Jim Terry - VML | LinkedIn (original) (raw)
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- Paul Laffy A Brief History of Creativity, Fourth Installment, which finds Americans driving on the left side of the road. Springfield, Missouri had a traffic problem not unlike ones that exist all over the US: at one particular intersection, it could take up to 20 minutes to make a left turn. So Gilbert Chlewicki, a traffic engineer, suggested a risky workaround: diverge the traffic at the intersection so that all lanes actually swap sides, and when it’s time to take a left turn, you’re already on the left side (and oncoming traffic is to your right). He named it the Diverging Diamond Interchange. He's an engineer, not a writer. That was in 2009 (Gilbert first presented a paper on the idea in 2003). Today, there are over 150 in the US, with 80 currently under construction. Some people don’t like the idea of driving on the left side of the road, but the consensus is that it saves time and reduces accidents. Needless to say, Gilbert is now a bit of a rock star among the fluorescent yellow vest-wearing crowd. #creativity #engineering #traffic #driving #transportation #problemsolving #necessityisthemotherofinvention https://lnkd.in/esfSxDVm
- Rob Richardson 🎥 Blank VHS Cassette Packaging: The Unsung Hero of My Creative Journey 🎨 Ah, the 1980s. A glorious time when EVERYTHING was neon, angular, and probably sponsored by lasers. While most people remember it for questionable perms and Knight Rider, I remember something far more iconic: blank VHS cassette packaging artwork. You know the kind. Bold, geometric shapes that looked like they’d just escaped a Tron-themed disco. 🌈 Fading gradients that whispered, “I’m futuristic, and you don’t even own a microwave yet.” And the fonts! Oh, the fonts. Helvetica’s louder cousin, screaming at you from the shelf: “Buy me! I’m perfect for taping over your dad’s fishing documentary!” 🐟🎣 These designs weren’t just there to sell cassettes—they were works of art, convincing us that a plastic rectangle could hold infinite creative potential. Little did I know, as I stared at those rainbow stripes and perfect symmetry, it was subliminally steering me into design. Decades later, I’ve swapped VHS tapes for digital files, but the inspiration still lives on. It was more than packaging—it was a promise. A promise that you could create something incredible, even if it was just accidentally recording Countdown over Star Wars. 🎨 So, here’s to the unsung design heroes of the 80s. You didn’t just hold my home movies; you shaped my career. What’s your weirdest design inspiration? Drop it below! 👇 #DesignInspiration #80sDesign #VHS #Throwback #GraphicDesign #RetroVibes #CreativityUnleashed #DesignLife #VisualStorytelling #GradientGoals
- Elliott Starr Right. The world really needs more voices talking about this new Apple Ad, so here I am. (It doesn't really, everything you need to read has been written by Ben Kay.) Alas, perhaps the intention was to communicate "all this, crushed into this". But sadly, for some, the take out was "all this, destroyed by this. (And also by AI.)" As Ben rather deftly puts it: 'If you create a metaphor, you'd better be prepared for it to be interpreted in ways you hadn't intended.' Anyway, I clearly lack Ben's writing prowess, as here's my ten pence worth: All this ballyhoo feels like a classic case of 'advertising that's good vs. advertising people like'. In an ideal world, those two are one in the same thing. But they're not mutually inclusive. On a personal level, I find this ad arresting from the off, and engaging throughout. Will it survive the scroll past test, or 6-second skip test? Time will tell. But it kept me watching. Where the wheels perhaps come off, though, is where Apple ceases to have its finger on the cultural pulse. The arts, and the creative industries are under-funded, and under-threat. It might be a while before AI is running creative agencies, design studios, and production companies... But creative people are already losing work to AI. (With many individuals sharing proof of this on their own social media.) Given this is happening in a cost of living crisis, and that creative people tend to prefer Apple products over those of competitors... the ad, while being what I'd define as 'a good ad', strikes me as a faux-pas with target customers. Because "all this, crushed into this" has definitely been interpreted as "all this, destroyed by this. (And also by AI.)" Oh, and LG ad BBH did the ad in 2008... #advertising #advertisingagency #creative #creativeagency #marketing
- Stephanie Malone I'm deeply saddened to hear of the purging of creative talent at a company where several brilliant people I know worked. There's a disheartening belief at some companies that thoughtful, creative, strategic thinking isn't as valuable in an AI and data-driven marketing landscape. Nothing could be further from the truth. My strongest desire is to secure a role as a creative leader at a forward-thinking startup or entrepreneurial-minded growing company that needs exceptional, passionate, inquisitive minds to expand its brand, engage its community, and propel its marketing and creative efforts. If that happens, I could bring a team of people who fit that bill perfectly and immediately transform an in-house creative/marketing team. If you're looking for creative talent — ranging from brand management, design, content development, digital marketing, creative leadership, video marketing, data storytelling, and/or social media marketing, message me. I can direct you to a wide range of talent seeking immediate employment. And I can provide you with the highest recommendation and vouch for their tremendous capabilities.
- Tony Currie A former colleague recently thanked me for guiding their career and mentioned my creative principles as being a huge help. I'd developed these principles over the years with multiple collaborations and evolutions. They have successfully been used to guide projects, clients and creative teams. I've decided to share these (in no particular order) as it may help others to define their own. Let me know which are your favourite. 1. Story over Spectacle At the core of the work is the narrative; everything else supports this. A story not only connects but also leaves a lasting impact, shaping the entire experience. The spectacle should naturally be born of the story. 2. Meaningful over Memorable This aligns closely with storytelling. The goal is not just to be remembered, but to resonate deeply, creating an experience that matters beyond the moment; which has the power to change behaviour. 3. Purpose over Profit The work is driven by a sense of purpose, guiding your choices and ensuring what you create aligns with deep values, a clear vision or a project manifesto. 4. Authenticity over Perfection Authenticity connects, which is essential for meaningful storytelling. Perfection is appealing, but it's subjective. Placing an emphasis on authenticity moves the work closer to an objective version of perfection. 5. Inclusivity over Exclusivity A rich story or experience should be accessible to and resonate with a broad audience. Inclusivity ensures that more people can connect with your work on a meaningful level. 6. Empathy over Endorsement Understanding and connecting with others on an emotional level is more important than gaining or granting endorsement. Empathy enriches both the work and the people who make it happen. 7. Collaboration over Competition Working together fosters creativity and innovation, crucial for building narratives that are rich and multidimensional. Collaboration leads to a more diverse and richer outcome. 8. Substance over Style While style draws attention, the substance is what gives your work depth and longevity, ensuring that the story or message is not just seen but felt. 9. Simplicity over Complexity Simplicity allows the core message or story to shine through, avoiding unnecessary distractions and making it easier for the audience to connect with your work. Always seek out ways to simplify your work. 10. Conversation over Documentation Engaging with others through conversation promotes a dynamic exchange of ideas, which can enrich your work. You should connect with people at an as human level as possible, and then document the outcome of those connected moments.
- Patrick Maravilla With all the CDs/ECDs/CCOs getting laid off, there's no one left to mentor the younger creatives in our industry. And they are dying to learn, grow and make work. In fact, some are willing to moonlight for free just to get opportunities to do just that. I have creatives regularly reaching out and asking if I have anything they can work on. And occasionally, I get projects that are low budget but high opportunity. So I offer the opportunity. I say, "There's no budget for freelancers, but if you want to toss ideas into the pitch, etc. And your idea sells, I'll use the budget we win to fly you out to be on the shoot." That way, there's a reward— a piece of produced work for your portfolio. I've had FT employees at big agencies, recently graduated students and young freelancers pitch in ideas, write scripts, design ads, etc. And I've worked along side them. Mentored them. Pushed their thinking. Crack jokes. Pushed more. Then work odd hours with them to build the pitch. It's a lot of extra work but it's worth it to give them the opportunity to do stuff they're agency or boss won't. Then I've invited them to be on the call during the pitch to watch how their work is presented, how to sell work and how to push the client without making them feel like we're being difficult. And this has led to them getting produced work for their portfolio. And on projects that we didn't win, they got the hands on mentoring they wish they could be getting at their agency or future gig. All of this has taught me three things: 1—The desire to make good work is still thriving in the industry even if there's not a lot of good work being made. (Is it fair to say: "We produce PDFs more than work?" Or, "We fill decks with our best thinking then can't present or defend the ideas in a way that leads to the best ideas getting made? Or is that just me being too cynical?) 2—These creatives are dying for someone to mentor them. To show them how to be successful at this crazy fun business we get to work in. I've heard from multiple creatives as we work, "I wish my CD would do this." Or "This has been so much fun." Or "The experience alone was so worth it." This is great to hear but also it makes me sad. 3—There's so much more than titles and money that you could be offering your creatives to keep them happy and loyal to your agency. Or attract new creatives to your agency when you need to staff up. Offer them mentorship. Offer them experience that they get stiff armed out of because they're junior. I tell creatives, "Any time a client is willing to invest money to make ANYTHING, is an opportunity to make something good/fun/rewarding." (I intentionally didn't include "award-winning" in that list.) I wish I could do more to help. This lack of mentorship tempts me to go back to agency life just to help young creatives love this industry as much as I do. For now, if I can help you in any way, reach out. I give what I have and for now, it's time. #Stayhungrymyfriends
- Diane Levine What makes great creative, great creative? We know it when we see it, we feel it when we do it, but could there possibly be...a formula? Our Think Integrated team took the time to consider this question along with analyzing some of the best work we've ever done or seen. While we found no set formula (thank goodness), we did identify these common traits, which we've put on paper and commit to from this point forward: 1. Have purpose, perspective and a point of view. We’re not just making stuff to make it. All of our work serves a purpose. And we’re not just creators. We are problem solvers and communicators, driving toward something specific and intentional with every move we make. 2. Start with an idea. Always. Ideas separate compelling, effective creative from collections of letters and pixels. Some people can’t tell the difference. We are not those people. 3. Tell the truth. Great creative never lies, or needs to. It makes the truth — about a brand, a product, a person, or a situation — shine. 4. Be original. Whatever you’re trying to say, be it verbally or visually, strive to say it in a way it hasn’t been said a million times before. Originality cuts through the clutter and earns the audience’s attention. 5. Surprise! Great creative catches you off guard. It can paint the ordinary in an extraordinary new light. It can reveal a truth you never realized. It can make you feel seen and understood in a way you never dreamed possible. 6. Stay on strategy. Yes, we’re repeating #1. That’s because we have to. Sometimes we get so carried away with being creative that we forget what we came here to do in the first place. Even the most original, surprising and exciting idea will fail if it doesn’t connect to our original purpose. 7. Embrace the edit (even when it hurts). Great creative takes craftsmanship. No matter how much we fall in love with our work, we have to be willing to change what needs changing, take out what has no reason for staying, to rethink, rework and refine until we get it right. 8. The simpler, the better. In a complicated and complex world, our job is to create order and understanding. We make things look and sound beautiful while keeping the meaning crystal clear. 9. Words & visuals work together. Think of them as different tools to build the same story. How can they complement each other without competing? How can they reinforce, without repeating? 10. Speak human. For every client, industry or customer base we work with, we are always humans speaking to other humans (for now). Create accordingly. 11. Check–and double check–your work. Even the tiniest little error can dim the sparkle of otherwise great creative. Take the time to review your work and ask the team when you need an extra set of eyes. (And you always need an extra set of eyes.) 12. Have fun! This is why we became creatives in the first place, isn’t it? Anything you would add?
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