Creativity plays an essential role in shaping how we express ourselves. For artists, it becomes the language through which they translate the worlds in their minds into music, illustration and other art forms. As art month takes over Hong Kong, we asked five of our #legend100 art icons about what helps them stay inspired

Eddy Hong @eddyhong_zpecial

“Late-night drives and walks are important to me. I often find myself driving or walking around my neighborhood late at night, and there’s something about the city winding down, the quietness, and the streetlight shadows that sparks melodic ideas or lyrical themes in my head. It’s a very visual kind of silence. Our band’s rehearsal and recording studio is also my sanctuary. It might look messy to others, but having all our instruments and gear within arm’s reach is essential. Often, the best ideas don’t come from thinking – they come from picking up a guitar or playing around with a synth and accidentally stumbling onto something cool.

Collecting field recordings also inspires me. I’m always using my phone to record random sounds from daily life in Hong Kong – the MTR announcements, the calls of street vendors and even the hum of an old air conditioner. I love dropping these sounds into demo tracks and experimenting with them because they sometimes add a really unique texture to a song.

Aside from music, movies are another big inspiration for me. It’s not just about the soundtrack, but how directors tell stories and create atmosphere through visuals, and that often influences how I think about arrangement or building tension in lyrics.

And of course, the chemistry with the band is irreplaceable. I have to credit the other three guys – Mike (guitar), TatMing (bass) and Waiyin (drums). I might start with a really abstract idea, but once we talk it through and start jamming, the whole thing begins to build naturally.”

Ka Yam Tam @nomkakaii

“For me, having a routine every day is really important. It might sound mundane at first, but doing the same things daily lowers the number of decisions I have to make and allows me to spend energy on ‘new things.’ I also love getting inspired by going to new places – whether that’s travelling physically, exploring digitally through videos or simply visiting new cafés. Since I specialise in food illustrations, I often get inspired by food creations and the way food builds community relationships.

Talking to friends keeps me creative as well. I have really supportive friends who sometimes send me messages or DMs when they see something that reminds them of me, and that can potentially become an idea. I also love K-pop, and when I get stressed or need some time away from drawing, I’ll dance. It’s a really good way to de-stress and loosen up any pressure. I also keep a journal for my thoughts, observations, ideas and lists.”

Jonathan Jay Lee @jonathanjaylee

“I think of staying creative as more of a discipline than anything else. The first priority for me is having a dedicated workspace that is clean and organised. Eccentrics like Da Vinci and Einstein might thrive in clutter, but my daily ritual starts with cleaning. I feel lighter when everything is tidy. Without clutter, I can focus on doing the real work.

Surrounding myself with things I love is also important. For me, that means a wall full of books and my favorite pens within reach. I have a small Craighill pen stand that holds my Wacom drawing pen at a 45-degree angle for easy access. It may seem trivial, but every time I pick up the pen, I feel a desire to make myself worthy of the privilege of having it there.

Music and lighting are also essential. A quiet room can feel deafening, so putting on a playlist tricks my brain into work mode. Natural daytime light is great for getting admin work out of the way, but a dark room with warm lighting in the evening is where the best creative work happens. Cold ceiling lights are unacceptable under any circumstance – you wouldn’t make love under cold ceiling lighting, so why would you make art under them? If you’re painting on canvas, using two standing lamps on each side of your easel helps distribute the light evenly.”

Byejack @byejackk

“For me, staying creative often starts with simple things like drinking water or tea and taking care of myself physically. At the same time, I also need space to connect with my inner feelings because if I’m not aware of what I’m feeling, I can’t translate it into music.

When ideas come to mind, Ableton is essential for capturing them right away, and I also use the Notes app on my iPhone to quickly write down lyrics before they disappear. Beyond that, doing sports with friends from time to time helps loosen everything up – moving my body and stepping away from work gives my mind space and keeps creativity flowing.”

Jonas Wong @ly_joxx

“When I have zero inspiration, I watch anime – it helps reset my creativity and reminds me why I enjoy creating in the first place. Music is also a big part of my process. I listen to many songs, sometimes without even knowing who the singer is, because it’s more about the feeling and atmosphere than the details. Besides, mindset matters a lot to me as well. I try to stay open-minded about the world and other people’s perspectives, since seeing things differently often changes how I approach my work.

More importantly, creating itself has become a habit – I believe in always making something, even when inspiration feels low. And when I need fresh ideas, I talk to friends or family, because their stories often surprise me and spark something new.”

Also see: Spring beauty tips from our #legend100s