Maybe it’s a cup of coffee? Maybe it’s a pair of lucky skinny jeans? Maybe it’s a disembodied rubber Batman head that rests at the base of your iMac to remind you of childhood, or … of what might happen to you if you miss a deadline? The truth is, we all have a few things we consider essential when it comes to our creative happy place. And so we ask the question, what are your creative essentials? This round, we spoke with our very own Jr. Strategist, Kendra Siebert.
Kendra Siebert, Strategist
WHAT ARE YOUR 5 CREATIVE ESSENTIALS?
Canon 6D – Photography has been an important outlet for me for close to a decade now. I find that being behind a camera helps me see and interact with the world so differently. #TeamCanon
Embroidery needle & thread – I’m a fidgeter, as well as a big multi-tasker, so embroidering whatever I can get my hands on – clothing, paper, old fabric – keeps me engaged.
Yerba Mate – I’m a bit of a Portland anomaly, because I don’t drink coffee. Yerba Mate got me through college, and is getting me through this next stage of life, too.
Classic rock – Thanks to my hip dad (never tell him I said that), I grew up listening to a lot of rock. It gives me an adrenaline boost that even Mate can’t. If you see me with headphones in, there’s a good chance I’m listening to Queen, The Talking Heads, Fleetwood Mac or something in that vein.
A good book – Listening to music is great, but sometimes reading a book is the only thing that really grounds me and helps me refocus. I’ve been a Stephen King fan for awhile, because his stories always transport me someplace else and clear my head.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
When I’m looking to be inspired, all I need to do is see other artists and makers in-action. Whether it’s by going to watch a local play or a dance performance, or by attending a gallery opening or an art workshop, I always find myself leaving freshly inspired and more connected with my community.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?
My title at Manifesto is “Jr. Strategist,” but I identify more as a researcher. To me, research and creativity are linked. There’s not one way to approach a question – just as there is not necessarily one right answer, but rather, many interpretations. The very process of finding insights looks different every time, and I enjoy using new and unorthodox methods to tackle prompts.