Let’s Change Culture - Collaging new ideas

I have been part of a collage club for a number of months run by Stuart Crewes of The Ink Fingers Workshop. It’s absolutely one of my favourite things to do. As Stuart says, collage is great because so much of the heavy lifting in image creation is done for you by the creators of the original content. I have found it a fantastic source for reflection, conversation generation, gift-making for friends and just great fun.

So, in a recent creative engagement session with the "Let's Change Culture" group, facilitated in collaboration with Plymouth Culture, I led participants through a collage-making exercise. The idea behind this session was simple but impactful: to understand creative engagement better, through doing and self-reflection to remember what it’s like to experience it firsthand (rather than be the facilitator which is what most creatives usually experience!).

The Collage-Making Session: A Deeper Dive

Participants were given copies of The Week Junior and asked to explore the magazine, looking for images or ideas that resonated with them in some way related to creative engagement. This seemingly straightforward task turned into an experience layered with insights and reflections, some expected and others pleasantly surprising.

Observations and Reflections

Creative activity vs. running a session
For many, shifting from the role of facilitator to participant was revealing. One person noted, “Creatives work and rarely get a chance to do creativity ourselves.” This sentiment echoed across the group, emphasising that as facilitators, we often guide others without taking time to engage in creativity for our own growth. By being participants, we not only practice what we preach but also confront the feelings of vulnerability we often ask others to experience.

Random Conversations and the Power of the Subconscious
As the session unfolded, so did conversations. While many were seemingly “off-piste” at first glance, we noticed that the discussions frequently looped back to the themes of creativity, engagement, and culture. This spontaneous flow highlighted how our subconscious minds work—connecting dots in the background, leading to deeper insights.

Arbitrary Beginnings and Structured Conclusions
Another recurring theme was how participants approached the task. Some described moving through different stages—from arbitrary beginnings to more structured thoughts. As one participant described, “Different stages you go through—arbitrary leads to conversation. You see connections, then gain structure.” There was an appreciation of how a simple task could lead to unexpected, unconscious connections.

Restricted Resources, New Perspectives
Using a specific set of resources like the magazine created a communal experience. Participants noted that working with limited materials forced them to think creatively, making the task simultaneously challenging and enjoyable. This restriction also sparked communal problem-solving—"Communal think—conversation dictated by resources you’re working with."

The Role of Reflection and Emotional Connection
For some, the act of making a collage led them to reflect on themselves and their relationship to their work. “Made me really reflective and question myself. What does my collage say about me?” one participant pondered. There was a sense that the collages captured something personal, a reflection of individual experiences and thoughts.

Inclusivity and Safety in Vulnerability
An important insight emerged around the themes of inclusivity and vulnerability. “We invite people to be vulnerable and open. This is a good reminder of how it feels. We’re used to being deliverers,” noted one participant. The session served as a reminder of the courage it takes to engage in creativity and to allow oneself to explore, sometimes beyond comfort zones.

Creative Engagement: Finding the Sweet Spot

In one of our discussions, a participant mentioned the idea of finding a “sweet spot” to hook people into big topics, leading them to connect emotionally. Creative engagement can provide that hook, helping people approach complex issues with openness and curiosity, rather than fear or resistance. For instance, one collage mixed images of nature with powerful messages about the climate crisis, balancing hope with urgency.

Challenging Preconceived Ideas and Fixed Patterns

Several participants noted how the activity interrupted their fixed patterns of thinking. One person remarked, “Move culture from ‘how we do things’ to new needs—creativity diverts your brain.” This idea of interrupting the usual to introduce new perspectives and ways of thinking is central to culture change.

Relinquishing Power and Embracing Subtle Connection

The session wasn’t just about making collages; it was about creating an environment where people felt free to be curious, to connect with each other, and to question their assumptions. It was about, as one participant put it, finding a “blend of approach” that creates positive and meaningful engagement by relinquishing power and inviting genuine involvement. There was a subtle closeness that emerged through shared vulnerability—a reminder that creative engagement isn’t just about doing; it’s about being present with others.

Experiencing the Impact

This collage-making session highlighted why creative engagement matters. Participants experienced a communal journey, moved through different stages of reflection, and connected over themes both profound and playful. From the subconscious insights to structured conclusions, from dealing with restrictions to facing vulnerability, this session served as a reminder that creative engagement is as much about exploration and connection as it is about expression.

Creative engagement is not just a process we offer others, but one we need to experience ourselves to understand its full power. If we're to help change culture, we must be willing to dive into that experience, get a bit messy, and open ourselves to growth and change.