Opinion article by Ana Félix, Senior Designer & Project Lead at Shift
There’s a very common idea that Carnival is the opposite of creative discipline. An excess without method. A moment of allowed chaos before we return to being functional, organized and serious adults. I disagree.
I’m a designer, I lead creative projects and I make a living from ideas and decisions. But I’ve also always been passionate about Carnival. Every year I develop a concept, choose materials, build narratives and approach the whole process with the same seriousness I bring to my profession. I don’t believe it undermines my credibility. Quite the opposite.
To me, Carnival is one of the most honest creative exercises that exists. There are no closed briefs and no clients approving ideas. There is intention, identity and the freedom to experiment without fear of failure. For anyone working in design, that is gold.
When I choose a costume or a mask, I’m doing exactly what I do in my professional life: telling a story, solving problems, creating impact and translating an idea into visual form. I may be constrained by technical or budget limitations, but I need to feel comfortable in the skin of the character I create. Just like in a creative project, there is concept, coherence and decision behind every choice.
We often treat creativity as valid only when it comes with method, order and serious discourse. And we treat Carnival as something trivial or childish. As if play were the opposite of thinking. But it isn’t.
Creativity is born from play, exaggeration and the courage to step outside our usual persona. It emerges when we let go of the fear of looking ridiculous. Carnival has historically been the space where that freedom is allowed.
Many of the best ideas don’t emerge in formal meetings or perfectly aligned presentations. They appear when we are attentive, curious and open to observing what surrounds us — in the streets, in colors, in people, in contrasts. Often in the middle of what seems like chaos.
During Carnival, I don’t switch off my creative mind. I set it free.
Perhaps we should look at this season for what it truly is: an open-air creative laboratory. A space where identity, narrative and visual expression intersect freely — but not irresponsibly.
I will continue to lead creative projects throughout the year and to approach Carnival as if it were the most important brief of my life. Because in the end, it’s all creativity. Only the stage changes.
Originally published in the Portuguese online magazine Marketeer.