So you're a Manager or Director of some kind; and you have a problem that needs solving. You need something created. You also don't need that one problem to turn into several more or be more of a headache than it needs to be.

What that is; is irrelevant.

From big sprawling projects that have several facets and components; to simple, singular asset creation - Here are several tips to help you get the most out of working with a Creative.

Know what you want.

Before contacting or starting working with a creative, it helps if you take some time to brainstorm what you are looking for. Sure you have a specific project outcome you need. Be it a logo, Storyboard, T-shirt graphic, etc... But what does that look like for you/your company? What does it NOT look like? You might be someone likely to say 'I'm not sure what I want exactly; but I know what I don't want' or 'I'll know it when I see it' - It helps if you have a frame of mind of what those details are going in to working with a creative.

Creatives are NOT mind readers!

So the more information you can provide them, the better. Be it a mood board from Pinterest, or a folder full of images pulled from Google Image Searches, maybe it's a document of word association, or even a few scribbles on a napkin. All help give better insight into not only what you are looking for but the feelings, and attributes you are aiming to convey when your customers get eyes or hands on your final product. 

Restrictions add fuel to the flame!

Believe it or not, the more information you are able to provide and minimize the proverbial sandbox your creative has to work within, actually helps fuel that flame. By understanding what can't be done, or is undesirable, allows your creative to dig into areas that check the right boxes; maybe even finding avenues not yet considered... either way it'll lead you to a much more successful, and healthy end result.

Ditch the lingo!

One thing that can immensely help eliminate your ideas and project getting lost in translation is through censoring yourself from communicating marketing buzzwords, and descriptors in relation to what you want the end result to turn out as. Everyone is different, and what you think is 'badass', 'cool', and/or 'sexy'; may not be anything near those adjectives to the next person. This will help remove ambiguous details out of what you want created, and cut down on revisions and misinterpretations.

STOP being nice!

Of course Creatives love getting compliments and warm 'n fuzzies when we do a good job, but when giving feedback and providing notes for revision you don't need to be all sugar 'n rainbows. Again, creatives are not mind readers - so responses saying "PERFECT!", or "THAT'S EXACTLY IT!", then the next line rattling off things you want changed no matter how big or small, throws Creatives off the scent and makes it difficult to know when you are truly satisfied or not. Be direct. Don't worry about hurting your creative's feelings, trust me, those died and were buried in a shallow grave out back long ago.

"Good Start...' - 'Right Direction so far...' - 'Not quite what I had in mind...' are great transitions or responses going into adjustments and revisions. Saving any high praises if any until the project is completed 100% (Preferably in a 5-star review format).

I'm sure there's more...

But for now, the tips stated above will put you and the Creative you contact on the best foot forward in creating some amazing things. Reaching out to a Creative Agency like Ninth Paddock Creative is the closest thing you can get to hiring an on-staff creative, and ensuring close communication each step of the way, for a truly hassle free streamlined creative experience.