Here at Launch we pride ourselves on helping others and nurturing the next generation. Fresh talent have creative minds beyond the boxes we put ourselves as experienced creatives. Whether it’s budgeting, or the fear of doing something so avant-garde it’ll flop, we find ourselves treading with a little more caution. With no industry constraints, the next generation often have more ‘quirky’ ideas, tapping into the latest trends and finding a relatable hook rather than sticking to expectations; because those boundaries haven’t been carved out for them. But with all these crazy ideas, what’s our part to play?
Challenging Fresh Minds in Design
Recently, I visited North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire college, tasking the T-Level and Higher Education students to complete a day brief that introduced them to the industry way of working and stretched their technical knowledge. Captivating their creativity, I challenged the students to design packaging for conceptual drinks company ‘Sploosh’ who are looking to release a healthy alternative to energy drinks.
Whether it was designing ‘Sploosh’ packaging to live alongside Monster Energy, or offering conceptual incentives to encourage repeat purchases, the students tackled the brief in a variety of ways. This way of thinking saw the students pushing boundaries and questioning stereotypes in the ‘energy drink vs health drink’ market.
Boost, Nurture, Collaborate
So, how does this help young creatives? Think back to that very first logo you designed, or the first time you ever booted up Photoshop. Do you remember what you created? Chances are, you broke all the rules of design, but you loved your output anyway. Now imagine your mentee.
Mentoring is crucial for helping fresh talent realise their potential and boosting confidence, with the thoughts and ideas of industry experts resonating far more than the feedback from tutors – according to Academic Co-ordinator Dean Wood. Our role in mentoring creatives isn’t just to put them in the driver's seat while providing guidance and feedback, we’re here also as friendly advice and to bridge the gap between education and the creative industry. The bond between those in a mentorship goes beyond just guidance but can form the foundations for collaboration.
Mentoring is a constant cycle of development, where the student does become the master, honing skills and handing down that knowledge from one creative to the next. In my case, supporting the next generation is how I give back to a community that helped me flourish in the early days of my career.
Emily, Designer & Co-Founder
We’re all in this together
Of course mentoring creatives is a two way street. An experienced creative is here to refine skills and boost creative confidence, whilst the mentee can provide valuable new perspectives and ideas that keep our thinking fresh – reminding us to play more and worry less.
Investing time into fresh creatives benefits our growing creative industry too, with research from the World Economic Forum revealing that companies that foster a multigenerational workforce experience stronger collaboration, enhanced creativity, and growth. We’re proud to adopt this approach at Launch, and actively encourage our team to engage in site visits and mentorships to grow the next creative generation – because once upon a time, we were in their shoes too!