Compatibility. Ever think about it? Tech gurus refer to it all the time when software fails. “It’s a compatibility issue”.
Compatibility is when things exist together without conflict. It’s a relationship between different people, places and things.
The creative process cannot function without compatibility. Or can it? One of the best parts of the creative process is ‘conflict’. A team gets together to concept and put forth a creative strategy to present. Some of the best ideas are born from conflict. Conflict plays a significant role in the process. The team tries to streamline things, but to truly execute a creative plan – you need to rely on others. The team provides alternate points of view. Each member has a specific strength and wants their voice heard in order to get the concept moving in a direction that eventually becomes a finished product. And, often that can create conflict. That friction should be a motivator not a detriment. That’s why I like the conflict part. Creative clash, not hostility, should help the creative process – not hurt it.
If we have harmony – we have ‘compatibility’. But don’t forget to add a pinch of conflict and a dash of dissention, because when the team and client see the success we can all find creative compatibility.