Creative Ways of Living: Rien Bautista
A designer and art director based in Toronto who’s passionate about creativity as a tool for joy and self-expression.
At Out of Office, we believe in the importance of diversifying our lives. Unlike a strictly work-centric life, a diversified life makes space for a vibrant mix of things that we build our identities on.
One of our goals for 2024 is to help you widen your aperture around more creative (and gratifying!) ways of working and living. Ways that allow us to build our identities around all of the vibrant – and varied! – different parts of ourselves.
In our conversation, Rien highlights the simple act of slowing down and immersing herself in a new experience, how she reminds herself of the initial “spark” that drew her into her creative practice. Also, if you’re in Toronto, join us for our next Field Trip hosted by BYRIEN Studio!
Alice Katter: What does living a creative life mean to you? And how does it affect or inspire your life and your work?
Rien Bautista: Working as a creative professional often takes away the initial “spark” that drew you into that particular activity or skill (photography, design, etc.) because your creativity is always tied to a commercial aspect. I think nowadays creativity is also treated as a part of an assembly line that’s expected to constantly produce. The lack of self-expression and pace can be really unmotivating.
Creative ways of living, and Field Trips remind me of using creativity as a tool for self-expression. Whether it’s reading a magazine, painting or filming a morning walk, it’s about taking me out of the mindset that my skills need to be monetized for it to mean something.
AK: What’s something you do in your workday to feel inspired?
RB: One of my favorite activities is picking out a magazine (usually from Issues, an independent magazine store in Toronto) and spending a few hours reading through it. I typically go to a coffee shop like Beatrice Society or have a solo meal.
Reading a magazine about a certain topic for a period of time feels like a breath of fresh air from the constant context switch that social media brings. I’m also a big fan of seeing eye-catching layouts and visuals that bring stories to life.
I like to remind myself that these “Field Trips” don’t need to have elaborate and grand endeavors. They could be as simple as an hour walk or going to a new coffee shop in your city.
Was there a certain moment in time that inspired you to live a more creative life?