OK, so I’m a bit of a stickler for spelling and grammar, but there are some really simple things that should be easy to get right, such as when to use its and it’s.
Seriously, it’s not difficult. Surely Tesco should know better?
[Found on two different flavours of 'not from concentrate' fruit juice]
I read this article by Sherry Turkle on the New York Times website and it made me feel really sad.
In it, Sherry discusses how we’ve sacrificed having a real conversation for simply connecting with people, and cites families sitting together but engrossed with texting or reading emails rather than talking.
I do understand how brilliant technology and social media is for keeping in touch, letting friends and family meet new additions to your family even if they can’t be there in person, etc, and I know how great it can be from a business perspective (if done well!) enabling you to make a connection with your customers and bring your brand to life.
However, I find it amazing that people will now sit in a business meeting with their phone on the table in front of them. And don’t get me started on people who go out for dinner and put their smartphone on the corner of the table so they can keep an eye on it. I also don’t understand why people check in on Facebook, ‘so and so was at this restaurant with so and so’. Stop telling your social network about it and start giving your full attention to the person/people you are with.
I went out last weekend and forgot to take my phone with me, and you know what? The world didn’t end.
In fact, it felt quite liberating.
If I’ve got my phone on me, I’m constantly taking it out of my pocket and checking I haven’t had any new emails or messages. It was lovely to just walk along enjoying the scenery and people watching, and I’m going to try to make a habit of leaving my phone at home.
Perhaps we should all give it a go.
I’ve just watched a really interesting programme about Norman Foster (it was on Sky Arts 1 in August last year and I can’t find it on YouTube, sorry!), called ‘how much does your building weigh’.
He’s designed and built some iconic buildings that everyone would recognise: the gherkin and wembley stadium are just two examples.
But I was absolutely blown away by this bridge:
It’s the Millau Viaduct in France and the tallest bridge in the world. From the foot to the top of one of the towers in the middle of the valley is 343 m (1,125 ft). I would love to go and see this.
I just love how good architecture can be appreciated as art.
I went to the design museum today to see a retrospective of Terence Conran’s work. Was really interesting, and showcased his huge influence on British design and the way we live.
The Design Museum also has the Design of the Year show on at the moment.
It showcases the most innovative and progressive designs from around the world, spanning seven categories: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics, Product and Transport.
Some really inspiring work in the show, and well worth visiting if you are in London in the next few weeks.
If not, take a look at their website for the nominees.
Their Louboutin exhibition starts in May…I am looking forward to that one!
I read this article in the calm few minutes before my daughter woke up this morning and we had the mad rush to get ready and out the door in time for nursery and work. It really made me think, so I wanted to share it with you…
It’s basically all about how, with the advancement of technology, creative’s time and thought processes are being squeezed to an inch of their lives.
I’m guilty on more than one occasion of discussing a project with creative to get their input into how long is needed, and then bartering the time down with them as much as possible to fit in with the client’s timescales. In my heart of hearts, I know it’s not the right way to work.
One paragraph in particular hit home:
Have you ever tried to have an idea. Any idea at all, with a gun to your head? This is the daily reality for the creative drone. And when he’s done, sometime in the wee small hours, he then has to face his two harshest critics. Himself, and everyone else. “Ah. Sorry. Client couldn’t make the meeting. I faxed your layouts to him at his squash club. He quite liked the green one. Apart from the typeface, the words, the picture and the idea. Oh, and could the logo be bigger? Hope it wasn’t a late night. Thank god for computers eh? Rightho! I’m off to lunch.”
I hope I’ve never belittled the work of our creatives in this way, and if I have, I apologise now!
I for one am going to try to make sure we have enough time for concepting and creative development. Best laid plans?
I love these new print ads for Lego. Really simple, but made me stop, look and smile. (And feel quite proud of myself when I guessed all apart from the fourth one!)
Most of the characters probably won’t resonate with children, so I think it’s aimed more at nostalgic parents who remember playing with Lego when they were children, and shows how with Lego, and a little imagination, you can make anything.
Can you guess the cartoon characters? (I’ll put the answers as a comment next week if you can’t guess them!)
I was already loving Air’s new album, and then I found out that they created it as a soundtrack to this brilliant film, La voyage dans la lune, by Georges Méliès, filmed in 1902…
I can’t believe it was filmed 110 years ago.
It also made me realise where Smashing Pumpkins got their inspiration for the video to Tonight, Tonight.
The lovely people @Pieminister visited us in Bradford on Avon today and delivered us all yummy pies to enjoy for tea tonight. Now that’s a good thing to happen on a Wednesday!
I just read this article in Marketing Week and can see both sides.
Basically, Amazon are developing an advertising platform for the Kindle. My initial reaction was shock horror.
I got a Kindle for Christmas and can imagine how annoying it would be if I’m in the middle of a nail biting part of my book when all of a sudden I’m distracted by an advert.
However, I can also see the positives of a relevant ad at the beginning/end of a book, or an advert for other books I might like when I’ve finished reading.
I saw the Virgin Money TV ad at the weekend and I think it’s a lovely example of an advert that you actually stop to watch, rather than going off to make a cuppa.
To me, Virgin feels like a trustworthy brand, so I think they’ve got a good chance to make it as a high street bank.
Having worked in Financial Services in the past, I was also amazed at the speed at which they turned around the rebrand of the branches (although a couple of the signs did look stuck on!).
