Zoë Yasemin is a Amsterdam-based art director whose Substack, ART DIRECTION, is one of the internet’s most dependable independent resources on image-making and visual culture. Her freelance work spans campaigns for Adidas, Jimmy Choo, Tommy Hilfiger, and Estrid, and her Strategic Art Direction course typically sells out within weeks of opening. This year she’s making space for personal work — exploring her own visual language after years of adapting to client briefs.

What do you do when you hit a creative block?

I usually step away from the screen. I have a large collection of vintage magazines and books, so sometimes I’ll open one at random and see what catches my eye. Looking at images from another time often resets my perspective and reminds me how many different ways there are to approach an idea. I also like going on very long walks with my two dogs and paying attention to the things they notice.

What’s the worst recommendation someone’s given you?

Someone once told me that if you can do something better yourself, you should just do it yourself. I never agreed with that. The most beautiful part of the creative process is sharing perspectives with others. Creativity grows much more when it moves between people.

What’s the last film you watched that moved you deeply?

Lost in Translation by Sofia Coppola. I had just spent a month in Japan and realized I hadn’t seen it in years, so I watched it again. Experiencing the film after spending time in Tokyo gave it a completely different feeling.

What book have you gifted most?

Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno. It’s a very simple book you can read in one sitting, yet every time I revisit it it takes a bit of stress away.

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Find Zoë on Cosmos and Instagram.