I’m beyond excited to have Dean Connell from I-AM.D.C. as one of our Coworking Creators Summit teachers. An extraordinary human who has deep roots in coworking and workspace design, as well as a creative whose outlets include music, poetry, philosophy, and more, Dean is an industry standout and visionary leader.
Here’s a sneak peek into some of what he’ll teach at his Summit session, “Creative Work in Progress.”
1. How do you personally push through creative roadblocks?
I return to four words that became synonymous with my WeWork experience: We’ll figure it out. This became my methodology for approaching uncertainty. Constraints aren’t limitations, they’re invitations to be creative.
The more profound truth: everything moves, nothing rests. Therefore, creative blocks are temporary states in constant motion. The way through is to constantly iterate to make progress, even if it’s small. Mixed with a dose of persistence, the ideas compound into a suitable solution.
2. What does “creative work in progress” mean to you right now?
Creative work in progress means investing energy into doing creative work daily that reflects my complete self, not just my professional persona. After 20 years as an interior design pro and 13 years designing workspaces, I realized I’d been compartmentalizing Dean the designer from my curious, creative alter ego “Indi,” who is a music producer, poet, philosopher, and all-around creative soul.
Now, through my newsletter, I’m no longer waiting for permission to integrate these hidden parts into my work. It’s the shift from accumulating hours toward expertise to creating meaningful moments that matter for personal development.
I’m embracing what I call the tapestry principle: weaving all aspects of who you are into what you create, rather than hiding parts of yourself for professional credibility. At 41, I’ve only seen the tip—like an iceberg. Underneath, there is a grand design.
3. What’s one tip for coworking space operators to create spaces of connection and creativity?
Design moments, not square footage. Work isn’t a linear experience anymore. It’s a series of moments throughout someone’s day. Stop counting desks and start crafting experiences.
Remember: functional and beautiful designs are table stakes. The next generation of coworking must be a symbol for human connection, creativity, and collaboration in our AI-driven digital world.
🎟️ To learn more from Dean, join us at the Coworking Creators Summit.
