Website Design Blog. Evoart

It’s a funny ‘ol world sometimes. We all have our differences of opinion, differences of experience, differences of taste, in fact just a whole lot of differences. When it comes to art, design and what looks and ‘feels’ good — well, then it becomes personal. In this article guest blogger Tim Jameson, director of Twill Media talks about collaboration, and how it can be beneficial to you as a designer, and as someone running their own business.

My professional background has its roots firmly planted within the hazy sphere of Product Design. I’ve spent many a fraught moment parked squarely in the position of professional gooseberry, caught in the middle of the catty relationship that so often exists between artist and engineer (one obsessed with how something looks, the other with how it works). The two don’t necessarily mix all too well, and that’s why a man-in-the-middle is needed. That was me, as a Product Designer.

Why do I mention this?

Well, many of the products and elements of design to which we today ascribe the label of ‘genius’ have been the result of collaboration, of great minds working together. Yet so often it seems much simpler to go things alone, particularly as designers who find it inherently painful to accept that someone else’s ideas and opinions might actually be more inspired than our own (sometimes). Yet, time and time again it has been proven that when individuals lay-down their pride (and insecurities) and work together as a team of complimentary skills and attitudes, there is brought forth a synergy that has potential to create brilliance.

But it’s never an easy ride; in fact it’s often quite the opposite, requiring patience, careful planning and considered forethought. I speak as one who holds particular value in the discipline of collaboration. It has been the making of me, and has taught me so much more than could ever have been attained through working alone, albeit steadfastly and after much learning and experience.

Could collaboration be the answer?

I recently read a book by Gerry McGovern called “Killer Web Content: Make the Sale, Deliver the Service, Build the Brand“. It makes an excellent read and talks a lot about the preconceived ideas we have as designers and marketers of content, which are so often misconceptions. We assume people will like this and understand that, particularly if presented in a specific way.

When working alone becomes the norm we can become stuck-in-a-rut, confused in our outlook and unsure or disillusioned as to the most efficient and effective way(s) to pursue our cause. We work long hours for little return and can’t understand why things aren’t working out the way we’d hoped they would.

Gerry suggests that collaboration could be the answer. Employing freelancers on a per-project basis is an effective way forward and is certainly a more financially viable way of drawing in external talent than employing full-time staff. But it can be a scary prospect, particularly if you’re used to working alone and don’t know how to best mange a team. And then there’s the outlay; so much to think about!

How about this – breathe new life back into your work and professional outlook by collaborating on a per project basis with other small companies or individuals. But how do you know who will be be the best choice, in terms of doing what they’re meant to do when they’re meant to do it, and all whilst getting along with everyone else in the studio? It really is no small task!

Gerry provides clear guidelines around this, and many other such subjects:

“Not all collaboration is good. Learn what to collaborate on and who to collaborate with. There are certain types of people you should be wary of when it comes to collaboration.
* Those who, in their hearts, are hoarders of knowledge.
* Those who won’t pull their weight. They like the idea of collaborating but they don’t want to put in the work.
* Those who don’t have the talent but will work very hard. They will be at every meeting, will write up long reports, and will waste a lot of time.
* Those who love to collaborate once everyone is collaborating on their terms. If they’re geniuses, you could still walk away with something worthwhile, but if they’re not, you should just walk away.”

He points out that it’s always important to have someone in charge, and references a quote from Warren Bennis in ‘Organizing Genius’:

“Great groups are inevitably forged by people unafraid of hiring people better than themselves.”

How does this relate to us?

How does this reflect on you (and me!)? Where are we each at in terms of our personal profitability? It’s worth considering — and then acting upon.

Collaboration is not as tough or threatening as it might seem, particularly given the software tools we have available to us today.

Skype is a great one, allowing you to talk, message (take minutes, save notes for reference etc) and conference online, all for free. And then there’s the all-important SVN repository — use a local subversion client and you can all collaborate to your hearts’ content, safe in the knowledge that your files will always stay current, accessible, and, if properly administered(!), backed-up.

Pick your partners carefully…

From my experience, the toughest part is definitely choosing the right team, one where all players know and appreciate their responsibilities, share a common vision and all work in equal measure towards a common goal. A tall order? Not necessarily. Just pick carefully.

To begin with, draw new people on board in a short-term capacity — make expectations clear and test the water. You’ll soon realise who will and won’t ‘work’. If someone doesn’t work you simply part company, but if they do produce the goods then you’ll find yourself on that exciting road towards producing something great, something you simply could not do on your own.

You can’t do everything yourself

When you’re self-employed and working alone you so often spend 20-40% of your time doing what you enjoy and are naturally skilled in and 60-80% of your time doing what you’re not naturally good at and don’t actually enjoy (but have to do to keep your business running). In full-time employment you’re employed for your strengths, and are normally called upon to operate solely in those areas.

Someone else is employed to do the things you’re not skilled in. Why not adopt this principle as a self-employed person? Why not collaborate with someone who’s great in the areas you’re not? Pick the right person/people and you’ll find that you’re surging forwards so much more quickly, alleviated of the frustration of being stuck in a rut and freed-up to operate in your area(s) of strength and natural gifting.

Go on, try it

I’m not writing this in an attempt to show you how to collaborate, rather as a means of encouraging you that it needn’t be tough (and that it can yield great results!). Look around you, check-out your local online freelance design community (Wired Sussex is mine) and tap into the wealth of available talent. People will always begin by pressing-home their strengths (which may initially leave you feeling inferior) but you’ll soon realise that they need you just as much as you need them — just take a little time to find out how.

Down both your pride and insecurities and prepare to push things forward. It’s time for a little sweat equity!

This article was written by Tim Jameson, director of Twill Media. Tim lives in Brighton, UK, with his wife and two children. Twill Media, are a digital creative company, specialising in online design and application development. If your a creative professional interested in writing for Evoart, please contact us.