The core principle
The workspace reflects the artist. Even when you contribute (adding to releases, refining mood boards, helping with preferences), everything should feel like it belongs to them.
Think of yourself as a collaborator on their album, not a co-author of their identity.
What to contribute
High-value contributions:
Adding images to a release's mood board (in its Creative tab) that match their direction
Helping fill in preferences they might not think to add (touring preferences, gear, content style)
Building or refining release plans and tasks in a release's Strategy tab
Drafting content ideas for them to review
Organizing release logistics (dates, milestones, release checks)
The test: Would the artist look at this and say "yes, that's me" or "that's what I wanted"? If so, go for it.
What to leave alone (or discuss first)
Sensitive areas:
Identity: these answers are deeply personal. Suggest additions rather than editing what's there.
The vision board: add complementary images, but don't remove or replace their originals without asking.
A release's creative concept: this is their creative vision. Offer input in conversation, not by overwriting.
The rule: If it expresses who they are (not just what they're doing), talk about it before changing it.
Using Apollo to align
Apollo can be a neutral party when you and the artist aren't sure what direction to take.
"Based on [artist]'s identity, which of these two concepts fits better?"
"We're debating between X and Y for the rollout. What do you recommend?"
"What would [artist]'s audience expect from this release based on their past content?"
This shifts the conversation from "my opinion vs yours" to "what fits the artist's identity." Apollo grounds the discussion in what they've already defined.
Collaboration best practices
Do:
Read their Context before contributing, so you understand their vision first
Add, don't overwrite. Build on what's there.
Discuss big changes with the artist before making them (chat, call, in person)
Frame suggestions as options, not directives ("What if we tried..." not "We should...")
Ask Apollo for recommendations you can bring to the artist
Don't:
Rewrite Identity answers without discussion
Delete their mood board images to replace them with "better" ones
Make major release changes without giving them a heads-up
Assume you know their creative direction better than they do
When to defer to the artist
Even if you disagree, some calls are theirs to make:
Creative direction: if they feel strongly about an aesthetic or concept, that's their domain
Personal voice: how they describe themselves, their music, their story
Risk tolerance: how much they want to experiment vs play it safe
Your job is to present options, share perspective and support their decisions, even when you'd choose differently.
Staying aligned over time
As releases evolve, check in with the artist:
"Does this still feel like you?"
"Anything in the workspace that doesn't fit anymore?"
"What should I be helping with more? Less?"
Collaboration works best when it's ongoing, not set-and-forget.
Tip
Before making any significant contribution, ask Apollo:
"Based on their identity and vision board, would this [content idea / visual direction / strategy] feel aligned?"
It's a quick check that helps you stay on track.