School is in Session: Lifelong Learning Ideas for Creatives

Fun, budget-friendly ways to keep your creativity growing

At Uncommon, we LOVE being lifelong learners.

The beautiful thing about learning as an adult is that no one’s handing out grades, and no one’s putting you on a deadline. Instead, you get to chase your curiosity, build skills that light you up, and find creative ways to grow at your own pace.

So where do you start?!

Right here, with some of our favorite lifelong learning ideas for creatives, from free resources to hands-on experiences you can dive into this week.

Creative Ways to Keep Learning as an Adult

The learning process doesn’t stop after graduation. In fact! For creatives, it’s often just getting really good. Whether you’re picking up a new skill or deepening your expertise, the key is to approach it with playfulness and curiosity.

Think:

• Turning everyday tasks into mini-lessons

• Using downtime (yes, even folding laundry!) for podcasts and tutorials

• Popping in earbuds while you’re getting ready in the morning or cooking dinner at night

Self-Education Ideas for the Creative DIYer

Where to start learning without spending a dime

Here’s the thing, sweet friend: you have access to more learning tools right now than we’ve ever had. And the best part? Many of them are FREE!

Where you can start learning in the comfort of your PJs:

• Looking for beginner-friendly tutorials on wrapping gifts or learning guitar chords? YouTube has you covered!

• Want to learn about business, sports, design, or current events from passionate people ready to share their expertise? Check out Podcasts! 

• Want to hear about innovative new projects and inspiring ideas from some of the world’s top thinkers? Hit up Ted Talks! 

• Looking to hone your skills in a curriculum-style format? Try free courses from places like Udemy, EdX, Skillshare, and Coursera!

Or, check out some of the Uncommon wisdom we’ve shared over the years:

• Goal Setting for Creative Entrepreneurs

• How to Party Plan like a Pro

• Finding fellowship and encouragement together

Here’s what the Uncommon team learned for ourselves online!

• Want to know how Katie first learned how to wrap gifts? You guessed it - Youtube! And now? Wrapping gifts is second nature for her, whether it's a beautiful package for a photoshoot, a loved one’s Christmas gift, or our Uncommon Acts of Kindness winning package! 

• Janie and Jordan LOVE Kid President for his encouragement and motivation! If you’re looking for something to put a smile on your face and hope in your heart, Kid President is where it's at!

Why Joining a Group Can Supercharge Your Growth

Learning together beats learning alone

Professional groups and creative organizations are anything but boring. They’re rocket fuel for your growth! Professional organizations help you:

• Stay up-to-date on industry trends

• Expand your network

• Unlock new opportunities

Professional organizations offer many “soft” benefits, like getting your name, face, and work in front of the right people. But don't underestimate how valuable those benefits are! In the long run, it’s those kinds of things that can help you make the moves you want in your career!

For us designers, this can mean joining:

• American Society of Interior Designers

• International Interior Design Association

Or tapping into design specialties, like:

• The US Green Building Council 

• The National Kitchen and Bath Association

How Professional Orgs helped the Uncommon Team:

• As a registered nurse, Jasmine is part of the Minnesota Board of Nursing. But she didn't stop there. Jasmine took things a step further and became coding certified through The American Academy of Professional Coders!

These types of organizations provide support in so many ways, like online resources, continuing education seminars, networking opportunities, and local events. And don’t forget that your employer may also be willing to reimburse you for memberships, continuing education courses, and event registrations, too!

Always a Classic: Learning in the Classroom

Why a Structured Setting Still Works

We know, we know! It may not seem like the most innovative way to go about this, but a classroom setting might be the perfect opportunity to learn in a structured environment. Whether or not the classes you select are directly related to your field, they can be an extremely rewarding way to learn new information!

• Want to learn how to cook an authentic Italian meal? Or at least how to not burn the sauce?!

• Want to earn your photography certificate? 

• Do you want to brush up on some of the new software being used in your field?

... Try a course or workshop!

The Uncommon Team: Spotted in the Classroom:

• Janie really takes the cake on this one! Just this past year, she earned her Masters in Literacy Education and Reading Licensure K-12 through the University of MN! Ow ow! Janie loved the program, and she loved that she could continue to work full-time as a first-grade teacher while taking on this new adventure. You go, girl! That kind of dedication takes true tenacity.

• Sal has also dabbled in some classes, including introductory courses in photography, as well as creative writing. Both are passions of hers that she wanted to explore further, and now she’s putting some of it to good use by … writing this very blog!

Seek out ways to take these classes either a la carte, or as part of a program at a local technical college or university. Find something that works with your schedule, in a format that works for your learning style, whether that be in person or online.

Why a Conference Might Be the Best Investment in You

How to get the most out of event-based learning

Conferences are a great way to hear about new ideas, see new products and demos, and meet a TON of amazing new people. Oh, and you will likely get some sweet swag throughout the event. Free t-shirt?! Don’t mind if we do!

Global, national, regional, and local conferences host speakers and showcase the latest and greatest that each industry has to offer. Here are a few that we have attended over the years:

• NeoCon in Chicago 

• Design Expo in Minneapolis 

• Story Conference in Nashville

Want to know what makes it even sweeter? Volunteering your time to help coordinate or serve the conference attendees! You’ll likely get some behind-the-scenes insights and meet some truly inspiring people.

How to Enjoy Conferences, Uncommon Style:

• Katie and Sal had the incredible opportunity to do some prop styling for Story Conference in Nashville this past September. It was SUCH an inspiring week, and we were able to work alongside passionate creatives and meet some amazing people (like Brad Montague, the creator of Kid President!), all before the awe-inspiring conference even began! We built, we laughed, we created, we sang along to an original song by a sweet retiree named Martha, and we loved every second of it!

How Physical Activity Helps You Learn

Move Your Body, Stretch Your Mind

While we love being stretched intellectually, some people learn best by putting their bodies in motion. Sitting in a classroom has just never been their scene, and sitting at a day job may be just as grueling as an adult.

For those of you who can relate, this one is for you! Try:

• An improv class 

• Get some friends together to start a rec or bar league in a sport you may not excel in, but that you’d love to practice 

• Sign up for lessons in a sport, like tennis or golf? Whatever floats your boat! 

• You can even try something like curling on a Saturday afternoon, for goodness sake! And maybe take home a gold medal in a few years?! Just saying! 

• A dance class - even if you can’t dance! It’s all the more reason to give it a shot.

Moving and Grooving with The Uncommon Team:

• Sal joined a beach volleyball league with a group of friends she met through Habitat for Humanity. Every Monday night was a chance to get together, have fun, and MOVE! Not a bad way to start the week! 

• Want to fly solo while you’re doing something active?! Janie also loves doing some at-home workouts with PopSugar. It’s a great way to keep working toward your goals when you just want the convenience of being in your own home ... or, when you’re taking cover from the Minnesota snow!

Your Uncommon Encouragement: Lifelong Learning for Creatives Never Ends

And psst … that’s a good thing!

When you’re learning something new, your brain gets to learn creative, new ways to tackle the things you already do. That means growth in one area spills over into every other part of your life. Win-Win-WIN!

At the end of the day, these resources are already available to you, and they can be the vehicles that bring you closer to your dreams. Or, you can just vow to learn something new because you find it interesting and cool … and there’s no grade or goal tied to it!

There’s no need to let a lack of experience or knowledge hold you back in ANYTHING. You’ve got this, sweet friend!

Class dismissed!

The Uncommon Team