Benjamin Edgar Describes How to Begin a Creative Career on 'IN___SIGHT'

Following its debut episode with Reese Cooper, Good Studio launches the next entry in its IN___SIGHT series, which focuses on Chicago-based creative Benjamin Edgar. The brief clip sees Edgar discussing his creative process, the evolution of his own creative endeavors and advice for young ideators.

Perhaps best known as the creator of Boxed Water, Edgar also co-founded taste-making blog THE BRILLIANCE!, which eventually brought in then-unknown Virgil Abloh as a contributor. Now, Edgar focuses on Boxed Water, his eponymous clothing/design label, informal lecture series Th-oughts and various other projects, some of which he touches on in the nearly-10-minute clip.

“We curate things that are interesting,” says Edgar, explaining the reason why he designs at all. After launching an understated, small-run clothing line in the late Naughties, Edgar began considering the value of the hangers that hold the garments. “I was like, ‘What if it stood out just a little bit more on the shelf?’”

From there, Edgar dabbled in repurposed luxury signifiers like marble, transforming the humble hanger into something entirely new. “I thought it was very funny to do a marble hanger,” he recalls. “After I made a physical object, the clothing … became so secondary. …”

Edgar also offers advice for those seeking to launch their own ventures. “If you have an idea that feels off the path, but you like it — that’s the one to do,” he asserts. “If I have an idea and I get super excited about it … I revisit it two weeks later. If it’s less compelling, it’s probably not worth spending your time on.” Edgar also recommends that young creatives make the most of having a day job to pay the bills, though he encourages them to avoid slacking off in the meantime: “Do it well, don’t do it halfway.”

Watch the IN___SIGHT episode with Edgar in full above.

Most recently, Edgar launched his newest venture, the font-centric “Typing…” apparel line.