whole in my head

7 Keys to happiness (by my 9 year old son)

2010-06-10T02:37:00.000-07:00

1. Have a backup plan (in case the creative director thing doesn't work out)

2. Get up early, have breakfast while watching TV - Not the news.

3. Don’t fall asleep with your elbow in your milk.

4. Spend some time playing with your toys. You can use mine if you want.

5. Do something smart.

6. Don’t be stupid.

7. Don’t smile if you get yelled at.

HTML5, can we talk?

2010-06-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

HTML5 promises to allow users to experience rich multimedia ads without ever leaving their browser. The question is: can HTML5 finally allow the user to talk to the advertiser? Let’s hope.

Imagine this: A user opens an ad for a product that piques their interest – BlastoClean – caffeine-laced, hot cinnamon-flavored mouthwash. They first get a well-produced video piece that educates and entertains. Then they have choices: learn more about the product in an interactive game; find out where to buy it based on their location (mobile and/or computer GPS); access a coupon to use at one of the nearby locations or… ready?… comment on the ad’s content!

“I love the video, and I love the idea of caffeine in my mouthwash, but do I have to swallow it to get the buzz?”

Miles away, a fresh-faced employee of BlastoClean gets the user’s question and replies directly through the ad, “Our studies show that the caffeine doesn’t have to be swallowed to be effective. Why not try a bottle on us. Use the coupon on the ad at Nick’s Pharmacy, which seems to be closest to where you are right now.”

Two things happen at this precise moment. 1.) Our ad-viewer is impressed with the response from the advertiser – they really care about his/her question. 2.) Our BlastoClean employee feeds the information up the chain to Product Development where a Senior Chemist smacks himself in the forehead for not realizing people don’t swallow mouthwash.

The world changed when consumers started commenting about brands, but not every brand has put more than a toe in the ocean. A few months ago a very talented brand manager told me he didn’t trust the whole commenting vortex. He didn’t want to run the risk of a loudmouthed commenter hijacking a thread about his product so he would only get negative feedback. Understandable position.

Marketing’s evolution could go in a very positive direction if the viewer can comment from within an ad so the advertiser can get real customer information.

I'm in love with the idea of running interactive ad engagements inside passionate communities where the brand can access people’s ideas about their brand. The thinking will come from the people who have the highest potential of loving the brand, and thereby influencing others to love it. Brands could get comments on an upcoming ad campaign or thoughts on their brand’s real attributes or why their competitor might hold an advantage in the consumers’ minds.

HTML5, are you open to the conversation?

Epic ad = epic creativity

2010-05-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the spot that AdFreak voted #1 in its Epic Ads compendium. The statement that accompanies the post is, “If this ad doesn't give you chills, you have antifreeze for blood.” Combine vision, storytelling, cinematography, music and enough time to let it all breathe together and this is the kind of “work” that makes being a marketer seem like a little less questionable endeavor.

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - RGM version

2010-03-03T21:44:00.001-08:00

Outrageously creative and entertaining music video from OK Go and evidently a lot of people, time and space.

Your community can generate more than just conversation

2009-11-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

During a conversation with my fellow business partners this morning I used the phrase above to describe how we help our clients. Within a few minutes the phrase was repeated by one of the partners. Then it was repeated by the other. By the end of the conversation it had become a rallying cry, putting a fine focus on our business offering.

It’s amazing what a few days off can do for our creative mind’s ability to speak, hear and recognize things of value.

More to come.

Simple strategies for crowd alchemy

2009-09-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

Spark a conversation with the right people: Some people don't see the lion in the sidecar. Some people do. Those are the people who will remember it and talk about it. Now imagine a brand is the lion.

Walk the talk: Call it Open Source, Crowd Source, Communal Creativity, the idea is the same. The company Equiposition is looking to the community to share in creating a service for modern marketers. They're looking to answer the quesion: Will the idea of a trust community be flexible enough to encompass the free sharing of ideas to create a company?

The truth shall set you free: There are groups/tribes of people who are either willing to embrace change, yearning to keep things like they were or are unable or unwilling to move because they feel the train may have already left the station. The same groups could have subsets based on integrity. Those willing to change are unafraid to tell the truth about a brand experience. Those who yearn to keep the status quo may be concerned that being honest might invite negative comments, crowd-sourcing might lead to clients running stupid advertising or worse yet cost-effective, intelligent competition. Those who feel they're being left behind may not be sure how to discern integrity in the chaos of the explosion of words around them. The news that Unilever has dropped Lowe in favor of IdeaBounty for ad ideas for Peperami is an exciting public test for where one will pitch their teepee. Especially telling, as always, are the comments. Read more here

Pay it forward: Since the consumer is the new marketing manager, they should be rewarded for raising awareness of a brand. Creating an intelligent conduit for the flow of currency from the brand to the consumer should be part of the new economy. You no longer have to be an ad creative to get paid for sharing your thoughts and ideas with a marketer. It's the democratization of creativity, that's all.

Comments encouraged.

Putting a great message where the audience will see it

2009-09-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

From Ad Age: How Demand for Digital Experiences Is Transforming Our Physical Spaces

Livestrong Chalkbot: As part of Lance Armstrong's return to the Tour de France and his Livestrong organization's mission to cure cancer, Nike commissioned the Livestrong Chalkbot. Created by DeepLocal and StandardRobot, the Chalkbot enabled thousands of people to have their messages (submitted digitally) chalked along the route of this year's Tour.

Animation + Music + Self-deprection = Cajones + Awards

2009-08-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

Some old-school fun that took honors at the Creative Circle Awards.

Best Animation
Title: Unboxed
Client: Audi UK
Product: Q5
Agency: BBH
Creatives: Joakim Saul/Maja Fernqvist
Creative Directors: Nick Kidney/Kevin Stark
Producer: Olly Chapman
Production Company: Passion Pictures/1st Avenue Machine
Directors: Aaron Duffy/Russell Brooke
DOP: Tony Brown
Production Co,Producer:Belinda Blacklock
Animation: Aaron Duffy/Russell Brooke

Robert McGinnis - the man behind the covers

2009-08-07T16:54:00.001-07:00

Mother London has launched a campaign for Stella Artois 4% that uses Robert McGinnis' illustrations in a way that makes me even hungrier for my youth. There were many times that I meandered through a stack of paperbacks in someone's book shelves and found one of his gems. He's still sketching in pencil and working his pigment to make magic. The video is a trailer for a documentary about the master. The music reminds me of the records my parents used to play on the hi-fi when the sun was going down and the martinis were coming out of the freezer. Enjoy.

It Crackles

2009-04-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

Been watching a lot of changes take place in the video-to-web world. We humans really like the moving pictures. While there are a lot of outlets for entertainment, one of the best seems to be Crackle. Backed by Sony, and chock full of classic, current and original content, this site could be the future of “television.” Yes, there are pre-roll ads, but most of them are interactive so the entertainment starts even before the show. And yes, there are some banner ads, but they aren't too intrusive. There is a lot that can be done with something as powerful as this. One is to get the word out that it’s there. Reading the blog, it appears there have been quite a few contests made, inspiring animators, short film makers and up and coming comedians to submit their videos and win some cash. What they need now is a talented, creative marketing manager to light the booster rockets and get this thing into the mass market stratosphere. Sounds like a dream gig to me.

Sound of Music - Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)

2009-04-07T21:31:00.001-07:00

Station take-overs are not new, but these Flemish folks add some new elements that make it even more fun. So I'm a softy. Like that's a news flash.

This came from a member of the Angel City Chorale to my beautiful songbird wife who has been mastering the art of do, re, mi like a champion. If you really want to have some fun sing do, mi, so, ti, do in key. Good luck.

VizThinking as only The Onion can.

2009-01-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here’s one for all of us VizThinkers. Sometimes words just get in the way.
Breaking News: Series Of Concentric Circles Emanating From Glowing Red Dot

2008-11-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

Any doubters of the effectiveness of integrated and alternative marketing should be directed to this story. Jeffrey Rayport spoke at the recent CTAM conference, helping the cable television industry look at their consumers in a new way. He speaks about a little brand named Scion that boldly presented itself to its consumer in such a series of ways that the launch is evidently the most successful in automotive history. If you don’t like the ads, or the car, or the outdoor, or the events, that’s just fine with Toyota. They obviously weren’t meant for you. They clearly worked for their intended audience. Intelligent marketing like this makes me happy to be in the business.

Banksy + animatronics = Village Pet Store And Charcoal Grill

2008-10-10T16:01:00.001-07:00

Pop-up creativity, courtesy of the unlimited Banksy. Obviously anti-animal cruelty. Open in NYC until Halloween. And completely visible from the street. Free for all.

True Blood - Opening Credits - Viewer Discretion Advised

2008-10-09T00:53:00.001-07:00

HBO shows have had some of the most creative opening sequences (Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Carnivale...not Entourage). This one, by Digital Kitchen, does the perfect job of getting you in the mood for the show. Its subliminal and overt creepiness is just right. True art in video storytelling.

Stan Freeberg - Esskay Franks

2008-08-25T12:19:00.001-07:00

A few days ago I was chatting with an actor and we started quoted various Stan Freeberg lines. I thought there must be a compilation of his advertising somewhere. Here is one that I don't recall ever seeing. This is quality advertising. Funny, memorable, inexpensive and timeless.

Event Design Summit - Creating Mobile Experiences

2008-08-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

Coming this October 29 at 2:30 - 3:15, yours truly will be hosting a session in the “Loft” at the Event Design Summit. Looking forward to a lively discussion based on a lot of input from friends and peers alike. Here’s the brochure/site description:

Creating Mobile Experiences

Transportable and re-deployable environments are getting an upgrade these days. Learn how to embrace the art of mobile experience design, find out what works and what doesn’t and see some examples of mobile in action.

Download the brochure for more information.

See you there.

Waterfall at Olympic Trials

2008-08-19T11:44:00.001-07:00

What a creation. With obvious (limitless) experiential marketing possibilities. Not sure who developed the technology, who found it for the Olympic Trials or who said, “Yes, let’s use it and here’s what it should do.” But my hat is off to all of them.

Theo Jansen - Kinetic sculpture

2008-08-19T11:41:00.001-07:00

What imagination and engineering can do for the sheer sake of amazement.

Stop me if you’ve seen this one before

2008-08-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me by a few people in the last week, but it was just sent by a very intelligent, self-effacing and apologetic client who said her company’s internal process was somewhat like this — that’s why they have so many changes to the work. Kudos to the creators behind the piece as well. Though I haven’t been able to track down that information. We are a funny bunch of communicators, aren’t we?

Fun, familiar and award-winningly funky

2008-06-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

Someone recently asked me what is exciting about the Internet these days. My answer was how familiar our voices have become. So much of what we read online is not shrouded in marketing speak like it is in print and television ads. There are countless articles and blogs already written about how the world wide web is actually allowing us to become closer rather than making us more distant. Obviously with Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and the ever-expanding Blogiverse there are more places for people to say who they are than ever before. Of course with this familiarity comes contempt- comments about comments, hot-or-not sites, online rants against whatever is deemed worthless.

Then something like the Uniqlock from Uniqlo comes along, gets awarded a couple of top-shelf Clios, is picked up around the globe, and does nothing more or less than keep time in a creative way. Well actually, there is a marketing angle- the Uniqlo company sells the shirts the women are wearing, as well as other clothing and housewares. Now, it appears that Uniqlo misspelled Los Angeles, or used the Japanese version in the downloaded widget. Somehow this just adds to the charm, where on another product it would just tick me off.

For me, this solution is another sign of blatant, simple self-confidence in the face of the global community. And that makes me smile.

Performance begets performance

2008-05-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

A while ago the works of Improv Everywhere came to my attention with a video about their Frozen Grand Central (below). A group simultaneously freezes in various positions attracting a whole lot of attention. Then they un-freeze to everyone’s amazement. First, amazing New York City commuters is tough enough. Then, in the art-imitates-life category, Law and Order wrote the activity into their script, which aired a few nights ago. According to Improv Everywhere, no one from the network or the show contacted them about this, even though several of the poses were directly lifted of the original. Who said Flash Mobs wouldn’t last?

Here is the original:

Here is Law and Order’s version:

The Hucksters - 1947

2008-04-24T12:45:00.001-07:00

Here is the classic scene of the creative director (Clark Gable) meeting the client (Sydney Greenstreet) for the first time. The beginning of a beautiful whole-headed relationship. If you love the game of the pitch, and discovering the right message for the product whether it agrees with the client or not, you have to love this scene. There are a lot of nuggets in this piece that still hold true today. One would hope we have gotten past the era of needing to irritate in order to get the message across. But that may not be the case quite yet. Check? Check!

Gold (well, bronze) standard

2008-04-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

Whenever the question is raised about the beauty of a simple solution, this comes to mind. Pablo Picasso, famous and infamous for his depiction of bulls, created this piece by seeing what exists when one thing is put with another. This is the source of innovation. When the combination works this well it becomes inspiration. Would that every solution could be this elegant.

Bull’s Head (Tete de Toro) 1943

Bronze sculpture

1) The power of music. 2) Video + comments = social networking. 3) Is it still viral?

2008-04-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

This is Sungha Jung, 11-year old guitar genius, playing Living on a Prayer. He has a slate of videos covering songs like Blackbird, No Woman No Cry, Hit the Road Jack, More Than Words, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and All Along the Watchtower. Yes, he probably practices for hours, but he clearly loves the music he is playing as evidenced by his touch on the strings.

Yesterday, in a conversation with a talented film and video editor we talked about the power of music to set the mood and timing of a spot or a video. One example is the ubiquitous amateur How-To video, many with a seemingly random tune plopped in place. Often the comments are about the music rather than the instructional content.

Reading the comments posted to and about Sungha Jung is a good glimpse into the power of community discussion. One favorite: “He probably rocks at StarCraft.” Some choose to tell Sungha how he influences them, while others choose to talk about him to other comment-posters. Of course there are some who see his video as a challenge, so they post their own video, which garners comments and challenges, and so on.

Add to all this the power of the viral connection. Sungha Jung videos date back a year or more and I hit a link posted about him today on MetaFilter. Comments are being posted as of this writing. The best part is that Sungha is eleven and probably does not care that any of this is a monumental change in how our species communicates. He is a digital native playing cool songs on an acoustic guitar and touching millions with his talent and creativity. You have to love that.

Hollywood Hip and Tech Tribe in Sin City

2008-04-04T07:41:00.001-07:00

Just completed a print and online campaign for the 2008 NAB Show. The assignment was to reach out to the Hollywood community with ads in Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The main communication needed to be in an insider-type voice and bolster or prove the new tagline- Where Content Comes to Life. Back-up for this is the new Content Central area, including the Content Theater- capable of showing 3D, HD, etc. The speakers and their projects also give credence to the claim with creators from Pushing Daisies, Lost, CSI, U2 3D, Horton Hears a Who, My Damn Channel and more.

The first ad establishes the tone and speaks to the new Hollywood while aligning with, and honoring, Scorsece's efforts to save the classics, using a paparazzi approach. The second brings the speakers to the fore with a nod to a now-familiar interface. The third not only provides a schedule for the theater, but also a way to make sure no one steals your chair between sessions.

Kudos to Michelle Kelly, Vice President, Event Marketing, National Association of Broadcasters and Rochelle Winters, PR Goddess, Smoke & Mirrors for their hard work on pulling the show together, their courage in running the creative, and their wisdom in choosing their creative agency.

Negativity as an art form?

2008-04-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Advertising, for all its potential for raising awareness and doing so creatively, can be a very blunt instrument when used to harm others. We as a species tend to get pretty nasty when there is something we want and someone in our way. It is not our best trait. Political attack ads have been on television as long as television has been running ads. There have been some interesting takes on the truth through the years, and this year proves to be no different. The ad that seems to have hit either the high or low bar, depending on your perspective, is Daisy from 1964.

This ad never mentions the competition, Barry Goldwater, but only the candidate you must vote for, Lyndon Baines Johnson. The editing is questionable, the copy is frighteningly effective and the integrity of the message in the light of actual history of LBJ and Viet Nam is flawed at best. And in a great precursor to viral marketing, the ad ran only once, but was shown on news programs repeatedly.

This kind of advertising plays on our doubts and fears. Witness the Willie Horton ad that helped put Bush I into office. Or the Swift Boat ads that helped Bush II. Analysts say the attack ads are usually more technically accurate than the image ads. Even so, it is a grimy mirror this kind of ad puts up to society. Unless, of course, the ad is for your chosen candidate.

The ultimate creative solution

2008-04-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

We all remember those defining moments when we were gifted with the elegant solution to a seemingly difficult problem. There is an effortlessness that accompanies the moment, a feeling of centered euphoria. Flow. One can only guess that those feelings surrounded the Aha! moment that led to this solution.
Playpumps International has created a way to help the people of Africa bring fresh water to their communities. To promote the idea, they ran a contest for the best Public Service Announcement. This is the winning entry from Eric Hopkins:

Like many ideas these days, this one came to me by way of another blog. I met a very creative woman named Kate Mullen at VizThink, contacted her a few weeks later to check in, she sent a link to her blog for Think Ink, this link to Guy Kawasaki’s blog was in her blogroll. Now there is a link to the Playpumps International site in mine. Got to love the power of a good idea and its ability to find its intended receivers. Donate if you feel so moved.

Watch National Geographic Wild Chronicle's recent feature on the PlayPump Water System. See how the power of play can bring water to the world. Video courtesy of National Geographic.

A fitting tribute to Paul Rand

2008-04-01T14:10:00.001-07:00

An amazing tribute to an amazing talent who said wonderful things about design such as:
Art is an idea that has found its perfect form, though nothing is perfect, it can always be improved.
Don’t try to be original, just try to be good.
Without aesthetics you can’t find the truth to do things with quality.

Developed by Imaginary Forces, this tribute does a great job of combining the philosophy and the vision of the man into one small piece of work. Paul Rand meant a lot to a lot of people, me included. His seemingly simple solutions are an inspiration in an age where more is often just more.

It is always important to give credit where it is due, so here is the credit block associated with the film:
A 4 minute short about Paul Rand created for his posthumous induction to the One Club Hall of Fame in 2007. Produced for Imaginary Forces by Cara McKenney and executive produced by Maribeth Phillips. Additional I.F. credits go to designer/animators Joey Salim, Jeremy Cox and Liz Centolella and animators Andrew Chung, Sean Eno and Chase Massingill. It was edited by I.F.’s Corey Weisz, with sound design by Derek Lee.

Mapping a new marketing strategy

2008-04-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Went to a gathering of visual thinkers recently. The conference is aptly named VizThink and this year was the first. Much will be written about this because much was learned, seen and shared.

First subject: The non-profit organization Artrain was represented at the conference and was used as a test subject as well. Artrain brings art to people who wouldn’t normally have access to museums or galleries. Up until recently this was done on rails, hence the name- which worked pretty well. Now the group is developing a truck caravan that will house the various rooms of art.

A challenge was developed for a breakout session led by three great facilitators with different approaches. Christine Martell of VisualSpeak led the largest group (300) with her photograph-driven mapping technique and gives a great analysis here. David Sibbett of The Grove led a smaller group (25) with his time-honored wall maps. Jamie Nast of IdeaMapping led the smallest group (6) of which I was one, with her computer mapping system and gives her analysis here. Jamie was assisted by Suzi Watson, who input what was said into a map program and organized it for easier consumption.
Here is the map from our session:

After this was presented, it was difficult for me not to take it to the next level- integration. Seems natural that the way it could all work would be to communicate globally with a web site. Yes, you heard right- harness the power of the world wide web to speak to sponsors and potential consumers, as well as those who have already experienced the Artrain. The internet, as a communication tool? It just might work.
My quick sketch takes a crack at how this could all come together:

By using a push and pull effort, more people will get involved in the active creation of art, rather than just the passive viewing of art.

One of the three trailers will be a studio, with paper on the walls and plenty of supplies at the ready.
Video and still shots of the people creating would be uploaded to the site so people thinking about booking or sponsoring the experience can validate the potential benefits.
Posters created from amateur artists will be framed and put up in other town's schools and libraries to promote the arrival of the experience.
The first art project for anyone coming to the site would be the two-sided printable trailer- insert tab A into slot A and see how it all works. Complete with art on the interior walls.
An interactive map will show where the trucks have been and where they are going.
A video of the set-up will whet the appetite for people to come out to see it happen live, just like when the circus comes to town.

Deb Polich (executive director), and Brian Tolle (board member) of Artrain are working through a lot of solutions, along with Anne Castellano of Switch, the company responsible for overseeing the project. Look forward to future posts as they develop.

Could work

2008-03-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

Saw this package and thought: someone at Palmer probably got a little extra in their pay envelope for this idea. There is no more chocolate and little additional expense to the solution. But many kids (and some adults) will see this bunny as bigger. Just what the brand message is meant to be, without all that messy honesty getting in the way. The imagination even thinks the bunny goes to the bottom of the package. P.T. Barnum would be proud.

Of bits and pieces

2008-03-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Legoland- a theme park designed around a toy.
Forest Lawn- a cemetery with art installations.
Different, but in this case similar.

One of the most creative aspects of LegoLand is the miniature cityscapes. Model builders are an amazing bunch of people, with incredible attention to detail and the ability to find creative solutions with just about any material. In this case Legos. YouTube is full of Lego movies, and French director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Human Nature) obviously worked some magic on the White Stripes video.

Back to the park: There is a miniature Lego world created in the middle of the park. San Francisco, NYC, LA, New Orleans, Las Vegas and many other cities are represented in scale models. It is an angular universe with these tiny bits, but many of the installations transcend the limitations with color, scale and humor. Here are shots through the New York City skyline, and a mohawk-wearing guy getting bitten by a dog:
But is it art? Well, in another part of the park other creators have taken the time to put small rectangular pieces together to make reproductions of art pieces.

Over to Forest Lawn cemetery in Burbank: there is a very large mosaic installation depicting various parts of the War for Independence. The overall effect is nice, but what is really impressive is the technique used in the details. Again, small rectangular pieces of color are used to great effect:

So the question is: would we, as a creative species, be as good at creating 3D art out of millions of various colored polygons if there were no Legos or mosaics in our field of influence? One vote for no here.

Content versus environment

2008-03-31T12:47:00.001-07:00

Went to the BodyWorlds exhibit at the LA ScienCenter the day before Easter. Not sure if that would be ironic, poetic, neither or both, depending on your religious bent. The upshot is that Gunther von Hagens’ plasitnates are amazing, informative, captivating and not for the squeamish. The experience is well-worth the price of admission for artists, physicians, parents, humanists and anyone fascinated by what we are underneath. The poses and what is chosen to remain and what is taken away are all elements of the creativity behind the show.

But, one question haunted me throughout the show: Considering all the cost and effort to create and organize the show, why are all these astounding pieces displayed in areas made of Duvetyn draped over truss, with the only adornment being posters on thin Sintra badly aligned, lit and hung? Obviously the content should not be overshadowed by its surroundings. But, the people in the show, the people who worked so hard on the people in the show, and the people seeing the show all deserve better. Bringing the environment to the level of the content seems like a no-brainer. Pun intended.

Multi-level consumer communication

2008-03-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

This display promotes the Oticon Epoq wireless hearing aid (winner of the Best of Innovations at CES 2008). Some people getting the assignment of demonstrating this product might think they were being punished. Not German company White Void who appear to have high standards for everything they create, including their site. One could guess the innovation came from the primary need to communicate the product benefits with or without sound. The secondary communication is that the product is well-designed and technologically brilliant, just like the kiosk. Each person who comes to the display spends a lot of time having fun interacting with the brand, and gets all the information they need in both visuals and text on a multi-touch screen. Success on all levels.

More words about words

2008-03-13T01:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I completed an ad for the NAB Show 2008, touting the speakers at the conference. There are going to be some talented folks at the show. While researching one of these people (Damon Lindelof, co-creator of Lost) I stumbled onto the enclosed post. It is provided here not only for what the author wrote about, but also for what the author wrote about himself and what the comment-eers wrote about what the author wrote about and what he wrote about himself. In other words: read.

Wishing you were as creative as when you were a kid?

2008-03-13T00:26:00.000-07:00

Had the opportunity to judge an Odyssey of the Mind competition a few weeks ago. This is a creativity competition for school-age kids. The image is from the World meet 2007.

Odyssey of the Mind was created by Dr. C. Samuel Micklus, Professor Emeritus at Rowan University in New Jersey. In 1978, 28 New Jersey schools participated in the very first creative problem-solving competition ever. Dr. Sam still develops all problems for the program, along with his son, Sammy, President of CCI.

Imagine if your next challenge was to demonstrate a new theory of how the dinosaurs of the Mesozoic era became extinct. And you had to show the theory in eight minutes, including set up. And there had to be one of your team members dressed as an actual dinosaur from the era, and a facsimile of that same dinosaur needed to be part of the demonstration. And you had to use a elements of sound, lighting and/or scenery to show the event that led to the extinction. Did you catch the part about doing this all in eight minutes? By the way, you will be competing with hundreds of other kids your age- from your first Regional contest, through the State competition, then to the World meet. And you will only have $145 to spend and no adults can assist you except one who can only act as a coach and is not allowed to supply any of the creative thought to the demonstration.

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to share what any of the groups presented since the competition continues for the next few months. For now, check out the site and wish you had the opportunity to do this back before people told you creativity wouldn’t pay the bills. Or sign up to be a judge. It is a whole lot of whole-headed fun.

A rice is a rice is a rice

2008-03-12T23:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple, wonderful way of getting a few props for remembering minutia about this language that threatens to become the one choice for a brief shining moment even though it makes little sense in the world of logical thinking (which also maintains men should logically ride sidesaddle) while adding some substance to another person’s existence. Apologies to James Joyce for the stream of run-on-sentence conscience-ness.
Simply put: This site can make one feel good about being online for a long time.

Artrain, VizThink and the power of maps

2008-03-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

By using a push and pull effort, more people will get involved in the active creation of art, rather than just the passive viewing of art.

One of the three trailers will be a studio, with paper on the walls and plenty of supplies at the ready.
Video and still shots of the people creating would be uploaded to the site so people thinking about booking or sponsoring the experience can validate the potential benefits.
Posters created from amateur artists will be framed and put up in other town's schools and libraries to promote the arrival of the experience.
The first art project for anyone coming to the site would be the two-sided printable trailer- insert tab A into slot A and see how it all works. Complete with art on the interior walls.
An interactive map will show where the trucks have been and where they are going.
A video of the set-up will whet the appetite for people to come out to see it happen live, just like when the circus comes to town.

In it for the long haul

2008-03-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

Having staying power in any industry is tough enough, but to keep on creating year after year is the mark of creative integrity. In 1978 I saw Mummenschanz live at a local theater in Los Angeles. At the time I didn't know they had already been on the Muppet Show two years earlier.

Didn’t hear about Mummenschanz after that. Figured they were hired by Cirque du Soleil and were trapped somewhere on the Las Vegas strip. Then the 2007 Academy Awards appears with those amazing silhouetted people forming the icons of the films up for Best Picture. Who was behind the genius? Mummenschanz.

If you hate mimes, these are not mimes. If you love mimes, these are some great mimes.

Creative alchemy

2008-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Do not be afraid. While this may look all esoteric and metaphysical, it is also a nice way of looking at a creative person. In the Tarot deck the Magician is #1 (the Fool is #0, more on that later). The Magus archetype. The Alchemist. The person is shown in control of all the elements, both grounded and ascending, both dynamically active and pleasantly tranquil. This is the state of creativity, of flow. The time of timelessness. The state of transcendence. The left- and right-brain working in infinite harmony with the heart and soul. Whatever the marketing or communication challenge, utilizing all the elements is going to lead to a more effective solution. The people who say the solution has to be any specific medium need to leave the room and let the magic happen.

Yelling in an empty cave

2008-03-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

Day One.
Let us begin with a gift for anyone who thinks they cannot make an apostrophe (’) or real quote marks (“ ”) and instead settle for an inch (') or foot marks (" ").
For all that is good in the universe, please join the fight for quality typography in every application. Including the world wide web- which may be the only thing some people read. Even they deserve to see all the characters our species has created. And if I can make this work on Blogger, anyone can.

One post done. Onward and upward.

Chart courtesy of Noble Desktop. See the original here.