The Design Symphony Experience

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The Best Place to Work in DC (Part II)

Fast on the heels of our Best Place to Work in DC award, this email went out this morning from one of our members - Peter Krsko:

Hello Lab,

In the kitchen, there is FREE Red Bull and RB Cola (not an energy drink) for everyone to drink. Please save the empty cans for me. I'm building a sculpture using the cans and I need you help to empty them.

The sculpture will be unveiled in June.

Thank you.

Peter

Many offices around the world have co-workers bringing treats to share.  Few implore you to partake of the gift so that they can complete a piece of public art.

This is yet another reason why I love having my office at Affinity Lab...

The Best Place to Work in DC

Today we received notice that our co-working space (the Affinity Lab) has been selected by the Washington Business Journal as one of Washington DC's Best Places to Work.  This caps a great run of publicity we've enjoyed over the last few months.

Needless to say, we're thrilled to be listed along with great companies like Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Microsoft Corporation, Miriams Kitchen, the Omni Shoreham Hotel, and The Motley Fool.

"There is no 9 to 5 with Design Symphony"

“Having been a client for the past seven years, I’ve always been amazed that we are treated as if we are their only client.  There is no “9 to 5” with Design Symphony - they are always willing to go the extra mile.  They specialize in taking an ordinary project and making it extraordinary.  

We look forward to all of our interactions because we know when we work with them we are working with quality.  Always on budget, but never taking short cuts in the quality of work they provide, Design Symphony truly sets the standard for breath-taking design and inspired creativity.”

-- Danielle Willenberg, Vice President, Survivors Rehabilitation Foundation

I Meditate

"Thank God I meditate - otherwise I would lose my mind!"

Said randomly by a colleague when someone they work with did something completely offensive.

Subtle Yet Effective

I saw an ad for this t-shirt today and was impressed with how few words it actually takes to say something.

The Best Creative Money Can't Buy

The interesting thing about the the video from will.i.am in my recent post is that it was created without any input, direction, or request from the Obama campaign.

As will.i.am tells it:

"I was sitting in my recording studio watching the debates...
Torn between the candidates...I was never really big on politics...
and actually I’m still not big on politics...

And then came New Hampshire... And i was captivated... Inspired...

I began making this song...
I came up with the idea to turn his speech into a song...
I wanted the inspiration that was bubbling inside me to take over...

so I called my friends...
and they called their friends...
in a matter of 2 days...
We made the song and video...

Usually this process would take months...
a bunch of record company people figuring out strategies and release dates...
interviews...
all that stuff...
but this time i took it in my own hands...
so i called my friends sarah pantera, mike jurkovac, fred goldring, and jesse dylan to help make it happen...
and they called their friends..
and we did it together in 48 hours...
and instead of putting it in the hands of profit we put it in the hands of inspiration...

You know you're delivering an impressive brand experience when your fans start creating their own ways to refer more business to you and promote your goals/dream/agenda.

After I sent out the video, my good friend and work colleague Berit sent me the following images created by Shepard Fairey - a well known artists of "Obey Giant" fame who specializes in the prolific stickering and flyposting of propaganda-style images.

Not only are these beautiful posters with powerful imagery, but once again, they were created by a "fan" who wanted to lend his own creativity to the cause. As he tells it:

"I first became interested in him [Obama] in 2004, after his speech at the Democratic convention and have been impressed with him ever since. I think I'm a pretty good judge of character and my feeling about Barack is he stuck his neck out by being against the war, he always seems to speak his mind whether it's the popular position or not and he just seems like he follows what he believes in, which impresses me. So I decided I'd support him and put up my own money to do so. Some people asked me why I don't wait until he's got the Democratic nomination, but if you want a candidate to win, why not try your best to ensure he actually gets the nomination? "

So here's the ultimate question: How many of your customers, supporters, donors, etc. would put their own time and money into creating amazingly creative campaigns to promote your cause?

If you struggle to answer that question, maybe you should start by thinking about how much you inspire them? Just a thought...

P.S. While the posters are sold out and there are no plans to print more, you can download a B/W version from Obey Giant here.

I'm Younger...

"I'm younger online than I am in real life..."

Said randomly by one of my colleagues during lunch today.

Yes We Can

Friends:

As many of you know, I grew up in a family full of politicians - so as you might imagine, I've been around this stuff for almost 35 years now... But I must confess, today is different from all the other days.

It's "Super Tuesday" and many believe that today has the potential to decide the next four years. I believe that today has the potential to decide the course of history for our planet...

I'm writing today to ask you to take 4 minutes to view this video:

Once you've watched, ask yourself this:
Do you believe that we can do better? As a people? As a country? As a planet? As individuals?
Do you believe that our country isn't as divided as people claim?
Do you believe that the differences between Republicans, and Democrats, and Independents, and those who don't even want to be labeled, aren't really that far apart?

The main think to ask: Do you believe?

I do.

I believe we can change.

I believe the time is now.

I believe Barack Obama is the best person to lead us.

I believe Barack Obama is the best person to inspire us.

I believe Barack Obama is the best person to help us believe again.

You may not live in a Super Tuesday primary state, but I imagine you know someone who does...

Call them.

Email them.

Right now - there is still time. (you can even forward this email if that makes it easier for you...)

Ask them to support Senator Obama for President.

Ask them to go vote today - or in the coming days if their state hasn't had a primary yet.

Ask them to believe.

To paraphrase, "I'm not just asking you to believe in Senator Obama's ability to bring about real change in Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours..."

If not now, when will it happen?

If not you, who will do it?

Years from now, people will have the chance to look back on this election and say,

Today was when America changed the course of human history...

Today was when people started to believe again...

Today was the day that made all the difference...

Thanks for your time... Thanks for your optimism... Thanks for your hope... Thanks for believing that yes we can...

Joey

The Sun Never Sets...

"Why do you have sunglasses on?"

"Because the sun never sets on a badass!"

Said jokingly by one of my colleagues when being teased for having sunglasses on indoors.

Elevation Using Color

A good friend recently told me about a webinar presented by laga and Sun Chemical on the power of color in branding.

Since I use color every day to help clients create amazing experiences for their customers, I thought I would check it out.

The webinar, Elevating Strategy Using Color is this Thursday (I know - really short notice) but rest assured that I will report back on what I learn...

If you can't make the session or want to see some additional presentations by the same people, check out the following YouTube videos:

Color Innovation - Part 1/5
Color Innovation - Part 2/5
Color Innovation - Part 3/5
Color Innovation - Part 4/5
Color Innovation - Part 5/5

See how you can put color to work for your brand!

Facebook vs. LinkedIn

"LinkedIn is like Facebook for people with jobs."

Said by a third-year law student who just started using LinkedIn to develop a professional network.

Dark Day for Design - London Edition!

The London 2012 Olympic Committee unveiled the official logo of the games today. It comes in a variety of colors including pink, blue, green, and orange.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said:

"When people see the new brand, we want them to be inspired to make a positive change in their life."

Organizing Committee Chairman Seb Coe said:

"It's not a logo, it's a brand that will take us forward for the next five years."

The cost of this logo? £400,000

Wow...

I work with companies and organizations to design logos and brand identities every day and I'm sorry, but this new logo just doesn't work.

* It's busy.
* It's confusing.
* It's cluttered.
* The "2012" numerals are hard to identify.
* The color combinations reflect some sort of Skittles binge-eating.

Not good.

With all due respect to Mr. Blair and Mr. Coe, I don't think it inspires "positive change" nor do I feel it is a brand that can take 2012 London forward.

The worst thing of all - the excuse that it's "all about the young people."

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said:

"This is a truly innovative brand logo that graphically captures the essence of the London 2012 Olympic Games - namely to inspire young people around the world through sport and the Olympic values."

Okay - let's be clear - young people around the world appreciate quality design and imagery more than any other generation living. And maybe more than any other generation in history. Just saying "it inspires young people" won't make it happen.

P.S. According to the BBC, the Committee plans to create a different logo for grassroots projects backing the Games.

Ouch.

Message to London 2012: If you're trying to build a brand from scratch - just create one logo folks. Don't complicate issues more than they already are with this original design.

People Really Hate Us "Now"

The June 2007 issue of Fast Company features a story on Nau - a new outdoor clothing company built on a bold sustainability mantra.

I've seen about a half dozen articles on this company in the last 30 days. They're doing a great job of building buzz and I've been intrigued enough that I am planning a trip to their Chicago store (currently one of four stores nationwide) later this summer.

Nau's design philosophy incorporates three key elements: performance, sustainability, and beauty. Isn't that something we can all agree on?

The thing I love best about Nau's approach to business (and stay tuned for a review of their clothing and retail experience) is their unapologetic view of standing for something as opposed to trying to be all things to all customers (i.e., the boring and ineffective technique used by so many organizations). Nau CEO Chris Van Dyke (son of actor Dick Van Dyke) explains:

"One of our greatest goals is that a significant number of people really hate us. That's just perfect. You try to please everybody and you end up being nothing. The sign of a really powerful brand is one that is loved and embraced and equally hated. The deeper you pound your stake into the sand about your values, the more of both the love and the hate you're going to generate. That's what makes it exciting."

Nau is so now...

P.S. In case you were wondering, Nau is Maori for "Welcome! Come in" - very fitting and fun - like all good brand names should be.

Doors Slamming

"One door slams repeatedly in your face... and another one opens."

Said after a series of disasters on a project were followed by an on-point, relevant, new business opportunity.

Live Your Dream

Driving back to DC from New York the other night I came up behind this truck:

Why is it that the "punk, hippie, vandalizing, no-good, long-haired, truant, misfit kid" gets it when so many of us don't?

P.S. How wonderful when graffiti + philosophy + serendipity = me trying to take a photo while driving 75mph down the highway! Don't try this one at home kids...

The Seth Godin Experience

Last month I had the chance to meet the infamous Seth Godin - business writer, presenter, and marketer extraordinaire when he came to the University of Maryland business school.

Seth's writing is fantastic and his presenting lived up to his written word reputation. Here's my mindmap of notes from the meeting:

Download 3.4mb Mindmap PDF

The #1 takeaway for me from Seth's presentation?

Don't be afraid to risk.

And then risk some more.

Seth told a great story about one of his son's bathtub toys and a red circle that perfectly illustrates the point. Give me a call (two-zero-two -- 834-0111) or send me an email and I'd be happy to tell you the whole story (it's too long for a blog post).

Turning $10 into $10,000 in 10 Days

I'm asking an interesting question in the next few days... How hard is it to turn $10 into $10,000 in 10 days?

Kevin Bacon is famous for his acting - and for being the subject of a game called Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon where you try to link any actor to Kevin based on movies they've been in. Building on this game, Kevin has decided to use the process of connecting to people to help raise money for worthy causes.

Between now and March 31st, the Network for Good is tracking the number of people who make a minimum donation of $10 to causes identified by individuals using badges like this:

The six badges with the most donations (number of donors - not size of donations) will receive a matching award from Kevin - up to $10,000.

I'm trying an experiment using the group I sing with (The Washington Men's Camerata) and our NEA-supported effort called The Demetrius Project. The Project is creating a global library for choral music - collecting and preserving the music for generations to come. We also offer pieces on loan to choruses and scholars around the world and are recording a series of CDs using music arrangements found in the collection's archives.

Can it be done? Time will tell... At the very least it's a fascinating study in viral marketing, social marketing, and the behavior of crowds!

Feel free to do you part and donate to the cause (feel free to give more than $10 if you like too!) by clicking the orange "Donate" button on the badge above or by clicking here. If you could ask friends and family to help out too - that would be even more fantastic (remember it's the number of donors we're trying to maximize!)

P.S. After you donate, send me an email (there's an ecard option when you process the donation) and I'll send you a special gift from The Demetrius Project!

The Post Office Experience

To most people in America, the phrase "going postal" is all too familiar. Becoming "extremely and uncontrollably angry, possibly to the point of violence" is a common experience for many visitors to the typical post office. Why is that?

This is a great example of why that happens:

This scene comes from my local post office here in DC where fourteen of us were in line the other day. Mid-afternoon, fourteen people in line, and one person at the counter. Two other postal employees were in the back chatting - loud enough for those of us in line to hear.

Why didn't they come out and help?

Why have us wait in line for 34 minutes (my actual wait time that day) when the other two clerks could have assisted and collectively served everyone in line in about nine minutes?

Why?

Because according to new rules, my local branch has been racking up too much overtime helping customers. According to their "staffing assessments" they only need one person at the desk in the afternoon and the other two people need to work in the back.

Folks, at the end of the day you want your employees to act like they own the business. You want them to cherish and serve customers. You want them to provide customers with a great experience.

Takeaways:
1) Eliminate the "wait" wherever possible - show customers that you value their time as much (or even more) than your own.

2) Reward your employees for acting like owners - with money, praise, and any other positive reinforcement you can imagine.

3) When all else fails - try humor. I've come to know Joe (the postal worker in the photo) over the last few years and he has a great attitude - something that is rare in my lifetime of postal experiences. Joe did his best to apologize to people for the delay, using his friendly and playful banter to keep us entertained while we waited.

At least one employee in the U.S. Postal Service understands that the name of the organization is the Postal Service.

P.S. Two of the people ahead of me were visiting from Europe. When their friend apologized for the delay, one of them said "Don't worry - it's giving us the chance to experience the U.S. Postal Service." (seriously - I'm not making this up) If I were the U.S. Postmaster General, I would be embarrassed by that observation.

Feel the JC Penney's Love

Last month I posted about JC Penney's new "Every Day Matters" campaign and promised some updated photos. Here they are - fresh from the JC Penney's homepage. The campaign theme is presented in a series of pages - each one encouraging you to make the most of every day.