Mastering Consistency and Creativity: A Conversation with Alan Palander
In episode five of the Content Creator Society podcast, hosts Bonar Bulger and David Ross sit down with acclaimed content creator and creative director Alan Palander. Known for his signature cinematic style and work with high-end automotive, travel, and lifestyle brands, Alan opens up about building a career rooted in consistency, personal branding, and artistic integrity.
The conversation dives deep into Alan’s journey from urban planning student to internationally recognized visual storyteller. He shares how influences like Antoni Gaudí helped shape his distinctive visual identity, and how a commitment to consistency became a cornerstone of his personal brand.
Alan discusses the balancing act of staying true to your creative voice while working with major global brands, offering practical insights into commercial partnerships, personal authenticity, and mentorship. He also speaks candidly about mental health in the content creator space, the pressure of constant output, and the importance of building a supportive team.
From running global production teams to launching one-on-one workshops for aspiring creators, Alan’s thoughtful and grounded approach to creativity offers valuable lessons for anyone navigating the ever-evolving content economy.
Whether you’re a creator, brand strategist, or simply curious about what it takes to succeed in today’s visual storytelling world, this episode is packed with insights, personal stories, and tactical advice from one of the best in the business.
Show Notes: Content Creators Society Season 2, Episode 5
Hosts: Bonar Bulger David Ross
Guest: Alan Palander, Creative Director and Content Strategist
Instagram: @alanpalander
Duration: 35:55
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Bonar Bulger and David Ross are joined by Alan Palander, a distinguished content creator and creative director known for his cinematic storytelling, consistent visual aesthetic, and collaborations with leading luxury, travel, and automotive brands. Together, they explore the power of consistency, the evolution of personal branding, and the mental toll of sustaining creativity in the digital space.
Alan shares his journey from studying urban planning and architecture to building a successful global career as a visual storyteller, offering insights into mentoring others, balancing authenticity with commercial demands, and structuring a sustainable creative life.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
Introduction of Guest
Alan shares his creative journey from studying urban planning and architecture to becoming a globally recognized content creator and director.
His early adoption of Instagram and evolution into a trusted brand collaborator in the luxury, automotive, and travel sectors.
Consistency as Creative Currency
Why consistency is the foundation of Alan’s visual identity.
How inspirations like Antoni Gaudí informed his distinctive aesthetic.
The role of the Preview app in shaping his feed and brand cohesion.
Navigating Brand Partnerships
How Alan maintains his artistic voice while delivering for high-profile brands.
The balance between adapting to client needs and staying true to personal values.
Why some brand content never appears on his social channels.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Alan’s approach to one-on-one workshops, including how he helps creators identify their niche and strengths.
Lessons from his own self-directed career and the advice he wishes he had early on.
Mental Health and the Pressure to Perform
The toll of “feeding the machine” and how Alan avoids burnout.
Why sharing selectively and living offline are part of his creative process.
Tips for building a sustainable practice in a high-demand digital space.
Content as Lifestyle
How Alan’s love for cars, architecture, and travel naturally feeds his creative work.
The value of personal connection, audience trust, and showing up authentically.
Behind the Scenes: The Lexus Campaign
A breakdown of a major Lexus commercial production — what went wrong, how he adapted, and what success looked like despite setbacks.
The importance of high standards, teamwork, and creative improvisation.
Tools of the Trade
Alan’s essential gear and apps, including the Preview layout tool and the philosophy behind curating content that’s both intentional and flexible.
Transcript
Bonar:
Welcome everybody to episode number five of the Content Creator Society. My name is Bonar Bulger and I’m joined, as always, by my co-host David Ross.
David:
Hey! Good to be back.
Bonar:
We’re back. Not always consistent... which is actually the perfect segue into today’s guest, who I consider the king of consistency.
David:
We’ve got a lot to learn from him.
Bonar:
So joining us today is Alan Palander — content creator, producer, and creative director based in Toronto… and maybe soon Barcelona?
Alan:
(Laughs) Yeah, we’ll see! I’m planning to expand into Europe, potentially relocating later this year. I mainly work with high-end clients across automotive, travel, and luxury men's brands.
Bonar:
We first discovered your work through Porsche — super polished, cinematic, and consistent. That visual identity is so strong. Can you walk us through how that became your signature?
Alan:
Absolutely. For me, consistency in creative work is everything. I took a lot of inspiration from artists and architects — especially Antoni Gaudí. His work taught me that even within chaos, there can be a recognizable fingerprint. That stuck with me. I applied that to my Instagram and brand visuals — a moodier, darker palette, a particular sense of structure. Over time, it became a brand.
David:
Did that ever feel limiting, especially working with brands that may have different aesthetics?
Alan:
Sometimes, yeah. But I separate brand work from personal channels. A lot of content I make for clients never appears on my feed. Still, many of them come to me because of that style — they want that tone and cinematic identity. So it’s actually been a strength.
Bonar:
Let’s talk about the business side. You’re not just a creator — you sell LUTs, run workshops, and mentor others. Tell us about that.
Alan:
Right. I started by selling presets and LUTs, then moved into one-on-one workshops. I limit them to around 50 students — it’s all about helping creators find their voice and lane. I didn’t have mentorship when I started, so I try to offer the kind of guidance I wish I’d had.
David:
What advice would you give your younger self?
Alan:
Put yourself in your content earlier. An agent once told me to step in front of the camera — it changed everything. It builds trust. You don’t have to be a showman. Just be real.
Bonar:
That’s so true. A lot of creators feel pressure to be an entertainer. Authenticity seems more important.
Alan:
Exactly. People can tell when you’re forcing it. Be confident in your value. If you’re passionate about the product, your audience will feel that.
David:
Let’s shift to outreach. How do you get big clients like Lexus, Mercedes, or Porsche?
Alan:
Honestly, it’s a mix. Agencies reach out. I also network like crazy — events, personal connections, word of mouth. One of my students hesitated to attend an event because he wasn’t invited. I told him — go anyway. He did, and it changed his mindset.
Bonar:
I had a similar experience at Le Mans — we just showed up and somehow ended up in the garage with the team. Eight months later? Porsche called us.
Alan:
Yes! Be in the room. That’s half the battle.
Bonar:
Do you have a team now?
Alan:
I do. People across Europe, North America, the Middle East — each with different roles: editing, color grading, sound. The scope of work demands it. Social media requires output. And consistency again — you can’t do it all solo forever.
David:
That leads us to a topic we hear a lot — burnout. How do you manage it?
Alan:
I’ve learned to step back. I rarely post live — I capture moments, live in them, then share later. That keeps me sane. Also, diversifying income helps — brand deals, workshops, not relying just on posts. That builds resilience.
Bonar:
What do you say to creators starting now? Is it still possible to grow today?
Alan:
Yes, but it’s tougher. The space is saturated. You need originality. A million followers doesn’t mean financial stability. Focus on the work, the craft. Be ready to evolve.
David:
Any favorite project recently?
Alan:
That Lexus spot. The weather ruined our original plan, so we pivoted on the fly. It still had to be high-quality and feel authentic. That’s the job — adapting, delegating, and still delivering.
Bonar:
Alright, let’s close out with a Tool of the Week. What’s one tool or app you can’t live without?
Alan:
The Preview app. Game changer. It lets me plan out my feed visually. Every post, every layout — I’ve used it for years.
David:
That’s awesome. We’re downloading that today.
Bonar:
Alan, thank you so much for joining us. We know you’ve got a million things going on — weddings, moves, productions — so we’re super grateful.
Alan:
Thanks for having me. This was a great chat.
David:
And to everyone listening — we’ll be back soon. Maybe next week. Maybe next month. We’ll post something eventually!
Bonar:
This is Bonar Bulger with David Ross — thanks for tuning in to the Content Creator Society.