There are platforms that cover the creative industries, and then there's Creative Boom. Founded by Katy Cowan, it's become one of the most trusted independent voices in art and design, the kind of place where brilliant work gets seen on its own merits, wherever it comes from. Katy has spent years making sure the conversation about creativity isn't only happening in one postcode, and that mission sits at the heart of everything Creative Boom does.
Katy's involvement with Northern Design Festival (NDF) goes deeper than media coverage, though. She sits on the festival board, and her connection to it started the way the best things often do: a chance meeting. She met festival co-founder Niamh (and then Toni) at an event in Manchester in 2024, and that was that.
"The pair inspired me with their passion for creativity in the North, and I wanted to offer as much support as possible."
Image: Creative Boom IRL, Manchester
A platform built on inclusion
Creative Boom was founded with a clear purpose: to offer a more inclusive platform for creatives, one that looks beyond London and champions the brilliant people and businesses everywhere else. It's a mission that maps directly onto what NDF is trying to do, and Katy sees the two as natural allies.
"NDF opens the door to opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. They have a clear passion for helping local creatives realise success."
That inclusivity is something Katy has built into Creative Boom from the start. The platform covers everything from emerging illustrators to established studios, from Tokyo to the North of England, and it does so with a warmth that feels rare in trade media. For young creatives especially, it's a reminder there’s a place for you in this industry, and that where you're based doesn't determine what you're capable of.
The North vs. South question
It's a conversation that comes up constantly in the creative industries, and Katy doesn't shy away from it. London remains the central hub, she'll be the first to tell you that. But something has shifted.
"What's changed in twenty years is that London is no longer the only hub. NDF helps to demonstrate this, as creatives see that Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and any number of Northern cities have brilliant studios, brands and businesses on their doorstep."
It's a point worth holding on to, particularly if you're a student or an emerging creative wondering whether you need to pack up and head south. The answer is increasingly no.
Image: Motion North | Credit - Natalie Argent
NDF up close
Katy has attended and covered a lot of creative events. She's seen festivals and conferences across the world, and she's candid about what makes NDF stand out.
"It's intimate. It feels like a warm hug. The people make the difference. Toni and Niamh set the tone. I've been to many events, and NDF has been the one I've looked forward to the most."
One of Katy’s favourite NDF moments is a fireside chat she hosted with Studio DBD mastermind David Sedgwick, which she describes with characteristic honesty as a highlight, partly for the conversation, partly for making the audience laugh. But beyond her own involvement, what she keeps coming back to is the achievement of the festival itself.
"I just love seeing Toni and Niamh pull off a brilliant, much-needed festival for Northern creatives. It’s no easy feat."
Creative Boom also collaborated with NDF this year to create a new set of Boom Truths posters in the festival's specially designed Lancer typeface, created with type foundry F37. It's the kind of project that brings the two organisations' values together in something tangible and visible.
Image: Creative Boom IRL, Sheffield
Advice for young creatives
Katy's advice is exactly what you'd expect from someone who has spent years building community: practical, generous and rooted in real experience.
"Go to as many events as you can. Network without making conversations feel transactional. Enjoy making new friends. Build bridges. Get experience where you can. And don't underestimate the power of community."
NDF is a good place to start practising all of the above. It's the kind of event where the conversations in the corridor are as valuable as the ones on the stage, and where the people you meet might end up being colleagues, collaborators or friends.
Image: Creative Boom IRL, Durham
What's next for Creative Boom
Creative Boom will keep doing what it does best: podcast guests, interviews, community, and supporting events like NDF. In a sector that’s changing quickly, there's something reassuring about a platform that knows exactly what it stands for.
Learn more at creativeboom.com, and if you haven't already, sign up for The Studio, Creative Boom's private online community with over 8,000 members, or visit a Creative Boom IRL (in-person) event near you for relaxed and informal creative networking.
