SWEATSHOPPE, 4spots, the landing extras from SWEATSHOPPE on Vimeo.

Why we do what we do: Roy Slaper and his machines

Roy's Jeans - Video by Self Edge from Self Edge on Vimeo.

Why we do what we do: Doyald Young

Doyald Young, Logotype Designer

Doyald Young, Logotype Designer | by Doyald Young

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The Power of Visual Communication

"The German philosopher Hegel defined art as "the sensuous presentation of ideas". It is, he indicated, in the business of conveying concepts, just like ordinary language, except that it engages us through both our senses and our reason and is uniquely effective for its dual modes of address." — Alan de Botton

What lies at the heart of all successful public communication that is stronger than a logo, a color or an image? An idea, story, a reason to engage. It is these ideas what we should demand as consumers. And it is these ideas that visual communicators bring as the ultimate value to our clients. After all, engaging and relevant brand relationships are in one way or another intellectually and emotionally satisfying.

It is because an idea was planted that "think different" set in motion the company we now hold as one archetype of relevant brand and consumer communication. It is because of an idea that "yes we can" became the rally cry that brought a nation together. It is because of ideas that good and bad things happen, because people are willing to live or die for them.

Now, lets backtrack to what triggered this writing: the economic power of art when married with the communication of an idea and the absence that I see of this type of brand attitude in the field of FMCGs. It is through meaningful engagements with a consumer that brands grow and flourish, so why is that in this world of quarterly reports the larger goal is overseen? I encourage every one of us to follow the leadership of these lighthouse brands and learn from them. Ideas do sell. So let's get back in the business of marketing and visualizing them. Business strategy leaders such as Michael Porter are already questioning the relevance of short term business thinking and advocating putting the consumer's interest, or embracing ideas first. From a business point of view this makes total sense. From a visual communication sense this can be extremely powerful. From a brand growth point of view - if not for it's survival - this could be essential.

Is Cheap the New Premium?

Oxymoronically, premium is becoming value as price wars and the ever democratization of premium continues to expand and infiltrate every aspect of our lives.


Product quality aside, what are our premium brands delivering to the consumer beyond a name and quality perception? In these times in which brand value is being reconsidered and redefined this might not be enough. From cereals to cheese, the reality is that people are looking for a better deal or a different kind of value.

Some of our options:
• We play the how-low-can-you-go game and self cannibalize. Yes, many are making money this way, i.e. beer manufacturers like Kirin, Sapporo, Asahi and their race to launch lower alcohol, lower carb, and lower priced "beers" has proven successful and profitable, until someone else comes with an even cheaper option. This is where Google steps in: Free Beer, with an add or two.
• Listen and look around to our world, and innovate. Hybrid, Organic, Social, Mobile, are all examples of how value has been brought to an audience hungry for something different. Is not far fetched anymore, it is here and it is more profitable every day.

Seventh Generation's new detergent bottle is made of recycled cardboard and newspaper...I love when brands put their money where their mouth is.

Why do human beings stay together?

Why do human beings stay together? Why are some marriages, friendships, professional relationships successful and others not?

Listening to a BBC radio program that touched upon the end phase of Simon & Garfunkel, Garfunkel opined about the more questionable reasons of why people stay together year after year doing the same thing, as opposed to the more understandable notion that people change and grow apart.

The parallels are just too easy to draw between personal relationships and brand and consumer relationships: give a consumer what they want –including the freedom to choose, experiment and come back– but most importantly give them a reason why they stick around with you. It is as simple as that.

At the same time I was ruminating this I stumbled upon Jung v. Matt's recruiting calendar, yet another example of a smart idea, executed brilliantly and without fear of repercussions.


Lesson learned: DON'T BE AFRAID of change. Embrace it, encourage it, be part of it.

Brief Explanation:
The main challenge for our HR representatives is to constantly be in contact with the candidates without annoying them.
So it was crucial to to come up with an idea to talk to them in an entertaining way without missing our goal of making them quit and then join Jung von Matt.
 
Describe the brief from the client:
We were briefed to come up with an effective and fresh recruitment tool for the agency to headhunt the best creatives in the market.
 
Description of how you arrived at the final design:
We gave our candidates an A4 size tear-off calendar that contained a ready-made quitting letter for each and every day of the year: 365 entertaining letters that just had to be signed and handed in.
We came up with the most absurd quitting reasons, made fun of the whole advertising industry and used elements of a creative’s everyday life to design visual quitting art works.
This way we reminded our desired candidates every day how inspired working at Jung von Matt is. And we made quitting one’s job as easy as never before.
 
Indication of how successful the outcome was in the market:
The first quitting calendar in the world caused a buzz in the German advertising industry. Our HR representatives used the calendar in numerous interviews as a special give away. It was received with amazement and caused leading creatives as well as creatives of the senior and junior level to finally join Jung von Matt.

Rebirth of Simple #2

The second installment in this series of Simple. Not much else to say about it.


Business Card for Norburn Model Aircraft Supply from Jeff Harrison on Vimeo.