Creator Spotlight: Brittany Holloway-Brown
Showcasing a trailblazer making waves in her industry.
We believe in the power of amplifying voices that prove how inclusive creative work can transform brands and allow them to connect with diverse audiences. Today, we shine the spotlight on Brittany Holloway-Brown, a creative force whose work seamlessly blends design with principles of inclusivity.
Brittany Holloway-Brown
Photo by Swank! Studio
Brittany Holloway-Brown is an art director, designer, and visual artist based in New York City. She’s a champion of inclusive design and creativity who has helped shape the visual DNAs of campaigns like The New Guard of New York Dining, Eater’s Gift Guide, Marie Claire featuring Jessica Chastain, or Marie Claire starring India Bradley.
Marie Claire Campaign featuring India Bradley.
Brittany Holloway-Brown led the art direction, on-set direction, and post-production for this campaign.
We had an insightful conversation with Brittany Holloway-Brown, where she shared her wisdom on blending a brand’s unique identity with inclusive principles, avoiding tokenism, and infusing empathy into creative work.
The Art of Blending Two Is: Identity and Inclusivity
“It’s about unearthing and showcasing new talent.”
Brittany has mastered honoring a brand's history while pushing its boundaries to be more inclusive and representative. She believes that respecting a brand's legacy while infusing it with diverse perspectives leads to authentically impactful design work. As she shared with us, “It can be as simple as using subjects that look like you. I remember doing an illustration for an article about buying champagne, and I just happened to find an archival photo of The Supremes doing just that through Getty. It’s about unearthing and showcasing new talent.”
“Different perspectives give us more stories and viewpoints to choose from”
A key takeaway from our conversation with Brittany is how important avoiding tokenism is. She emphasizes the need to draw from a rich tapestry of influences. “Don’t just draw from one well,” she advises.
Brittany’s Studio
Brittany’s exposure to different types of art, music, and film has shaped her unique point of view.
Adopting this approach means that her work never falls into the trap of monolithic representation but instead celebrates the multifaceted nature of humanity.
Empathy as a Creative Catalyst
Empathy plays a pivotal role in Brittany Holloway-Brown’s creative process. She views storytelling as a powerful tool for fostering understanding and connection.
“Humanity has been telling stories to each other and about each other for centuries. One of the reasons I was so drawn to books and storytelling when I was younger was that they were portals to me. Seeing how someone else dealt with trials, triumphs, how they saw the world was fascinating.”
By infusing empathy and human connection into her designs, Brittany Holloway-Brown creates work that resonates deeply with audiences, offering them a portal to see the world through different eyes.
Bridging the Gap: From Insights to Action
Brittany’s work exemplifies how creativity, when rooted in inclusivity and empathy, can create powerful and resonant work. For brands and creatives, her approach offers a roadmap to avoid common pitfalls like tokenism and build genuine connections with diverse audiences.
For creatives and brands looking to incorporate more awareness into their work, we can learn these valuable lessons from Brittany Holloway-Brown’s creative process:
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Use real, diverse subjects in your work to authentically represent different communities.
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Enrich your creative palette by exploring various art forms and cultural perspectives
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Understand and depict different stories and experiences to create deeper connections with your audience.
Brittany’s Favorites
In addition to her creative insights, Brittany Holloway-Brown shared some personal favorites that give us a glimpse into her vibrant world:
Favorite Drink 🍸: A Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans with a history that goes back to a Creole apothecary in 1838.
Inspiring Account 🎨: @shes__underrated, an archive championing models, architects, artists, and more from yesteryear.
Last Song on Spotify 🎶: "Let Me Go" by Latimore.
Best Meal 🍕: Wizard Hat Pizza in Crown Heights.
Recent Joy 💐: The everyday beauty of spring. The blooming flowers and children playing outside.
Follow Brittany Holloway-Brown here. And if you want to explore how to make your creative work more inclusive and impactful, learn more here.
