Just had to share this with you – hilarious. BTW Monty Python has increased their DVD-Sales
{ 0 comments }
From the category archives:
Notes
If you are asking this question, then the answer is “no”. Why? You are never in the position to ask this question and if you do it you are not worthy for any client because you are to arrogant. Simple isn’t it. I’m inspired to write this through Seth Godin, the word “deserving” is really huge and in today’s business world I would never use this word. The only phrase, and it is a phrase, I would say is ok with this word is “Everyone gets the client he deserves.” There is much truth in this saying and you should be aware of it from time to time.
If you are complaining about your clients think what you did to get them – did they come to you or did you run after them. Don’t complain that a client is lousy if you run after him to get the job. There was a reason why you run after the job – it doesnt matter if you wanted it for the money of the fame, no that you’ve got it be happy with it and live with the consequences.
If the clients came to you with the job then you had a chance to say no. I must admit that sometimes you can’t work together with some clients and that you have to quit the relationship. But don’t complain during a project, make a mental note to quit after the job is done and go ahead. It’s always better to finish a job without the “hate” always in mind.
{ 0 comments }
Your target group might be blind for your advertising
Offline campaigns do not always convert well to online
Being online is state of the art, actually is a mass medium these days. If you are looking at statistics you may think that everyone uses the internet in one way or another. This is a short story about a nearly failed campaign – and we all know, we learn from our failures, not from successes. Find out why you should not always believe statistics. …click here to continue…
{ 0 comments }
Browsing the web I’ve discovered IncSpring - a site who claims to sell:
Full Brand Identity Packages – Logos, names, domains and more for sale by creatives around the world
It’s a creative description of a stock-agency for logos, domain names, and brand names. The prices are accessible (ok some are too high), the logos well drawn, the site nicely designed. So do I recommend it? Yes and no – there are a few hiccups:
- A brand is more than just a logo/name/domain combination, much more
- Most logos are just presented in the colour version (RGB!!), no negative or single color version
- You just get the logo, not a corporate design – and have no option to “upgrade”
- The names are obviously not personalized, you label yourself
- Some names sound nice, but you don’t know if they are already registered – and if I pay 500-2500$ for a logo and name I want to be sure that this name can be used in my country in my industry.
Recommended for a company? Probably not.
At first I would recommend it for very small firms who don’t need a full blown corporate design and just want to get a name and logo from the shelf. But when I think that this company probably is not aware about the brand registration regulations and may get in trouble.
A small to mid-sized company needs in my opinion more than just a logo/name/domain combination – and for 2500$ you can find a easily a local designer (or on the internet) who gives you a personalized service. This way the company gets a name which tells their story and they can endorse. At the end they have to live with it.
Recommended for graphic designers? Don’t know..
As an art director or graphic designer the opportunity to sell a free work is quite nice. I would want to know how many visitors has the site, the average selling price and the legal stuff – how about payments to designers outside of the USA. If you have lying around some logos and can come up with a nice name you can try to sell them here. But I would not (like specialized stock-photographer do) create content specially for this portal. I think this time could be better invested in getting direct clients. Getting direct clients will allow you to enter business through a logo design and continue working on the rest of their communication – long term relationship is the keyword here.
So you should decide for yourself it is worth trying. I will scan my libraries and give it maybe a shot – will keep you updated.
{ 1 comment }
I have found today this video about a typical interview of a focus group in the stone age. First watch the video, then read my comments.
Ok, it’s a campaign of DraftFCB – an advertising holding. It’s ment against clients, who seem to be too stupid to understand the great idea. But this is the classic view of a creative department towards clients. The client doesn’t get it – but its the right solution for him.
Now you as a creative, an art director or agency have to ask yourself three questions:
- Did I miss the point, misunderstand the briefing or my research on the market was wrong?
- Do I have the right solution, but in the execution I’ve gone too far? Do only “creatives” get it this way?
- Did I get it right, but my presentation was so weak, that the idea did not come across?
If you respond to any of this questions with yes, go ahead and start over.
If you fail on the first question you propably didn’t do a rebriefing.
If you fail on the second you probably applied too high standards on the “receiver” end – assuming that you understand the meaning does not imply that your client or his clients will get it. If you present to a focus group ask yourself if the focus group is the correct one.
If you didn’t present well you killed your idea by yourself.
And to switch sides another time 
If you are really sure about your idea and you client will not buy it, then try to sell it to its competitor. They will probably don’t buy it either, unless you tell him, that its competitor didn’t want it and if he takes it he will differentiate himself.
{ 0 comments }
Fonts are the key to bringing the message to your reader. I will not bore you with explaining you the importance of typography, but I can tell you that I love well designed type and even though I’m not obsessed (ok, a little bit) with fonts and typrography, I hate working with poor “developed” fonts…you read right, fonts are not only designed but must also be developed just like software. …click here to continue…
{ 2 comments }
I stumbled across this advertising for a custom gift card producer. First watch it, then I tell you why I like it so much.
I like this spot, because it shows you what you can do with the product rather then braging about the technical aspects. To use the 3D-Card to show a before and after is not very creative (is ment to do that), but to tell a story where the twist is caused by the features the card has is very clever.
One small flaw is in the spot. How did the postman know that he is the right person? There was no stamp and no address on the back?
{ 0 comments }
Scholz & Friends, abig german advertising Group made this little animation how advertising in the old days compares to today. Very ne at and you can’t explain it a simpler way.
Found through prometeo
{ 0 comments }
I found in a strategy presentation of a client a few nice inputs. Most of the time we stand in our own way because we don’t think like winner. There is a lot of literature about having success and so forth, but you can boil it down to this: Reframe
And here some examples:
- The winner has always a plan.
The loser has always an excuse. - The winner says: “Can I help you with that.”
The loser says: “This is not my job.” - The winner finds a solution to any problem.
The loser finds in every solution a problem. - The winner says: “It might be difficult, but it is possible.”
The loser says: “It is possible, but it is too difficult.” - The winner is always part of the solution.
The loser is always part of the problem. - The winner sees the glass half full.
The loser sees the glass half empty.
{ 0 comments }
Let’s call it a supporting evidence to our last lesson about letting your inner child help you. Tim Brown, CEO of Ideo, speaks on the “Serious Play” conference. In 20 Minutes you get with many examples and ideas (and some games) why it is so important to act like a child in certain moments.
BTW: I found this speech at TED, a great site with many interesting speeches. I’m sure to pick the ones that interest “us” most and show them here for you.
{ 0 comments }
