A Global Look at How Creatives Are Working in 2026
The new RECESS Creative Playbook brings together the tools, systems, rituals and inspiration shaping modern creative work—spanning AI, analog practices and sustainable ways of working.
The 2026 RECESS Creative Playbook, a free, global resource designed to be used throughout the year, launches today with insights from 48 creatives across 20 countries. Spanning more than 200 pages, the Playbook is built as a practical reference—something creatives can return to as different challenges, questions, and moments arise.
This year’s edition captures how creative work is actually happening in 2026: from where AI fits into modern workflows to the growing return of analog tools, offline rituals, and slower creative practices that support focus, originality, and longevity.
Published annually by RECESS, the global creative inspiration platform founded by freelance experiential creative director Jody Orsborn Medina, the Playbook reflects the day-to-day realities of working creatives—sharing the systems, habits and practical methods people rely on to generate strong ideas consistently, not just in moments of inspiration.
Contributors across advertising and design include voices from brands such as Adobe, TikTok, Spotify, Liquid Death and Lego Group, as well as agencies including Wieden+Kennedy, Interbrand, Mother and TBWA, representing creative markets across five continents.
Download it free at www.cometorecess.com.
How Creatives Are Balancing Speed, Depth and Sustainability
AI is one of several major themes explored in this year’s Playbook—documenting where creatives are using it, where they’re choosing not to, and the emotional realities behind those decisions. It sits alongside a broader set of practices shaping creative work today.
Across contributions, a broader pattern emerges: creatives are designing more intentional ways of working—balancing new tools with analog practices, screen-free thinking and systems that protect focus, energy and craft.
“AI is a powerful addition to the creative toolkit, but it’s not the whole picture,” said Jody Orsborn Medina, Founder and Host of RECESS. “What we’re seeing is a dual movement: deeper exploration of AI’s speed and scale, alongside a rise in slow, analog and screen-free creativity as a counterbalance. The Playbook captures how modern creatives are navigating both.”
What’s Inside the 2026 RECESS Creative Playbook
The Playbook provides a holistic snapshot of how creatives are working today—combining emerging tools with long-standing practices that continue to drive strong thinking:
Creative Systems & Ways of Working: Repeatable routines, constraints and low-glamour systems that help creatives generate better work more consistently.
AI Everywhere: Real use cases, boundaries and attitudes toward AI—including which platforms creatives are actually using, where they’re opting out, and how they feel about its growing influence.
Tools & Hacks: Practical methods, shortcuts and organizational systems creatives use to stay focused, inspired and effective.
Let’s Get Physical: A behind-the-scenes look at workspaces, objects and analog tools shaping how creatives think and create.
Screen-Free Creativity: Offline rituals and habits that support original thinking and help prevent burnout.
Inspiration Sources: The podcasts, books, newsletters and classes fueling creativity in 2026.
New for 2026 — The RECESS Creativity Workbook: A companion PDF with prompts and challenges designed to encourage experimentation, reflection and intentional creative growth throughout the year.
A Global Collective of Creative Voices
Contributors span advertising and design, with perspectives from creative markets across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The 2026 Playbook features:
Agency leaders, including Ariba Jahan (Anomaly), Mel Daniels (TBWA\Asia), Rahman Yıldız (MullenLowe) and Lauren Austin (MKG), sharing how teams are navigating changing creative expectations.
Brand voices such as Andy Pearson (Liquid Death), Bianca Lubbers (Lego Group) and Ryan Esquivel (Polaroid), reflecting on taste, craft and human judgment.
Industry thinkers, including Mark Pollard (Sweathead), Janelle Wallace (Wieden+Kennedy / Witcha Black Ads), Helena Way (IBM) and Vikki Ross, exploring creativity at the intersection of culture, strategy and technology.
Artists and technologists whose practices blend traditional craft with evolving tools.
Selected Quotes From the 2026 RECESS Creative Playbook:
“The process of creation matters just as much as the idea that started it.”
Andy Pearson, VP Creative, Liquid Death (USA)
“The best thing you can do is stay curious. Keep adding tools to your toolbox—the more you know, the more doors you can open for yourself.”
Bianca Lubbers, Art Director, The LEGO Group (Denmark)
“Craft is still the most important part of the work.”
Daniel Chonillo, Head of Art, BBDO (Ecuador)
“We will always have value as long as we retain the ability to move people.”
JC Aujero, Senior Art Director, BLKJ Havas (Singapore)
“Your taste, experiences, and perspective are unique attributes that nothing can take away or replicate.”
Maya Iwata, Senior Creative, TBWA\Media Arts Lab (Japan)
“I’m so into imperfection and the human mistake right now. Saying yes to things and seeing if they work—or don’t. I’m always craving that mistake.”
Gustavo “Gus” Solis, Associate Creative Director, Spotify (USA)
“I’ve learned to trust boredom. It usually means something interesting is about to happen.”
Joy Richu, Illustrator — Kenya
“We will always have value as long as we retain the ability to move people.”
JC Aujero, Senior Art Director, BLKJ Havas (Singapore)
“AI helps me brainstorm faster, but authenticity has to come from me.”
Louis Amezah, Lead Creative, Innova DDB (Ghana)
“Your taste, experiences, and perspective are unique attributes that nothing can take away or replicate.”
Maya Iwata, Senior Creative, TBWA\Media Arts Lab (Japan)
“In a world obsessed with automation, originality is the new rebellion.”
Poroma Pant, Senior Creative Strategist (USA)
“The only constant in our world is change. Even if we resist it, it will come. We can choose to evolve with it and shape it into something we can embrace, or spend our energy resisting its inevitable arrival.”
Roo Yeshpaul Johnson, Senior Manager, Social, Adobe (USA)
Jody Orsborn Medina, Founder and Host of RECESS
About RECESS
RECESS is a global creative inspiration platform founded by Jody Orsborn Medina, a freelance Experiential Creative Director whose work spans global brands including Canva, NVIDIA, YouTube, Intel, Shopify and Live Nation. Drawing on her experience working across industries and markets, Orsborn Medina created RECESS to democratize inspiration and challenge creative gatekeeping.
Through RECESS LIVE—online sessions where creatives share what’s inspiring them—and the annual RECESS Creative Playbooks, a free, open-source PDF series, RECESS offers tools, ideas and resources to support the global creative community.
Learn more at www.cometorecess.com.
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