Building Creative Muscle: Why Learning Matters in Motion and Post Production

I recently spoke on Monday Meeting Podcast about learning and creativity—shout out to Eric John "EJ" Brieva for instigating this convo, which got me thinking even more about how we approach learning in the creative industries. We all know that the creative world moves fast, and studios are constantly being asked to deliver more for less. But here’s the thing: the real competitive advantage isn’t just in having the latest tools or the most talented team—it’s in how well your team learns, adapts, and applies what they know to new challenges.

During the podcast, we explored some big ideas from the psychology of learning—things like far transfer and deliberate practice (or what I alluded to as the time and tailored effort learning requires, that often falls by the wayside in favor of flexibility and busy schedules). These aren’t just academic concepts; they’re the foundation for creative flexibility, stronger problem-solving, and smoother production workflows. When producers and creatives develop these learning skills, they don’t just get better at their current jobs—they get better at anticipating problems, managing complexity, and driving creative solutions across different types of projects. That’s what separates a solid studio from a thriving one.

And that’s why studio owners need to pay attention. If you’re not giving your team the tools, time, and structure to develop these deeper learning skills, you’re not just limiting individual growth—you’re capping your studio’s potential. Let’s break down these key learning principles and explore why they matter so much for producers and creatives working in motion and post-production—and why smart studios are building learning into their business strategy.

1. Far Transfer: Taking Skills Beyond the Original Context

What It Is:

In learning theory, far transfer refers to the ability to take what you’ve learned in one context and successfully apply it in a different, often more complex, situation. It’s the difference between memorizing how to use After Effects for a specific task and being able to creatively problem-solve when a client asks for something technically tricky and completely new. It’s the difference between knowing how to build a project schedule for a straightforward animation job and being able to adapt that framework for a complex multi-deliverable campaign with overlapping deadlines and plenty of last-minute client feedback.?

Why It Matters for Producers:

Producers who develop far transfer skills become the ones who can anticipate problems before they happen and spot connections that others miss. A producer who’s worked on a complex motion graphics project for a tech client can take those lessons, filter out the appropriate ones, and apply them to a broadcast project with a totally different tone and audience. That’s not luck—that’s far transfer at work.

Why It Matters for Creatives:

For creatives, far transfer means knowing more than just the software. It’s understanding how to approach a creative brief, manage feedback cycles, and translate a vague client request (“Make it pop!”) into a tangible creative solution. It’s the difference between having technical proficiency and actual creative expertise.

Why Studio Owners Should Care:

Far transfer means fewer bottlenecks and stronger creative solutions. When producers and creatives can transfer knowledge and problem-solving skills across different projects, studios become more efficient and adaptable. That translates to better margins, faster turnarounds, and stronger client relationships. It’s the kind of thinking that saves time, money, and frustration.

2. Assimilation: Building on a Strong Foundation

What It Is:

Assimilation refers to the process of integrating new information into existing knowledge, making it easier to understand and apply, i.e., transfer, in different contexts. When we learn something new, our brains try to link it to what we already know—this helps us process and retain it more effectively. That’s why someone who’s already comfortable with Premiere Pro can pick up DaVinci Resolve faster than someone with no editing experience. They’re not starting from scratch—they’re building on an existing foundation of related skills and workflows. Likewise, that’s why a producer who’s already comfortable managing motion graphics projects will probably have an easier time transitioning to a VFX-heavy project. Even though the tools, timelines, and creative processes might differ, the core skills of scheduling, managing artist resources, and handling client feedback translate across project types. They’re not starting from scratch—they’re building on an existing foundation of production principles.

Why It Matters for Producers:

Producers are constantly required to assimilate new information—new client demands, new project types, new tools—and make sense of it all quickly. A producer with a strong foundation will find it easier to adapt and lead teams through the nuances of new projects and clients because they already understand the core relationship between budgeting, scheduling, resourcing and scope management.?

Without a solid foundation, new information can feel overwhelming and fragmented. A producer who hasn't fully grasped the basics of budgeting or feedback cycles might struggle to manage complex changes mid-project.?

Why It Matters for Creatives:

Creatives are also required to assimilate new information into their existing knowledge base to meet client demands for creative work. New creative tools come out all the time, but the outputs all adhere to strong foundational principles of design.

Creatives with weak foundational knowledge often struggle when faced with creative challenges that require adaptation. If a motion designer only knows how to use the basic default key-frame interpolation in After Effects but does not understand the underlying principles of motion and design, they’ll hit a wall when asked to work in a different program or adapt to a new creative style.?

Why Studio Owners Should Care:

Studios thrive when their teams have strong foundational knowledge because it leads to better adaptability and problem-solving. When producers and creatives can assimilate new information quickly, they need less hand-holding, make fewer mistakes, and deliver higher-quality work under pressure. This means faster project turnarounds, more consistent creative output, and fewer last-minute fires to put out.

Weak foundational knowledge, on the other hand, creates drag. Teams that struggle to assimilate new information will require more oversight, more revisions, and more time to adapt to project changes. Studios that invest in building strong foundational knowledge—from creative fundamentals to production workflows—create a workforce that’s more independent, agile, and capable of handling complex projects with confidence.

3. Dedicating Time and Effort to Learning: The Hard Truth

What It Is:

Deliberate practice is where the rubber meets the road. Learning doesn’t just happen by osmosis—you have to set aside time to engage with new material, practice it, and reflect on what works (and what doesn’t), ideally with feedback given to you, and try again with the intention to improve. This is the part people often skip because it’s hard, especially when you’re busy. BUT the difference between “poor” and “passing,” and “good enough” and “great” is often the willingness to put in the work.

Why It Matters for Producers:

Producers are often so busy putting out fires that they don’t feel like they have time to step back and reflect. But the best producers are the ones who make time to review what worked (and what didn’t) after a project wraps. They schedule time to sharpen their skills, whether it’s mastering a new project management tool or figuring out better ways to communicate with clients.

Why it Matters for Creatives:

Creatives face the same challenge. Learning new software or techniques takes time, and real growth requires structured practice—not just watching a YouTube tutorial to hear someone talk about the latest trend. Creatives have to process the information, execute the task discussed in the tutorial, evaluate what they could do better, how and why. Then, they should identify where they can push themselves to execute the relevant skill to an even higher degree, and do this repeatedly, many many times, to develop the competency they need to do the task where the stakes matter, i.e., on the job.

Why Studio Owners Should Care:

If you’re not carving out time for your team to learn, you’re stalling their growth—and by extension, your studio’s growth. Producers and creatives who feel stuck or underdeveloped are more likely to burn out, jump ship, or worse, sink the company. Investing in structured learning time increases retention, builds a stronger creative bench, and ultimately improves the quality of your work. It’s a long-term investment that pays off in client satisfaction and studio reputation. While there are many options for creatives to level up their artistry, there are precious few for producers, which is why we started our company.?

Takeaway for Studio Owners: Learning is a Business Strategy

Developing your team’s ability to transfer knowledge, connect creative dots, and dedicate time and effort to learning the right way isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic advantage. Studios that invest in structured learning see more efficient workflows, better creative solutions, and stronger client relationships.

It’s not about more information—it’s about better learning. And that starts with giving your team the tools and time to grow.