Because It’s Friday…
…here are 60 stock photos that should never be used by anyone. Ever. I mean, what do you have to smoke to come up with this stuff?
posted by Aaron Bragg
January 13, 2012
What the #@!!*&##!?
Well, it happened again.
This time, however, I wasn’t about to conclude our staff meeting until my point was made. I was mad as hell. This is an outrage!
“AMD is not even on the list in the Best Print Design Business category as judged by the readers of Inland Business Catalyst!” I shouted. “We’ve never even been on the [expletive deleted] list!”
The echo of my pounding fist receded; the silence in the room was deafening.
I noted—much more calmly—that even my own dry cleaning service was voted best in Spokane. (Flowers and a congratulatory note are on their way to Clark's Cleaners, by the way.)
Discussion centered on how we were going to take matters in our own hands and ensure victory next year. My senior designer, unusually quiet up until then, offered a suggestion: “Let's send an email campaign to all of our clients to increase AMDs word-of-mouth value.”
Brilliant, I thought—but when are we going to have time to do that?
My writer yawned, stretched, and brushed the donut crumbs from his belly. "Maybe," he said, "we should interview the Best Local Business Man to gain insight on what it takes to make it all the way to the top."
Great idea. Too bad I’ve already been fired once by Walt Worthy in my career.
“Come on, people," I yelled. "We got nothin’.”
Silence.
And then it hit me: all we need to do is invent a new category. “If Catalyst can have a Best Parking Lot Maintenance Business*," I said, the realization of my genius overwhelming even me, "then why not a Best Design Firm East of Division category?”
The clouds parted, the sun shone, and an angelic chorus filled the air.
“Damn, we’re good” someone mumbled. "Pass the donuts."
Meeting adjourned.
*A hearty congratulations to Arrow Concrete & Asphalt Specialties.
posted by CK Anderson
January 9, 2012
The Psychology of Color
Many of us don’t realize how brand colors impact a viewer’s visual senses and emotional feelings. Since we’re in the holiday season, lets examine the color RED. Like all colors, red has both positive and negative connotations. Either way, it’s designed to attract your attention.
Why red’s hot. It’s deemed the warmest of all colors. Red is energetic, powerful, exciting, and aggressive. It suggests confidence, courage, and strength. Extroverts love it. Red is passionate, intense, and stimulates desire. (February 14 comes to mind.) In China, red is a good luck color and represents happiness and prosperity.
What it says about you. If you like red, then you’re probably outgoing (or aspire to be). You’re ambitious, restless, and possibly unaware of your own shortcomings. You have a zest for life, but are likely impulsive. Your cup is always half full and you become bored easily—which means you’ve probably stopped reading this by now.
So what’s not to like about red? It can mean danger—think fire trucks and stop signs—or it can be used to represent anger and violence. “In the red,” “red herring,” or just plain “red flag” all have negative meanings in our society. The devil is rendered in red (but then, so is cupid) and, depending on where you live, it may mean you’re a communist. Red roses may be beautiful, but they also have thorns which, if you’re not careful…
Who’s seeing red? It’s not the most favorite color of either men or women, ranking about third or fourth for both genders. Familiar consumer brands that roll out the red carpet are Coca Cola, Target, Knoll, Nintendo, Colgate, Jack in the Box, Ferrari, and Texaco. And while there’s lots of reds in the Pantone color guide, I’ve always felt PMS 185 was the reddest of reds.
posted by CK Anderson
December 19, 2011
Bigger Is Better
A few years ago we created the Whitworth University athletic logo. I recently attended a men’s basketball game and was reminded how it’s always fun to see where your work ends up. The logo now appears on all kinds of applications such as banners, football helmets, web pages, apparel, mugs, gymnasium floors, etc. It’s even more exciting when it’s really, really, BIG!
And if you’re wondering about the value of a good athletic logo, it should be noted that since it was implemented in 2005, the Pirates men’s basketball team has a record of 148 wins and only 29 losses—a winning percentage of .840. Go Pirates!
posted by CK Anderson
December 8, 2011
Request for Uniformity
From page 2 of a 37-page Request for Qualifications (RFQ) we received earlier this year:
Unnecessarily elaborate responses, beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective response, are not desired and may be construed as an indication of a firm’s lack of cost consciousness. Unless specifically requested in the RFQ, elaborate art work, corporate brochures, lengthy narratives, expensive paper, specialized binding, and other extraneous presentation materials are neither necessary nor desired.
In other words, do not attempt to distinguish your firm’s capabilities. Keep it innocuous and uninspiring. Order, structure, and conformity are required. What a great way to hire a creative firm.
Thanks, but no thanks.
posted by CK Anderson
November 29, 2011