what matters

Time for a detour

2009-02-12T20:59:00.003-05:00

After three years, it's time to move the blog to a new home. Curious Obsessions will now be at sooyco.com, and posts here will be fewer (if that's at all possible!)

Thanks for reading, please visit the new blog Curious Obsessions.

A new year requires new thinking

2009-01-02T07:26:00.004-05:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Entrepreneurship is a way of thinking, not a way of doing. Are we as designers learning to change the way we think?

Are we applying the same principles and processes (not formulas) that we advise our clients with to ourselves?

Does the way we think lead to greater economic gain for our clients, and by extension to ourselves?

Are we becoming more adept at what we do, by applying experience and thinking learned from previous opportunity to new opportunity?

Are we thinking beyond the current state: beyond branding, beyond marketing, beyond doing?

It's never too late to change the way we think.

New Pepsi logo and font: What went wrong

2008-12-23T09:08:00.017-05:00

If you confuse the the new Pepsi logo and packaging with a store brand, it's understandable.

It is an ambitious effort to re-brand a line of products such as this, but perhaps PepsiCo over-thought the effort. Nike has brilliantly made its symbol synonymous with its corporate name, but I don't foresee this happening with Pepsi. The company should revisit the brand and start with the typography, and hope that the consumer smiles when they say "Pepsi," instead of trying to own the smile and hoping that the consumer thinks of Pepsi when they smile.

The new Pepsi brand has the look of and creates the perception of a store brand, and here's why:

The visual symbol: The familiar red and blue circle has been replaced by a mark that seems inspired by animé or aerospace. Under Consideration compares them side-by-side, with quotes from Ad Age and BVNet:

"The brand's blue and red globe trademark will become a series of "smiles," with the central white band arcing at different angles depending on the product."

While the intent may have been sincere, it's poorly executed (what consumer is going to notice that each brand has a different angle?) Perhaps each bottle will soon include a legend to let the consumer know what the smile means. Perhaps the last three years of election cycle rubbed off on the brand as well, with its similarity to the Obama campaign logo.

The typography: The Pepsi logo, set in lower case, alludes to vintage typography (disco anyone?) while trying to be modern. Stem and stroke weights differ, and joins bloat. This lettering was possible accomplished with a Rapid-o-graph pen, straight edge and circle template. It reflects years of amateur-looking type design in the packaging and advertising industry, and reminds me of type downloaded from a free font site.

The color palette: Eeeeew. It's not friendly, it makes me wonder if I'd actually enjoying drinking what's in the bottle. It's depressing. The entire dark palette of colors on the packaging seems to infer that PepsiCo is taking itself much too seriously.

The packaging: some of the comments at Under Consideration suggest that the new small bottles have similarities to, well, other objects. While the design of two-liter bottles (show here) don't change much, the wrapper combines all of the shortcomings of symbol, color and typography into a tired-looking design.

Who's thirsty? ;-)

Lessons to learn, or how to think about our economy

2008-12-14T08:00:00.005-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, please take note: It is not The End of The World as We Know It, nor is the sky falling. At least not yet.

Talk to many business owners or officers, and they are tired of the constant barrage of dour predictions and glum faces telling them that economically, there is no hope for our future. Especially those whose businesses are thriving.

Positiveeconomicnews.com carries a poll, showing that 44% of its readers are "concerned but optimistic" about the economic future (including this writer). And it notes that consumer confidence is up for the second month in a row (U of Michigan/Reuters) (lesson to learn: don't use only one poll to base your opinions on). If you're obsessive about consumer confidence, you can monitor it at the Conference Board.

"Consumers' short-term outlook was less pessimistic. Those anticipating business conditions to worsen over the next six months declined to 28.1 percent from 36.5 percent, while those expecting conditions to improve rose to 11.4 percent from 9.6 percent.
The outlook for the labor market was also less negative. The percent of consumers anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead declined to 33.3 percent from 41.5 percent, while those expecting more jobs increased to 9.2 percent from 7.3 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes increased to 13.3 percent from 11.1 percent."

Lesson to learn: get your news from the source, and not the media. I know, you'll have to work harder for it, but it's worth it. Trust me.

Small and mid-sized businesses are really the engine of the economy, as noted by strategic thinker Deborah Mills-Scofield:

"Small/mid-sized companies are growth engines of local economics – SBA study issued in June 2008: High-Impact Firms: Gazelles Revisited – updated version of a study they did in the 80’s focused on firms with significant revenue growth and expanding employment."

What is the national economy, but a collection of sub-economies? Lesson to learn: Right now is a time of opportunity and possibility for your business.

So turn off the news, stop reading the dire news, and get back to work. America is depending on you.

My favorite Christmas CD

2008-12-13T15:02:00.008-05:00

Almost 10 years ago, Al Di Meola released Winter Nights, his first, and (AFAIK) only holiday recording. One of my favorites, I've added a few, including Phil Keaggy, Vince Guaraldi, George Winston and Jars of Clay to the Altered Ego store on Amazon.

TANSTAAFL (There ain't no such thing as a free lunch)

2008-10-07T13:25:00.007-04:00

My high school economics teacher, Mr. Ernie Watts, taught me this valuable lesson: TANSTAAFL, or (There ain't no such thing as a free lunch).

There's no such thing as free health care, free government programs, free anything. Who's paying for them? The 80% of small businesses that drive the US economy.

The credit crunch and government bailout certainly affects small business, which will continue to plow ahead and keep the economy running and create the economic recovery.

At this point in time, the wealthy (and those trying to create wealth) pay the majority of taxes. More than one researcher confirms that the rich really do pay higher taxes. Small businesses, you're the next target... assuming you're trying to create wealth, and after the election, of course.

Place branding: information as a government service

2008-09-28T15:01:00.017-04:00

A municipality that does not have a relevant and content-rich web site that allows the administration to supply information is at a perceptual and economic disadvantage.

It's mystifying that the perspective is that a web site is inherently a technology platform only, and therefore in the realm of the IT department, still exists. In this context, a web site is a marketing and communications platform, and should be considered as part of the responsibility of a chief information officer. It doesn't take an IT department to create a web site.

What better way for a municipality to communicate with, disseminate information to, or manage information for citizens and the media?

A place especially needs differentiation and positioning to start to create a positive perception.

From the mundane (when is my garbage collected after a holiday?) to the functional (can I pay my water bill online?) to the strategic (why do we need to support a tax levy again?), a site should set vision, and generate good will for the municipality.

The perceptual disadvantage allows the local media, citizen pundits on local web-based forums, and the uniformed to create their own perceptions of what's really going on with the local government. Where there is no information, the people will make up their own opinions, informed or not.

The economic disadvantage allows other communities, who have relevant and compelling content about their municipalities, to inform prospective residents and businesses, current residents and business owners, and other interested parties, why the community is thriving and attractive. It's basic economic development: attraction, retention and expansion.

People will find information about a municipality online, good or bad. Of course this is the root of branding: It's not what an administration thinks about their municipality (or organization), but it's what they (constituents) think, that is important. And if a municipality has nothing relevant or meaningful upon which they can create informed perceptions, citizens will create their own perceptions, right or wrong.

I'm a PC. Of course, I sell fish.

2008-09-21T20:32:00.010-04:00

Jerry and Dean were funny. Jerry and Bill? Sort of. The Shoe store schtick wasn't funny at all. The house guest schtick would have been funnier if it had been edited to say, one minute 30 seconds.

Why does Microsoft void mentioning Windows? "I'm a PC?" Why not just say, "I'm generic."

Steve Ballmer rightly said in an internal email, echoing our opinion (thanks to Apple Insider:)

"In the competition between PCs and Macs, we outsell Apple 30-to-1. But there is no doubt that Apple is thriving," Ballmer wrote in the email. "Why? Because they are good at providing an experience that is narrow but complete, while our commitment to choice often comes with some compromises to the end-to-end experience."

Gee, ya think? Let's see: computer, Mac OSX, iPod, iTunes. I'm good. What you got? Operating system, MP3 player (what was that called again...oh yeah, Zune), Xbox. What do you run that OS on again?

Today's lesson: the power of a word or name to evoke an experience is powerful. It connects the customer to the company. Perhaps it's time for a name change for Microsoft?

Has anybody seen my nail clippers?

9/25/08: Fast Company renders a summary of reactions and response to the ads. Successful? You decide!

I'm a Mac. How about you?

2008-09-18T08:56:00.007-04:00

AppleInsider reports that Microsoft is going to spoof the Mac ads.

This is LOL funny, and a bit disturbing:

"Also beginning Thursday night, the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant will invite visitors to the website to upload videos and photos that will demonstrate "how they, too, are PCs." Microsoft will reportedly select some of the photos to appear on electronic billboards in Times Square beginning the following day, while others will be used in advertisement banners."

Did I miss something? Do PCs really evoke the same sense of affinity with their users as do Macs? Microsoft is a software company (ok, not counting XBox and Zune, but that adds weight to my theory). What does it take for an individual to consider themselves part of the tribe of PC users? Where are the telltale earbuds, Windows XP/Vista stickers on cars, lines of people waiting when a store opens?

As a hardware & software company, Apple has engaged most of my senses and sensibilities. Sight, touch, hearing, usability. Even the name evokes taste. Not isolated, but at any time a combination of a minimum of two senses creates an experience.

Maybe Microsoft needs to start making computers?

Everybody's a critic

2008-09-14T07:36:00.012-04:00

Recently, Sooy + Co. received an email with a blistering criticism about a branding project we completed for a public school system:

Message : How dare you call Lorain City Schools new clip art a logo. What did you do a Google search and find some stupid hand clip and then make up the color story. How dare you make Lorain the laughing stock of our County. We are smart enough to know good design, this isn't an example of it. Shame on you for not having the professional integrity to actually design something.

Did it offend us? No, we had a good laugh over it, and our staff discussed how to respond. With proper grammar, of course.

Perhaps some people would prefer the old logo that resembles paper dolls, sandwiched between an image of a light house and what appeared to be two-color toothpaste squeezed from a tube. Seriously. We think our solution is a new take on an old cliché.

Some possible responses we considered:

"Why yes, we were in a hurry and all we had time for was a quick Google search for stupid hand clip . Is that bad?"

"You're right. Our branding process is designed with the possible outcome of creating laughing stocks, but only when the creative brief calls for it. We must have missed the mark. Or do you mean la vache qui ri?"

"We all missed the professional integrity classes in college due to a quarter-to semester-change. Thank you for pointing out the flaw in our education, we are looking into a distance learning class in order to make it up."

With the democratization of design comes the democratization of drive-by design criticism.

Drive-by design criticism is defined as:

"Drive-by criticism is a reaction to an observation or experience, whereby the uninformed renders an opinion about something they know nothing about."

It can be rephrased as "I don't know what I like until I see it, and I know I don't like that."

On the other hand, design critique (or professional design criticism) is an exercise by students or design professionals to review and evaluate a design solution based on any number of criteria, such as form to function, the three core elements of visual design: contrast, balance and unity, appropriateness of solution to problem, and usability. Among other criteria, of course.

The individual sharing their criticism with us had no idea what the design brief called for, the client's objectives, or why we chose red, green and white to represent diversity instead of brown, beige and red.

Drive-by design criticism is a corollary to the General Theory of Design: "Design consists of creating things for clients who may not know what they want, until they see what you've done, then they know exactly what they want, but it's not what you did."

No, we don't use Google to search for clip art. We're professionals, with design degrees. We don't skeet shoot in the dark, nor do we allow our clients do so. We accept, as should any professional design firm, valid and well-informed design critique. But we really can't figure out what inspires a rant like we received.

To our drive-by critic: Thanks for writing. We're sorry that you were having a bad day, and hope that things are looking up for you.

Rowing in the opposite direction

2008-08-22T09:40:00.008-04:00

Does it seem to you that many well-meaning business interests and special interest groups are rowing in the wrong direction?

In Ohio: The Governor's efforts to forge a compromise on the so-called "Healthy Families Act" have failed. That means that the issue, which will be Issue 4 on the November ballot, will go to the voters.

According to a study by the National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio, is what those who vote in favor of the issue will be voting:

The loss of 75,000 jobs
A $1.17 billion burden on Ohio employers
The loss of $9.4 billion in sales from 2008 to 2012

The ballot issue seeks to mandate 7 paid days of sick leave for employees of companies employing 25 or more people. And to be able to take that one hour at a time.

When other groups are trying to 1) Create opportunities for economic development in the state, and 2) create jobs in the state, what are these groups thinking? What small business would want to move or set up operations in Ohio, with that kind of mandate to follow, especially, if passed, Ohio was the only state with that kind of law?

The state should not be able to take away an employer's rights to negotiate with employees.

Postscript 9/4/08: Today’s big business news is that labor leaders have dropped a state ballot initiative...

Postscript 9/5/08: Look for this initiative to be considered on a federal level...

I'm sure this blog post had something to do with it...

Goodbye Treo, Hello iPhone 3G

2008-08-09T08:03:00.008-04:00

Goodbye Treo 700. I will miss you. After years of spending time with you and your family (since when they were called Palm Pilots), I have left you.

It's not that we don't have anything in common, after all, I feel that we've grown closer since we've worked through the syncing issues between you and Microsoft Entourage. With the Missing Sync as a mediator, we made it through. But... you still are quirky, and I just need something more.

I won't miss the random resets, random freezing, and that annoying stubby antenna. Hey! Remember that time when I dropped you and it broke off? Sorry, I didn't mean to make it personal. But then again, after so many years and new models, you still didn't manage to slim down, you were always like a brick in my pocket.

I've been waiting to do this for a long time, hoping that I would change my mind. I even considered upgrading you to a Palm Centro... but it just wouldn't have been the same. Besides, you arrived at the Verizon party too late.

So after a year, it's true. I was seen in line at the Apple store at 7:30 am after driving for 45 minutes, cup of coffee in hand. Yes, I was enjoying the experience, the anticipation. And shortly after 8 am, she was mine.

Even with a Contour Design Hardskin, she's still only half as thick as you are. And she syncs with Entourage just by plugging her in. I even have hope for a new syncing experience through e2Sync. So maybe instead of needing more, I needed less. Sorry if that hurts you.

It will cost me more per month for her service, the Apple iPhone 3G... but she's worth it. You see, to me she's more than a phone, she plays my music, reminds me where to be, and who my contacts are. She's everything!

Maybe we'll see each other sometime. I know I'll think of you when I see someone else making a call on a phone like you. Take care. But please, just don't call me. It's time to move on.

Receding hairlines and typographic mistakes

2008-04-28T21:11:00.004-04:00

So, I am not the only one. Christopher Phin joins the typographic soirée just a few weeks ago with this short but sweet top-ten list of common typographic errors.

You may not agree that the decimal point in prices is incorrect — (interpunct anyone?) this may be an UK convention that we threw into the bay with the tea — but his list is worth a quick read and should be committed to memory.

Note: in case you didn't notice, Phin is from the UK. They have other typographic practices that many in the US find unusual (such as omitting periods from abbreviations such as Dr and Mr), but that's OK. It's not wrong, just different.

Ned wears a square halo at the world's end

2008-04-11T21:13:00.006-04:00

A shout out to Ned Bustard, art director for Square Halo Books, and principal of World's End Images, for kindly counting Brian Sooy as an influence in his work in design and publishing.

Ned's comments appeared in the April 2008 CIVA Seen, the newsletter from Christians in the Visual Arts, about his influences and inspiration.

Ned is very entrepreneurial, and designs the most beautiful books, and has a wonderful sense of political humor. You can see how he makes wonderful use of Altered Ego's American Spirit font.

Thanks Ned! You're a saint.

Summer break for design

2007-06-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

With a recent Sooy + Co. move to new office space, it's time for this site to take a rest. Perhaps for the summer, perhaps longer, but with boxes to unpack, projects to finish and little time for writing, it's time for a break.

Thanks for reading. The best of this site will most likely be re-published under another name at some point (since there are many more and more insightful Design Matters blogs, especially Debbie Millman's.

Thank you for reading, for commenting, and for continuing to practice in the best profession in the world, graphic design.

I still can't believe we get paid for doing what we love so much.

Coffee Table computing

2007-06-05T09:58:00.000-04:00

This could change the way designers work... when Apple comes out with one. Perhaps it will be named iTable?

At this time, it's from Microsoft...

Why doesn't Microsoft get it?

2007-05-27T22:24:00.000-04:00

OK, I can't take it any more. Doesn't Microsoft get it, what is up with their software?

What I mean is, why can't I export the email addresses from a category or group from Macintosh Entourage? It exports every email address ever used.

Why don't the filters work properly?

Why can't I add an intro to an email that I'm redirecting?

Why has it taken so long to create an Intel version of Entourage?

Are my expectations too high?

Designer vs. Entrepreneur

2007-05-26T08:41:00.000-04:00

A recent photo in a magazine had the titles of the individuals listed as "engineer" and "entrepreneur." But is that how they view themselves?

Being labeled as an entrepreneur is how someone else thinks of an individual (similar to branding: it's not what you think of your company, it's what others think of you.)

As a designer, has it occurred to you that you're en entrepreneur? There's so much buzz around the concept that it's easy to lose perspective on it.

"In the future, everyone will enjoy 15 minutes of entrepreneurship." Entrepreneurship will become a commodity, and we'll have to invent a new word for what it is we do.

A key similarity between designers and entrepreneurship is in how we think. Essentially, an entrepreneur identifies a problem and solves it, as do designers. Both are willing to challenge the status quo, affect change, take huge risks... we want to change the world.

If the future, I'll think of myself as a designer. But I'll continue to think like an entrepreneur.

How about you? Ready to change the world?

corporate identity: separated at birth

2007-05-16T20:17:00.000-04:00

BSCO Design Matters can't be the first to have noticed the similarities between the at&t logo, and the New Citizens Bank logo:

Comments? It's not very imaginative, is it? Perhaps it's time to introduce a bell...

Saul Bass, are you watching?

The Long View: Strategic planning for designers

2007-05-06T20:31:00.000-04:00

When was the last time you thought 5 years out? 10 years?

If you haven't ever, or it's been a while, it's time to do so. Having nearly completed several major goals I set 6 months ago for Sooy + Co., it's been a challenge – but it's significant what was accomplished.

But what has me thinking this past couple of weeks is a quote from financial advisor Dave Ramsey:

"Buy things in that hurt in the short term, in order to win in the long term."

We are buying some things, (but more on that later, for now it's a secret). But making decisions that may be painful or challenging now (in your long-term planning and goal setting) will pay off in ways you may only understand later, when the benefits of your goal setting bear fruit. Base your short- and long-term decisions in the short term on your long-term planning, and you'll arrive at them sooner than you think. Simple wisdom, but easy to forget.

Don't get caught up in the short term. Think of the long view!

the myth of online portfolios

2007-04-28T16:04:00.000-04:00

How many design professionals, in a moment of weakness, give in to subscribing to an online portfolio web site?

I'll confess – I have myself, and the grand total of referrals and inquiry, let alone business developed from them, is... $0.

The sites (portfolios.com and DirectoryM) aren't necessarily the most appropriate for a design firm to advertise on. Then again, neither are the yellow pages.

If you're a generalist firm, then perhaps they are a good option for your firm ( and then again, maybe not). But if you consider how many new clients you develop as a result of your web site, versus the relationships you nurture, then the answer should be fairly obvious.

A firm that specializes won't need a listing like that in a directory. Clients will seek you out as your expertise and reputation grows.

So... resist the siren song, so you don't get lost in the crowd of a directory. Invite your potential clients to come to your web site on your terms, not somebody else's.

Six degrees of separation?

2007-04-24T21:55:00.000-04:00

Relationships are key in the design field (well, anywhere, really... but let's not get too philosophical here).

So I was wondering... perhaps one of the BSCO designMatters readers knows somebody who knows somebody who knows the person at Revlon who chose to use Altered Ego Fonts Verve on the new packaging for the Revlon Limited Edition Collection makeup line.

If so, I would appreciate knowing who that individual is, and how I might be able to contact them for an interview for here and for the Altered Ego web site.

Whoever can help me make the connection... there's an Altered Ego Font of your choice in your future! Contact me through the Altered Ego Fonts web site.

Duct Tape Marketing

2007-04-22T07:06:00.000-04:00

Guy Kawasaki summarizes Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide.

Think modular: "...effective small business marketing is a system—not an event—composed of simple, effective, and affordable techniques."

Read the top-ten list that the author distilled from the book. Then apply it to your design business, and recommend it to your clients!

Curious Obsessions: what designers collect

2007-04-14T14:16:00.000-04:00

What do

Have in common?

They all collect things, really cool and beautiful things. Objects that remind them of art, of branding, and inspire.

Sarah Whitman of HOW writes:

...83% of designers said they collect at least one thing (usually more), from toys to thimbles to teapots. Designers seem to be predisposed to collecting objects, likely because of their keen eye for details and deep appreciation of aesthetics.

For an quick tour of what inspires designers, and why they collect and obsess over these curious items, visit How Magazine's online site.

"Being" a leader

2007-04-01T15:35:00.000-04:00

I recently asked several staff to attend a brainstorming session on how we can collaborate to eliminate errors. How I lead the meeting will make a difference in how they approach the challenge.

Grace Andrews has an excellent article on how to be a leader. Not in the "how do I" mindset, but "how do I be a leader." She writes:

All things of value as a leader are in the being – being in the moment, being an example of the behavior you'd like others to use, and being a catalyst to create the environment where that can happen. True leaders are the molders, the teachers and the nurturers of the culture in their organizations.

Lead with passion, lead by example. Your employees will follow!