Challenging oneself ...
Hello,
I’m introspective by nature. What this means is that I like to regularly stop and challenge what I’m doing and why. And I think I’ve brought a little of this introspection to RedBubble. Over the last two weeks the team has been challenging our thinking about community and culture. What sort of culture do we have and is it the culture we’d like to foster? It’s been a great process – and the nett result isn’t a big change … rather it’s a reaffirmation of some of the things that were important to us when we first started RedBubble. Here are some words that we wrote in December 2006 ... things really haven’t changed. In fact today we’ll be releasing some new community guidelines and the introduction for the guidelines is:
People are inherently creative. Deep down, most of us love to come up with new ideas, express who we are, or take a different perspective on the world around us.
We see this in children. Remember chalk on the footpath, crayon on the walls, or a painting stuck proudly to the fridge with a magnet. Kids love stories, they love learning about new things, they ask obvious yet somehow overlooked questions.
So why do so many of us lose this spark? Is there something about growing up that leads us to become wary of our creativity? Do we lose the creative ability? Or does it just get buried amidst the responsibilities, worries and priorities of adult life?
Whatever the reason, RedBubble was founded with a burning desire to bring creative expression back to the forefront of our lives. The desire to nurture and encourage creativity permeates RedBubble – including the atmosphere and culture of the community.
We’re firmly of the view that the best way to encourage creative exploration and expression is through positive reinforcement. A supportive and encouraging community can do wonderful things for someone who’s taking their first creative steps after a long hiatus. Or for someone trying out a new technique. Or for someone who’s shy with their work.
First and foremost the RedBubble community is about encouragement and support. We believe in the power of positive reinforcement.
RedBubble is also a place to be inspired, meet like minded folks, exchange ideas, learn, make friends and more. But the foundation of the community is it’s supportive and encouraging nature.
And as you start, or continue, on you RedBubble journey please keep this in mind.
Paul, Martin and Peter
RedBubble Founders
The new guidelines will go out later today and for anyone who’s interested in a sneak preview you can find them here
I’d be interested in your reflections on the culture of the RedBubble community – how would you describe it?
- Peter
Darren Stones
There’s a strong sense of generosity here. When people are given the opportunity to volunteer their time and donate they step up to the plate. This is a part of the RedBubble culture that I feel needs to be nurtured, along with the encouraging commentary people provide.
Receiving is good, but giving is better.
Alison Johnston
I’m sure you’ve already picked this up ….... What Do To If Things Start Getting Heated …. should it read …. What To Do If Things Start Getting Heated.
I have a tendency to agree with Darren.
georgieboy98
Peter, I think you have summed up what it is that has drawn me into RedBubble to the exclusion of all the other sites I have been a part of over the last dozen or so years. “Encouragement and Support” has hit the nail on the head and I think another description would be “Enthusiasm and Excitement” I’ve been a member for nearly 2 years and have never before been able to put a finger on what it is about RB that makes it so addictive and the first site I visit every day. You’ve nailed it buddy and my congratulations on the great job you are all doing.
Regards to all,
Peter
John Robb
I would think that the community is one that is remote and sometimes distant and fractured – there is a lack of effective communication between members. For a site that deals with art and the way it communicates to others it makes me wonder if we can’t find some “glue” in the future.
bygeorge
I have to agree with Darren words. With reflection… though my first few months with RB were virtually unsupported – I now have a healthy respect for most of this community and appreciate the work done by the RB team to a high degree. The culture fostered here is supportive and generous. Being a part of this community has helped my path of recovery in more ways than I can, or wish, to mention here.
Help is from the heart… not the hand… by George!
Jan Timmons
I think georgieboy98 said it for me. I’ve tried several sites before RB. I like the large size that still offers the chance to affiliate with and get to know certain folk, or strike out in a new photographic direction by observing. Nice of you to solicit feedback. – Jan
Edge-of-dreams
It’s good to be here. I feel inspired and encouraged by all those who have left comments on my work. Other photo sharing websites just lacked warmth.
Mel Brackstone
Redbubble has been a very nurturing site from day one, as it grows it can be a little harder to see a path to follow, but anyone who is prepared to look around and find like-minded artists will benefit from the outstanding communities within communities that are available here.
The people who have the best experiences are generally the ones who jump in with both feet, make themselves known to others, and have fun doing it. Good humour goes a long way to making friends here. I bless the day I finally signed up, and the people who urged me to.
Your extraordinary vision in bringing this site to fruition has opened up a whole new world for hundreds of thousands of people who may have otherwise just disappeared into mundane ordinary lives. We have been enriched by the ability to see and share the many and varied forms of art and writing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Barry W King
RedBubble is a great community and I’m happy to be a part of it.
I’ve met some of the most wonderful people here, more than on any other site.
All the functions are really easy to use, navigating throughout the site is easy too.
This past week members were willing to help me out with a concern I posted on the forums and their help and advice was invaluable to me.
The kindness and inspiration of members and staff is what keeps me here, and if it wasn’t for Redbubble I wouldn’t be on the path of art and photography that I am on now, I’d be stuck in one form of art…and for that I owe RedBubble a debt of gratitude.
Here’s to the journey…may it be long and prosperous for all….
Bear
Kieron Nolan
Personally I’ve learnt a lot from other members. I’ve been inspired, I’ve learnt where and how to find models for shoots, I’ve got great tips about equipment issues and I’ve learnt a lot about shot settings for different results.
I’ve taken a back seat during some heated discussions lately and watched with interest. I’m encouraged by RB’s response today
Sam Dantone
It is kind of like the real world,
There are amazing beautiful people, some who are outstanding artists, who put forth gratitude, generosity and all around goodness…
,,, and there are a lot of others who by default of their ignorance cause the rest of us to pay for them…
I am very proud of being a part of the bubble, and I thank you for this wonderful site…
Sam Dantone
MuscularTeeth
Redbubble is the single friendliest website ive ever encountered. If you maintain the culture of friendship, happy competition and helping one another, redbubble will stay on top
MuscularTeeth
however i should also point out, im rarely in the forums, which appears to be a slightly different animal.
DragonFlyer
I think Sam Dantone has said it all for me. I’ll also back Mel’s comments about RB supporting those who ‘jump all the way in’ and go for it, make friends, and apply a good dose of good humour along the way.
This site is big enough that it is reasonably possible to find your own ‘niche’ with like minded people, who are extraordinarily generous and friendly, and avoid as much as possible those who are disruptive or any of us just doesn’t ‘click’ with.
But, MuscularTeeth is right – the community forums are a VERY different matter.
Di Edwards
A couple of years ago I did a course called “Right Brain Genius” that teaches you to re-awaken the side of your brain that is dominant as a child but which we suppress as we get older. Red Bubble embraces the right brain and encourages people to express themselves through various mediums using creativity.
Red Bubble is an amazing place and I am very proud of how it has helped me to evolve as an artist.
Thank you RB!
Evita
Most of what I feel and think has been said before me… but I will say this I love it here
I too have been to other sites.. I find that Rb has helped me to feel more confident about myself and experiment more….and more importantely I learned a lot from other members…. also I like the interaction of admin with members… something that I haven’t encounter on others sites !
So A big thank you to you guys from me ! ♥