Supporting Creator Well-Being and Sustainable Engagement in Digital Ecosystems

The Expressive Space Framework is a conceptual model that outlines the conditions under which creators can thrive in digital ecosystems. It identifies four interconnected pillars—psychological autonomy, creative flow, economic transparency, and emotional/social support—as the foundation for sustainable and meaningful creator engagement. Unlike platform practices that treat these elements in isolation, this framework integrates them into a stepwise, process-oriented model centered on creator flourishing rather than platform profit. This essay situates the framework in the broader context of the creator economy, highlights the gaps it addresses, and lays out implications for research, platform design, and cultural sustainability.