The Intersection by Rei Inamoto
Welcome to the Intersection, a collection of musings on what the future holds and how to stay relevant at the intersection of creativity and technology.
Who am I?
For more than 25 years, I built my career in the creative and technology industry as a digital designer, eventually making my way to the Global Chief Creative Officer at a marketing agency called AKQA. I’ve worked with major brands ranging from American Express, Audi, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Starbucks, Toyota, Uniqlo, Xbox, and so on. During my tenure, the agency grew tenfold and became the first agency in history to receive five Agency of the Year accolades from industry publications. In 2016, I launched my innovation firm called I&CO. We work with forward-thinking leaders to accelerate growth and shape the future of their business. I also teach design and branding at Cornell Tech, Cornell University’s graduate program in NYC.
In short, I am a designer by trade, a minimalist at heart. My superpower is to help brands simplify the complex and break new ground.
Originally from Japan, I spent a few of my teenage years in Europe before moving to the US for college. I now live in New York City and travel frequently between the US, Asia, and Europe. My initial academic training was in fine art. I then took up computer science and a little bit of artificial intelligence. My curiosity has led me to the exploration new ideas between art and code; design and business; brands and products; being a leader or a practitioner; America, Asia, and Europe.
Who am I writing this for?
“How do you stay relevant?”
That’s the question that’s haunted me over the years. This newsletter is for those who have the same/similar question; those who are eager to make their brands as well as themselves relevant in their journey ahead.
Over the years, I’ve been told directly and repeatedly that I would be irrelevant in five years. We’ve seen more technological disruptions in the last twenty years than in the previous two hundred years. Luckily, I’ve been able to navigate those disruptions in the past. Moving forward, however, there is absolutely no guarantee for me, anyone, or any organization that we’d be relevant five years from now.
Rick Ruben, the legendary music producer, writes in his book The Creative Act, A Way of Being:
If you know what you want to do and you do it, that’s the work of a craftsman. If you begin with a question and use it to guide an adventure of discovery, that’s the work of an artist.
I am going to use the question “How do you stay relevant?” to guide this adventure of discovery in the form of a newsletter, podcast, and any other means appropriate.
If you are curious like me, join me on this journey to explore the unknown.
With gratitude,
