Chances are, if you’re a podcast listener, you’ve heard of Radiolab. If you aren’t already an avid listener who nerds out every time a new episode is released, maybe its been on your list of “Things I Need To Listen To” for awhile now and you just keep putting it off. Well, my procrastinating friends, you are most certainly doing …
The Power of a Good Story
I’m fortunate enough to be part of our local Chamber’s Leadership SLO program (shout out to everyone in Class XXII!). Recently, the program immersed our cohort in a day focused on the arts and education in our community, and one small but impactful component of that day was devoted to the power of storytelling. Without a doubt, it was my …
Meet Your Match
Do you like games? Are you a designer or a fan of all things design? Here is an interesting way to test your ability to appreciate the subtle details of our field in a fun and engaging manner. This is a seemly simple color-matching game developed by Method of Action, a “peer to peer education for people who want to …
The UC Logo Public Backlash Killed
In early December 2012, the University of California system unveiled a new visual identity, complete with new logo. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. The new logo, often depicted side by side with the older, more traditional seal, was soon erroneously thought to be its replacement. This notion …
Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year: Emerald
Each year, I’m thrilled when Pantone announces their selection for Color of the Year. It’s fascinating to see how they project a color will permeate different industries and conventions to influence our lives throughout the coming year. Anyone recall Tangerine Tango from last year? For 2013, Pantone has chosen Emerald (Pantone 17-5641) as the tone of choice. While the color …
Upon Walking in Shell Beach
As the wet weather prepares to derail our regular Friday hike, we’re looking back on sunnier days from summer. Here are a few choice shots from the Shell Beach Bluff hike we took a few months back. In particular, we were captivated by the artistic range (and gargantuan size) of mailboxes in this coastal community among other delightful details. We …
The Commercial Your Commercials Should Be Like
Hello, ladies. What makes a memorable commercial in a society of absolute sensory overload? Humor, wit, and a ridiculousness that borders on the absurd, apparently. In 2010, Old Spice, in collaboration with ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, began a new ad campaign that is now commonly referred to as “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like.” In a single, uncut shot with …
Runners. Yeah, We’re Different.
In recent months, I’ve taken to a hobby that I never envisioned myself liking: running. It started as a casual effort, a couple miles here and there, but now I’m in deep. So deep that I’ve signed up for the City to the Sea Half Marathon October 14th (yikes). In my time on the road, I’ve become privy to this …
Kickstart My Heart
Kickstarter has been around for a few years now and has made plenty of headlines with it’s multi-million dollar product launches for aspiring inventors and artists, and yet, I’m surprised at how many people still haven’t heard of it in conversation. We have lots of new business start-ups walking through our doors looking for great branding to propel them into …
Heard and Not Seen: Olympic Ads Feature Celebrity Narration
With the Olympics coming to a close, we now have a chance to reflect back on the spectacle of the games. World records set; artful displays of speed and agility; obligatory shots of anxious parents having heart attacks in the stands. It was quite a site to behold. But as for an ad-enthusiast, one of the best parts had to …