5 Steps to Simplify a Creative Process (Part 3)

In the first post of this series, we introduced five stages to simplify the creative process. In the first step, we defined the objective. By following the guidance we shared in Part 2, you and your team were able to generate lots of ideas and landed on a few you felt would help you achieve your objective. Now, let's dive into the next step in the creative process: Development.

Creative Process Step 3: Development

During the brainstorming stage, you and your team were encouraged not to get too bogged down with figuring out the "how." But now it's time to put the time into figuring out how to take these ideas from concept to reality.

Get some people together to discuss what it will take to pull off the idea. What will it cost? How long will it take? What materials or resources are needed?

Be willing to abandon an idea if it's not coming together or isn't supporting the objective like you thought.

Prototyping can help put your concepts to the test. Build mockups and storyboards. Go on a test shoot. Pull together a focus group to get their reaction and feedback. Prototyping takes extra time, but it is a vital part of the development process and will save you in the long run.

Be willing to abandon an idea if it's not coming together or isn't supporting the objective like you thought. When this happens, either modify the idea or let it go. If you need to replace the element, go back to the stack of ideas you came up with during the brainstorming step.

If you modify or drop an element — and you often will — don't forget to inform those who have been involved with the project. You can avoid unmet expectations most times if you communicate well and keep your stakeholders in the know throughout the process.

"No Surprises"

We had a concept we were developing at our church for Easter one year. It was a video project that involved filming in the local prison. We presented the idea to the lead pastor, who envisioned using the video in his sermon. As part of developing this concept, we called to find out if we were allowed to film in the prison. When we learned we couldn't, we began to modify the concept, finalized, shot the footage, and post-produced the modified sequence.

The team sat with the pastor two weeks before airtime to review the rough cut. Needless to say, it didn't meet his expectations. We had changed it enough that it no longer aligned with the objective of the sermon. We cut the project entirely.

The video producer and I returned to his office to discuss the turn of events. I asked, "What caused the surprise?"

"Well," he said, "we changed the concept but didn't tell him." Exactly right. Communicating throughout this stage is vital because things will likely change as you develop unbaked ideas into fully deliverable plans and products. Avoid surprises. Communicate.

This stage ends when you have deliverable elements that are ready to implement. In the next post, we'll look at Stages 4 and 5: Implementation and Evaluation.

As a helpful bonus, we've put together an infographic to complement this series. You can click HERE to download a free copy.

If you would like more help in the area of Creative Process Development, we are ready and able to assist you! Schedule a free Discovery Call, and let's chat about the possibilities!​