The Creator Archetype is one of 12 personas that allow you to shape and share your brand in a recognizable, relatable way.
Your audience will know and trust your brand when it’s relatable and easily identifiable through a clear brand voice and consistent visuals. And when people know and trust you, they’re much more likely to click that “add to cart” button!
I love using archetypes to build compelling brands for my clients that actually draw in the perfect customers.
The idea of brand archetypes has been around since Carl Jung thought of four main categories, but brand experts have expanded and refined that list to 12 archetypes in the decades since.
When you discover your brand archetype, you’ll bring out the best in your brand messaging, market in a way that feels true to you, and find the perfect clients. (Spoiler alert: they’re people who would personally identify with the same archetype your brand represents!)
You can take the quiz below to determine your brand archetype, or you can read along as we dive into The Creator to see if this just might be your archetype.
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An Overview Of The Creator Brand Archetype
Creators, also known as Creatives, are excellent at bringing ideas to life. They’re all about cultivating inspiration and offering daring content that doesn’t conform to the status quo.
Creatives can see potential everywhere, and they can’t wait to get their hands on it to bring their next thought to life.
If you’re a Creator, you probably love the idea of seeing your vision come to fruition and want to be able to express your unique self fully. You hate the idea of work that’s stagnant, and you’re never a carbon copy of anyone else.
You’re inspirational and brave, and you love bringing new things into the world that truly add value. Creators are often makers, but they don’t need to be: you can chase your vision without actually crafting physical products.
Similar Archetypes
Your brand strategy should follow your archetypal framework, but some archetypes have similarities to the creator archetype, including:
- Visionary: The visionary archetype is innovative and expansive, like the creator archetype, bringing ideas to life. They tend to be coaches, mentors etc.
- Jokester: The jokester archetype is playful and likes to express themselves creatively, like the creator archetype. They stay energetic and have fun- but may not be as serious as the Creative needs to be sometimes.
- Rebel: The rebel archetype is non-conforming, revolutionary, and honest in its brand strategy and promises. They can be a rebel with a cause, or a rebel with creativity.
The Creator May Also Be Known As
The word “creative” may not feel totally right to you if you consider yourself a concrete thinker or don’t make things from scratch.
Don’t worry – the Creator brand archetype is about a brand mindset, not a specific product or business behavior! You don’t have to make things with your hands to be a Creator. This persona can also be called:
- Artist
- Designer
- Maker
- Architect
- Musician
- Innovator
Levels of the Creator Brand Archetype
The creator archetype has three levels, with one being the least advanced and three the most developed.
- Level 1: At this level, brands have creative expression but aren’t quite considered innovative.
- Level 2: Brands at this level don’t rely on the creative expression of others. They have their own ideas that are without the limits of others’ beliefs.
- Level 3: Brands at Level 3 are completely innovative and expressive, influencing society with their brand strategy and voice.
Brands often have two archetypes associated with them, so this is where the levels come into play. You could be a Creator archetype level 1 and a Caregiver archetype level 3 for example.
Key Characteristics of Creator Brand Archetypes
Creator brand archetypes are innovative, creative, and have deep visions.
They go above and beyond to stand for what they believe in and aren’t afraid to go in the opposite direction society goes. They are strong and innovative but fear conformity and familiarity.
Creator Brand Archetype Examples
There are many examples of archetypes in brands, characters, and celebrities. Here are some common areas we see them.
Well-Known Creative/Creator Brand Examples
- Apple
- LEGO
- Adobe
- YouTube
Well-Known Creative Characters & Celebrities
- Adele
- Don Draper
- Frieda Kahlo
RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
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My Clients Who Identified With the Creator Brand Archetype
The Creator Archetype Brand Atmosphere (i.e., Visuals and Aesthetics)
Creative brands aren’t afraid of bold, bright colors that show off their bright ideas and imaginative nature. You’ll often see primary colors like red, yellow, or blue, or bright and bold oranges, purples, or greens.
In other cases, creative brand archetypes choose black-and-white branding to let their ideas shine -since they will be creating so many (and sometimes for many people).
Creator Brand Archetype Colors
Creator archetypes are bold and unapologetic; they reach ideas on a much deeper level. Some of the color schemes that go well with creator brands include orange, pink, and bright blue, red (sometimes black). Think of common brands like Lego, Apple, and YouTube, for example.
Creator Brand Archetype Fonts
Creators like to show off their uniqueness, and what better way than through the use of fonts? Your fonts should be playful, bold, and unique. Some common fonts include:
- Muse
- Larken
- Glacior
Creator Brand Archetype Icons
Some archetype icons to help you with imagery and to understand the creator personality include:
- Tony Stark
- Willy Wonka
- Doc Brown from Back to the Future
Creator Brand Archetype Imagery
When thinking of creator brands and their archetype, think of images that are unique. Creator brands see what they want, oftentimes thinking outside the box.
The Creator Archetype Brand Voice & Messaging
Your brand voice loves a good metaphor – maybe more than any other archetype! You love painting stories with your words and drawing creative parallels.
Your voice is descriptive without being long-winded, imaginative without being overly whimsical, and awe-inspiring while still being attainable.
When clients interact with your brand, they’ll want to create something beautiful, too.
Share your archetype in your brand by offering plenty of visuals, letting your audience in on your creative process from start to finish, and inspiring them to break the mold with their own innovative spirit.
Creator Phrases & Quotes
“Fashion is more about feeling than science”
Pharrell Williams
Your Brand Is Likely a Fit for the Creator Archetype If
- You know how to inspire others to make things or dream up new ideas.
- Your audience is often in awe of your own creative projects.
- You can create something beautiful in a spot that used to be ordinary.
- You’re not afraid of self-expression.
- You don’t mind “going first” into a new space, innovating as you go.
The Creator Archetype Client
Creator clients want to feel inspired to move their ideas into action. They aren’t afraid of being unique, and they don’t need their ideas to make sense to everyone around them.
They know that most innovators feel like they are “before their time,” so they care more about authenticity in their work than getting recognized for it.
But they don’t want to feel like aimless risk-takers (not the Rebel archetype here).
Your brand can encourage them to express themselves and stir up their own desire to create and ideate. Remind your audience that perfectionism is a creativity killer – it’s okay to try, fail, experiment, and pivot.
FAQs
How Do Creator Archetype Brands Differentiate From Competitors?
Creator archetype brands don’t follow their competitors or the rules; they make their own. They don’t follow trends; they create them. They strive to be as unique and innovative as possible.
What Impact Can the Creator Brand Archetype Have on the World?
The creator brand archetype can inspire everyone to think outside the box. They can help society realize they don’t have to conform or follow what others do.
They can be who they want and be proud of it; their target audience is the people who are ready to stop conforming and are ready to be different.
How Does Pop Culture Play Into the Creator Archetype?
Pop culture may help creator archetype brands have a jumping-off point. They may use the trends they’ve set as a starting point but then go their own direction with it to establish their core desire in the world.
Is Your Brand a Creator?
If your brand strategy includes standing out from the crowd, you are part of the creator family.
The creator is one of the 12 brand archetypes that have a solid foundation but a unique brand strategy. They strive for a better future and push boundaries to make their name and brand stand out.
