For those embracing remote setups, it’s all about finding new, creative ways to stay connected and inspired. How do you sustain your team’s creativity when everyone’s scattered across the country or globe, maybe in different time zones, with varying levels of coffee in their system?
Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you. At Alive, our team thrives in remote or hybrid work settings while still staying incredibly creative! Here are some exciting ways to keep the spark of creativity alive and vibrant when working remotely.
Let’s get weird (in a good way)
Forget the formal brainstorming sessions where you’re expected to be serious and professional. Creativity thrives when people feel free to let their weirdness shine. Try setting up casual (and we mean really casual) virtual sessions where the goal isn’t to come up with the next big thing but to get those quirky, “what if?” ideas rolling.
Use a random stimulus: How could the word apple (or any other random object) help to brainstorm ideas about the office environment? It sounds silly, but you’d be surprised how often these random starting points lead to genuine creative breakthroughs. You might end up designing the next viral campaign, or at least have a good laugh.
How we roll at Alive:
We often get together to share our ideas. But this doesn’t always mean things get flowing immediately. Sometimes, all it takes is ten minutes to get the ball rolling and to grease our wheels! One of our favourites is crazy eights: a design sprint method. We challenge ourselves to come up with as many different ideas as possible in eight minutes. There are no bad ideas and remember, it’s all about finding what works to get everyone in the zone!
Share the weird and wonderful
Get everyone sharing stuff that grabs their attention – even if it’s completely unrelated to the project. Found a bizarre YouTube video? Share it. Saw a meme that made you snort-laugh? Share it. The more different, unexpected things people throw into the mix, the more you’ll see those wild connections and flashes of genius pop up.
Why not create a virtual “inspiration wall” on your internal comms platform where people communicate, so they can post their cool finds? Not only does it give everyone something fun to look at (who doesn’t need a little quirky inspiration?), but it also sparks those “Aha!” moments that can only happen when you’re exposed to new and weird stuff.
How we roll at Alive:
We have a Slack channel for ideas and inspiration where anything goes. From dog pictures and Harry Potter spells to videos that we love. Wild and wonderful often ends up sparking great conversations and reference points for future projects!
Get moving, get thinking
The best ideas don’t usually come when you’re sitting at your desk staring at your screen. So, let’s make it official: move to improve creativity. Set up a weekly “walking brainstorm” where pairs or groups hop on a call but go for a walk while chatting. Or, encourage your team to switch up their workspaces – maybe try a new café (or, let’s be real, a new couch) and see if that gets the creative wheels turning.
You can even take it a step further and host a “creative scavenger hunt” – set some fun challenges like, “find the weirdest mug in your house and explain why it’s your spirit animal.” (Yes, this is a real thing, and it works!)
How we roll at Alive:
Some members of our team enjoy switching things up and working from co-working offices. Desk Lodge in Bristol has lots of creatively themed rooms, from Kingsman to the Hobbit. (It’s also a good excuse to treat yourself to lunch!)
Surprise! It’s a challenge
Not only does setting a challenge keep everyone engaged, but it’s a fun way to break up the monotony of Zoom or Teams calls and endless email threads. And who doesn’t love the satisfaction of crushing a creative challenge?
Throw in some creative tasks that get people thinking outside the box. One week, you could challenge your team to come up with a campaign idea using only three emojis. Another week, ask them to pitch a concept using only two sentences (good luck with that!). The more random and whacky, the better.
How we roll at Alive:
There’s nothing we love more than getting others on board with challenges that will stretch their creative muscles. Check out our weekly creativity bootcamp delivered right to your inbox!
Celebrate (the small wins)
No creative journey is complete without a little celebration. Once your team lands a great idea, big or small, make sure you celebrate! Share a meme, send a funny GIF, or hop on a quick video call just to give a virtual high-five. Positive reinforcement goes a long way, and it keeps the vibe light, fun, and totally energised.
How we roll at Alive:
We’ve created dedicated Slack channels to foster connection and positivity within our team. One channel focuses on rewards and recognition where we celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and another is a space for sharing positivity and gratitude, where team members post moments that made their day brighter. These spaces not only keep our remote team connected but also help build a supportive and encouraging work culture.
Remember, creativity is a team sport!
Creativity isn’t always about being a lone genius in a quiet room (although, there’s a time and place for that too which can be a really important part of the creative process). It’s also about collaboration, fun, and making room for unexpected ideas to bubble up.
That said, everyone approaches creativity differently. Some people prefer to quietly work through their ideas, taking their time to refine them before sharing, while others thrive on the energy of live brainstorming sessions, bouncing ideas back and forth in real time. Recognising and embracing these different styles while working remotely is key to fostering a creative environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute in their own way.
So, whether it’s sharing memes, walking while brainstorming, or embracing your inner weirdo – there are so many ways to keep your remote team’s creativity firing on all cylinders. And if you need help, you know where to find us!
