6 Tips for Creative Collaboration Inspired by Es Devlin’s Career

Widely considered one of the most influential stage designers alive, Es Devlin has created abstract, ethereal, and conceptually dazzling sets for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Britain’s Royal Opera House, and the Olympic Games, as well as for English singer-songwriter Adele, Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer the Weeknd, and other powerhouse performers. Es draws inspiration from architecture, literature, modern art, classical theater, and contemporary design to build psychologically gripping experiences that drastically expand the realm of possibilities on stage.

When she’s looking for potential collaborators, Es Devlin has her eye out for those with a sympathetic mindset (meaning people who have similar values) and a specific set of skills. (“I can’t do 3-D drawing or 3-D rendering,” Es admits. “I can just sketch.”) But most importantly, she has to trust and respect the people with whom she’s working. “If you haven’t enjoyed a one-hour conversation with a person you’re then going to be collaborating with, then you really [need a] good reason to want to spend more time with that person, ” she says. “If you find the people hard, it’s going to be a hard project.”

Collaborating with others can be exhilarating, maddening, and serendipitous—sometimes all at once. Here are a few tips for making it work.

1. 1. Trust yourself. Be aware of how you feel after that first phone call with your collaborator. Are you excited? Bored? Full of dread? Those feelings are likely to come up again.
2. 2. Get into the nitty-gritty. Make sure that everyone on your team understands every step of the creative process. Establishing these clear expectations will help greatly when challenges inevitably arise.
3. 3. Speak up (and listen). Keep the lines of communication as open as possible. Admit to each other when you’re struggling and need help.
4. 4. Leave your ego at the door. Competitiveness is the enemy of collaborative success. Allow mutual respect to reign.
5. 5. Embrace failure. Because “accidents” frequently become innovations.
6. 6. Keep it going. In the words of Es, “If you find a collaborator, marry them. Or hold them close and don’t let them go.”

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