Everybody is a Creative

I run a design studio. We work with clients who expect us to come up with ideas for things, then design the things. But it’s a rare meeting where I don’t say to one of our clients, “We’re going to steal that idea.”

It’s meant as a compliment. But I’m also serious.

Exhibition designers, architects and filmmakers might have chosen their careers due in part to a creative streak. And we do have the know-how to make what we make. But we don’t have a exclusive claim on ideas.

In fact, it’s often the “non-creative” collaborators who have the best ideas. Makes sense. If you work at the museum of forks, you know forks way better than the designers you just hired.

So part of my job is to come up with ideas. But the other part is to listen for good ideas from everyone else. Those ideas can be fragile and small when they first arrive, so you have to listen really carefully.

Here’s the thing:
A great idea can come from anywhere. If you listen carefully, everybody is a creative.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
HVAC. [AITCH-vack or aitch-vee-ay-CEE] Acronym for "heating, ventilation, and air conditioning." All the systems that move air through a building, and heat, cool, humidify and dehumidify it. HVAC includes components like furnaces, ducts, vents, chillers, and filters.