Why the nation’s 5th largest city is still catching up creatively and how we can help shape what’s next
In 2021, I packed up my life and moved from Minneapolis to Phoenix, Arizona. It was toward the end of the global pandemic and a deeply unsettling period in America’s social and economic history. Like many creatives, I was looking for fresh energy, new opportunities, and a place that could serve as a launching pad for big ideas.
Phoenix, being the fifth largest city in the country, seemed like an obvious contender. On paper, it had the population size, weather, diversity, and growth indicators to become a serious hub for design, media, and innovation.
But what I found surprised me.
A City of People, But Not of
Creative Infrastructure
Coming from Minneapolis, a city buzzing with creative organizations, mid-sized agencies, and Fortune 500 headquarters, I expected Phoenix to feel even more alive, especially considering its size. Minneapolis, while smaller in population, punches far above its weight creatively. There’s an established ecosystem of design studios, ad agencies, arts nonprofits, and in-house design teams at major companies like Target, Best Buy, and General Mills.
In contrast, Phoenix felt underdeveloped. I found scattered pockets of talent but a surprising lack of business infrastructure to support and unify the creative class.
There were (and still are) talented photographers, graphic designers, videographers, and artists everywhere. But few mid-to-large creative agencies. Fewer corporate headquarters that invest in high-level branding or design strategy. And a lot of freelancers working in silos, trying to build something meaningful in a city that doesn’t yet know how to fully support or showcase its creative talent.
Phoenix has the population of a metropolis but still operates like a large suburb when it comes to creative business development.
Where Phoenix shines creatively
To be clear, there is creative momentum here. Some sectors are making real noise, and there’s a clear hunger for growth:
- 📸 Photography & Content Creation: Instagram influencers, lifestyle and wedding photographers, and content creators are thriving thanks to the desert aesthetic, natural lighting, and stunning landscapes.
- 🎨 Murals & Public Art: Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row are filled with public art, murals, and visual storytelling that speaks to the city’s roots and rising culture.
- 🎥 Video Production & Drone Work: There’s a small but growing scene for videographers and drone operators tapping into tourism, real estate, and lifestyle content creation.
Where Opportunity Awaits
But Phoenix has some catching up to do in these critical creative sectors:
🧠 Creative Agencies & Studios:
Unlike cities like Minneapolis or Austin, Phoenix lacks a strong tier of mid-sized creative agencies producing national-level work and mentoring the next generation of talent.
🖥️ Graphic & Brand Design Firms
Too many businesses still undervalue design or outsource to other markets. There’s a wide-open opportunity for local design studios to lead with strategy, storytelling, and brand identity work.
🏢 Corporate Headquarters & In-House Design Teams
Despite its size, Phoenix isn’t home to many Fortune 500 brands or corporate design centers. As the city grows, there’s an opportunity to attract (or incubate) businesses that anchor real creative teams here.
📈 Marketing Strategy & Digital Innovation
There’s demand for social media strategy, digital marketing, and UX, but much of it feels fragmented. Phoenix needs a stronger intersection between tech and creative disciplines.
What This Means for Creatives in Phoenix
Phoenix is still a city in development when it comes to its creative ecosystem. But that also means it’s full of opportunity.
There’s room to:
- Build boutique studios and creative shops that shape the city’s identity
- Form community-driven creative networks and mentorship pipelines
- Start conversations between business and design leaders that haven’t existed before
- Help local brands understand the value of smart design—not just visuals, but strategy
Why I’m Staying (and Building)
Despite the slow start, I believe Phoenix is on the edge of becoming something powerful. Its creative community just needs more visibility, connection, and infrastructure to fully bloom.
I’m here to contribute to that growth, whether by helping local businesses elevate their brands, mentoring emerging creatives, or building digital spaces that represent our talent and stories.
If you’re a business owner, agency, creative, or collaborator looking to shape the next chapter of Phoenix’s creative future, I’d love to connect.
Let’s Build Something Great in Phoenix
Whether you need help defining your brand, launching your website, or creating digital experiences that truly reflect your mission, I can help.