Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty

Every Creative's Worst Nightmare

Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty

Show Notes

This week, we get into the thing that separates work with soul from work without it. From copying the designers we admire to chasing critique over praise, we unpack what it actually takes to develop real taste and creative instinct. We also share stories from our own journeys, including a proper dressing-down, the danger of being told you're great too often, and the uncomfortable question of whether you have "the thing" or not.We get into:👉 Why creativity, talent and taste might be three completely different things👉 The case for tough love over empty encouragement when giving creative feedback👉 How copying the work you admire can help you find your own creative voice👉 Why curiosity is the best supplement for your creative muscles👉 The power of finding one central theme or metaphor before you start designing👉 Why stripping ideas back beats throwing everything at them👉 How bad do you really want it

More from Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty

Oct 21, 2026

This week, we’re asking each other the awkward questions others might not usually answer, from money and self-worth to creative process, client mistakes and whether either of us could actually be replaced on Sticky Notes.

Oct 14, 2026

Do you actually need a degree to become a good designer? Or can you teach yourself everything you need to know?

Oct 7, 2026

This week, we’re doing something a little different. No big topic or case study. Just an honest conversation about why running a creative business feels really hard sometimes. We’ve both had a few turbulent weeks recently, so we wanted to go properly behind the curtain and talk about the stuff that doesn’t normally make it onto Instagram: unpaid invoices, difficult client conversations, financial pressure, changing expectations around AI, slower leads and the constant pressure of having to go out and earn every single pound again next month.

Sep 30, 2026

This week, we’re going behind the scenes of one of CJ’s favourite brand identity projects to date: the complete rebrand of Mike Lane.

Sep 29, 2026

This week, we’re doing something a little different and playing a game of Would You Rather: graphic design edition. Some of the questions are stupid. Some get surprisingly deep. And a few reveal far more about how we think as designers than either of us probably expected.

See all episodes →