It’s often said that a wise person learns from their mistakes. This idea applies to nearly every aspect of life. But if mistakes make people smarter, aren’t they actually great fuel for the creative mind? Don’t you enjoy watching all those videos on YouTube showcasing misfortune or sheer bad luck? Why do these moments of imperfection make such videos among the most viewed on the internet?
Undoubtedly, fine art has evolved dramatically by embracing mistakes and imperfections as a source of growth and innovation. The same principle applies to the creative industry. Thanks to increasingly intuitive and supportive applications, creating a correct and “perfect” product is becoming easier and more effortless. However, being pixel-perfect and technically flawless no longer guarantees a “wow” factor. There’s an increasing demand for something more. In many cases, a flawed or imperfect creation can yield better results than a perfect but predictable one.
This is the key takeaway from Erik Kessels’ latest book, Failed It! He is one of the founders of the legendary KesselsKramer agency, based in Amsterdam. His book is a pocket-friendly mini manifesto, rich with visual enhancements. I hope this little read can help anyone struggling with the relentless pursuit of perfection to undergo a brief therapy session and gain a new perspective on their work.
Imperfection is the source of undiscovered possibilities.
We should learn to rediscover its potential.