8 LESSONS EVERY CREATIVE SHOULD STEAL FROM FORWARD BERLIN
Ideas are easy. Action is hard. At Forward Festival Berlin 2025, 50 of the world’s top creatives, from Anthony Burrill to Studio Yukiko, showed us how to make creativity stick. From embracing mistakes to saying “no” like a pro, here are the eight lessons that will help you actually turn your ideas into action.
SAY "NO" TO SAY "YES"
Artist and Advertising icon Erik Kessels is not the one to shy away from sharing the hard truth: not every project deserves your energy. Being fired for being “too individual” wasn’t a setback for him – it actually was his launchpad. Saying no frees you to say yes to the work that truly matters. Don’t just chase ideas; curate them. Only focus on the projects that make you proud, push boundaries, and actually move the needle.
KEEP IT REAL, KEEP IT MOVING
Authenticity isn’t a buzzword – it’s action fuel. Erik Kessels’ raw campaigns and W+K Amsterdam’s honest, story-driven work for Nike or Hennessy proved that when your ideas are genuine, people respond. And when people respond, ideas grow legs. Stop polishing for perfection and start making it real.
Creativity is a muscle, strengthened by doing.
LAUNCH IMPERFECT, ITERATE FAST
Designers Hugo Hoppmann and Baugasm reminded us: perfection is the enemy of action. Start with what you have, release it into the world, and let feedback guide your next steps. Action creates insight. Creativity is a muscle – you strengthen it by doing, not by overthinking.
SHOW UP RELENTLESSLY
Graphic artist Anthony Burrill’s prints, Hoppmann’s projects and Baugasm’s very own poster challenge prove it: talent isn’t enough. The creative world isn’t won by those who wait for inspiration; it’s claimed by those who commit to action. Relentless execution builds credibility, opens doors, and compounds into opportunity.
YOUR PEOPLE ARE YOUR POWER
Creativity is social. Studio Herrström’s collaborations and Stig De Block’s immersive work in LA’s lowrider scene demonstrate how communities can provide access, support, and inspiration that would be impossible alone. The right people give access, push boundaries, and amplify your work. Build connections, and your ideas will find wings.
MISTAKES ARE YOUR SECRET WEAPON
Flaws aren’t failures – they’re fuel. From Deveroe’s playful missteps to Sarah Illenberger’s experimental visuals, mistakes opened doors to unexpected brilliance. Risk-taking, trial-and-error, and embracing flaws accelerate learning and produce unexpected breakthroughs. Action thrives in imperfection because creativity is about exploration, not about playing it safe.
TECH DOESN'T THINK OF YOU
AI, VR, and digital tools aren’t magic – they’re amplifiers for creativity. AI artist Fan Shi and motion design studio Found showed that strategy matters more than the gadget. Use tech to execute, not to excuse. The best ideas paired with the right tools create real-world impact.
BUILD SYSTEMS, NOT ONE-OFFS
Sustainable creativity requires structure. Studio Yukiko and KOTO emphasized designing systems that scale. Whether it’s modular branding, adaptable campaigns, or repeatable processes, building for consistency ensures that ideas don’t just exist—they perform, evolve, and endure. Execution is a practice, not a one-off event. Systems transform fleeting sparks into long-lasting action.
