Creative Collage:
Uncovering Meaning Through Images
Explore collage as both an art form and a way to surface hidden emotions, unexpected connections, and new insights.
A creative process that reveals what you didn’t know you were thinking
This course is for artists, designers, and curious professionals who want to explore creativity through hands-on experimentation.
Collage is one of the most intuitive ways to explore visual thinking. By combining images, textures, and fragments from different sources, you begin to notice patterns, emotions, and ideas that aren’t obvious at first.
Instead of starting with a clear plan, collage invites you to experiment by placing images together, rearranging them, and watching unexpected meanings emerge.
That process often reveals connections your analytical mind might overlook.
Collage has long been used by artists, designers, and researchers as a way to surface intuition, explore ideas, and understand complex experiences.
The result is both a finished artwork and a deeper understanding of the stories, feelings, and insights hidden within the images you choose.
Collage is one of the most intuitive ways to explore visual thinking. By combining images, textures, and fragments from different sources, you begin to notice patterns, emotions, and ideas that aren’t obvious at first.
Instead of starting with a clear plan, collage invites you to experiment by placing images together, rearranging them, and watching unexpected meanings emerge.
That process often reveals connections your analytical mind might overlook.
Collage has long been used by artists, designers, and researchers as a way to surface intuition, explore ideas, and understand complex experiences.
The result is both a finished artwork and a deeper understanding of the stories, feelings, and insights hidden within the images you choose.
Why This Approach Works
Art has a unique ability to surface ideas that structured thinking often misses.
In this course, you’ll explore creativity through hands-on artmaking and then connect what you discovered to powerful methods used in design thinking and innovation.
What You'll Explore
Finding images that spark curiosity
Learn how to collect and notice images, textures, and materials that naturally pull your attention.
Creating unexpected visual connections
Discover how placing images together can produce surprising meanings and visual stories.
Working intuitively instead of planning
Use experimentation and play to let ideas emerge through the process.
Shaping expressive compositions
Learn how arranging images, textures, and shapes can create balance, contrast, and visual impact.
Discovering hidden stories
Step back and notice the surprising stories and emotions that emerge from the images you combine.
Exploring different collage styles
Experiment with a variety of visual approaches, from tactile handmade collage to bold graphic compositions.
What this course includes
Whether you already make art or are simply curious about collage, this course offers a guided way to explore memory, emotion, and meaning through images.
You’ll move from collecting fragments and experimenting with visual elements to creating layered compositions that reveal insights and stories you may not have noticed before.
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Step-by-step demonstrations: Clear video lessons that walk you through each stage of the collage process
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Creative experiments: Guided activities to help you generate ideas, explore visual themes, and work intuitively
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How to apply creativity at work: Learn how the techniques from this course are used beyond art in fields like design research, storytelling, and innovation.
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Material guides: Suggestions for simple tools, image sources, and mixed media techniques you can use in your collages
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Examples and inspiration: Real examples that show how fragments, symbols, and compositions can evolve into finished artwork
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Lifetime access: Return to the lessons any time and work at your own pace
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Curious community: Optional space to share work, reflect on what emerges, and connect with other curious makers
About the Instructor
Emily Holmes is a mixed-media artist, design strategist, and facilitator who helps people develop creative thinking skills through hands-on art practices.
Her work combines visual art, design thinking, and curiosity-driven experimentation. Emily has led creativity and innovation workshops for organizations including NASA, Microsoft, Oracle, The Nature Conservancy, and many Fortune 500 companies. Her work helps people use observation, experimentation, and visual thinking to generate new ideas and approach problems from fresh perspectives.
Alongside her consulting work, Emily maintains an active art practice creating stained glass, mixed-media collage and paintings, and metalsmithing work that is sold online and in galleries. She previously founded a stained glass studio whose handcrafted work was carried in more than 500 galleries worldwide. In 2024 she was awarded a North Carolina Artist Grant in recognition of her artistic work.
Through Curious, Emily explores how artistic processes strengthen imagination, observation, and problem-solving, helping people reconnect with their creativity and apply it to their work and lives.
Her work combines visual art, design thinking, and curiosity-driven experimentation. Emily has led creativity and innovation workshops for organizations including NASA, Microsoft, Oracle, The Nature Conservancy, and many Fortune 500 companies. Her work helps people use observation, experimentation, and visual thinking to generate new ideas and approach problems from fresh perspectives.
Alongside her consulting work, Emily maintains an active art practice creating stained glass, mixed-media collage and paintings, and metalsmithing work that is sold online and in galleries. She previously founded a stained glass studio whose handcrafted work was carried in more than 500 galleries worldwide. In 2024 she was awarded a North Carolina Artist Grant in recognition of her artistic work.
Through Curious, Emily explores how artistic processes strengthen imagination, observation, and problem-solving, helping people reconnect with their creativity and apply it to their work and lives.
FAQ
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Do I need art experience?
No. This course is designed for both beginners and experienced artists. If you're curious about collage and open to experimenting with images, textures, and ideas, you’ll be able to follow along.
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What materials do I need?
You can start with very simple materials: magazines, printed images, paper scraps, scissors, glue, and a surface to work on. The course also introduces optional mixed media techniques like paint, drawing, and gel printing if you want to expand your work.
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How long is the course?
The course includes 2+ hours of video lessons that walk through the core techniques step by step. You will likely find yourself spending much longer experimenting and creating collages.
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Is this self-paced?
Yes. You can move through the lessons at your own pace and return to them any time. Many people like to watch a lesson, try a few experiments, and then come back later for the next technique.
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Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone curious about using collage to explore ideas, emotions, and stories. It’s especially helpful for artists, designers, writers, researchers, and anyone interested in creative thinking.
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Will there be a community space?
Yes. Students will have access to a Curious community space where you can share work, ask questions, and see what others are creating. Participation is optional, but it can be a great source of ideas and encouragement.
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What will the course cost?
The exact price will be announced when enrollment opens. If you join the interest list, you’ll be the first to hear when registration becomes available.
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When will the course be available?
The course is currently in development and expected to launch soon. Join the interest list to receive updates and early access when enrollment opens.
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How is this different from other collage courses?
Many collage courses focus primarily on technique. This course also explores how collage can reveal patterns, emotions, and insights... and how similar visual thinking methods are used in design research and innovation.
Curiosity required. Art degree optional.
You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from this process. Gel printing encourages experimentation, observation, and creative thinking... skills that translate far beyond the studio.