I’m really enjoying this series by The Minneapolis Egotist called “What I learned in 2012. The series focuses on sharing wisdom from top ad and design people in the Twin Cities. Alan Colvin, who happens to be my boss, contributed a bit of his own wisdom this year. To say I’ve learned a lot from Alan would be a gross understatement, and this is just a small yet poignant sampling of the advice he has given creatives over the years. Check out the other contributors, such as Jamey Erickson of Sevnthsin Brad Surcey of Zeus Jones, Bruce Bourne of Periscope, and Joe Duffy of Duffy and Partners.
——
The Most Exciting Time Ever
“2012 was a reminder that as much as things change, they also stay the same.
Change has always been with us, but now at a seemingly ever-accelerating pace fueled by technology and new communication vehicles accessible to just about anyone, to express just about anything.
This churn of new ideas is enticing, and produces things to see, to discover, to be informed and distracted by. Much of it is disposable, but a lot is inspired—a constant source of eye candy, cultural references and points of view.
The savvy observer can use this explosion of content to creative advantage. It’s what the creative profession has always done, really—curate from culture by discerning what’s relevant or not, drawing on inspiration to create work that looks forward and engages people in fresh new ways.
Not everyone will be thoughtful editors, communicators or problem solvers. Many will continue to heap more on the pile, by recycling ideas or creating variations of the same things. (The creative world can be very incestuous.)
But for those who exercise discipline, choose to work a little smarter, think a little more intuitively, zag from the formula and avoid the cliché, the explosion of experimentation can be valuable, not only by making consumers more sophisticated, but by helping creators exceed expectations with inspired work.
For all of us who consider ourselves part of the “creative class,” it’s business as usual, but also the most exciting time ever. Drawing on a world of influences, 2013 is an opportunity to create our best work yet.”
-Alan Colvin
Photo by Melissa Oholendt
