Growing Your Team in the Creative Sector: an Approach to Building Brilliance

Growing a creative team is both an art and a science. It’s not just about hiring people with impressive resumes or a dazzling portfolio—it’s about assembling a group of individuals who can think, collaborate, and push boundaries together.

A strong creative team is more than the sum of its parts. It’s the chemistry, the shared vision, and the collective ability to turn ideas into something extraordinary. But how do you grow a team that isn’t just skilled but truly innovative? Let’s dig in.

1. Don’t Just Fill Roles—Find the Right People

Too often, companies rush to hire based on immediate needs. A designer leaves, so you hire another designer. A copywriter moves on, so you bring in a new one. It’s a plug-and-play approach that works for some industries—but not in the creative sector.

Instead, step back. Ask: What kind of team do we want in six months? A year? Five years? What gaps do we need to fill beyond job titles? Maybe you don’t need another designer; maybe you need a strategist who can shape projects before they even reach the design stage.

Think big. Hire people who don’t just fit into your current structure but elevate it.

2. Prioritize Culture Over Credentials

Talent matters, obviously. But in a creative team, culture is everything. You want people who can challenge ideas without ego, collaborate without friction, and bring energy instead of just experience.

Ask yourself: Can I imagine brainstorming with this person at 9 AM on a Monday without dreading it? Would they bring something fresh to the team dynamic? Are they adaptable? Because adaptability is just as important as skill in creative work. The best teams aren’t built on perfect resumes; they’re built on chemistry, trust, and the ability to have fun while doing great work.

3. Be Open to Non-Traditional Talent

Great creatives don’t always come with standard job histories. Some of the most innovative designers, writers, and strategists started in completely different industries. Musicians become sound designers.

Journalists become UX writers. Gamers become brand storytellers.

Don’t get stuck in rigid job descriptions. If someone has the skills, the mindset, and the hunger to grow, they can learn the technical aspects. Sometimes the best hire isn’t the obvious one—it’s the one who sees the world a little differently.

4. Know When to Outsource and When to Hire In-House

Every creative team hits a point where it needs extra hands. However, not every gap needs to be filled by a full-time hire.

That’s where marketing staffing firms can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s a short-term campaign or a long-term project, tapping into freelance talent or contract-based creatives can give you the flexibility to scale without locking yourself into a fixed structure.

5. Give Your Team Room to Experiment

A creative team that’s constantly in “deliver” mode will burn out. Creativity needs space. It needs breathing room.

Encourage side projects. Let people experiment with new formats, styles, and technologies. Maybe your copywriter wants to try their hand at scriptwriting. Maybe your graphic designer wants to dabble in animation. Give them that space. When people get to play, they bring fresh energy back into client work.

6. Invest in Growth, Not Just Production

It’s tempting to focus all resources on output—more campaigns, more deliverables, more content. But if you don’t invest in your team’s growth, you’ll end up with a stagnant, uninspired group.

Offer mentorship. Encourage courses and workshops. Bring in guest speakers from outside your industry. Creativity thrives on exposure to new ideas, so keep your team’s brains buzzing. The more they grow, the better their work will be.

7. Lead Like a Creative, Not Just a Boss

A creative team needs a creative leader. That doesn’t mean you have to be a designer or writer yourself, but it does mean you should understand and respect the creative process.

Growing a creative team isn’t about checking boxes on a hiring list. It’s about building something that feels alive, dynamic, and full of potential.