Tag Archives: LinkedIn

Design @dayboatcafe shows how to “flip” a concept

There is a basic rule I follow that was forced into my head by a snarling professor Goslin (R.I.P) at Pratt Institute:

 

“If you’ve seen it done before, don’t do it again.”

 

As a designer, director of design, or even someone who likes to draw- that’s a challenge. Being original requires lots of “un-learning” and moxy.

 

I try to “flip concepts”. Like a seafood place hanging oars from the ceiling.
One might say:
“Wait-What!? They’re suppose to be in the water-right!? Why are they up there!?”

 

For me: I see this tactic as a way deliver the message that this place has fresh seafood. (and they really do!) When you look at the high ceiling, the designer clearly wanted to keep me thinking about a boat, about hands-on fishing. Not the kind of commercial boat that probably got the fish really-the designer wanted me thinking of the kind of boat that people have to row, the authentic freshness that comes from catching my own fish.

 

Again, for me: An established idea is challenged – a concept is flipped. Also, I especially like this because I have never seen it done before.

 

/
Van

Posted via email from Van’s Posterous

So when I can’t sleep..#iPhone #love

So I can’t sleep. What do I do? I usually pick up my iPhone and mess around. Tonight I messed around with all the photos I have saved.

What I love about the iPhone (and apps like Project 365) is that it’s become a way for me to easily journal on a daily basis using photography. I am no longer focused on taking “important photos” -I am instead focused on just taking photos!

Awesome.

A lot of great things happen everyday-I value those things..small and large. By randomly snapping shots here and there I hold onto these memories. In 6 months that “little thing” I took for granted when it happened becomes a private landmark.

And apps like Project 365 tag those landmarks with the day..well the app doesn’t tag-I do..but you get the idea.

The funny or odd case does happen though. The photo below is a swatch of red/orange that up until typing this right now..I totally forgot why I took it or what for. Just this very second I remembered!

It involves a woman…
(sigh) how awkward.

/
Van

Posted via email from Van’s Posterous

The Anti-Social Uses of Social Media

“Social media”, is probably the most overused buzz word in 2009. A few months ago when my 83 year old father asked me “What’s this Twitter thing?”, I knew the jig was up. I am by no means a “social media expert” or “evangelist” (so creepy that phrase is [shiver]). I am, on a good day: an well educated designer. BUT, I do know what aspects of social media I like. What keeps me Tweeting and Facebooking is simple: I have a genuine interest in finding people that share my interests and sense of humor. That’s all. We all like to fly in flocks. I have a passion for certain things, and I talk/tweet/txt/post/..whatever..about them.
My issue is with those companies/people/institutions that are in this for the cash reward…the return, and not for the concept / journey of it. As much as one can like or even LOVE money. Wealth, in my opinion, isn’t a passion, it isn’t even an interest-it’s a side effect, or should be. I feel for those people I meet that say they want social media engagement in their company, when clearly, they don’t even LIKE people. They don’t want to even BE social. If you don’t like people, and primarily rely on social media to cram a sell down people’s throats, you’re gonna have trouble with the basic kindergarten principles that sites like Twitter and Facebook are built upon: freely sharing and freely learning.
It’s like getting invited to a party, to only attempt to pick pocket the people you just tried to be friends with, at some point, you’ll stop getting invited.
Successful social media strategies seem to revolve around the good guys. People who “play nice” and genuinely care about what they do-whatever “it” is..and are human. Who admit flaws, tell bad / good jokes, share, and most importantly: have very little fear in openly expressing their ideas.