It's likely you're a highly sensitive person.For the 200th episode of The Creative Condition Podcast, I'm joined by sensitivity and introvert expert Jenn Granneman, co-author (with Andre Sólo) of 'Sensitive: the Power of a Thoughtful Min...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Somewhere in those big hardback books of collected design that we had around the studios in which I studied, or perhaps it was in the 'Handwritten' book of collected hand lettering, I found the work of Stefan Sagmeister - the infamous talk poster for which he'd carved the information into his own torso.His reputation as a great designer is more than earned. Since 1993, working out of New York, he has created work for The Rolling Stones, HBO, Lou Reed, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum through...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 15 min
The two types of creativity: Are you balancing your intellectual and emotional creativity? It's the key to staying motivated, passionate, and energised. Here's why.Column 7 in the ongoing series of articles written by The Creative Condition host and illustrator Ben Tallon.Exploring the nature and behaviour of creativity, the latest looks at vulnerability and it's potential value in sending the right message to potential clients.You can read any of the previous columns at designweek.co.ukThe Crea...
Sep 25, 2023•7 min
Creative Stories #1: Cheeky BatmanA ramble about what a silly graffiti doodle can teach us about creativity, mental health, and reframing the world around us.Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwriter.com
Sep 19, 2023•16 min
Dance school was a cheap hobby for Stephanie Powell-Baxter and her siblings to attend. Now she performs choreography and dances on Strictly Come Dancing, in London West end musicals, and in major movies.We discuss different types of intelligence, the community spirit of dance schools, creativity in schools, and Steph's parental perspective on making sure her children get the right balance. There's also a fantastically grungy road story from the world of dancers after dark.Supported by the brilli...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 17 min
Mac Ferrari and Jake 100 share the inspiring Bikestormz story. Together they built something from the ground up to help people come together through community and creativity, through something simple and positive against a backdrop of troubled young people hurting each other.We discuss what the bike represents, the misconceptions, demonisation, and the evolution of the ride-outs and bikelife community since it began.What's next for Bikestormz as Mac shares his feelings on handing the reins to Ja...
Aug 17, 2023•2 hr 18 min
I'm joined by the Executive Creative Director of Wasserman, Rich Jones. Wasserman is a sports & entertainment marketing company based in LA and Rich shares his experience of fighting for creativity, and keeping things fresh in a time-based industry.We dig into the importance of healthy relationships and a dynamic, fun environment for staff not just to do their job, but to be themselves and a part of something in which they matter.Rich reminisces about the days of big drawing desks and the sm...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Kelly Korzun made the decision not to make money from her art. The purity of it meant too much to her, and we get into that, along with the twinned journey with Marc Chagall she grew aware of.How did her artist interview and feature project, 'METAL & DVST' originate, and why is it essential to embrace your 'shadow' self for mental wellbeing.We get onto the unlikely, but interesting topic of pornography.As ever supported by founding sponsor and b-corp Illustration X - https://illustrationx.co...
Jul 24, 2023•46 min
Automation is here. At first subconsciously, then consciously, I found myself factoring AI into my decision-making - the work I chose to create, the direction I chose to push forward in, and the broader value of each of my skills.As an artist, illustrator, letterer, podcaster, writer, and speaker, each of my disciplines came under the lens of this new technology.Like all tech before it, much good and bad will come of it. So where do we, as independent artists, illustrators, designers, and writer...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Pretty Clever is a Bournemouth-based design studio. Described as 'smart, caring, ethical folks who are keen to make a positive impact on the world' I'm joined by founder John Burton who discusses their recent B Corp accreditation, when he realised he wanted to make work for good, and the winding road he had to take to get there.We sign off on a hopeful message in worrying times for humanity, to hopefully drag a few heads out of the soupy despair...Check out the Pretty Clever home at: https://pre...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 35 min
Graphic designer Kieron Lewis joins me to discuss his work and creative story, from south London roots to freelancing, via Olga & Kay, his brilliant collaboration creating meaningful work for great causes, to his recent design for 'Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism' - a staggering showcase of the power of considered, impactful activism.The show is sponsored by founding supporter Illustration X. Head to https://illustrationx.com now to see their global range of illustration and anim...
May 29, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Karalyte enables next-generation entrepreneurs, brand leaders, and creators to create meaningful and memorable brands for the world. Together with her team, founder, Egle Karalyte has helped to elevate such brands as Cooper/DesignIt, Fotolia/Adobe, MTV Lebanon, The New School, Paris Telecom Incubator, Google Campus London.She joins me as she launches 'Bloomerang' - her impressive new game design to help anyone, whether they are creating a brand, an art piece, or simply searching for their way un...
May 18, 2023•41 min
'Life on a Lamppost' is a short fiction story written by Ben Tallon, for a book produced by OFFF Festival 2023.Here is the exclusive audio version with a score by Dirty Freud.The times are troubled and we've all felt the rising panic in our stretched minds. Here is one take on it.The show is supported by Illustration X. See their global range of illustrator and animator portfolios at https://illustrationx.comFor Dirty Freud's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dirtyfreud or his Spotify: https://...
May 08, 2023•13 min
In a capitalist society, knowing how to do the right thing is tough. Katie Klencheski showed signs from an early age - through her drawing and ideas - that she cared about something bigger than herself. Via a winding road, she founded what became Smakk Studios - a New York-based agency supporting brands that want to make a positive impact.We get into the confusing world of ethics from a consumer, creative, and business standpoint, discussing work in packaging, branding, design, and more, and the...
Apr 24, 2023•55 min
Jeffrey Madoff described branding as a story well told. The founder and CEO of New York's Madoff Productions joins me to delve into effective, strong branding, and the creativity that has to drive it.Jeffrey discusses the importance of projecting with confidence, and why building relationships with clients is everything.Madoff Productions have worked with the likes of Victoria's Secret and Ralph Lauren for many years and Jeffrey lets us in on the inner workings.The podcast is supported by Illust...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Column 5 in the ongoing series of articles written by The Creative Condition host, and illustrator Ben Tallon.Exploring the nature and behaviour of creativity, the latest looks at vulnerability and it's potential value in sending the right message to potential clients.You can read any of the previous columns at https://designweek.co.ukThe Creative Condition is sponsored by Illustration X. You can see their global roster of artists, illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comhttps://b...
Mar 31, 2023•7 min
What happens when the creative discipline we've trained for cannot express what we need to say? London-based artist Adelaide Damoah takes us on a journey from racist bullying in a London primary school, through ill health and a dramatic career switch from pharmaceutical to art, all the way to Ghana where she fell in love with the exploration of her heritage through performance art and narrative.Why is it important to feel, and find out what is right for our creativity at any given time, when it ...
Mar 13, 2023•1 hr 52 min
OFFF Festival founder Héctor Ayuso joins me ahead of the 22nd year of the giant Barcelona creative industry festival he created.Héctor talks candidly about childhood trauma, years of therapy, and a life spent facing fear to grow.We cover the role of socialising in the creative process, getting inspired, and what it felt like to return to the festival after the COVID-19 pandemic.OFFF runs from 22nd - 25th March and tickets are still available. Head to https://www.offf.barcelona/ now to find out m...
Feb 28, 2023•28 min
