A Peek Behind the Curtain

  • Mugshot of a man with glasses, holding a placard with the name Nathan Lauder, and date of birth, in front of a height chart, with finger and thumbprints on either side, on a processed fingerprint card.

    I have a criminal record

    Before anyone panics, it’s not the sort that involves the Old Bailey. It’s a hand-made “criminal record” from the V&A Village Fête.

  • Pink background with a white label stating 'Use by date 06/12/26' in brown text.

    Is that it?

    Because I’ve reached… ahem, a certain age, am I no longer considered viable for a creative leadership role?

  • Black and white illustration of an iPod with a pink background. The screen displays a playlist with songs such as Beach Boys, Beastie Boys, The Beatles, The Beautiful South, Bebel Gilberto, and Beck. The device has a circular navigation wheel with "menu" labeled at the top.

    The role of music in studio culture

    Music has always been more than just background noise. In the right environment, it’s a creative catalyst, a cultural glue, and—if you’ve ever worked in a design studio—sometimes even a competitive sport.

  • Green fingerprint patterns on a black background.

    Why creative leaders don’t have all the answers

    In my years as a creative leader, I’ve learned that the best ideas rarely come from a single person.

  • Screenshot of a computer screen with a wireframe of a social media profile. The profile has two names, Nate in red and Daphne in green, with Nate's cursor pointing at his name and Daphne's cursor pointing near her name.

    The future of creative leadership in a digital world

    The creative industry has transformed dramatically over the last two decades. Digital advancements now drive nearly every sector, pushing creative leadership to evolve, adapt, and redefine what’s possible.

  • Illustration of the number 7 with a shadow, alongside the text "Shifts/Mantras" on a light green background.

    7 Shifts / 7 Mantras

    Following on from my last article about age, experience, and creative leadership, this is a closer look at what staying relevant actually looks like.

  • Multiple white arrows on a blue background, with one arrow curving and looping unexpectedly.

    Every C-Suite needs a Creative Director

    In today’s fast-moving world, creativity is no longer just a luxury — it’s essential.

  • Red background with white text reading "Show me the money" with the letter S replaced by a dollar sign.

    The price tag on senior creative roles

    Why do employers hide remuneration details when advertising for a senior creative position? It's a question worth exploring in the dynamic landscape of the UK's creative industries.