Creative Myths - The Lone Genius

In many creative fields, the individual designer or artist is usually celebrated as being the creative genius force behind their output - the lone genius.

With the cycle of the same ten names moving around the luxury fashion houses for example, it’s easy to think there are only a few creative geniuses that are capable of moving the needle in culture.

However, listening to Pharrell talk about his process on Song Exploder with Hrishikesh Hirway, he described his role as a producer, “I am an artist, but I’m more so a producer, and I’m much better at helping other people hone their craft”.

In fashion there are dozens of designers, pattern makers, marketeers, planners, visual merchandisers etc. that bring the product to life. In music there are writers, engineers producers, session musicians,  photographers, video directors, stylists etc. that bring the artists work to life.

The best creative leads are producing the work of the people around them. They understand the magic that happens when you bounce ideas off other creative people and can find the gold amongst them.

For a most creative leads, they are not doing everything themselves, therefore the ability to produce the work of the people around you into something beautiful and meaningful is essential. 

Take the pressure off.

You don't need to have all the answers.

Who could you bounce your idea off?

Who has complimentary skills that could take your idea to the next level?

After all, culture doesn’t move forward by just one person—it moves forward when we create together.

No one great creates alone.