Some people thrive in order. I thrive in a little chaos—the creative kind.
Not the panic kind, or the deadline-is-burning kind, but the kind of chaos that happens when brilliant, wildly different minds collide to make something bigger than any one of us could imagine alone.
In creative teams, things rarely go according to plan—and I love that. The process is messy, unpredictable, and full of curveballs. But in the mess – that soup – there’s magic. Ideas evolve, people stretch, and something real emerges—not perfect, but alive.
The Magic of Messy Collaboration
Some of my favorite moments in animation weren’t about smooth pipelines or perfect schedules—they were when I was crammed in a small space with smart, creative people figuring out problems together.
When we were building our start-up at Surfer Jack, the writers, storyboard artists, and production team shared a small building—close quarters in the best way. We’d shout questions across rooms, pull chairs into tight corners, and spontaneously brainstorm story solutions. There was a constant, buzzy and happy energy—no silos, no hierarchy, just a group of people solving problems and building something fantastical together.
I loved that. The flow of ideas, the freedom to throw out half-baked thoughts knowing someone else would catch them and shape them into something better—or let them go. That’s where real creativity lives.
Story summits are another kind of beautiful chaos. There’s something about being in a room where no one is precious with their ideas, where it’s a free-for-all of creativity and trust. People build off each other’s thoughts, personal anecdotes get woven into characters and worlds, and everyone’s unique perspective enriches the value systems and environments we’re shaping. No one’s working in isolation—we’re all helping one another see more clearly, feel more deeply, and create more meaningfully.
Why Messy Doesn’t Mean Dysfunctional
There’s a misconception that chaos equals disorganization—but I think it’s more about knowing when to let things get messy and when to help bring clarity back in.
In a creative team, mess is part of the process. Not everything is going to land. Not every idea is going to work. But the willingness to explore, to throw things at the wall, to trust the group and the process and not take anything personally—that’s where innovation comes from. That’s where authenticity in storytelling is born.
We’re not chasing perfection. We’re chasing possibility—the way one idea can spark another, how the storyboard team can enhance what the writers put on the page, and how the writers can focus the story, words, and world to tell the strongest version possible, knowing they can trust the team to catch the ball, build on it, and take it somewhere unexpected—and better.
Once the music team comes in, we trust that they can elevate what’s already there—adding emotion, rhythm, and atmosphere that transforms the story again. It’s a chain reaction of creativity, each layer enhancing the last, with everyone bringing their strengths to make something richer than any one part alone.
When we ship the work overseas, I’ve seen how inviting collaboration instead of locking down every detail can lead to delightful surprises. On several productions, we’ve given our overseas partners room to problem-solve and show their creativity, and the results often exceed expectations or at the very least add small little details that help make the show more charming. Letting everyone have ownership over the process does wonders for morale and pride in the final product. And honestly? There’s a lot of love that comes through when that happens—and I think the audience can feel it too.
As someone who works on the production side, I love being the bridge—a person who holds space for the chaos but also knows when it’s time to wrangle it. I love watching people shine in their zone of genius and helping them bounce ideas, connect dots, and feel safe enough to experiment. It’s not about controlling the process—it’s about supporting it so people can do their best, most joyful work.
Collaboration is Why I Stay
At the end of the day, I don’t stay in animation for the spreadsheets (although I do love beautifully presented data). I stay because of the people, and because of the ideas that come alive when we build together – even in the mess, there’s laughter, discovery, and connection.
Collaborative chaos is something I enjoy—not in spite of the mess, but because of it. Because the process of shaping something together, of taking raw ideas and refining them into story, is a kind of magic that’s only possible when everyone brings what they love and excel at, and trusts it will be enough.
And it always is.
Next Steps:
How to Handle Creative Feedback Without Taking It Personally
(Learn how thoughtful critique strengthens collaboration—and how to stay grounded through the feedback loop.)
The Story We Tell Ourselves: How Self-Worth Affects Creativity in Animation & Art
(A deeper look at how personal narratives and self-worth shape the way we work, create, and collaborate.)
Christy Heyob | Building Worlds, Stories & Creative Teams 
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