The technical baggage
Creativity is super important when it comes to marketing and design. That’s where it all starts. Many people, including me, just wanted to come up with great ideas and create something beautiful right out of the gate, out of school. But honestly, there’s a lot more to it than just having an idea. It’s also important to know how to make that idea a reality and make sure everything goes well. It’s a bit like a school project: you need a good solid plan, but you also need to know how to execute it step by step to make it work and also communicate it to people who don’t have the creative and technical background. Of course, if you’ve done this a lot, it gets easier every time.
So when you graduate from creative school, you’re excited and full of ideas. You’re really ready. Ready to work. However, you quickly realize that to be successful, you also need to understand the technical aspects of the job. This includes knowing how to prepare files for print or web, understanding colors and dimensions, and being able to explain your ideas in a way that people can understand. These skills are essential to making sure that your creative ideas can actually be created and shared with the world. It’s a learning process and you need to keep learning new skills along the way.
It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about knowing how to bring it to life and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Many school leavers find this reality surprising. They think that creativity is the only thing that matters, but soon discover that they also have to communicate well and keep everyone informed of their progress. Often they are super creative minds, who struggle with these technical aspects or cannot communicate effectively, which can lead to frustration for both the creator and the client. This can delay projects and even make clients unhappy, and that is something nobody wants.
One way to tackle this challenge is to embrace the learning process. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, try to view each new skill as an opportunity to grow. Asking questions and seeking help from others in the field can also make a big difference. Building strong communication skills can help everyone stay on the same page, making the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.
Ultimately, being successful in marketing and design is about more than just creativity. It’s about combining your ideas with the right technical skills and good communication. By continuing to learn and grow, you can turn your creative dreams into reality and keep your clients happy.
