What do you do if your creative process lacks collaboration?

Doing creative exercises can build your muscles just like going to the gym. Putting in the reps to harness and cultivate your creativity can lead to beautiful portfolio work. For instance, I recently put together a test shoot that was spurred by a desire to grow my bar and drink work. It started with making a connection with a bar owner. I came up with a lighting concept, brought all my gear and set it up, acted as the AD, producer, digi and PA. The experience was a blast and now I have a bunch of new images I can use to market my work. However, if I couldn't find a bar to work with I would have built a set in my home, used a remote trigger to capture myself as the bartender and created hero drinks in my studio using the same setup.

Collaboration throughout the creative process helps develop a richer output and promote sell in. While collaboration can happen at any point in the process, it's best at the beginning when managed by a skilled facilitator. There is a time for many voices and a time for few. Gather intel and ideas from many (guided by a brief), work in a small team to evaluate ideas. Refine the short list and send it back out to a larger group for inputs. Then bring it back into a small group of decision makers to finalize. Creative collaboration is like double dutch -- you have to provide the opening for others to jump in.

If you’re leading a creative team, step 1 begins with you being very selective - almost frugal - with how much you correct and direct your team’s creative choices. Each time you suggest for them to do things your way, you’re missing one opportunity to empower them. The long game is to build the team’s confidence in their own opinions, as embracing autonomy is the first step for each team member to discover a creative process that works best for themselves.

It's essential strategists and creatives work closely together. During the brief and during the creative process. Many strategists complain that creatives don't ask for help or don't take their advice. I always push back and say you've got to get on their level. Bring them work you're inspired by, give them another client nugget or product truth, come up with ideas on your own, find new insights that may help them. You're never going to get invited into the process if you're. just asking if they need help or ask to see the work. Be willing to get dirty in the creative process and always have a POV about how you see the work coming to life. You wrote the strategy so you should have your bad strategist ideas if nothing else.

When I'm making music, I oftentimes go with my gut. Even when I don't know where it's going to take me, there must be a reason why I'm drawn to certain sounds and the momentum they give me to keep going.

Form Creative Partnerships: Collaborate with other individuals or organizations in your field who bring diverse perspectives and ideas to the table. Join Creative Communities: Participate in creative communities, both online and offline, where you can connect with like-minded individuals and share ideas, feedback, and inspiration. Engage in Co-Creation: Explore opportunities for co-creation where you collaborate with others to develop new ideas, products, or artworks together.

Things I have found helpful: 1. Take a break 2. Go to a place that has limited exploration of tech and people. 3. Try to wander about in parks, forest. 4. Stop taking photos of everything, see it feel it. 5. And finally write about these experiences.

As said, "Rome wasn't built in a day" being a creative, is all about embracing the process. The pain of a "block" occurs more than we would like to admit. This is however not a reflection of our creative capacity, we often judge ourselves negatively if our input fluctuates, this is a result of focusing on the outcome more than the process. The more inspired you are with life, the better you will be at what you create. Remain patient, refine and reflect and use the still periods to hone in the essence of what you are trying to express, the spark will reignite and before you know it, it will all come flooding back. Create with impact and focus on a value that will be beneficial for yourself and others.

Whenever I need to brainstorm by myself, I research and watch winner case studies from the latest creative festivals. That always brings new perspectives and ways to frame the problem. Cannes, Fab Awards, Webbys. And even when you are not part of the creative industry, researching similar projects will give you a lot of insights.

La falta de colaboración no debería equivaler a una falta de inspiración. De hecho, es una oportunidad para buscar nuevas fuentes que puedan alimentar tu creatividad. Sumergite en libros, arte, naturaleza o incluso diferentes industrias para encontrar nuevas perspectivas. Al exponerse a una amplia gama de estímulos, puede crear un rico tapiz de ideas del que sacar provecho. Esta exploración en solitario puede conducir a conocimientos únicos que tal vez no surjan en un entorno colaborativo. Ejemplo: Cuando mi proceso creativo carece de colaboración, busco inspiración en la naturaleza. Un paseo por el bosque o un día en la playa me ayuda a despejar mi mente y encontrar nuevas perspectivas que alimenten mi creatividad.

Challenges are free self-coaching sessions, powered by our determination. Pushing our limits reveals new creative sides of ourselves. Let's embrace these surprises.

Sin el tira y afloja natural de un equipo, debes ser tu propio motivador. Fija desafíos creativos para superar los límites de lo que crees que es posible. Ya sea dise?ar algo utilizando una nueva técnica o escribir desde una perspectiva diferente, estos desafíos autoimpuestos pueden estimular la innovación y el crecimiento. También ayudan a desarrollar la resiliencia y la adaptabilidad, cualidades que son invaluables en cualquier esfuerzo creativo. Ejemplo: Para superar la falta de colaboración, me planteo desafíos creativos semanales. Esto me impulsa a explorar ideas fuera de mi zona de confort y me motiva a encontrar soluciones innovadoras incluso en situaciones de trabajo en solitario.

Start by creating simple to do lists. Micro management and micro achievements will lead you not only to do your basics but to achive every challenge you established. There is no such thing as the end of the journey, every time you think a task is done you will find another way to make things better, faster, simpler, smarter or easier.

Challenges are a great incentive to improve oneself, its like a free coaching that you can gift yourself, sometimes it's about determination and your will to be up for things that makes all the difference. It's only when we push our limits do we discover new facets of our own self. Let's be ready for such surprises.

To address a lacking collaboration in my creative process, I reach out to colleagues, hold regular checkpoints, promote healthy debates, and set clear goals. Prioritizing teamwork improves outcomes, boosts engagement, and enhances job satisfaction. Embracing collaboration strengthens my own abilities and contributes to a supportive work environment.

It's time to be honest with yourself. You know where you are lacking and where you need to improve. Reflecting and refining by yourself builds resilience.

To fall in love with oneself and ones work is not uncommon, but at times it is the start of stagnation. Creative people are emotional , they operate from a state of strong ownership, but with a right sense of detachment and objective reflection we can handle this issue well. Great listening skills and being open to feedback is a powerful step in this direction. We sometimes like the sound of our own voice a little too much, so let's begin to listen as much as we love to talk.

Una ventaja de trabajar solo es el espacio que proporciona para la reflexión. Utiliza este tiempo para evaluar críticamente tu trabajo. Sin el ruido de múltiples opiniones, podes escuchar más atentamente a tu crítico interior. Reflexiona sobre lo que funciona y lo que no, y luego perfecciona tus ideas en consecuencia. Este proceso iterativo es crucial para perfeccionar su oficio y desarrollar una estrategia creativa sólida que se destaque por sus propios méritos. Ejemplo: Cuando trabajo en proyectos sin colaboración, aprovecho el tiempo de reflexión para evaluar críticamente mi trabajo. Identifico áreas de mejora y las refino iterativamente hasta lograr un resultado que refleje mi visión creativa de manera sólida y coherente.

Setting challenges has allowed myself and fellow collaborators to incentivize smaller steps in the creative process. Ultimately, this has brought tremendous success while working as a team. Embrace each other's strengths and see your collective growth!

When you work alone, you gain the unique opportunity to deeply reflect on your work without external influences. This quiet space allows you to engage more closely with your own thoughts and critiques, helping you discern what truly works and what doesn’t. Use this chance to refine your ideas; it’s a crucial part of the creative process that enhances your skills and solidifies your personal creative strategy.

Expanding your network can be a game-changer if your creative process lacks collaboration. Connect with like-minded individuals through networking events, online communities, or social media platforms like this one . Personally, I've found that reaching out to diverse professionals outside my immediate circle has brought fresh perspectives and ideas to my creative projects. By engaging with a broader network, you can tap into a wealth of creativity, expertise, and inspiration that can take your work to new heights, fostering collaboration and innovation in your creative process.

Step outside your circle if that's the case! Visit co working spaces, attend talks, or even browse social media for fresh perspectives that can spark new approaches in your work.

As a working mom of two young children living in a remote part of the world, it's challenging for me to network with people in the same way I used to — by attending events and traveling. That's why I've been relying more on LinkedIn lately. As an introvert, I believe in the power of deep connections rather than a large network. I made a list of people I’d like to talk with and sent them messages inviting them to have a virtual coffee with me. Some answered, some didn't, but I already had some interesting conversations this way. I also don’t miss an opportunity to participate in networking and customer development sessions.

El hecho de que tu proyecto actual carezca de colaboración no significa que debas aislarte por completo. Ampliar tus redes profesionales y sociales puede abrir puertas a futuras oportunidades de colaboración. Asistir a eventos, unirse a foros o participar en comunidades en línea relacionadas con tu campo. Estas conexiones pueden brindar una sensación de comunidad y apoyo, incluso cuando trabajás de forma independiente. Ejemplo: Aunque trabajo de forma independiente, no me aíslo por completo. Participar en eventos de networking y unirme a comunidades en línea me ha permitido ampliar mi red profesional y establecer conexiones valiosas que pueden conducir a futuras oportunidades de colaboración.

Share, share, share, your work, your process, your doubts, your successes, your mistakes. Ask for and give honest feedback to colleagues or even aspirational mentors. Add value.

Flexibility is key in the creative field. While solo work may be temporary, it offers valuable lessons. When the chance for collaboration arises, embrace it. Shifting between solo and collaborative work seamlessly showcases versatility, enhancing both individual skills and team dynamics. It's this adaptability that defines creative professionals and ensures success in ever-changing circumstances.

In the dynamic world of startups, where you're often juggling roles and focusing on raising capital, the ability to adapt flexibly is invaluable. While you might currently find yourself working solo, this situation is likely temporary. Embrace the opportunity to shift gears and collaborate when the chance arises, using the skills and insights you've developed during your independent work. This ability to seamlessly transition between solo and collaborative efforts not only demonstrates your versatility but is also crucial in navigating the ever-changing landscape of startup growth and funding.

If one enjoys collaborating with others but the current team functions well, they can consider joining a co-working space. There, they'll find places to exchange ideas and get inspired by others in the same industry. Co-working spaces often host events and seminars that can be beneficial. This way, one can work independently yet still be in a social environment. Plus, new job opportunities may arise from networking in such spaces.

Some creative minds can struggle when being put on the spot. I.e. Here is a brief, shout out some ideas! Something to consider is bringing your team together on a regular basis in what we call "Creative Sessions", where anyone can show and discuss creative ideas they have seen and liked. This encourages everyone to participate, without the pressure of a Live Brief and deadline. It builds confidence and these creative references can be referred back to when the next brief comes in, which can spark ideas more easily. It is all about facilitating and environment that encourages and nurtures creativity.

I'm surprised sharing your work and creative process isn't one of the main points. From other creative professionals and laypeople alike (uneducated or unarticulate feedback from the general public is equally important), put your work on LinkedIn, IG etc. and you'll be sure to get unexpected and sometimes insightful feedback.

Open Communication- A safe space for brainstorming is key. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts freely without fear of judgement. This exchange of different perspectives can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.