6 Tips for Creative Collaboration Inspired by Es Devlin’s Career

Widely considered one of the most influential stage designers alive, Es Devlin has created abstract, ethereal, and conceptually dazzling sets for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Britain’s Royal Opera House, and the Olympic Games, as well as for English singer-songwriter Adele, Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer the Weeknd, and other powerhouse performers. Es draws inspiration from architecture, literature, modern art, classical theater, and [contemporary design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/contemporary-interior-design-guide) to build psychologically gripping experiences that drastically expand the realm of possibilities on stage. When she’s looking for potential collaborators, Es Devlin has her eye out for those with a sympathetic mindset (meaning people who have similar values) and a specific set of skills. (“I can’t do 3-D drawing or 3-D rendering,” Es admits. “I can just sketch.”) But most importantly, she has to trust and respect the people with whom she’s working. “If you haven’t enjoyed a one-hour conversation with a person you’re then going to be collaborating with, then you really [need a] good reason to want to spend more time with that person, ” she says. “If you find the people hard, it’s going to be a hard project.” Collaborating with others can be exhilarating, maddening, and serendipitous—sometimes all at once. Here are a few tips for making it work. 1. __Trust yourself__. Be aware of how you feel after that first phone call with your collaborator. Are you excited? Bored? Full of dread? Those feelings are likely to come up again. 2. __Get into the nitty-gritty__. Make sure that everyone on your team understands every step of the creative process. Establishing these clear expectations will help greatly when challenges inevitably arise. 3. __Speak up (and listen)__. Keep the lines of [communication](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-communicate-better) as open as possible. Admit to each other when you’re struggling and need help. 4. __Leave your ego at the door__. Competitiveness is the enemy of collaborative success. Allow mutual respect to reign. 5. __Embrace failure__. Because “accidents” frequently become innovations. 6. __Keep it going__. In the words of Es, “If you find a collaborator, marry them. Or hold them close and don’t let them go.” Grab the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and plumb the depths of your creativity with the help of stage designer Es Devlin, modern artist Jeff Koons, and abstract artist Futura. Our exclusive video lessons will teach you to do things like utilize color and scale, explore the beauty in everyday objects, and so much more. For London-based visual artist Es Devlin, a stadium concert represents the culmination of intense and prolonged work, often in collaboration with sizable creative teams. At her studio, she works with up to ten trusted associates who take her sketches and turn them into drawings and models as well as help her work through more abstract ideas gathered from casual conversations. Here, she shares her approach to selecting collaborators.