30-Day Craft Your Art Direction DNA Course/Week 5
Crafting the Playbook
Hi everyone,
I’m back from my one week break from Substack. It’s been very busy, moving out of my apartment bringing everything into a storage and then moving everything out again. Carrying furniture off countless stairs (no elevator) and losing the keys of the storage, so I’m far from done yet. I’m slowly catching up again and can’t wait to share some new article ideas I have in mind. Anyways..
Welcome to the final week of Craft Your Art Direction DNA! Over the last month, you’ve laid the groundwork for your creative identity, exploring your instincts, refining your aesthetic, and building a vision for your career. Now, it’s time to bring everything together into a structured playbook that you can carry forward in your creative journey.
This playbook is a living document, serving as a toolkit you’ll use to guide your decisions, shape your portfolio, and position yourself in the industry. Whether you’re applying for jobs, pitching to clients, or planning personal projects, it will help you communicate your creative DNA with clarity and confidence.
If you’re new here, Craft Your Art Direction DNA is a 30-day challenge designed to help art directors, designers, photographers and creatives define their creative identity and turn it into a structured playbook. It’s a self-guided course that you can do anytime.
Each week focuses on a key area:
Week 1: Laying the Foundation – Understanding your creative instincts and influences.
Week 2: Exploration Beyond the Familiar – Expanding your visual world and references.
Week 3: Refining Your Aesthetic – Defining your unique creative language.
Week 4: Building Your Vision – Translating your identity into a clear direction for your career.
Week 5: Crafting the Playbook – Bringing everything together into a toolkit you can use for years to come.
This is the final (short) week with just a few days left of the 30.
Why Crafting a Playbook Matters
A Playbook iss about knowing who you are as a creative and having the tools to communicate that clearly to the world.
Think of your playbook as your personal creative compass. It helps you stay true to your vision while navigating the industry, whether you’re freelancing, working in-house, or leading your own projects. It also makes your workflow more efficient, when you know what you stand for, decisions come easier, projects feel more aligned, and collaborations are smoother.
Some of the most successful creatives have an internal playbook that guides their work. They know exactly what they bring to the table, and that clarity makes them irreplaceable in a competitive market.
Free Task: Week 5 Exercise
If you’re not ready to commit to the full challenge, here’s your Week 5 task:
Gather all your reflections from the past month and create a one-page visual summary of your creative identity.
Include:
Three words that define your creative style.
A mood board with 5-10 images that represent your aesthetic.
A one-paragraph description of your creative vision.
Any key influences or references that inspire your work.
This one-pager will give you a snapshot of your creative DNA, but if you want to go deeper and create a full, structured playbook, the full challenge below will guide you step-by-step.