TONL x Anomaly: The Changing Faces of Creativity
Inclusivity is when all voices are not just represented, but heard. It’s about seeing ourselves and each other more clearly and more authentically, as Jezz Chung, Diversity and Engagement Lead at Anomaly puts it. It is with this conviction that Jezz lead the collaboration in bringing together TONL and creative agency Anomaly to address the changing face of creativity. As a company driven by innovation and entrepreneurialism, Anomaly understands that embracing change is a necessary part of growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share stories centered around bringing your authentic self to work, the importance of creating community, the intersections of our identities, and inclusion in action from over 30 people of varying identities from Anomaly’s New York, Toronto and LA offices.
In NYC, Anomaly’s largest office, the people we spoke to expressed a sense of appreciation for being in an environment that fosters a celebration of cultural identity. This is reflected in the growth of affinity groups at companies like Anomaly, where internal community is fostered through monthly events and initiatives like Unreasonable Women, Black Student Union, and Pride. But a sense of community doesn’t create immunity against the isolating feelings that can come from being an outlier in spaces that unconsciously cater to the straight, cis, masculine, white, upper class, and able bodied. This is why the conversations around inclusion have only scratched the surface. We have more work to do before we see positive sentiments translate to truly equitable environments.
The advertising, media, and creative industries are experiencing a seismic shift, mirroring the cultural shift happening with the increasing visibility of historically underrepresented voices. A creative agency’s mission is to push culture forward for the brands they work with. And culture can’t be pushed without being understood. The people we spoke with are the catalysts behind this changing culture, whether they realize it or not. Their existence is part of a creative renaissance. A theme that emerged during our conversations with people across multiple disciplines— from strategy to design to user experience— was the inability to judge a person based solely on their visible identity. We launched this narrative collection with a gallery event titled “Beyond Face Value” as a message to the nuanced stories carried within each person, regardless of the box they check under race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability.
As you read their interviews, we ask that you keep this in mind. That identity is nuanced, complicated, and can’t be distilled into a descriptor that conveys the complexity of their experiences. That no one person is the spokesperson for their culture or community. We hope this encourages you to get curious about the people you work with to gain a deeper knowing of what makes us similar, what makes us different, and what happens when we feel understood.
Read parts 1 , 2 and 3 for more highlights on topics of identity and community from Anomaly New York’s employees and don’t forget to browse and shop images in the “The Changing Faces of Creativity” Collection below!