Behind the work
About
The Creative Pain is a multidisciplinary design and illustration studio built on storytelling, craft, and curiosity. We create bold, detail-rich work that celebrates the creative process and connects art with emotion.
Founded in 2017 by Tyler Pate, The Creative Pain began as a personal creative outlet — a way to process the hurdles, burnout, and doubt that come with the artistic journey. What started as a small passion project quickly evolved into a creative philosophy: to remove the negative stigma around struggle and instead embrace it as an essential part of growth.
Today, The Creative Pain serves as both a studio and community hub — a space where ideas ignite, collaborations form, and mental health and creativity coexist. Through client partnerships, passion projects, and educational initiatives, we aim to inspire connection and creative breakthroughs across every medium.
What We Do
We collaborate with brands, studios, and fellow creatives across a wide range of projects, including:
• Illustration & Character Design
• Branding & Visual Identity
• Packaging & Product Design
• Consumer Products & Merchandise
• Print & Poster Design
• Creative Direction & Campaign Development
• Social Media Collaborations & Content Campaigns
• Workshops, Speaking Engagements & Creative Education
At its core, The Creative Pain is a reminder that every challenge, every late night, and every imperfect draft is a stepping stone to greatness. This isn’t just a studio — it’s a movement to bring passion, honesty, and inspiration back to the creative process.
The Work, the Process, and Everything In Between.
Tyler Pate is an art director, illustrator, and designer based in Los Angeles, California. Through his creative studio, The Creative Pain, he explores the connection between craft, storytelling, and the emotional side of making.
His work blends bold color, nostalgic forms, and meticulous detail to turn the struggles of creativity into expressive, optimistic worlds. With over a decade of experience working with global brands and developing original art, Tyler’s focus remains on creating meaningful work that celebrates the process — and the perseverance — behind creativity.
PencilHead is more than a mascot
He’s every creative’s inner voice. The optimist in the middle of burnout. The sketch that turns into something bigger. He’s here to remind us that mistakes, smudges, and worn-down ideas are part of what makes the creative process real.
Always chasing the next spark, PencilHead stands for resilience, imagination, and the humor we all need to keep creating.