You can change your life with creativity – David Speed talks at University of Warwick

On April 30 2025, the University of Warwick welcomed David Speed to the FAB for his talk: “You can change your life with creativity”. With his career as an artist and thriving neon brand, Speed spoke to staff and students alike about the benefits of implementing little rituals of creativity into life. It was an inspiring talk that left me yearning to pick up the artistic hobbies I’d left long abandoned from my childhood. The Boar Arts section was also lucky enough to receive some comments from Speed about his thoughts on creative freedom versus academic life, as well as the upcoming mural that will be installed on campus to celebrate the University’s 60th anniversary. I was keen to get involved with this local, art-based event on campus, so that I could share Speed’s professional insight. Here’s a rundown of what I learnt:  

Creativity cannot be stolen, and creative, thoughtful processes are also invaluable in their ability to strengthen the brain’s dwindling attention span

David Speed claims there are two concepts that are important in order to unlock a fulfilling career: creating things and caring for others. This advice was particularly poignant as the artist spoke to an audience full of people who are either educated at the University, or work at the University. This formula of creating/caring makes sure to not only foster a culture of uplifting others but also safeguards our own minds. Speed highlighted that “leading” figures of today’s society are so insistent on harvesting resources without fair redistribution. Even our less tangible resources such as time and sleep are being abused, as we become consumers of media, disguised as downtime: the late-night online scrolling, the next episode that starts in 5… 4… 3… and so on. Creativity cannot be stolen, and creative, thoughtful processes are also invaluable in their ability to strengthen the brain’s dwindling attention span.   

Next Speed spoke about the difficulty of calling ourselves artists. Why do we struggle to claim this title? Why do we feel as though we aren’t worthy? Speed was in his mid-thirties before finally owning the title for himself, even after years of creativity starting from his youth. His message to the audience is that it is never too late to start creating, and he spoke specifically to those who still feel as though they are “not creative”. Whether it be cooking, writing or singing, there is no exclusivity. He also told the audience that to actively encourage this, he is giving away 400 pieces of art, with only one catch: to claim your piece of art, you must trade something that you have made. This London-based art-swap in May hopes to encourage people not only to invest in art, but also to reclaim that lost hobby that feels good for the soul.   

“Essentially, creativity is free, is open, there’s no rules. You don’t have to get the right answer. You don’t have to tick any boxes or jump through any hoops.”

Beyond his talk, we asked David Speed about his thoughts on how to feel full creative freedom within the constraints of academic grading. Speed told The Boar: “I think the academic system is very rigid in terms of, there are ‘correct answers’ and art and creativity don’t really have any correct answers”.  He continued with an example from his own life: “My career is based on a mistake (…) I discovered the neon-pink pigment and didn’t think I could do anything with it.”   

“Essentially, creativity is free, is open, there’s no rules. You don’t have to get the right answer. You don’t have to tick any boxes or jump through any hoops.” He summarises: “That’s not to say that academia is not beautiful and doesn’t shape you and give you a foundation to build on. (…) But it can also be restrictive”. So, whilst students can appreciate the opportunities that academia opens, keeping perspective on the true limitlessness of creativity should always reign.   

Lastly, we asked Speed whether the context of his campus mural will have a different subtext to his art’s usual home in the city. He commented: “I’m just trying to reach people with my work. So, for it to be here is no different. People are still going to see it. (…) People are going to go, ‘What’s that? Why is that here?’”   

To conclude, he tells us: “I’m excited to be painting at the university. I want to paint everywhere. This is just another canvas for me to experiment on.”