Handful of Darts

In any complex organization … 

especially a non-profit …

especially in the arts …

… decision-making is complex.

Planners and designers need to give committees choices. Usually, creative contracts call for “three options”. But in our studio, we find three is not enough. The bigger the committee, the more ideas you need to show.

Our presentations are a fleeting chance to get ideas across to that committee — one of which they will choose.

I think of the yet-to-be-chosen idea as a lone balloon, floating in a dark room. Behind a closed door.

Our presentation is like opening the door for a moment and trying to hit that lone balloon, somewhere in that dark room, with a dart.

How do we make sure we’ll hit it?

We throw a lot of darts. A whole handful of darts. All at once.

As the door closes, we listen for a pop.

Here’s the thing:
Complex organizations need more than the usual three options to make good decisions. When you need to hit a balloon somewhere in a dark room with a dart, you have to throw a handful of darts.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
VHB, or Very High Bond tape. A special kind of strong, double-sided, very durable adhesive tape made by 3M. VHB is commonly used to permanently attach graphic substrates, text panels, and other elements directly onto walls and other surfaces without screws, nails, or other visible attachments.