Letters to the Editor

CELEBRATING
CREATIVE CONTENT
I love that you did an issue on creativity in Seattle [August 2015]. I feel creativity will be an economic engine in the 21st century and will inevitably separate us from our competition in China and India.

This city doesnt focus on it enough and, while it gets labeled as a creative city, doesnt embrace it fully and focuses on data as a proxy for creativity rather than data as an inspiration for creativity.

I found the companies you highlighted interesting. Some are spot on. And while you were focused mainly on design, I selfishly wanted to point out my own boutique agency, Creature. Few creative shops have garnered more international awards in design.

I mention the awards as evidence that the world has noticed my weird, creative company. Locally, youll find Kigo Kitchens brand identity and entire space were a project of ours, as well as the reimagining of the Space Needle experience and website and, most recently, the entire brand, packaging and environment of the cider house for Number 6 Cider.

I could go on because Im proud of what we do. More proud of my incredibly smart, talented team. And incredibly proud to represent Seattle, which, for some reason, is the last place to know about us, I think largely because our city doesnt have any idea of what many other top cities look for or are in tune with globally regarding high standards of creativity.

I just wanted to toot my own horn. I rarely do. Maybe its time to change that. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Thanks for recognizing creativity. Honestly, its a big thing.

JIM HAVEN
Cofounder and chief creative officer, Creature
Seattle