Sounds kinda like you’re the PR guy, kinda.
Nope, we have a Communications Director who handles PR, communications flow, etc.
I’m the “Creative Director” at our church, but the title only fits what I do about 10% of the time. I don’t stress about it, though. There’s no title that I could throw at someone that would make them understand what I do without a couple minutes of follow-up description.
So, how about Deputy Chief Generator of Awesome?
I sort of agree with PR guy, but again it seems inadequate and even slightly inaccurate.
ala Disney, I suggest Imagineer…
per Wikipedia: “Walt Disney Imagineering is now the research and development arm of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, no longer a division of Walt Disney Productions. Imagineering also includes Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, the company which utilizes Imagineering techniques among others to create shows, fireworks displays and parades at the Disney theme parks which are significant enough not to be developed by the entertainment studios at that theme park.
\An Imagineer (officially known as a Walt Disney Imagineer), is an employee of Walt Disney Imagineering, or any other employee of The Walt Disney Company given that title. Nearly all Imagineers work at the headquarters in Glendale, California, developing ideas and attractions for Disney parks. During the construction of a major project, Imagineers sometimes are deployed to work on-site for six months to a year.
Imagineers may include artists, writers, architects, landscape architects, engineers, model builders, construction managers, technicians and designers. Past Imagineers include Alan Kay, Bran Ferren, Robert Swirsky, J. Robert Sewell, Lee Adams and Danny Hillis.”
Or CIO – Chief Imaginative Officer
From my years of (non-agency) marketing experience – the creative director title is PERFECT for your position!
Director of Communications doesn’t exactly fit in your case… If you are more involved in the “marketing strategy” of NewSpring and the overall development of marketing plans and programing – I would go with Director of Marketing (or Marketing Director).
Creative Director is a great fit from my more corporate perspective.
My title is “Marketing Communications Manager” and I do a lot of branding and marketing research, provide creative direction for projects, lead teams and committee etc…
Hope that helps just a little bit!
Your own dialogue has defined your position as no one else can…Creative Director…
The words you used fall into two basic categories:
the typical creative defining ones that one would expect…
initiator/initiates, create ideas, overall design, branding, web design, strategy
and then the ones that allude to or actually define directing that may be less noticeable sometimes but no less important…
interacts with client (in this case, NewSpring’s entire staff), tension, lack of cohesion, ultimately we share across roles, they (meaning you) are the filter, burden of direction
You truly are the Creative Director in that you have assumed a sort of Heart of the Matter position…you have the industry knowledge of what a CD does and have modified that role to suit the ‘proclivities’ of both your current employer who happens to be your client.
You are the Creator of Ideas, but you are also the Filter to your client and co-workers. You have both the desire, passion, and might I say skill, to direct and assist those with whom you are working to be the best at using their skills in communicating ‘across roles’ and through the ‘tension.’ You have the ability to set aside your own personal ego, and help remind them that they are ‘not here to create a portfolio’ (one of the wisest pieces of advice a CD could give, I think), and even though creative energy may not always be directed in the way one wants at times, you have the ability to assist in making sure that everyone is always able to keep focused on the job at hand so that the client is best served in the end.
Isn’t that what Creative Directors do?
My Mom comments on my blog. Does your Mom comment on your blog? No?
Joshua: 1. Everyone else: 0.
your a throwback player / coach. like in the nba or mlb. directs the team and oversees, and also plays a critical role.
there should be more player / caoaches in agencies, firms, and sports. there has been too much seperation…
you could be more art director
wikipedia:
Various artists may create or develop specific parts of an art piece or scene; but a sole art director unifies the vision. In particular, the art director is in charge of overall visual appearance and how it communicates visually, stimulates moods, contrasts features, and psychologically appeals to a target audience. The art director makes decisions about visual elements used, what artistic style to use, and when to use motion.
Or you could have fun with things.
designer of things, leader of creatives
I like your moms comment, creator of ideas.
I think your mom has nailed this on the head (which is awesome, by the way).
Your current title does make the most sense, though I’d be willing to throw a couple more into the mix.
It sounds like you lead or manage the creative momentum on the communications team more than you direct it. I know the term manager has negative connotations, but it sounds like a possible title could be Creative Manager. You’re managing ideas and creations. You’re filtering them into the best possible solution.
Another alternative could be Creative Lead. You’re leading the creation of something bigger than yourself. Every team needs a leader to collate input, cut out the fat, and deliver a deliciously edible steak. Maybe Creative Chef works better with that imagery.
i feel you.
maybe you can have fun with it.
creative president
communications czar
Yeah right, churches dont like fun titles.
About The Author
I'm a graphic designer and sometimes writer living in Anderson, South Carolina. I serve as the Design Director for NewSpring Church. I love Jesus, my wife, Levi's Jeans, good Tex-Mex, and 8oz glass bottle Coca-Cola Classic. On good days I love them roughly in that order. Email me.
Job Titles Are Meaningless, But the Naming of Things Matters
Mon 05/18/09
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking we already covered this, you weirdo. But no, again I go with the job titles thing. Call it a pet project; I thirst for complete knowledge of the topic. It is my white whale, and I am its Ahab.
Let me throw a situation out at you. A few years ago I was in one type of work environment, mainly agency-type places with a very set structure and clear hierarchy. Everyone knew the top, the bottom, and all the clearly labeled rungs in between. Then I transitioned into a different work environment, one more wide than tall, more collaborative than creatively authoritative. There aren’t many rungs, and a proclivity for climbing isn’t part of the DNA (or mine for that matter).
On paper, I’m the Creative Director at NewSpring Church. But here’s the rub: NewSpring doesn’t really have a Creative Director. And the more I think about it, I don’t think we ever have, despite the fact that I’ve held that title for half of our existence. Let me explain…
In agency world, a Creative Director usually has a design or writing background and interacts with the client to create ideas, approaches and treatments that are typically implemented by designers and copywriters on their team. They’re the filter, and often the initiator of the idea. It’s fairly clear, and intensely hierarchical. But at NewSpring, no one person does that. Or to put it better, a lot of people do that. There’s tension. There are often (much to my dismay) minor lacks of cohesion. But ultimately we share the process and burden of creative direction across a lot of roles on our team. Which is cool, especially considering we’re the “client,” too.
That brings me squarely back to the job title thing (“from hell’s heart I stab at thee!”) and my situation. At NewSpring I handle overall design, branding, some copywriting, and web design/strategy. But I’m admitting the traditional Creative Director role doesn’t exist in our environment, so what* am I?
*I have an idea of what I am, but I want to hear your feedback.