The Journey of Creativity: Exploring Insights from Mohammad Motamedi on “Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri”
In the latest episode of Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri, a renowned video podcast that delves deep into the world of creativity, Nasiri interviews Mohammad Motamedi, a seasoned creative mind with years of experience in the fields of copywriting, ideation, and branding. Motamedi, a graduate of chemical engineering from Tehran Polytechnic, took his first steps into the creative world in 2002 through his blog, where he combined humor with insightful commentary. His professional journey in advertising began in 2007, where he quickly gained recognition for his ability to generate ideas and craft compelling narratives for major brands.
This insightful conversation goes beyond traditional understandings of creativity, offering listeners a deeper look into its multifaceted nature. Motamedi provides a fresh perspective on creativity, suggesting that it is not something exclusive to artists or innovators but rather a universal trait present in everyone. By tapping into this inherent potential, people can transform not only their professional lives but their everyday experiences.
Creativity: A Universal Force
From the outset, Motamedi makes it clear that creativity is far more than what most people typically believe. As he reflects in the podcast, creativity is not limited to acts of traditional creation such as painting, writing, or sculpting. Instead, he argues, “Creativity is everything.” It is woven into the very fabric of human existence, influencing how we think, how we solve problems, and how we interact with others.
Motamedi’s metaphor comparing creativity to an ocean perfectly encapsulates its vast and unpredictable nature. Like sailors navigating the seas, individuals must adapt to the changing tides of opportunity, harnessing their creative instincts to meet the challenges before them. Just as the waves are part of the ocean, creativity is a fundamental aspect of the human experience—constantly present, though often unnoticed.
In this sense, creativity is not something that one must actively seek out; it is always there, waiting to be recognized and harnessed. Motamedi stresses that the act of recognizing and owning one’s creativity is critical. “The one who consciously owns their creativity is creative,” he explains. This recognition is what separates those who passively experience creativity from those who actively channel it into meaningful, innovative outcomes.
The Adventure of Creativity
A recurring theme in Motamedi’s philosophy is the notion of creativity as an adventurous journey. He likens the creative process to an unpredictable road trip, where the initial destination may change as unexpected turns present new opportunities. As he puts it in the podcast, “You have a destination in mind, but suddenly as you go, you see a street, and you turn it.” These detours are not just deviations from the plan; they are where the magic happens.
This analogy of the road trip speaks to the non-linear nature of creativity. While some might view creativity as a direct path from concept to completion, Motamedi emphasizes that the true creative journey is often filled with twists, turns, and surprises. The willingness to embrace these detours, to explore the unexpected, is what leads to the most exciting and innovative results.
In many ways, this creative adventure mirrors life itself. We may start out with a clear goal in mind, but along the way, we encounter new experiences, ideas, and perspectives that shape the final outcome in ways we never imagined. The key, according to Motamedi, is to stay open to these possibilities and to embrace the uncertainty that comes with the creative process.
The Difference Between Being Creative and Being a Creator
A central point that Motamedi elaborates on is the distinction between being creative and being a creator. He explains that while everyone possesses creativity, not everyone takes the step of channeling it into something concrete. Being creative, in his view, is an inherent trait—something we all have. But being a creator requires more: it means consciously using that creativity to bring ideas into reality.
Motamedi’s perspective challenges the common assumption that creativity alone is enough. Instead, he believes that the act of creation—the materialization of ideas into tangible outcomes—is what defines a creator. It’s not just about having good ideas; it’s about acting on them and shaping them into something real.
In his own professional experience, Motamedi has taken on the role of a creator time and time again, working with brands like Red Bull, Sunich, and various startups to translate abstract ideas into concrete, impactful campaigns. His ability to transform creative concepts into compelling narratives is a testament to the power of combining creativity with purposeful action.
Nurturing Creativity as a Skill
One of the key takeaways from Motamedi’s interview is the idea that creativity is not an elusive gift that some people are born with and others are not. Instead, he argues, creativity is a skill—one that can be developed, nurtured, and refined over time.
“Can we control creation?” he asks rhetorically. The answer, according to Motamedi, is yes. Creativity, like any other skill, can be honed through practice and conscious effort. This idea challenges the common misconception that creativity is a rare talent, only accessible to a select few. Motamedi emphasizes that anyone can cultivate their creative abilities if they are willing to put in the work.
This message is at the heart of Motamedi’s workshops on ideation and creativity, aptly named “New-Self.” In these workshops, he guides participants through a process of transformation, helping them shed old ways of thinking and embrace a renewed, more creative mindset. By encouraging individuals to let go of preconceived notions and habitual patterns, he helps them unlock new levels of creative potential.
The Power of Truth and Integrity in Creativity
In addition to exploring the broader concept of creativity, Motamedi offers valuable insights into his work as a copywriter and brand consultant. For him, creativity is not just about coming up with clever slogans or flashy advertising campaigns—it’s about building genuine connections between brands and their audiences. And at the core of this approach is a commitment to truth and integrity.
Motamedi believes that creativity thrives on authenticity. In his view, the most successful creative endeavors are those that are grounded in a clear, honest understanding of the brand and its relationship with its customers. By focusing on transparency and clarity, he helps brands establish meaningful, lasting connections with their audiences.
This emphasis on truth and integrity extends beyond branding and copywriting. For Motamedi, creativity is about more than just generating ideas—it’s about guiding those ideas toward something meaningful and impactful. Whether he is working with a major brand like Red Bull or a small startup, his goal is always the same: to create something that resonates with people on a deeper, more authentic level.
Overcoming Barriers to Creativity
Despite the universality of creativity, many people struggle to fully express their creative potential. According to Motamedi, one of the biggest barriers to creativity is the set of misconceptions that people often have about what it means to be creative. Many people view creativity as something grand and unattainable, reserved only for artists or innovators.
Motamedi works to debunk these myths in his workshops and consultations, encouraging people to recognize that creativity is not about producing masterpieces—it’s about approaching problems and opportunities with a fresh perspective. Whether it’s solving a practical problem or coming up with a new business idea, creativity can take many forms, and each one is valuable.
Owning Creativity: The Key to Innovation
At the heart of Motamedi’s message is the idea that creativity is something that must be recognized and owned. In his view, the key to unlocking one’s creative potential is to take ownership of it, to consciously harness and direct it toward meaningful outcomes.
This act of ownership, Motamedi argues, is what transforms a person from being creative to being a creator. It’s not enough to simply have ideas; you must take the next step and turn those ideas into reality. By taking control of your creativity, you can navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise, ultimately leading to greater innovation and fulfillment.
Conclusion: Creativity as a Lifelong Journey
Mohammad Motamedi’s insights from Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri offer a refreshing perspective on creativity that challenges conventional wisdom. His emphasis on the universality of creativity, the importance of truth and integrity, and the adventurous nature of the creative process provides valuable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their creative potential.
At its core, Motamedi’s message is one of empowerment. By recognizing and owning your creativity, you can transform your life, both personally and professionally. Whether you are an artist, a business professional, or simply someone looking to approach problems with a fresh perspective, the lessons from this episode of Cozy Corner remind us that creativity is not just about producing something new—it’s about embracing the unexpected, challenging old ways of thinking, and recognizing that the creative process is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
