Michael Flarup is a Danish designer & entrepreneur, with a treasure-trove of experience creating his own companies, and leading teams of developers and designers. He’s also speaking at CreativePro Week 2025, which takes place June 2-6 in Phoenix, with a session on Lessons From a Career in Creativity.
We thought it would be fun to get to know him better with some Q&A.
Biggest mistake designers often make when working on large projects?
They lose sight of the fun. Large projects can quickly become overwhelming, with deadlines, budgets, and stakeholder demands often taking center stage. When designers focus solely on these aspects, they risk forgetting why they started the project in the first place. Fun isn’t just a luxury—it’s a driving force for creativity and innovation. When we approach our work with curiosity and playfulness, we unlock fresh ideas and maintain our passion, even in the face of challenges.
Fave feature in Photoshop that you wouldn’t want to live without?
Layer Styles and Blending. These tools are my secret weapon for creating depth, texture, and dimensionality. Whether I’m mimicking materials for an icon, rendering a detailed design, or adding subtle polish to a project, these features allow me to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Photoshop. They’ve been at the heart of my workflow for years, and I can’t imagine working without them.
Best suggestion or tip for anyone looking to boost their creativity?
Side projects are the ultimate creativity booster. They let you experiment, explore, and create without the pressure of expectations or deadlines. By turning hobbies and passions into side projects, you tap into a powerful source of inspiration. For me, it’s been about making things my inner child would love—designs, games, or objects that spark that sense of wonder and joy. Adults often forget how to play, but reconnecting with that playful spirit can open doors to ideas you never knew you had.
Most unexpected way you’ve used your Adobe skills thus far in your career?
Creating the iOS and macOS App Icon Book. This project was a massive labor of love and an unconventional use of my skills—it combined design, curation, publishing, and even a bit of internet archaeology as I tracked down and licensed iconic artworks. It was a deeply rewarding way to celebrate the craft of icon design while showcasing the versatility of Adobe tools in realizing a large-scale, tactile, and impactful project. I also had to learn Indesign which was a very foreign thing for this Photoshop boy.
What are you most excited to share in your upcoming session?
I’m excited to share the simple, but hard-earned lessons I’ve learned over my career about chasing fun. Fun isn’t just a byproduct of creativity—it’s a compass that points you toward meaningful and successful work. The world has a way of giving back what you put into it, so filling it with joy and curiosity makes all the difference. I hope to inspire attendees to rediscover the joy in their work and remind them that, while creativity can be challenging, it should always bring a sense of playfulness and excitement.
Also, if you need images for any of these things you’re welcome to use any of my work on https://pixelresort.com or from the books at https://appiconbook.com – also happy to supply you with anything else you might need.
This article was last modified on April 25, 2025
This article was first published on March 18, 2025
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