Lockdown and isolation aren’t words we’d usually associate with creativity. Yet, as the world adjusts to a ‘new normal’, we are witnessing creatives across the board continue to think in fresh and innovative ways. Creativity is not diminished by this crisis. In fact, it is playing an instrumental role in getting us through it.

Each week, SODA will be exploring the new and practical ways that creatives are responding to our new found way of life. From designing life-saving visuals to hosting parties via video call, this moment illustrates the enduring potential of creative excellence. At the end of the day, the creative community can and always will make good work.

Stay Sane, Stay Safe

Working day and night, Dutch design studio Lennarts & de Bruji is collaborating with communication bureau Overdeschreef to create a selection of beautiful - yet informative - posters to send to hospitals across the Netherlands. A callout to all visual communication gurus, the Stay Sane, Stay Safe initiative encourages designers to submit graphics which inspire the community to stay safely inside during coronavirus. The designs must, however, be happy and uplifting. After all, the situation is gloomy enough. Currently at over 1,300 contributions from 77 countries, the campaign offers creatives from across the globe the perfect opportunity to save multiple lives with one design.

Generation Isolation

When three creatives in their early twenties found themselves now either working from home or not working at all, they struggled to find ways to keep their creativity alive. Inspired by the beautiful and original content their friends were posting on social media while in lockdown, the trio thought: why not create a virtual gallery that showcases all of this great work? And so Generation Isolation was born - an Instagram page dedicated to spotlighting those who are making the most out of isolation, ranging from illustrators to photographers, artists to designers. Named after the generation of emerging talent whose future will be irrevocably shaped by coronavirus, the platform is dedicated to proving that creativity can endure - and even thrive during - a crisis.

Queer House Party

The country might be on lockdown, but queer culture always finds a way to thrive. Each Friday night while we’re all stuck indoors, Queer House Party streams a live event via Zoom which hopes to replicate the look and feel of being in an LGBTQ+ club. Hosted by DJs Harry Gay, Passer and Wacher, the parties ensure that - even during lockdown - queer spaces exist for people to dance, have fun and feel comfortable in. Entirely free, fans are encouraged to donate money via PayPal to help support queer creatives who might be struggling during these times. Hosted in collaboration with artist Liv Wynter, Queer House Party offers an inclusive space where disabled people, those with access needs and sober partiers can join in to keep the queer spirit alive.

Together Design

Blue and white have never seemed so important to those living in the UK right now. Synonymous with the NHS, this colour palette forms the basis of Together Design’s #StayHome creative challenge - a call out to designers, collaborators, families, kids or anyone bored at home to submit graphics that encourage people to stay indoors and protect our health service. Using only blue, white and black, creatives are encouraged to design beautiful and imaginative pieces with the words ‘Stay Home’ at the centre. The simplicity of this challenge allows designers of all ages and backgrounds to take part in a national campaign to support our NHS in this time of crisis.

LiveTalkFrom

Live Talk From really is as simple as it sounds: a series of live talks to fight quarantine, boredom and inspire hope, something we could all do with a little right now. The nature of their live content is changing quickly with numerous creative individuals from across the creative sector being called upon to deliver unique and insightful perspectives. From tips and tricks on best practices for working from home to diving into the inspirations behind some of the best rising talent in the industry, there's something for all of us. Be sure to check out their regularly updated website to see who you can tune into next.