Computer Arts

spring 2017 people

computerarts.creativebloq.com

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co LLec TIve cHan ge

Bjarne Christensen reveals why he chose to move from being partner

and creative director at agency Stupid Studio to a new ever-changing

job role at YEAHYEAH Collective

new Ventures

A

fter six years as partner and

creative director of copenhagen-

based Stupid Studio (SS) Bjarne

christensen felt he was spending too long

in meetings and on sales and not long

enough on creative problem-solving and

projects. He decided to leave his job and try

a new way of working with Yea HY ea H

collective (YYc). We found out more...

Tell us about Yea HY ea H collective.

How does it work in practice?

The idea at the core is to get rid of a lot of

silly expenses in running a more traditional

company and be able to deliver fantastic

work for a budget instead of spending 50

per cent of that budget running a business.

We are able to put together the best

team from project to project and to ensure

everyone works for the same purpose.

How is the ethos of YYc different from

SS?  does this affect the way you work?

I would rather compare YYC to the

traditional business model in the creative

industry. We’re organised differently to be

able to share what’s shareable and focus

on delivering the best possible work.

My work is indeed affected positively by

the change. I can focus on things I really

want to do. It’s really exciting to feel you are

part of developing more than a collective.

We believe we’re about to form the business

model for future creative business.

YYC makes it possible to put together an

interesting team. We’ve got creative coders

and designers but we also have stylists

trend forecasters and research people. That

combination of skills would never work in

a traditional company.

YY c doesn’t work on projects for less

than one month. can you explain why?

We don’t believe anything really good can

be achieved if we cannot work in depth. We

work with people and partners not for them.

We believe that a close collaborative process

is fundamental in innovative creative projects.

What exactly will your role be at YYc and

how does it differ to what you did at SS?

The thing is that the entire setup and the

concept at the core of YEAHYEAH Collective

is that we are all equal partners with our

own business in the business. So I can be a

part of say three different projects for three

different clients in three different countries.

In one project I’m lead designer in the other

one I’m responsible for the digital strategy

and for the third one I’m the product owner.

do you have any advice for anyone

considering moving to a creative collective?

You need to have the right mindset and

drive. In many ways it’s like running your

own business. Make sure you get yourself

organised as early as possible so you really

exploit the benefits of being a collective.

Agree on which expenses you share what

kind of ambitions you’re aiming for and how

you are going to conquer the world – and

enjoy your new life!

Bjarne is a ‘creative

digital entrepreneur and

professional doer’ who

now works as part of

YEAHYEAH Collective.

http://www.yeahyeah.co

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