GUIDES & TIPS

6 tips for commissioning with neurodiversity in mind

Research shows that neurodiversity is common amongst creatives, which can include things like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and more generally the various ways in which people process information differently. 

Often, the stuff that feels second nature for a ‘neurotypical’ person can equate to a lot of hard work for someone who isn’t, meaning potential can sometimes go unreached or overlooked. But, we know it to be the case that diverse ways of thinking provide opportunities, especially in the creative realm. So we’ve taken this as our cue to gather perspectives from artists within our roster, and consider the small and simple ways we can all make the commercial creative process more supportive of different thinking styles, and navigate some of the unknowns collaboratively and easily. 

Our main takeaway is around mutual understanding and adaption, which is important whoever you're working with. So we’ve put together our six tips when briefing and commissioning to help set the right tone for any project. 

––

1. Saying less to say more

It's often tempting to go into a lot of background information and detail from the off when briefing artwork. But summing up the task clearly and simply, using short sentences and examples, before delving into the necessary detail will usually start things off well. Getting to the crux of things should help artists get into the right zone and allow them to trust their instincts. 

Side note – whilst every industry has it's ways of doing things and language used, avoiding specialist words, acronyms and abbreviations can also make a huge difference when briefing in creative work. 

I know many people like video meetings, and that it’s considered good practice to meet at least once at the beginning of a project, but personally, I feel written communication is more than enough for me.

– Enikő Eged 

2. To call, or not to call? 

We've been thinking a lot about calls. Whilst often very helpful they can end up being the default at times. We've also found there are a lot of differences in preference. For example, it is relatively common for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder to find video calls very stressful, whereas someone with Dyslexia might much prefer them as a way to put into words what they're finding difficult to do so on email and guage responses. 

Naturally, different projects and parts of the process will have best ways to communicate. So it's a question worth considering at each stage – sometimes a call is best, sometimes an email or a mixture of the two. There's usually more than one way of doing it and so a conversation about what would be most useful can help. Prepare to be visually led by artists! 

3. Providing material in advance

If a call is on the cards – which can be hugely helpful at times – we've found it's most sucessful when any relevant information is provided in advance over email.  

Calls are great ways to discuss, clarify and exchange ideas. If the key info has been digested beforehand it sets everyone up for a productive outcome. We've learned that it can take more time for some than others to process and formulate a helpful response on a call, and so this way you're also more likely to achieve what you need faster, and swerve any 'on the fly' mis-understandings. 

Written communication always feels best for me, even if there’s been a verbal discussion about a project. A concise follow up to these meetings can be really helpful because they can help me understand what is most important to the client, as well as making sure I’m not missing any info!

– Laina Deene, illustrator

4. Following up on email

Have you ever been on a zoom call, and were so distracted by your facial expressions that you can’t remember the details discussed? It's commonly said for various reasons it's harder to retain information given over video calls, but I personally can relate to this example!

Some will find information given verbally easier to retain than others. For some it can be difficult both listening and responding during conversation, leading to unhelpful answers. So following up with key points and actions will give everyone another chance to digest and respond with their considered thoughts.

Trust is key – my process comes to life in the making. I draft in the ‘third dimension’ and I like to be upfront about that. I used to push myself to work like everyone else with detailed drawings on paper, but it was exhausting – that’s just not how my creativity thrives. The best results come from leaning into my process.

– Jessica Dance, textile artist 

5. Creating clear schedules   

The creative process can be a bit of a Rubik's cube at times. There are often lots of people involved, each needing time to work and input at the right moments. There are people that excel at spinning lots of plates and can handle complicated logistical information as though second nature. And we're so grateful for them! :)

Creating clear, simple and (ideally) visual schedules are incredibly helpful tools all round. They can form the backbone of a project along with a conversation about the best way to collaborate, so that everyone knows what the expectations are at each milestone. 

Executive dysfunction is definitely a thing for me, so deadlines often serve as my best motivation—no matter how much I love the project itself..

– Enikő Eged , illustrator

6. Developing a safe space for questions  

And finally, we all know there are no silly questions, although what we've noticed is that neurodiverse artists can at times be particularly uncomfortable asking if they don’t understand something. Or some may find it hard to frame a question in a way that is received with the good intentions it was meant with.

It sounds obvious, but it's always useful for artists to hear that questions and suggestions are welcomed, especially if there is anything that could be done differently. Understanding and explicit permission at multiple stages can make a big difference, and provide valuable opportunities to learn from each other.  

Find us on Substack, Instagram & LinkedIn

Illustrations by Lena Yokoyama. 

Read More

London

New York