Last year we hired some new team members. They’ve been a massive addition to our team’s capabilities and the group dynamics in the shop.
Why start this read with our guys from last year?
Good question.
At the close of their first week, one of these newbies commented on how many ideas are swirling around the shop at any given moment—nevermind the array of projects moving through a multitude of phases—it was the ideas that bounced around off the table and rafters that caught his attention.
He said there were times when he “felt dizzy” as he tried to scratch a few notes down on paper–to tackle the words and confine them to the notebook. Tim offered his usual, toss away line: “Yeah, ideas are cheap. We throw away good ideas every day.”
That remark seemed to catch him off guard–as if he were thinking, “now, why would you ever do that?!”
Mark explained. First, assuring him that Tim wasn’t being cocky or trying to convince him that we are geniuses solving problems nobody can crack. That isn’t true at all. Secondly, Mark emphasized to the team that “they can have 15 good ideas a day that never really get developed.”
That is PERFECTLY okay. One pretty good idea a week that can move from a thought into actual existence is worth so much. We must keep generating ideas–always generate ideas until someone else points and exclaims–YES!
Our shop operates on three deeply held beliefs:
1 – Ideas are both the most valuable and least valuable things we develop every day:A great idea has zero value until it is actually put to work with real execution. The truth is, a brilliant idea poorly executed is worthless. AND YET—a great idea can be worth millions of dollars if it is executed well and deployed effectively.
2 – The best idea is the one we can develop and deploy:It doesn’t matter how brilliant a concept might be if–- The client would never go for it- It has no viable path to delivery for any number of reasons- Or, it’s not in the client’s budget
Half-baked brilliance is just sticky ooze ready for the closest rubbish bin.
3 – The value of the idea is also contingent on the right time/place/budget:Some ideas might only work in specific markets at specific times. Some ideas are too early.
Once, just for fun, we came up with a SLICK concept for marketing AARP to millennials! You can believe we will be ready to pitch it in 20 years–we have a couple of decades to let it age (bad joke?!)
In conclusion
We must continually cook ideas and toss them out onto the table.
You never know what will work.
If we all get used to seeing ideas form only to watch them get swatted away, we increase the likelihood of finding something truly great, a precious concept. We can’t get attached to any of them lest they die at the extremes of our creative abilities.
And so it goes. It’s a good thing that ideas are so cheap!
Creative Pulse
What we’ve seen in the world
Meet The Peak Millennial: Born into a time of high college enrollment and escalating student debt, the “peak millennials” of 1990–1991 have significantly impacted the U.S. economy, housing market, and cultural trends. As the largest demographic bulge, they’ve faced stiff competition for resources, influencing everything from urbanization trends to the rise of the “experience economy”.
A New Take On A Cover Letter: We’re connected to Emily B. Martin through Olivia’s previous involvement in Breakaway Ministries here at Texas A&M. As a videographer, her approach to job applications with this video cover letter was exactly the surprising and delightful kind of content we like to see from fellow creatives.
Jim Kennelly, a designer based in Wisconsin, partnered with Foxtrot Market (an Austin coffee shop/curated mini grocery store) to add a fresh look to their product packaging and identity. His playful illustration style adds a creative spin to ordinary items (links below) and we love getting to see his work around Austin!
Fun Graphic | Vintage Fridge Headers | Bourbon Label | Cute Illustrations
Dredged Up
Inspirational muses for the right brain
Dieter Rams Pointing At Things He Doesn’t Like
Sample Ad Campaign Copy From Eras Modern And Bygone
Arcosanti’s Insane Architecture in Arizona
Cheers for making it this far. Our hope is that you’d make it outta here with something new- in your sights, in your thoughts, or maybe in your search history. It’s a big world out there.
If you figure this 5 minute scroll was worth your time, your friends might enjoy it too. Don’t be afraid to forward it to your uncle, your cubicle mate, or your future spouse. What’s the worst that could happen?
Thanks, and see you next month!
