
Creative Boom recently published an article detailing ‘7 new ways of working that promise to change the creative industry in 2024’. Let’s take a look at how creatives will be working in 2024, according to creativity industry insiders Ed Silk and Fiona Florence.
We spend most of our waking lives working: the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. So, a job change can be one of the most disruptive and stressful experiences of our lives, even when it’s a positive move.
In the next few years, though, we’ll likely experience something even more disruptive. The very nature of creative work is likely to change in a number of important ways.
The rise of AI, the shift towards remote work following the pandemic, and the increasing drive towards sustainability in the creative industries will profoundly change everything. So, we must prepare ourselves for this upcoming upheaval, both practically and psychologically.
With these changes in mind, here are 7 ways of working that we might see more of in 2024:
1. We’ll start treating AI as a crazy colleague
The integration of AI and digital technologies in creative industries can potentially be a game-changer. However, it’s important to understand how these technologies can simplify and amplify the creative process while preserving the human touch.
Treating AI as a ‘crazy colleague’ means taking AI-generated ideas with a grain of salt – it’s a useful voice to have in the room, but almost always requires some tempering. It’s worth remembering that even the weirdest generations can serve as starting points to develop some solid ideas.
2. Getting out there will be more important than ever
AI can spark innovation, streamline the process and assist in quality assurance, freeing up creatives to find deeper wells of inspiration. But it shouldn’t take over from our traditional sources of creative inspiration.
This means that, although many creatives will undoubtedly continue using digital technologies and spaces for inspiration, we should also venture out into the world and consume creative work with our own eyes. Whether you attend an art exhibition or a live music show, you’re bound to feel inspired. You never know where an idea will come from, and getting outside of your bubble may help to trigger new creative thoughts.
3. We’ll all need to embrace the school of perpetual learning
Silk says:
Learn, evolve, or be eclipsed. Tool up, skill up, school up; it’s the only way forward. The risk is becoming obsolete, so choose to hone your craft daily. Embrace the school of perpetual learning or watch opportunity pass you by.
At Novagram, this is how we operate. We are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our clients and offer a comprehensive range of branding services. Our practical knowledge is supported by a commitment to continual learning, where we glean knowledge from industry titans. Some of the books we’ve found valuable include: On Strategic Marketing, Run Studio Run, Designing Brand Identity, and Building a Story Brand.
4. Creatives will need to wake up our unconscious biases
Whether we like to admit it or not, we have a tendency to design for ourselves, approaching challenges from a subjective rather than objective place. So, Ed believes we need to widen the aperture to consider other perspectives and lived experiences.
As much as we need to be mindful of AI’s built-in biases, we need to check our own biases,” he says. “As design will increasingly need to be more inclusive and mindful of diversity, it is important to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy.
At Novagram, we’re aware of the issues that affect the creative industries, and our diverse team is committed to inclusion. For us, this goes hand-in-hand with the previous point: continuous learning includes addressing the issues that are keenly felt in our industry.
5. The industry will find a new balance between studio and home
While remote work (WFH) is here to stay, there is a growing desire among employees, particularly in the creative industries, to return to the studio or office. And that’s not surprising. After all, the studio environment fosters collaboration and creativity that can be challenging to replicate in a digital network.
Many creatives are split on the benefits of WFH versus the office: the former offers benefits such as no commute, a comfortable working environment, and optimised productivity, while the latter allows for enhanced collaboration and social exchange. Florence also notes that flexibility is important, and it’s not just a perk: ‘it’s the secret ingredient for a happy, balanced work life.’
6. Agencies will give employees a reason to come back
Employers may want their staff to return to the studio, but no one wants them to come dragging their tails. And so, agencies should strive to create studio spaces that make the commute worthwhile.
This means going beyond a productive and comfortable environment. If companies are going to ask employees to return to the office, the workspace should feel like a community hub where creativity is nurtured and coworkers can share ideas and truly thrive. After all, it is true that in-person human connection is something that can’t be replicated online.
7. Design will help change the world
We all want to change the world, right? Well, the good news is that as designers, we can certainly play an important part.
At Novagram, we’re delighted to work with a range of clients who are impacting their industries in innovative ways. We work to empower our clients through design, allowing them to fulfil their missions and do good in the world.
Are you looking to change the world? Get in touch.
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