Why One Minute Briefs are so addictive, and what keeps OMBLES like me coming back for more…?
By Hannah Haworth
@HannahHaworth15
Today marks my OMBversary! A year ago – inspired by *that* KitKat ad by Sam Hennig, I dipped my toe in the water of this inclusive community of creative one minute wonders (< the good kind!). What a journey it’s been so far…
As with most fads of mine, like the annual promise to gym more and swim more, or my occasional flirtation with a fringe, I initially determined to enter every single daily brief – knowing (not so) deep down that really the novelty would probably wear off before the month was out.
But now I’m 12 months in, and although I woefully cannot profess to a 100% entry streak, I’m not far off with only the odd few days missed here and there. So why so addictive, and what keeps me coming back for more (almost) every single day…?
Those who know me beyond the Twitter handle will far too often have heard my mantra of “I’m not a designer” (I’m a marketing manager let loose with an Adobe license!) So I initially decided to get involved to try and gain some confidence around design execution. The best thing about One Minute Briefs is that you don’t have to be a designer at all – heck you don’t even have to be a creative – just a ‘you’, with an idea (or 12). I was excited to explore new concepts outside my daily scope of work, and learn from other creatives and hobbyists. Seeing the different approaches to the same brief – learning different styles and techniques. I suppose I also hoped for some validation along the way – to quiet that imposter syndrome that all too frequently pops its ugly head.
To date I have entered around 230 briefs spanning industries from food to travel, weather, toiletries, technology, not for profit and many more. I’ve entered posters, billboards, (terrible attempts at) animation, cards, product packaging, point of sale and social posts. And to my humble bemusement have found a steady stream of shortlists, a handful of wins and an unexpected bounty of community, comaradery and just genuine support and love for my submissions.
Social media gets a bad rep, a lot of the time, so to find a genuine community like this – where the positivity is thriving is a rare and really wonderful thing – especially for many OMBLES who do arrive tentative and unsure of how they will be received. The community welcomes them with open arms and is the number one reason – by far – that I continue to enter every day.
The second reason is the genuine difference it is making to my personal development. Looking back over my portfolio of submissions, there is a clear progression in the style and way I approach briefs 12 months on. I’m guilty of being an overthinker. But by the true spirit of OMB, you only have a minute. Granted my execution usually takes a little longer, but I do try to stay true to the one minute idea. Learning to go instinctive has been the biggest takeaway of my journey so far. Some days I’ll enter a few different ideas, but it’s usually that initial seed that has the best outcome.
Whether it be from having more confidence, being less reserved, dare I use the cliché ‘thinking more outside the box’ or simply being inspired by the daily exposure to literally hundreds of different styles, ideas and executions, I have noticed a marked difference in my approach to not only the daily OMB but the work I produce in my professional life. Now if ever I am lost for ideas, I approach a task as a One Minute Brief, and soon enough the ideas are flowing.
So what started out as a bit of fun, to give me a reason to dabble with that curious tool on Photoshop or that new animation I found in Canva, has become a muse. A creative solace, and a community of which I feel very much a part – my very own supporters cheering me on to better myself, my abilities and my creativity.
Plus the occasional cash prizes kinda sweeten the deal too 😉
