Dan Buchan: creative director at Dan Buchan Design
Сreative director at Dan Buchan Design
by Elizabeth Lavis
|02 Mar 2026
Dan Buchan, creative director at Dan Buchan Design, cites one of his favorite quotes from surfer Gerry Lopez as smart advice for aspiring designers. “If you’re not learning, you’re not living,” Buchan says. “I apply this advice to all aspects of my life, but especially work.” Buchan also recommends that novice designers work hard, stay curious, and keep creating. “I’ve had plenty of setbacks along the way and people telling me that I wasn’t good enough,” he says. “That’s the stuff that made me better. Be open, listen, take criticism, and screw things up, and you’ll actually learn.”
Buchan believes in not taking life too seriously and seeing every project, trip, and setback as a learning experience. “The best ideas come when you’re relaxed and genuinely interested, not when you’re trying to force them,” he says. “Keep things fresh and enjoy the process, not just chase the outcome.”
Buchan was born in Adelaide, Australia, but has called Sydney home for twelve years. “I moved over when I was still early in my career because I wanted more opportunity, experience, and progression,” he says. “Adelaide’s a smaller, slower-paced place, but I think it gave me good grounding and a real sense of perspective. I still head back often. My family, friends, and a few long-term clients are there, and my Indigo award-winning project, Dockside Festival, actually came out of my connection to Adelaide, which makes it all the more special to me.”
For Buchan, Sydney is a different beast; much more fast-paced and competitive, but a good environment for him to grow and refine his craft. “The contrast between the two has definitely shaped how I approach things creatively,” Buchan says. “Travel is a big influence too. Getting out of your usual surroundings always provides fresh perspective, new people, places, and ways of seeing things.”
"Dockside Festival", Dan Buchan
Buchan’s top tip for staying creative under pressure is not to force it. “Creativity doesn’t show up on demand,” he says. “When I feel stuck, I step away for a bit. I might take a walk, get outside, change my environment, or make a coffee and move to a different spot. I’ve found that doing something completely unrelated, like surfing, listening to music, or sitting in the sun, helps ideas start to bubble up naturally. Pressure has a way of clouding things, and giving your brain some space usually brings the solution to you, rather than the other way around.”
He’s also learned the importance of building balance into his day as a way to manage different projects without getting burned out. “For me, it’s about knowing when to push and when to step back,” Buchan says. “I like to keep things organized but flexible so I can shift gears depending on what’s needed for that day.” He also makes a point to get outside to clear his head. “Burnout creeps in when you stop doing the things that give you energy, so I try to protect that space as much as I can,” he says.
Aside from design, Buchan is driven by experiences and connection. “I’ve always been drawn to the ocean,” he says. “Also, good people, friends, family, shared moments, and that sense of community and purpose outside work is what really keeps me motivated.”
Submit your work for Indigo Design Award competition
