Vivid Sydney Ignited: How TIME’s Creative Director Fuels Bold Storytelling

Our Creatik crew recently hit the vibrant streets of Sydney for an unforgettable moment at the Vivid Sydney festival.

An eye-opening talk by TIME magazine’s Creative Director, D.W. Pine.

Always eager to spark new creative ideas, we dove into an evening filled with storytelling magic, bold design, and innovative thinking that left us buzzing with inspiration for our own projects.

Right from the start, Pine shared a striking insight about creativity – sometimes working within strict boundaries can actually fuel innovation. He was talking about TIME’s signature cover rules – the iconic red border, the fixed “TIME” masthead, and just two fonts – and explained how these constraints help sharpen the focus, letting the imagery truly stand out.

Pine took us behind the scenes of some of TIME’s most striking covers, revealing how they push boundaries to reflect, challenge, and provoke conversations around the big stories shaping our world. He also gave us a glimpse into TIME’s evolution – from animated covers that leap off the page to exploring the world of NFTs.

The night wrapped up with a lively Q&A, where we gained insight into everything from the influence of political figures on cover art to the future of print in the digital age.

Walking away, we felt energized and inspired – reminded that creativity isn’t just about what you create, but how you use it to spark change and tell stories that truly matter. It was one of those moments that stays with you, pushing you to think bigger and bolder.