They hang above our desk, but really
To manage our creativity a bit and to make sure we don't get driven crazy by the different opinions of the people around us (read: other creators, clients but also end users of our products), we have 8 rules hanging above our desk. Some are born from inspiration, others from frustration (yes really, it happens to us too) but they all help us keep focus on what we find important in our work. Take a look at the way we work, get inspired by our approach or just put it aside if you don't like it. Everything is good!
1. Simple = good
In fact, when it comes to design, ‘don't overdo it’ always applies. Never use effect for effect's sake but keep it simple. It's so tempting to want to apply cool things all the time but it only works if it actually serves its purpose. So when does something serve its purpose? We always ask ourselves the following questions:
- Does it fit within the concept? In other words, does it contribute to it?
- Do we really need this?
- Does it help the user understand the message?
Often by answering these simple questions, you'll soon know if you're setting out on the right path. Then keep in mind: nothing is harder than deleting beautiful work, but really, trust that it will make your final product better!
2. Rethink feedback
The moment when you present your work is always exciting. You have done your best to make something good and then the feedback comes. At that moment, don't be tempted to blindly assume what someone says but try to understand why someone says what they say. An example to make it clear:
“We recently made an animation video for a client. We ourselves were super satisfied with the result but the client returned that we had used too many different colors. The temptation was great to just delete a few colors then. However, the real ‘problem’ turned out to be that the video was too busy. This was not so much in the number of colors but the combination of different colors and different typography.”
By pausing for a moment and thinking carefully about the feedback, you can come up with a better solution that makes the final product better. It ensures not only that the client is happy but also that you can still stand behind your work. And that, in turn, ties in nicely with point 6: be proud!
3. Reuse design
You don't have to reinvent the wheel every time. Learn from the knowledge and experience you gain in each job and see how you can reapply this knowledge in the next assignment. For us, this is mostly in certain principles. Web designs we create or certain videos we can often use again in other forms. For example, Takis discovered this week that using svg files works very well in certain web designs. A technique that we were then able to use, in a completely different design, in another website as well. Our clients both still have a unique solution, we were able to make them happy with a beautiful design that we wouldn't have been able to create otherwise. Nice right?
4. Gather inspiration
Inspiration is everywhere and can be anything. A picture, a particular product, a statement, music, it can all inspire you. Try to find a form to store your inspiration so you can use it later. In our office, we are lucky enough to have large magnetic walls. So our walls are completely full of post-its, magazine articles as well as cards and large flipchart sheets. In addition, Whatsapp also serves as a creative dump. Do we come across videos that inspire us? A quick message to each other so we can always find it later. Don't make it too difficult, any way is good as long as you feel comfortable with it.
5. No comparison
Always start from your own strength in everything you do! Once you start comparing yourself to others, you are no longer working from yourself and you often emphasize what you lack in yourself. We believe that when you focus on your own strengths, you are able to do better work.
6. Be proud
Be proud of everything you deliver. Can't be proud yet? Then you are not ready. Trust that if you can be proud, you can proudly present your product and you are guaranteed to get those around you excited about your work. It sounds so easy but this is not it. We often enough get stuck in the creative process and notice to ourselves that we are not there yet. This doesn't matter but is sometimes frustrating. There are deadlines and project hours you would like to stay within because ‘there is so much more work to do. The following point helps us not to get (too) frustrated.
7. Patience
Creativity cannot be forced, it is a process and that takes time. Sometimes you have an immediate brilliant inspiration but we often need a few steps to arrive at the right solution. Getting bogged down in something that is not going well does not help. We say to each other ‘OK, it's not going to happen now. Let's try again later and go get some fresh air (or put on some really loud music). By now we know that we have to be patient. That is why we do not order a website before the end of the week but take our time to find the best solution.
8. Grow and be kind
Don't be too hard on yourself but allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from each job. Focus on what went well, which gives confidence for the next job. This does not mean not looking at what didn't go well at all. After all, that's where your learning points are. We believe that this way we keep learning where our strengths lie and keep growing on a personal level. It makes us keep enjoying our profession and we can always give our client the utmost.
Not a rule but one last tip before you leave: hang yellow cards above your desk with the things that inspire you. It helps, it really does! Just when you need it, it catches your eye and you remember what is really important to you. We, at least, have defied many a frustration this way. Curious if we really have them hanging? The door is, almost always, open.
