This one shift could transform how you create forever

Hey creators, welcome to Vol.5 of Inside the Framework!

👋🏽 Ciara here —founder of Emerging Frameworks and your monthly co-pilot on this wild ride of turning bold ideas into real-world moves.

This month, I hit pause on attending events and took a little break —because rest is important, too. But don’t worry, we still showed up for one key virtual discussion that really got me thinking… (more on that here in a bit).

Plus, we wrapped a first draft of our proof of concept for She Hoops Too, and I’m excited to share a sneak peek with you all today.

Now, here’s the real reason we’re here this month:

There’s one shift, one mindset change, that could transform how you create forever. It’s the secret sauce most creators never talk about, but it’s what separates the noise from the breakthrough.

Your next big spark? It might not come from doubling down in your own lane. It might come from tuning into a completely different frequency.

Because real magic? It’s almost always where you’re not looking.
That’s the secret sauce: taking notes from worlds outside your own.

This month, we’re tapping into the power of stepping beyond your immediate circle, industry, or aesthetic and leaning into adjacent spaces. We’re talking musicians learning from fashion designers. Filmmakers collaborating with poets. Strategists pulling ideas from architecture, astrology, or even stand-up comedy.

Why? Because in a creative economy where everything moves fast and relevance is always being redefined, the edge belongs to those who aren’t afraid to dabble, observe, and build beyond their lane.

We tuned into Dazed Studio’s “Future of Youth Culture” webinar — The Death of Cool, and one insight in particular stuck with us

“Cool doesn’t live in one industry anymore —it lives at the intersections.”

If you’re a designer, hang out with dancers.
If you’re a musician, go talk to startup founders.
If you’re a filmmaker, spend time in art galleries, bookstores, or fashion showrooms.

That’s where the breakthroughs are hiding.

Why This Matters For You

When you only look inward, your vision stays small. But when you look around, with curiosity and openness, you start to see patterns and opportunities others miss.

Crossing creative boundaries helps you:

• Spark new ideas faster

• Build a more dynamic, relevant voice

• Increase your value across industries

• Create unexpected, culture-shifting collaborations

We’re seeing this everywhere —from Dazed’s panel to the events, conferences, and convos we’ve been a part of over the last six months. The same theme keeps coming up:

Cool died —and now it’s being resurrected. But this time, it looks like the real you.

It’s no longer about mystery, status, or performance. It’s about substance, authenticity, and intention.

Honestly, for us at Emerging Frameworks, being your true self has always been cool. It’s just nice to see the world (and Gen Alpha) catching on, too.

🎥 Check out Dazed Studio’s “Death of Cool” webinar from their Future of Youth Culture insights series:

Key Takeaways from Dazed’s “Death of Cool” panel

• Cool is being redefined: No longer about mystery or exclusivity; it’s now rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and real connection.

• Clout is dead: Status alone doesn’t hold weight. Today’s currency is cultural relevance, depth, and intention.

• Cultural initiators > influencers: The people moving culture now aren’t chasing trends —they’re starting conversations, building communities, and showing up with substance.

• Soulful brands win: The most powerful brands are honest, human, and aligned with their values. They lead with purpose, not polish.

• Community over curation: Raw, imperfect, and people-first storytelling resonates more than highly produced content.

• Rejection of surface-level aesthetics: There’s a clear shift toward purpose-driven design, ethical fashion, and storytelling that adds meaning, not just visual appeal.

• Spirituality and slowness are rising: Gen Z and Gen Alpha are pushing back against burnout culture, leaning into mindfulness, intention, and even invisibility as rebellion.

• Authenticity takes time: “Being real” isn’t immediate —it’s a process of discovery, repetition, and reflection.

• Confidence in real life > performance online: There’s renewed value in being able to show up offline with presence, courage, and curiosity.

• Self-expression is the new cool: In an oversaturated world, clarity and confidence in your own voice is what stands out most.

Creator Resources & Events

Free Workshop: Film & TV Distribution Essentials

Thursday, July 24 | 1–2pm ET - Presented by The Gotham x Filmhub
If you're a filmmaker navigating distribution, this one’s for you. Alan D’Escragnolle (CEO of Filmhub) breaks down what you need to know before distributing your film, including acquisition, emerging monetization strategies, and how to market your project effectively. 👉 Free to attend. [Save your spot!]

Dazed Brand Summit

August 5–7 | WSA, New York City - Dazed is hosting their first-ever Brand Summit, a three-day event previewing insights from their Future of Youth Culture report, focused on the "Death of Cool." Expect roundtables, live insights sessions, and a stacked thought-leadership panel exploring what it means to live in a post-cool world, especially for Gen Z.

The Fund for Investigative Journalism – Grants Available

The FIJ offers two types of funding to support impactful, high-quality investigative reporting:

Regular Grant → Up to $10,000
Due: Monday, Sept 8 @ 11:59pm ET

Seed Funding Grant → Up to $2,500 (for early-stage reporting)
Due: Monday, Sept 15 @ 11:59pm ET

Emerging Frameworks Project Updates

🎬 She Hoops Too – First Look

We recently wrapped a first draft of our proof of concept for our documentary She Hoops Too, and because you're part of our community, we wanted to give you an early look at the teaser. This project means a lot to us, and we’re excited to share where it’s headed.

Check it out below

We’re Hiring Interns & Crew

We’re building and looking for good people to build with. Join the Emerging Frameworks Team! We’re currently on the lookout for:

→ Social Media Interns
Perfect for someone eager to sharpen their creative marketing skills, get hands-on experience, and grow with a small but intentional team.

→ Production Assistants
We’re looking for curious, creative, and dependable team members for both Emerging Frameworks and She Hoops Too. No experience required—just bring your hustle and hunger to learn.

Interested? Or know someone who is? Fill out this quick form, and we’ll be in touch.

Inside the Algorithm —Here’s What We’ve Been Double-Tapping This Month

From scroll-stopping visuals to producers and DJs keeping our flow right —these are the sounds and creatives that made it into our group chats, playlists, and creative routines this month.

DJ Shu-G

NYC-based DJ | Video Creator | 80s–90s R&B + Jazz Vibes
DJ Shu-G’s open-format sets feel like sonic time travel, blending genres from Afrobeats and House to Reggae, Disco, and classic R&B seamlessly. Whether it’s a jazzy 30-minute mix or spinning for brands like Beats by Dre, Kinfolk, or Lafayette, Shu-G delivers the bounce and the soul. With collaborations across NYC and Tokyo, he's a rising force in global DJ culture —and one of our current favorites to edit or reset the vibe.

BIG-8

Tokyo-based Beatmaker | Producer | Visual Creative
Inspired by DJ Premier, BIG-8 crafts mellow, textured beats with emotional depth. Since his 2019 Lo-Fi SICK, he’s dropped over 20 projects, including Milk and Honey, a breakout hit that topped iTunes and Apple Music. But he’s more than a producer, he’s scored TV dramas, modeled for Kansai Yamamoto, and collaborated with Timberland. Whether you’re scripting, storyboarding, or stretching out ideas, his catalog sets the perfect mood.

💬 Thought of the Month:

“The seeds you plant today become the shade you sit under tomorrow.”

The wildest ideas usually show up when you’re not even looking in the right direction.

Like DJ Shu-G flipping jazz with Afrobeats, it’s the mix that hits different.

So try something new. Peek into someone else’s world. That’s how new lanes get made.

Until next time,
— Ciara & the EFW Team