Ben James, Creative Director at JWT fielded a question about what sort of rules an agency has to follow as they go about drafting and executing their lofty and creative ideas. Ben responded frankly:

“Fuck the rules. Break the rules.”

Creatives feed of their inherently rebellious nature, often resenting authority figures that try to place restrictions on everything. A youth in revolt, a counterculture, a revolution; is often sparked by creatives.

I know this contrarian instinct runs through my veins, I’ve been told as much by the people in my life. However, sometimes I break the rules for no reason. Sometimes I find myself breaking the rules, not because I disagree with them, but because I was told that I couldn’t. This behavior will not sustain my career.

My strategy in finding the happy medium between following rules and rejecting authority will be the greatest obstacle on my journey. The line between balance and chaos is one that the industry itself is still battling with. It will be my career goal to rectify this with myself and succeed because of the compromises I make. I will search for all the right reasons to break all the wrong rules.

- James Vos