CREATIVITY
in SOLITUDE
Solitude has always been a valuable time that I've appreciated and embraced. It's a time where I gain the most clarity and insight and it's how I like to brainstorm creative solutions to a problem. This is how I'm able to work best.
At the same time, as our industry has evolved and changed, and in many ways, have become more mainstream over the years, there seems to be certain perceptions and stereotypes (whether they're right on or completely off) placed on us as designers. If you don't know what I mean, you only need to watch the Wieden + Kennedy episode of Portlandia. (Mood shower anyone?)
So when our Creative Director shared this article on Developing
Creativity in Solitude with the team, I felt so liberated, freed and
understood! Deep in our hearts, whether we call ourselves this or not,
we're artists. Artists as in how our minds work and how we see this
world. How we see problems and seek solutions. It may be expressed
through drawing, writing, photography, building, etc. (or none of the
above!). We just feel this world differently and it's expressed
differently. It's thoughtful and introspective. And to be this way, we
need solitude.
I share this with a HUGE caveat because solitude by itself is meaningless. It's only valuable if it allows you to have something worth sharing with others. And it's even better if it builds others up! As the article mentions, solitude is a catalyst to innovation, but it can't advance on your own. You need people and relationships.
So what is the point of all this? It's about spending time understanding your team and the people you work with. It's not about lowering your expectations, but increasing your awareness that we all thrive under different conditions and environments. And dare I say this in our industry—it's about humbling ourselves. Sounds so messy and risky, doesn't it? But if our main goal is to produce mind-blowing creative solutions for our clients, what's better than embracing an environment that allows people to do their best?
Do you have any ideas right off the bat?
