After reading Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind excerpt and watching Amy Tan’s TED Talk, Where Does Creativity Hide? I have come to some optimistic conclusions on the current state of the working creative.

As an art major, I’ve grown accustomed to the seemingly-constant questions of “How are you going to get a real job?”, “Why aren’t you studying something important?”, and my personal favorite, “You’re wasting all of your parents’ money.”

Yikes. It’s a verbal battle that can often feel disheartening. As a young millennial, I’ve grown up in a different world than former generations. I grew up on the Internet–and creative skills are increasingly in demand as the world becomes faster, cleaner, and sharper. Taking in information reflecting this observation from both Pink & Tan had a near-emotional impact on me. Both sources highlight the importance of creativity, and how harnessing this skill is the future of not only the US, but of a larger global community as well.

Pink’s chapter three, aptly entitled High Concept, High Touch, addresses a revolutionary phase we are now entering, that of the Conceptual Age. He explains that in previous ages, left-brain processors were in hot demand, but no longer. The Conceptual Age is experiencing a rise in demand for designers, artists, and other makers. This is inspiring for a young art student such as myself–the nights spent up worrying about my future have dwindled considerably since taking in this new insight.

Tan’s video does much of the same in terms of emotional impact. In her 22 minute Talk, she investigates the creative process, discussing her own methods of becoming inspired and finding deeper meaning in her works. This video engaged me on several levels. I found myself hitting the pause button multiple times to take a step back and evaluate my own process. I began to wonder: What drives me? Where does my own creative process begin? Why?

These questions helped me dig into my own deeper truths. Questioning not just the what, but the why as well was particularly beneficial in understanding how I make personal meaning between myself, others, and my work. Pink’s and Tan’s commentaries on creativity have inspired in me hope, a deeper level of thinking, and a deeper need to create.

In other words, the future for creatives is bright.