Although her very first job was working at an Orange Julius in a mall, Donna Lamar started her actual career as a producer. It was work she loved, as it involved learning how to make things. As she built her résumeé, she realized that the pursuit of creativity takes many forms. One of those forms needed to be the “descriptor creative,” so that’s what she became: a “creative” and erstwhile director.

Her journey has included stints at Wieden+Kennedy/Amsterdam, TBWA/Chiat Day, Amusement Park Entertainment, Disney, Twitter, and Beats by Dre, with clients ranging from Microsoft and Nokia to Gatorade, Nike, and Coca-Cola. Her work was been recognized at The One Show, Cannes, The Clios, and The Andy’s.

Now, as the Group Creative Director at VICE, she’s still learning, and she’s always hoping to expand her vision. She answered five of our questions about her creative process here, and she’ll be sharing more of her insights with us at 2019 In/Visible Talks.

What is your relationship to the creative process?

“Physical. I can be in flow as long as I’m active. An enforced due date also helps with my focus.”

How or where to you find inspiration?

“Inspiration comes to me in bits and pieces: overheard conversations, the wind sighing across the sand at the beach, in between the pages of books (many, many books), and through travel.”

What was one of your biggest creative challenges?

“Proving that I was up to the challenge of being a ‘creative’ when I started at Chiat.”

When did you first realize you needed to be in a creative field?

“I’ve never really give it that much thought, as it has never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be in a creative field.”

What drives you to create?

“The excitement of making something new, and the desire to leave something positive and good in the world.”

BONUS ROUND: Who is one of your heroes?

“Octavia Butler. She believes that God is Change, and that everything you touch you change, and that everything you change, changes you.”