The Big Idea
As a student consistently immersed in the world of marketing, whether that be global fashion or global advertising, we are always taught the same thing first: The Big Idea. Now, my parents would probably tell you that I have a lot of big ideas, but in advertising, the trick is having one strong idea. A true Big Idea is supported by branches of smaller ideas that strengthen it, expand it, and allow it to connect with people in different ways while still remaining rooted in the same central concept.
As I’ve started paying more attention to building my own personal brand, I’ve realized that my interests, style, and the things I naturally gravitate toward all fall under one larger umbrella: unique creativity. I wouldn’t necessarily call it “one of a kind,” because I definitely have my trendy moments, but I’ve always been drawn to discovering things that feel overlooked. Whether it’s a small brand, a hidden coffee shop, an independent artist, a vintage piece, or an experience most people pass by, I love finding beauty and inspiration in things that are unheard of or underappreciated.
I think that fascination comes from wanting more than what is immediately in front of me. Marketing has taught me that people connect most deeply with stories, emotion, and individuality, and I’ve found myself seeking those same qualities in everyday life. There is something exciting about finding a brand before everyone knows about it or discovering a style that feels personal rather than mass produced. It turns consumption into exploration.
The more I think about it, the more I realize this mindset influences almost every part of my life. It shapes the way I dress, the media I consume, the places I go, and even the people I surround myself with. I admire creativity that feels intentional and personal, especially when it comes from smaller creators or communities that are often overshadowed by mainstream culture. In a world where trends move so quickly and everything can start to feel repetitive, I think there is value in slowing down enough to notice the details and appreciate originality in all of its forms.
That mindset has also pushed me to become comfortable creating my own path, even when it looks different from the traditional timeline people expect. I’ve realized that creativity does not only exist in art, fashion, or branding, but also in the way people build their lives. Some of the most meaningful decisions I’ve made have come from following curiosity instead of structure. Moving to Europe, for example, was not just about travel. It was about stepping outside of what was familiar and allowing myself to experience new cultures, perspectives, and ways of living that challenged the version of life I had always known. Being surrounded by different architecture, fashion, conversations, and creative communities made me realize how much inspiration exists outside of the environments we grow up in.
The same can be said for my decision to transfer to SCAD later than planned. For a while, I viewed “late” as something negative because society tends to frame success as a race with a strict timeline. But the more I’ve grown, the more I understand that timing is personal. Choosing to transfer when I did was not falling behind. It was choosing a direction that aligned more closely with who I was becoming creatively and professionally. SCAD represented an environment where creativity is taken seriously, where individuality is encouraged, and where people are constantly building ideas into something tangible. In many ways, it felt less like starting over and more like finally stepping into a space that reflected the person I wanted to become.
Even my advertising internship at an art gallery reflects this same pattern within my life. On paper, advertising and fine art can seem like completely different worlds, but to me they overlap perfectly. Both rely on storytelling, emotion, aesthetics, and human connection. Working in a gallery environment has shown me how creativity functions beyond the commercial side of marketing. It exists in curation, conversation, atmosphere, and the way people emotionally respond to visual experiences. Being surrounded by artists and creative professionals has reinforced my belief that there is value in pursuing work that feels inspiring rather than simply practical.
That is why, in following your own Big Idea, the most important question becomes: what is the thing you are truly seeking? Beyond success, trends, or external expectations, what is the central idea that continues to pull you forward? Find the one common theme in your life, the one word that consistently appears in your decisions, interests, and ambitions. For me, that word has always been creativity, and with it comes exploration and the desire to build a life that feels authentic rather than prescribed. Every decision I’ve made, even the unconventional ones, has stemmed from that pursuit. Because a Big Idea is not only something you create in marketing. It can also become the foundation for the way you choose to experience the world.