This is Slow Cooked, a collection of weekly musings, ongoing projects, and the media I’m consuming; delivered every week.
Some housekeeping
I'm going back to sending out these newsletters on Thursdays instead of Mondays, so I can enjoy Sundays more!
What’s cooking
In a world where I’m more likely to be discovered by a future client on Instagram than anyplace else; there is pressure attached in having to describe myself and what it is I do within 150 characters. So it’s important I get it right.
Instagram even offers “categories” to help best describe what you do. But labelling myself an “artist” didn’t feel right because I don't consider what I do to be art. While at the same time, calling myself a “director” is limiting.
This got me thinking…
We like labels because they help us make sense of our world. But in practice, they restrict how we think about things, people, and even ourselves.
I used to describe myself as a filmmaker, photographer, and future weekend pilot (perhaps in the hopes of appearing whimsical). But in applying those labels to myself, I was then bound by them.
When in reality — what I do best is creatively apply my way of thinking to projects, no matter the medium.
This resulted in me changing my bio to — “I make stuff”, which as vague as it is, felt like the best representation of that sentiment.
Right up until I stumbled upon the term ‘multi-hyphenate’, i.e. a person with several professions or skills. Which when distilled to ‘multi-hyphenate creative’ more accurately embodies who I am right now.
It represents a fluid idea that's hard to pin down. But that’s okay, as it allows me the room to interpret it how I'd like to.
We are sometimes restricted by the constraints of language. And when we don’t have or know the words to describe something, we find ourselves at a loss of how to convey it to others. So, in having a term for it, it suddenly becomes tangible and feels attainable.
Being a multi-hyphenate creative opens me up to endless possibilities. And gives me the confidence to follow any form a concept takes, rather than limiting myself to a medium, for example, photography or video.
For the first time, I am no longer scrambling for the words to describe what I do. Which itself reaffirms my feelings and gives me the confidence to treat the term as my own. And provides the clarity I need in pursuing my current path.
In the beginning, this can be disconcerting because I’m no longer restricted by the parameters of what the job defines me to be, only the ones I set for myself. And, it can fall short of helping others, especially those outside of the creative fields, quantify what I do. Leading them to dismiss it as being scattered or lacking focus. But for someone who works within it, this feels entirely natural and understandable.
All it takes is not allowing yourself to be boxed in by the expectations of others and the labels they give you. Which then frees you up to apply your point of view to any project.
It's where, in my opinion, the future of creative work lies.
In other news
Naomi and I wrapped up our project, Wait. What?!
What I’m reading
‘Somewhere Totally Else’ by Hans Ulrich Obrist
‘The Practice: Shipping Creative Work’ by Seth Godin
What I’m listening to
John Deere CTO Jahmy Hindman on farming, data, and fixing the tractors of the future — Decoder with Nilay Patel
Thank you
If you made it this far, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to do so.
With Slow Cooked, I'm trying to build a community of sorts. So, it would mean a lot to me if you'd share this with others who you think would be interested in it too! Every little helps.
I’d love to hear from you
Feel free to reply to this e-mail with your media recommendations, thoughts, and feedback. Or just to say hello!
Talk soon,
Vihan Shah