Episode 310: Rich Silverstein of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
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On his second visit to the podcast, Rich covers The Lion of St. Mark,
winning, dealing with roadblocks, wit, design, and personal growth.
5 years ago
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9 comments:
In my experience, if your partner or creative director doesn't get your idea, it's probably not a simple idea. And if it's not a simple idea, there's no WAY your client will ever get it - much less buy it.
Agreed.
i get angry drink a beer and realize it's not a great idea. Unless I really really think it is, then I do it anyways and see if it wasn't a good idea or if it was a good idea that i couldn't explain very well.
Generally, I'll move on to the next idea, tell myself, "that CD/partner/client doesn't even know what's what they're missing and I'll use that idea somewhere else later."
Then I generally forget my brilliant idea and never hear from it again.
Think it's all the funnier, go ahead and produce it and then win Worst in Show.
"But wait. Let me explain it again. See there's this pig, and it's knitting a blanket. It's hilarious!"
I mutter to myself that these small-minded nincompoops don't appreciate true genius, and that someday, they'll be really, really sorry.
Then, the next day I reread my notes and realize that a) it's entirely possible that there's something very, very wrong with me or 2) it's worth another go.
Normally if my partner doesn't get my idea, I try sketching it out the best I can (and yes, I am using the excuse that I am a CW and therefore my drawing is worth crap, if that). If that doesn't work, I try explaining my line of thinking by doing a thought tree. If that doesn't work, I try showing some examples of other peoples work for general styling and feel. If that doesn't work, I go home, strip naked, and cry.
But seriously, if it's gotten to the point of having to push the idea that hard, I agree with Elizabeth, it's probably not a simple idea.
If a CD, teacher or client doesn't like it, I might execute it myself to a. Make myself happy b. Move past it and c. Keep the idea, as it might work for something else in the future.
I complain a lot and feel sad and keep bringing the idea back until it gets killed dead for realz. Then I complain more and get sad more.
As far as simplicity goes, I think we can occasionally trust people to catch a cooler, more complicated notion. Especially if it's executed so well that it seems simple. It's a "you make this look easy" kind of a thing, not a "even a simple caveman can understand" thing.
Like, I know that sandpaper is rough. Is there anything else you can tell me that might make me interested in sandpaper? I get bored easy and already know what sandpaper is and what it does.
Make it bulletproof. If it is, there's no idea they won't get.
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