In the agency world, “creative” is a department, a role, a title. It’s the job I signed up for a long time ago, for all the reasons you might expect — the daily opportunity to do something different, solve new problems, tell new stories. To be overtly “creative.” But after 25+ years in the agency world, one thing I know for sure is that creativity isn’t only found with our creatives. Every member of our team exercises creativity in their role every day in one form or another.
Because each of us here at Varsity has a unique perspective on the work that we do to support our clients, and the work our clients do to support their residents, I’ve asked the team to celebrate National Creativity Day by sharing their thoughts, insights or favorite quotes on “creativity” and what it means to them. From our team to yours, Happy National Creativity Day!
“Creativity means looking at the world through your own lens. Being willing to look beyond the obvious and consider the ‘what ifs?’ ”—Derek Dunham, Vice President Client Services |
“Creativity is a way for me to express myself … and then to reflect.”—Jodi Christman, Digital Production Director |
“For me, creativity is about trying new things and thinking outside the box.”—Jackie Stone, Sales & Marketing Consultant |
“For me, creativity is about freedom.”—Joe Barry, Senior Art Director |
“Creativity is about letting your mind run free and exploring without boundaries. It’s when you look at everyday things in completely new ways. That’s when you come up with the fun stuff, the weird stuff, the really good stuff. Albert Einstein said it best: ‘Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.’ ”—Erica Reed, Senior Copywriter |
“Scott Adams said, ‘Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.’ So much of being creative is not being afraid to make mistakes, to put any and every idea out there. Collaboration gives us the opportunity to sift through those ideas to see what inspires others and truly rises to the top.”—Reneé Kelly, Art Director |
“Creativity is thinking, being or doing in an original way.”—Natalie Groeger, Senior Account Strategist |
“Creativity is seeing the world from a perspective different from your own.”—Jace Dawson, Project Manager |
“Creativity means looking at a problem differently and coming up with a unique, out-of-the-box solution. And making things prettier. :)”—Emily Runyon, Account Strategist |
“I’ve always liked the Pablo Picasso quote, ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.’”—Ellie Weaver, Account Strategist |
“While most people think of creativity as artistic expression or the creation of something, in my world, creativity is being able to look at a situation, question whether it can be better, and come up with solutions to simplify or clarify a process. In many cases, it’s not invention, but rather re-invention.”—Amy Beamer Murray, COO & Partner |
“Creativity reflects the moment when we discover something new — sometimes through novel experiences, sometimes through the filter of prior knowledge — but always the unfolding of a greater understanding that connects each of us to unexpected possibilities.”—Bill Mulligan, Account Director |
“Creativity means being able to tell an authentic story in words or imagery.”—Jodi Gibble, Sales & Marketing Consultant |
