Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful.

Marili Kateri

I believe when you’re an artist or creative, all of your projects are important to you. Your work matures along with you which that in and of itself is special. But for me its hard to pick and choose which one project means more because they all have shaped who I am. I learn something different each time and I’m grateful for the growth resulting from it. Even the films that were not necessarily received well by viewers or got bad ratings – they’re still very special and pride inducing for me. Read more>>

Andreea Mateescu

While we draw inspiration from the world around us, we should never forget where we have come from. As a Choreographer I was fortunate enough to travel all over the world and discover how important is to let yourself be inspired by the culture that you’re in. I believe that a multicultural environment unites. The most challenging part as a choreographer it’s not to create the actual piece of the dance, but to make the artist discover the meaning of what it needs to be expressed. If you cannot tell the story right, than you cannot reach your public. That’s why going back to the roots of each story you want to tell it’s crucial and it leads to self discovery. Read more>>

Damien Raye Alexander

By far the most meaningful project I have worked on is my Debut EP “Beauty in The Dark” coming August 26th. I decided to take all of my experiences I have been through for better or worse over this 10 year journey, and share my story with the world! All my life and career I have set out to help others, and really just be a light for the people. Nothing warms my heart like seeing thousands of messages of the people that tell you how much your music impacts them, I literally have saved lives through what I love, like what?! Read more>>

John Simmonds

One of the most meaningful projects was also one of the most fun. A while back, about 5 years ago, I had a friend really get into the BBQ scene in Austin TX. When he moved into a house, I had to get him a thoughtful house warming gift. My friend group and I are very punny people, it must be in our blood coming from New Hampshire. I thought it would be funny to draw Texas a steak. He has the first print of my project. Flash forward to when the pandemic hit, I saw a lot of heartfelt stories of unity across the nation, and I wanted to approach it a little more light heartedly, which lead to the creation of United Steaks of America. Read more>>

Benton Thompson III

I wrote a book titled “Divinely Dysfunctional – Unique on Purpose”. I write Faith based, self-help books. and I see so many people trying to find their identity in others. They want to emulate someone else by copying their behavior or their talent. But the truth is, we are all each uniquely created the way we are on purpose, for a special purpose. By design we were created to function differently than the next person, that’s why our fingerprints don’t match anyone’s who has ever existed. Read more>>

Jeremiah Collie

One of my first ever solo projects was a EP titled, “Love Stories”. I am a sucker for good storytelling through lyrics and I wanted to emulate that sort of writing through this project. I wanted a modern take of what love is for the current generation. Whether the topic falls around late night conversation over the phone or fighting with the feeling of telling someone you like them. We all have gone through these things at some point. I wanted to match each song with a genre that I felt best fit. Read more>>

Patricia Schnall Gutierrez

To pick one project that is the most meaningful to me is tough. I am passionate about each project I undertake. I suspect that is the driving force in the creative process. My installation, “Erased in the Wash”, stands out however, since it is so personal to so many women. According to a recent 2022 statistic, 1 in 6 American females falls victim to an attempted or completed sexual assault. In most cases, and for myriad reasons, this social injustice remains hidden and often quietly buried. Read more>>

Isabella Cendan

Throughout my time as a storyteller and exploring my passion for both photo and video, I have had many opportunities to work on meaningful projects. The tagline for my small business, Bella Rosa Productions, is to “capture your story for a lifetime,” because I have a deep passion for telling stories that deserve to be told. Every person in front of my camera has a unique story, and it is always my goal to make sure that story is told as authentically as possible. I have worked with incredible people in this field and been a part of countless projects I am very proud of, but the most meaningful project I have been a part of is when I have documented Kesem. Read more>>

Md Tapon Mahamud Jony

Currently, I am an Engineering team member of Goldcrest Post Production Company. Our team is a creative and technical partner whenever needed throughout the entire process, from pre-production through delivery. Prior to the shooting, we are here to discuss all aspects of your workflow and test the aesthetic impact of various technical choices, including camera, lenses, unusual lighting setups, HDR, filtration, and more. We also work with cinematographers and directors to build LUTs for use with dailies and in-camera. When it’s time to color grade the final. Read more>>

Martryce Roach

Every year, I participate in the Windows of Understanding “We See Through Hate” public arts initiative in my hometown, New Brunswick, NJ. The vision for this public art project is to transform main street spaces into literal windows of understanding; spaces in which the diverse community can learn about the positive strides being made by local organizations around a wide array of social justice issues that don’t always make daily headlines. Read more>>

Robert Shearn III

My most meaningful project is being a Patient that’s a Nudist on TV show My Feet Are Killing Me on the TLC Network season 1 episode 4. It was so meaningful to me because it helped me to be more open about myself towards things that I didn’t talked about publicly. It also gave me Worldwide exposure. Then it became even more meaningful when my scene was featured on the TV show Celebrity Watch Party on Fox episode 5 along with Tyra Banks, Raven Symone, The Osborne’s, and Lindsay Lohan to name a few. Read more>>

Andrew Garcia

As of right now in this point of my life, my two studio albums “Beginning Of A Legacy” and “Aspen Ridge” are two recent projects I hold very close to my heart. “Beginning Of A Legacy” tells the story of a young adolescent boy, trying to find his place and meaning in life. Suffering from neurological issues such as migraines, night terrors, mental episodes, and hallucinations on a daily basis, I found myself surrounded by a place darkness and a crowd more than less acceptable in order to deal with my personal grief. Read more>>

David Choung

The most meaningful project I have released since beginning the journey of my music career would be Time Capsules. It tells a story about a sequence of events overtime that I’ve endured since the passing of my best friend. These times reveal both exciting and depressing moments in my life where I felt comfortable to speak on. He was the one who really introduced me to writing music. We would freestyle in the car, and he would ask me what I thought about it. Read more>>

Justin Dejesus

It was my “Overworked & Underpaid” Series. It’s my most transparent project out right now there’s a part 1 & 2 with the 3rd set to release at the end of 2022. Read more>>

Mina Ownlee

One of the most meaningful projects for me is a movie called Mixed Emotions vol. 2 on Amazon. Its about Lana, a Senior in high school, and her Puerto Rican family who become transplants in the SouthSide of Chicago after hurricane Maria destroyed their home. Lana meets Caleb, an African American jock, and the pair have instant chemistry. Their high school love is tested when Lana’s family forbid her to date a black man. Their story unfolds as they choose love over family, but it comes at a high cost. Read more>>

Kerry Kriseman

I have two meaningful projects: 1. My book, “Accidental First Lady.” 2. My role as a volunteer puppy raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs. I never envisioned I would write a book. However, after my husband’s particularly contentious 2017 re-election campaign for St. Petersburg, Fla., mayor, people began asking me, “How do you do this?” As in, how did I live a public life, as a political spouse. This was his 8th campaign. Read more>>

Janell Pena

My most meaningful project has been writing the book Loving a BiPolar Bear. I wrote this book because I wanted others who have gone through or are going through taking care of their loved one who is battling or battled mental illness to know that they are not alone. My hope is that, in reading this book, you will discover the affects that mental illness has on loved ones, giving you a better understanding and empathy for those who struggle. I want you to see this book as an opportunity to understand the emotions that come along with mental illness, escape from misunderstanding and stigma, and learn alongside me about the importance of putting yourself first. Read more>>

Sinden Collier

One of my most meaningful photographic projects is “Darkwater.” The project simultaneously pays homage to the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois and the Black experience in America. My specific intention/goal for the Darkwater project is for viewers to take away a better understanding of history; a recognition that what is written is not always true. I would like the project to engage minds to think, to speak freely intellectually as well as conceptually. Du Bois’ postscript to Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil: “I have been in the world but not of it. I have seen the human drama from a veiled corner.” When studying Du Bois, you never stop learning and discovering. Read more>>

Jimmy Tran

The most meaningful project I’ve ever created is my first album called “Memes To Dreams” with 13 tracks on it mixed and mastered on the vocals by me. Based on a true story of what I went through living in those moment. It has a variety of different genres of hip hop, rap, and flow. How I came up with this album title is because people will always put you down and not take you seriously until you make it in life. Read more>>

AMY HUTCHESON

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is The Metal Maidens. Currently in our 23rd year and celebrating over 10 years of our annual calendar contest. This group for creative empowerment in the underground metal scene is one of my pride and joy. We are currently in the last leg of our annual calendar contest and model search. www.metalmaidens.org Read more>>

Christian Colon

My most meaningful project is the one that I’m currently working on finalizing,”A.L.O.N.E” it’s been over a year in the works, and I’ve constantly struggled in completing it and changed the track list numerous times, It’s been delayed, and I’ve even second guessed putting it out. Since it’s my first official project, I’ve let the pressure get to me, so In a way, I guess finally releasing it would show me that I’m still on the right track Read more>>

Amanda Pletsch

The most meaningful project that I have worked on was co-writing a children’s story with my daughter who was six at that time. In June of 2020 I illustrated and self published Super Hero Mermaids. My daughter kept retelling the same story over and over again and even made a game out of it that involved her cousins and super hero powers. It is meaningful to me because it helped inspire her to love writing and to create stories with her own art. This project lead to a possible business idea of capturing other families stories and since then I have illustrated and published one other book through my small company The Family Tales. Read more>>

Indi Tyton

Right now, I am in the middle of cultivating two meaningful projects. The first one, Entertainment Leadership Academy, LLC. (ELA), is a project that I have been working on in conjunction with finishing up my PhD in Organizational Leadership. I founded Entertainment Leadership Academy (ELA) because I recognized a need for independent music artists and filmmakers to be trained in how to be leaders of their own businesses, because as artist, “we are businesses within ourselves”. Read more>>

Elijah Cordova

Looking back over my almost eight years in the hair and makeup industry, I’ve done many meaningful projects that I am incredibly proud of. However, if I had to hone in on the most meaningful thing I’ve done in my career, it would be the personal effort I put forth to change how my clients and others view the industry as a whole. Read more>>

Ariel Sides

Recently, I’ve began working on my first book, and it is by far the most meaningful thing I have ever written; not because the content is anything special, but because it’s mine. I’ve had a few articles published here and there in the last few years, but this is completely unprompted, undefined, and simply my own creation. It is also by far, the single largest written project I have worked on to date and I am incredibly blessed to be at a place in my life where I am able to engage in this opportunity. Read more>>

Janie Selph

Fun2Go Misters has been an outlet for a SAHM to share mom-life while adding tidbits from our sensory journey with Little Mister. Why Fun2Go Misters? At the time of bringing the concept to virtual life, it was all about exploring with 2 Misters with an age gap of 9 years. (We’ll get into 2 Misters and their sister later.) Sort of a resource to help families navigate the expansive avenues Houston and beyond has to offer with families. Read more>>

Nita Thompson

My most meaningful project that I’ve worked on would have to be my McDonalds billboard. I had just graduated from grad school and I was working as an intern in Detroit. There wasn’t a lot of opportunities for me as an intern so I did what I always did, built connections. I was able to meet really cool people who could help me get on projects that interns wouldn’t normally get to do. One day one I was approached by one of the Project Managers that I met named Eric. He presented the billboard to me and told me I was the first person he asked. Me, and intern getting the chance to create something other than resizes. Read more>>

Amario Andre

I think working on the March Madness campaign with Aflac was pretty meaningful as my first social commercial work, I’d say the project with the biggest impact though would be my short-film “Crimson Tower”, myself and my small team of three worked extremely hard to make that film happen. Endless nights for a whole year isn’t easy on anyone and it taught me alot about production and production management, for those who don’t know Crimson Tower is a 2D/3D hybrid animated film that is about 8 minutes long. It was intially started in my schools animation program being the longest hybrid film produced there, it expanded a bit with production and slated for film festivals outside the program. Read more>>

Preston Gaines

Le Fleur Lounge Chair, I would say, has definitely held influence throughout my work thus far. The first iteration of the lounge chair was completed while I was still in college, but it continues to serve as a source of inspiration even to this day. With both depth and simplicity, the design reinforces the connection between man-made and natural elements through deconstructive, interactive, and innovative processes. I have continued to reuse the original floral pattern of the vinyl chair, and it has become my artistic signature! Read more>>

Carole Degnan

By far my most meaningful projects as an artist has to be my first big commission. And by big, I mean 24×36. I had not done anything prior to this project that was over 11×14 so this was huge for me, I normally work comfortably with 9×12. And of course big in price because it was also the first time I actually set a price that I felt my skill was worth at the time and so fear sets in…what if I’m charging too much, what if they think my work isn’t worth it and so on. This commission pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but at the same time I felt proud and so professional. I was growing as an artist, and felt good. Read more>>