If you are a marathoner, “hitting the wall” can be very bad. But in reference to the creative community, the “wall” we refer to is a tool for brainstorming.
The creative process in the typical ad agency is anything but typical. Each agency develops its own methods and approaches to concepting and developing their brilliant ideas. So we were very interested to see a Second Wind Online Forums post asking what agencies do to enhance the brainstorming process. Here are some of the tools they listed.
Floor-to-ceiling cloth tack boards – These are great for tacking up sketches and concepts for discussion and review. Some agencies install tack boards in all offices for the convenience of “spontaneous” brainstorming sessions.
Galvanized metal walls – Add some magnets, large tablets and magic markers for an easy- to- use brainstorming space. This idea looks great in more industrial-style office spaces.
Mega-sized sticky-notes – You can now get extra-large sticky notes in tablet form for tacking on any available wall or smooth surface.
Cork boards – Use these in every office or mount tiles to cover an entire wall. Find some funky, colorful tacks and keep paper and markers handy.
Erasable white boards – Keep a good supply of erasable markers on hand. You could use a big wall-mounted board, or distribute lap-size boards for individual sketches that can be passed around for discussion.
Chalkboard-painted walls – This fun paint created for use in children’s rooms has really caught on, and now appears in all kinds of workspaces from kitchens to creative offices. Keep colored chalks and erasers on hand.
Bonus: White boards and chalkboards are paperless and therefore reasonably “green” ways to brainstorm.
The Wall can also be used to conduct creative reviews, to gather comments from your entire agency about completed projects with an eye to improving creative skills and learning from past mistakes or production problems.
Whatever method you use for brainstorming, collective creation is a fun and productive process. Using an interesting format for sharing ideas and inviting discussion can boost creative energy and build a team-oriented culture that will help carry the quality of your agency’s creative to a fresh, award-winning level. Think about these tools and find a spot in your agency where your creatives can “hit the Wall.”
