June 7th, 2010

Junk Mail by the Numbers.

As designers, we must understand the impact of the marketing tactics we recommend to our clients.

via @LenKendall & @DR4WARD

Posted By: Jeff

June 5th, 2010

Empathic Civilization.

More great stuff from the RSA.

First of all, the format of these RSA presentations is excellent. I love the animation.

Second, what role does design and we as designers play in bringing about a more empathic world? We now have the communication tools to reach around the globe instantly. How do we align our communications to the elevation of all people and not just the increase of commerce?

It’s easy to talk about—much harder to act upon.

Posted By: Jeff

May 14th, 2010

Big ideas on whiteboard. Animated.

I came across this video today. It’s from a series of animated presentations produced by the RSA. This one, Drive, is based on a presentation by Dan Plink. I found it mentioned in a tweet from Modernista.

via @hellnoharms Most impressive thing I’ve seen in 2010: http://bit.ly/bHJnDz

This falls into the “I wish I’d done that category” for me. Here’s why I like it:

1. Big Insights – I’ve always been curious about what motives people to do great work. As a creative director I deal with this issue everyday. My approach has been to give people my thoughts, direction and guidance, then stay out of their way until they need me again. Based on Dan Plink’s findings, I’m getting somethings right.
2. Cool Whiteboard Design – I love information design and whiteboards. I love the immediacy of communication that comes from talking and drawing and writing while working out a problem with my team. This also reminds me of work Hero did for the Denver50 ad show. We created illustrations on whiteboards and used them through the campaign and show.
3. Great Production – What can I say? This is cool to watch, and so simple. Reminds my of the Post-It Note video created by Bang-yao Liu. This falls into the “I’m going to try that” category.

Check out the other five videos in the series here.

And check out the studio that created these videos, CognitiveMedia. Lots of great work.

Posted By: Jeff

November 21st, 2009

Information Design For All.

The idea of “design for all” continues to work its way into our lives. Especially our business lives. Magazines like Fast Company and Good are bringing smart design to the forefront of business thinking. In fact, I’m not sure that either are actually business titles anymore. They both seem like some new version of CommArts that connects the dots between creative ideas and business results. In our head long rush towards measurable ROI, maybe this is what designers will be taking into the bathroom instead of the Print’s regional design annual. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted By: Jeff