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$50,000 dollar hair.
First off, this isn’t meant to come off as egocentric, it’s just personal.
I had an interview today for a place I’d really like to work with. I was charismatic as usual and I thought it went really well. The pay was there as were benefits (woot!). I’d be working with a small intimate team on easily defined design needs. I knew the job was mine. Then the bottom dropped out. “How do you feel about your hair?” asked the interviewer. Imagine every slow motion, dramatic scene from Rocky when he takes that punch that stops the momentum. He was asking…
Independence… What a Concept!
Independence… What a Concept!
July 4th has always been my favorite holiday because it celebrates one of my favorite things. America.
In my mind, it has always stood out as the most successful brand launches of all time. Two-hundred and thirty-two years young this Friday and still going strong. The first of it’s kind. The brand that all others are measured by. At the heart of it’s success? Creative minds. Think about this while you enjoy your barbecue and beers. The founding fathers had to do some pretty fancy footwork to get a lot of people on-side with what they were trying…
Stepping Up
There was a great cover article in the June issue of Fast Company. Pull yourself away last years Black Book, The UTNE Reader and the local weekly alternative newspaper that turns you into an ink-stained wretch. Wash your hands and go read how the rock star ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky has undertaken the daunting task of trying to create a new audience for tech mega-giant Microsoft. Yes, those guys out in Redmond, Washington. They gave their $300 million consumer-branding business to the hottest shop right now: Crispin Porter + Bogusky. This article is why we creative types got…
GEORGE CARLIN
I was saddened when I woke up last Monday morning and heard the news that comedian George Carlin has passed away at age 71. Not a great a way to start the week hearing the news someone died and when it is someone whose work you’ve admired for four decades it was the type of bad news that will stop you in your tracks cold. George Carlin was one of the members of the comedic trinity that emerged in the early 1960’s, along with Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor. The way that Lenny Bruce skewered the political status quo and…
The Neverending Battle
It is quite possible that a majority of people get to a point in their lives where they’re done, or at least they feel they should be. “Done” in the sense that they’ve learned all there is to learn. As generic or cliché as it may seem, no one ever truly stops learning–to do so would mean literal and figurative death; mind atrophy. In my career as a Graphic Designer, I feel that I’ve come a long way, and yet still have a long way to go. I suspect that if I ever get to a point where I feel…
I can haz blog post?
Are you familiar with “lolcats”? (great lolcats here) If not you should be. Since the internet is 99% serious, lolcats can be a great diversion. If you haven’t googled it yet, lolcats are pictures of cats with baby-esque grammar used to make them sound kind of cute, and innocent. A friend of mine got on the lolcat topic earlier today and for some reason I thought of the Chick Fil A slogan. You know the one….”Eat Mor Chkin”. So that made me wonder which came first, the lolcat or the cows. As I read around it said that Time magazine…
SmilingJackasses.com
Alternate title: How Lifestyle Photography is Stealing My Soul
If you’re in advertising (how to tell: you’ve ever uttered/heard “Our client-partner wants to leverage the synergies of this campaign in a targeted, opt-in e-blast” and only thrown up a little bit of your morning Frappaccino®), you know what lifestyle photography is. If not, here’s a brief lesson:
How to identify lifestyle photography in two easy, yet redundant, steps:
1. Look at a print ad
2. Does the person in the ad make you think, “Why is that jackass smiling?”
If you answer “yes,” then you’re witnessing the unholy glory that is lifestyle photography. Formerly the…
I’m sorry…
I know…I haven’t posted this week. Don’t give me that look, I can’t help it. What? I’ve been really busy with a pitch coming up. Seriously, I have to fly out of town Monday morning. Yes, sometimes it gets hard to explain to loved ones the long hours and the missed birthdays…it’s a crazy world this advertising. And if it wasn’t so ingrained in our blood that we had to show three concepts (as fellow blog writer Jason Fox pointed out earlier), maybe we’d be a little more excited to show the one or two awesome ideas. Which thankfully, is…
Education Vs. Experience
The other day I stumbled on this article geared toward business people on how to choose a graphic designer for their design work. One of the things it said was to make sure the designer has a degree from a school that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and to make sure they were in different clubs or groups while in school.
It seems that from my experience corporate clients are more concerned about your educational background than anyone else. Most other clients want to look at your years of experience and portfolio. But I…
Why does everything always have to be “hip”
What is this phenomenon of agencies moving out of corporate centers and offices and into turn-of-the-century estates, pre-war apartments, industrial centers, parking lots, garbage dumps and whathaveyou. Ok so maybe the last two are a bit extreme. But still.
The result is a space that is gritty, chic, edgy, post-modern-neo-fabulous and totally unworkable.
If we’re all sitting in “Thought Pods” instead of cubicles exactly where in the hell am I supposed to put my schtuff. I’ve got samples, I’ve got trade pubs, I’ve got CDs and DVDs, important emails and lots of “pieces of flair” that all deserve to be on display. Like my kick-ass…
Which do you like better?
Good afternoon everybody. Today’s blog is going to be short and to the point. Do you prefer to work as a freelance artist or would you rather be employed by someone else? Please leave comments saying which you prefer and why!
I had no idea what kind of image to put up for this, so here is a picture of a rabbit with a pancake on its head.
Must Hate Straw Dogs
This is one of those things that goes without saying, yet bears repeating. Often. Daily even. Sometimes ad nauseam in a three-minute span during a meeting with fill-in-the-blank:
Never show anything you don’t want to see produced.
I don’t know why agencies feel inclined to show clients three concepts. I don’t know why teams feel compelled to show their CDs three ideas. It could be the rule of three, or perhaps we’re all fixated on providing, yes, value to our employers. One or two ideas just aren’t enough. But three? Now someone’s getting their money’s worth.
Except, of course, that that third idea…
That Bad Newspaper Aftertaste
In my last post, I mentioned how my previous two years were spent in the Advertising Production Department of a major Florida newspaper. My time there, fresh out of a Graphic Design training program, was quite formative in my career as a Graphic Artist (I previously secured a BFA in Illustration, but sought to expand my skill-base).
During my latter years at Ringling College of Art and Design,
I would read the postings for companies who were coming to campus to take a look at portfolios. The lines were long, and many of the jobs were for Graphic Designers. In all my…
“And she writes copy for the art directors…”
Oh really? And that wasn’t even the worst of it. The full description of my job title, given by someone in the media department to a new hire, went something like this…”So the art directors concept and come up with the ideas and then the copywriter will write to it…” Mind you I was busy picking my jaw up off the floor, so I didn’t hear the rest of this babble. And as my partner held me back, through gritted teeth I corrected my media friend. Or as he’s now known - foe. How do you work at an advertising agency and…
Video Games and Advertisers (my other feelings)
Last week I wrote about how the advertising industry/media doesn’t put their back into gaming like they do other forms of entertainment. This morning I saw another Talent Zoo blog saying that online gamers like in game advertising. Read it here. They do if it’s done correctly.
In game ads are understandable. Smart advertisers see that gamers are going to spend time in virtual worlds so if they want them to see their crap, they have to show it to them in their world. I have no problem with that as long as it’s applied correctly. In a fantasy game with swords,…
The Most Creative Challenge Of All… Part 3
So here you are, out of work. Even if it is your fault, remember it’s a mistake not a crime. (Unless you fragged your boss in the parking lot. But chances are the abusive s.o.b. probably deserved it.) A mistake means the only thing you’re guilty of is being human and that’s the biggest club in the world. You are allowed to screw up and make mistakes. Nobody likes to. Nobody wants to but the sooner you come to adopt a zen-like attitude about it, the easier it will be to move onto bigger and better things. Stay away from…
The Most Creative Challenge Of All… Part 2
So you’re looking for a job? It sucks the life out of you. You hate sneaking around like a criminal. It is keeping you up at night. It should. This is your career and your life. If you’re not going to take this seriously, what will you have an intensity for? That why this is most creative challenge of all. Your work you have covered. You know less is more and only show your best. Be on time, be professional, show very good communication skills because we in the communication business often don’t use or have the best communication skills.…
You Can’t Polish A Turd.
I’ve been doing logo’s and branding for a while but this past weekend a friend called me to ask if I wanted to do a small womens fitness magazine layout. I’ve been wanting to relearn Quark or InDesign for a while so I took the job. When I sat down to look at the demo that was made last month and started reading the articles for what I was about to produce all I could do was shake my head. The amount of info that these people wanted in this magazine was ridiculous. They could have made 3 months worth…
Frost it and Toss it!
Came across this nice little ditty courtesy of The Soup. It is absolutely required watching. Now I am a dog-owner and I would never, ever buy this product. Of course, my precious puppy lady is quite regular and not prone to messy accidents. Perhaps, if one had a dog with a weak stomach I can see how it might be a good idea. Might.
Which brings me to a possibly better idea. Why doesn’t someone introduce an Activia like substance for doggies. Food scientists, chemists, fungi-specialists…get on that!
But in the meantime this is still good for a laugh. It reminds me of one of…
The Most Creative Challenge Of All… Part 1
Looking for a new job has become an ordeal comparable to having a root canal done without anesthetic. You know it is going to hurt, but when you experience pain with every breath, something is really wrong. The circumstances that lead you back into the jungle looking to bag the “big one” are rarely ever enviable or something anyone ever looks forward to. To all the people that segue and transition from their last day on Friday to their first day on Monday, I say good luck to you and I’m genuinely happy for your good fortune. The rest of…
The United States of Obama?
Somebody at the Obama camp must have read my blog post about the American brand because today I turned the TV on and watched a few minutes of CNN and ran into this ditty of a seal plastered on the podium in front of Sen. Obama. Although I firmly believe in connecting with the American people, I feel that projecting ones self as the Seal of the United States of America is a little bit presumptive. Obama has been the greatest-branded presidential nominee in history, but this, I feel, is a little bit over the top. If you look real hard, you…
Cheatin’ a Legend
On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce once again failed to bestow a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to one of the industry’s most beloved and venerable actors – Cheeta the Chimpanzee.
Cheeta starred alongside Olympic champion Johnny Weissmuller in the Tarzan movies of the 30s and 40s. Today, he lives the life of a handsome simian of leisure at the C.H.E.E.T.A. Primate Sanctuary in lovely Palm Springs, CA, painting impressionistic art and enjoying Diet Coke. I should end up so lucky.
Cheeta is also, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest living non-human primate in the…
What’s all the ‘Commish’ about?
So it’s been three days now since the Celtics gave the Lakers a beat down. And unless you’ve been under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard the grumblings about the NBA games being fixed. NBA Commissioner had this to say in an interview with Ad Age – ”If any one fan legitimately holds some view questioning the integrity of our officials, we have work to do.” Well you are lucky Mr. Commissioner, it’s not any one fan, it’s a whole lotta fans. And I’m not talking the kind that cool you down either. (Read full article here.) Oh, and I…
Is “Hasselhoff” German for “Nose Hair”?
From the Dusseldorf, Germany, office of BBDO comes this campaign for Braun nose hair trimmers.
I think it’s brilliant, unlike the four people over at Ads of the World who ranked it a collective 5.5 out of 10. But what do they know? They’re probably not even in the target market. Which, sadly, I am. Thanks for the pastiness and inconvenient body hair, dad.
Later,
Fox
It’s Hump Day alright…
My favorite definition on Urban Dictionary is #7 – “Occurs on the fourth floor, north wing between 12pm and 1pm every Wednesday!” I personally gave it a thumbs-up and don’t know why more people have not. Do they not get it? I’ll save you all my graphic explanation but come on people! The most boring definition has 688 thumbs-up – what is this world coming to? And yes, this is what creatives do when they’re not working. Or as I like to think of it – clearing my mind so that next great idea can have ample room to pop in…
Seriously.
I was using Skype today and got this IM…..
[3:01:02 PM] SysNotice ® says: WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================
ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !
Affected Software:
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns
Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately
Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.
An instant message designed to look like an ad. Seriously folks, why would anyone believe this? I thought those days…
Because I’m cool like that
Yep, I’m going to share with you all one of my favorite card shops – Street Cards. They are based out of London and they are funny as bloody hell. In between jobs, need to change the way you pick-up on the ladies, cat got your tongue, need a quirky invite? You name it, these standard business sized cards can be used for about anything you can dream up. Their talented designers already do half the work for you – with their designs featured on one side (you get to pick the art) and the other side is yours to…
Video Games and Advertising
I’m amazed at how the advertising industry stands by and watches blockbuster game releases get by without the media penetration all other types of entertainment get. Gaming isn’t just a niche anymore. It has been growing for the last 30 years and has been maturing. Children of the 80’s who had a Nintendo or Sega Genesis most likely now own a PS3, Wii, or Xbox 360. Take a look at this USATODAY.com survey from 2004.
What does the gaming industry have to do to be placed on the same pedestal as print or film? Most of the attention that gaming gets is from blowhards…
The average wedding costs $20,000…..
Now this is one classy ad. Some of the best advertising is done for the wedding industry. And seeing as how I’m getting married in T-Minus 2.5 months (oh.my.god.) I’ve been inundated with it all incessantly from family, friends, acquaintances, people I’ve only known for five minutes, people I’ve never met at all, and the like..
And I’m not even a “wedding” person. No I’ve never fantasized about my dream wedding, so of course when I got engaged, I picked up my very first copy of Brides because I needed ideas, you know. And boy did I get them. Ads, ads, ads and…
I’d love my job if it wasn’t for the clients
We’ve all had clients that were less than pleasant to work with, it just comes with the territory I guess. But the best thing about having clients from hell is being able to tell your friends and colleagues the crazy horror stories after it’s all said and done.
At Clientcopia that’s what the site is about. Everyone shares their best client horror stories. Once you start reading, it’s really hard to stop. It’s a great way to waste the last part of the day.
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