Creative Ecosystems: Why Community Matters More Than Ever with Lo Harris

Introduction

This week on Pixel Retentive, I had the honor of sitting down with the unstoppable force that is Lo Harris, illustrator, strategist, speaker, and all-around creative powerhouse. With roots in journalism at the New York Times and NBC News, Lo has built a vibrant visual language that not only empowers but drives social impact. Her collaborations span from Meta and Google to the United Nations, and she's now a creative leader at the Innocence Project and co-director at the CanCan Diversity Collective. Through every move she makes, Lo carries a deep commitment to using creativity to connect, uplift, and transform.

 

What You'll Learn

• How Lo's journalism background shaped her visual storytelling approach

• Why she left a 9-to-5 to prioritize mental and physical well-being

• The value of mutual aid and creative bartering in building sustainable community

• How design intersects with activism, diversity, and local business advocacy

• A behind-the-scenes look at the CanCan Diversity Collective at the Cannes Lions Festival

• Strategies to future-proof your creative career in the face of AI

• The power of collaboration between visionaries and implementers

• How personal projects can have just as much value as high-profile client work

 

Quote of the Episode

"Our gifts are meant to be shared. You can't hide your gifts or wait for somebody to reward you. Everything doesn't have to be so transactional." — Lo Harris

Lo reminds us that creativity isn't just a commodity—it's a contribution. In a world obsessed with monetization and metrics, her words are a powerful invitation to embrace generosity in our creative lives. Sometimes the work that fills your cup, nourishes your community, or lights up a kid's prom poster is more impactful than a six-figure brand deal. And when we lead with intention rather than ego, doors open in ways we couldn't imagine.

 

Overview

You all know I'm passionate about creative advocacy and building real communities, and this conversation with Lo felt like a soul-level jam session on both. From her storytelling roots to her leadership in diversity initiatives, Lo offers a masterclass in living your values through your work. We dug deep into how creatives can reclaim their worth, create ecosystems outside of corporate structures, and reframe "career success" to include balance, impact, and humanity. This episode hit me hard—in the best way—and I hope it does the same for you. This is what creative leadership in the 2020s should look like.

 

Until next time, stay creative and keep showing up for your community.
— Carl ✌️