Jonathan Zawada is an Australia-based multidisciplinary artist known for his distinctive visual universes and collaborations with musicians like Flume and Mark Pritchard. In his work, Jonathan explores the complex interplay between technology and human experience—and our increasingly intertwined physical and virtual realities. His work spans album covers, digital sculptures, installations, textiles, and even furniture design.
In this Talk on Creativity, Jonathan Zawada delves into the journey of self-trust and how it became the guiding force behind his artistic expression. From the influence of nature and music on his work to reflections on AI and authenticity, he challenges the status quo and shares thoughtful advice for navigating today’s digital creative landscape.
Let’s dive in!
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Design vs. Art
Jonathan has spent much of his career shifting between art and design—but he’s always drawn a clear line between the two. Early in his design work, he avoided having a signature style, feeling it would contradict the purpose of design. Design, he believes, exists to serve others: it’s about clarity, function, and helping someone else achieve their goals.
Art, on the other hand, is deeply personal. For Jonathan, it’s about tuning into his own inner landscape. Rather than trying to communicate a message, he focuses on expressing something meaningful to him—and if others resonate with it, that’s a welcome byproduct.
“Art is almost the reverse of design—it’s kind of inward-looking.”
Over time, he accepted that traces of his voice would naturally appear in both. But intention remains the anchor: design is outward-facing, art is inward-led.
Creating in the Digital Age
With platforms making it easier than ever to create and share, the creative world is more crowded—and competitive—than it’s ever been. Jonathan reflects on how overwhelming it can feel, especially for young artists who are not just competing with their peers, but with established names who have decades of experience and visibility.
“Having practical skills gives you something to rely on when everything else feels uncertain.”
When faced with self-doubt and uncertainty, he encourages young creatives to focus on what they can control: developing practical, hands-on skills that foster independence and resilience. It’s through craft, he says, that artists find something to anchor them.
Embracing Imperfection
Even after years of working across disciplines and collaborating with renowned artists, Jonathan admits that the sense of self-doubt hasn’t entirely faded. That persistent voice questioning his worth—wondering if he’s just faking it—still lingers in the background.
“I’ve realized there’s nothing I can do to change that feeling. So I just have to be happy with whatever it is that I’m doing.”
Rather than pushing it away or letting it dictate his choices, he’s learned to live with it. That doubt, he says, is just part of the creative process. Instead of chasing validation, he focuses on being present with the work. Letting go of the need to prove himself, he finds peace in the act of creating—allowing the work to speak for itself.
On AI and Generative Tools
Jonathan’s creative practice has always blended the virtual and physical—from early days coding websites and developing his own generative tools, to more recent explorations using AI. Long before AI tools became widely accessible, he was experimenting with self-made systems that translated invisible data into visual form, building custom scripts to explore new visual languages. His work often aimed to make the intangible tangible—visualizing the properties of networks, sound, or atmosphere through form and texture.
With the rise of AI, Jonathan embraced the opportunity to generate imagery that defied his habitual thinking. But for him, AI isn’t about efficiency or output. It’s a way to disrupt his own routines, not replace them. He’s cautious about delegating too much of the creative process to machines, because it’s the act of making—the physical work, the trial and error—that he finds most grounding.
Moving to the Australian Countryside
After years in Los Angeles, Jonathan made a conscious decision to slow down by moving to the rural Australian countryside. In LA, he often felt like he was hustling and spending all his energy just trying to keep up. The culture around him reinforced the idea that going back to the countryside would mean becoming irrelevant—especially as a creator.
But that fear didn’t come true. In nature, time expands, he says. Jonathan rediscovered a slower, more intuitive rhythm—one where creativity could unfold on its own terms. Today, he values long stretches of uninterrupted time to think, tinker, and allow ideas to develop at their own pace. Projects are no longer defined by deadlines alone, but by depth and resonance.
“Two years doesn’t feel like a long time anymore. That’s how long it takes to make something of value.”
By choosing slow living over hustle, he redefined what success means to him.
Advice for Young Creatives
“Stay open. Stay undefined. It’s okay not to know where it’s all going yet.”
- Focus on building practical, hands-on skills. These skills are extremely helpful in times of self-doubt and uncertainty.
- Be dependable. Be someone others can count on. It builds trust and reliability while collaborating with others.
- Don’t rush to define yourself. Those early years are meant for exploration—trying different things, getting lost, making mistakes. Embrace the unknown, resist the urge to lock into a fixed identity too soon, and instead stay open to discovering your authentic voice along the way.
