1. Tell us about your journey as a creative. How did you get into creative work and how did you get to where you are now?

You might as well ask "How did you get into breathing?". Creativity was always there as soon as I could hold a pen and I knew from a young age that I wanted to become an Artist or Designer. I eventually did study Communication Design in Dortmund. After a very brief job in an marketing agency I decided to go freelance pretty much right away. In 14 years of self employment I had to pivot and shift quite often from UX Designer to Travel Blogger to Content Creator to Illustrator to Shop Owner to Artist and every time a piece of each job stayed with me. So today I would probably call myself a "eierlegende Wollmilchsau" (egg laying wool-milk-pig?) of creative work.

2. How do you find and connect with clients? Do you rely on social media, networking, or other platforms? How do you promote your work?

Most of my clients come from social media, as social media is a big part of my work anyway. I also go to networking events, conferences and fairs. Many of my clients I know for a very long time, some of them became friends. That being said - I could probably do a much better job promoting my work and telling people more about what I have to offer.

3. How do you develop your skills and stay creatively inspired?

One of the few perks of having ADHD is that you always keep learning, exploring and wanting to try new things. Getting inspired or coming up with new ideas is rarely the problem, but actually making those ideas or projects reality often is. I'm a curious person and I think most of my inspiration comes from travel, walks around my neighborhood and conversations with friends.

Heart am Limit Postcard - Copyright © Nina Hüpen-Bestendonk

4. What's been the most challenging aspect of running your creative business?

The lack of security, sometimes is challenging. Especially in times like these when the economy is in a crisis, creative projects and budgets are always the first to be cut. In the past I struggled to keep up my business afloat during burnout or the global pandemic. You really have to adapt and change all the time.

5. Where do you see your business in five years time? Are there any specific goals you're working towards?

I probably shouldn't say this but I never had any specific goals for my business other than being happy with what I do. I've always been the "making it up as I go along" type because, who can predict the next cool project coming along or the next shift in technology. My ideas for what I'd love to do next change all the time. Who knows, maybe in 5 years I host a travel tv show or I run my own skate shop. Both sounds fun!

6. What types of projects excite you the most?

Projects where I feel a mutual respect and trust, where I get the full creative freedom. I love to do new things I haven't done before, but they scare me at the same time. So there has to be a balance. Funny enough - even though I'm self employed - I really thrive working in creative teams.

Bon voyage - Copyright © Nina Hüpen-Bestendonk

7. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in creative work?

Always stick to your gut. Not every advice is good advice, so it is important you can trust your own intuition. The projects that went south in my career where always the ones where I ignored red flags and gut instincts.

8. What's a non-design related skill or hobby that unexpectedly influences your creative process?

I'm a girl of many hobbies and most of them are creative, but the one I sticked to the longest is rollerskating. Dancing on skates challenges my creative intuition as it is so fast and I can't think about the next step really. The community inspires me every day and also forces me to step out of my own bubble.

9. Share 3-5 links to things that have recently inspired you, made you think more deeply about things, or just made you feel incredibly entertained! Something you would like to share with us and the readers :-)

- I recently finished Schitt's Creek and the finale had me laughing and bawling my eyes out at the same time. I'm really late to the party but this show came at the exact time when I needed it.
- I love the sketchbook tours of @superniceletters
- I met Julie Leguez last year in an artist residency and her recent AI video installation about female body image really hit a nerve: Find it here!
- This is in German but I enjoy the Substack of writer Anika Landsteiner, especially her recent essay about her "no bullshit year" was really inspiring!
- Fabiola Lara ha a really inspiring way of approaching social media as a creative and shares great tips for in her broadcast channel and newsletter

10. In your opinion, who are the 2 most underrated creatives right now who you think need more attention and eyes on their work?

Only 2? This is hard!
There are so many incredible creatives (especially women) that need more attention!
- Dana Lungmuss is an incredible illustrator and I think her work should get more attention, not just because she recently drew me rollerskating ;)
- As a sucker for brutalist architecture I really love the work of Mimi Mynz who creates beautiful risographs and collages of buildings.

You want to find out more?
Find Nina´s website here! She also has a shop and don´t forget to check out her beautiful Instagram Account and leave some love!

Spotlight Artist & Content Creator: Nina Hüpen-Bestendonk

Why Oddly Wise is different and how we help creatives