The Creative Industry Today: Part 2 — Carson Ting

Carson Ting 2026 Applied Arts Illustration Awards multi-winner for his piece "Toronto, with Love".

From global brand collaborations to shaping the next generation of creatives, Carson Ting’s practice sits at the intersection of art, design, and cultural influence. The artist behind Billion Buns and an official FIFA artist representing Canada, Ting has built a distinct visual language defined by vibrant colour, fluid linework, and playful, character-driven forms.

Through his studio, Chairman Ting, Carson has partnered with major brands across industries, while continuing to evolve his personal work into the realm of fine art. Equally committed to giving back, he mentors emerging artists and teaches at Capilano University’s IDEA School of Design.

We spoke with Ting about the creative industry today and his perspective on where it’s headed.

How have you seen the advertising and creative industries change over the course of your career?

It’s much more fast-paced now and not because I’m getting older, but because the industry has developed much faster reflexes. I see a lot of reactionary work today, such as responding to viral social posts and world events in real-time. Much of this is driven by our access to rich analytics. When I started, we didn't have this. I remember account teams and clients relying on AC Nielsen research that was already years old. We’ve also seen massive consolidation. Great independent agencies have been absorbed by multinationals, local award shows like the Lotus Awards and the Billies have disappeared, and award shows, in general, seem to carry less weight than they once did.

What shifts feel most significant today?

Without a doubt, AI and the relentless influence of big-tech algorithms.

What do you see as the root causes behind these changes?

Technology is the primary driver. Clients expect a faster, higher-quality creative product for less money, and modern technology provides the tools to demand and sometimes achieve that.

How are these industry shifts influencing what and how you teach?

Surprisingly, I haven't had to fundamentally shift what I teach because the core of our profession remains unconditional love for the craft. Creativity is inherently human. My shift has been focused on leaning into that humanity such as showing my process, emphasizing storytelling, and sharing "behind-the-scenes" insights. This human element is what separates a true creative professional from someone who simply generates prompts.

Have you had to rethink curriculum, skills training, or assessment models?

No. By the time a formal new curriculum is developed, the world has already moved on. Instead, I adapt my teaching style in real-time by sharing the actual projects I’m working on. This provides students with a reflective and accurate look at current working conditions.

How are you addressing AI in the classroom?

I address it head-on. AI is here to stay. You either ignore it and get left behind, or embrace it and evolve. It is a powerful tool that we can use to our advantage. Learning to integrate AI into a professional workflow is now critical to a student's future success.

What core skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for students entering the industry today?

Passion is the baseline requirement. Once a student has that genuine fire, qualities like resilience, durability, and resourcefulness follow naturally. Those are the traits necessary to navigate the industry today.

Do you feel optimistic about the future of the creative professions?

I do. I’ve always been an optimist. What gives me hope is that the industry is still rooted in human emotion and storytelling and AI cannot truly replicate yet. What gives me pause? That same "giddy" feeling I still get when I see a fun opportunity to create something meaningful. I want to ensure that magic remains available for the next generation.

What are you observing in today’s students?

Today’s students are definitely more anxious, and understandably so. However, they are also incredibly adaptable. The creative disciplines have fragmented since I was in art school, and students today are much more entrepreneurial and exposed to a wider world of inspiration through social media.

How can educational institutions better support students as they transition from school to industry?

Institutions need to be more agile. Many are bogged down by red tape and move too slowly to adapt to market demands. We need to bring more active, practicing professionals into the classroom. This ensures the curriculum stays relevant and, more importantly, allows students to build the industry connections they need to find work.

If you had a magic wand, what would you change about how the industry and academia connect?

For the industry, I would eliminate spec work, an issue that has been a point of contention since my first day in the business. For academia, I would love to see institutions partner with non-profits. Imagine students applying their skills to real-world briefs for organizations like the UN Refugee Agency. It’s a win-win: the non-profit gets high-level creative work, and the students gain meaningful, "real-world" experience.

Would you change anything at all?

I’m not sure. I’m a believer in the butterfly effect. The weight of such a change might outweigh the intended outcome. I prefer to focus on how we adapt to the changes we already have.

From global campaigns to the classroom, Carson Ting remains a distinctive voice in a creative industry that never stops shifting.