Creative Advertising - Inspiration

Ad of the week 44

2012-01-29T14:01:00.000Z

Best of facebook

2012-01-28T22:08:00.001Z

The advertising industry is the fashion industry

2012-01-27T14:09:00.001Z

"As soon as trends appear in advertising, and the industry starts to apply formulas to advertising, treating it as a science, not an art, it becomes formulaic, boring and predictable.

As a result, the consumer becomes accustomed to it, avoids it when they see it and it stops working. Then the trend changes.

If you want advertising, or anything for that matter, to stay the same, you're going to be sorely disappointed."

Layer Up.

2012-01-27T13:20:00.003Z

I still find it baffling how much visuals can be morphed by using computer software, and how we can suspend our disbelief, immersing ourselves in a scene, if all the correct layers are in place. The skill behind the layering - almost pixel architecture - is incredible. Have a gander.

via @_theinspiration

How role playing affects us

2012-01-26T23:53:00.001Z

Quick experiment.

Look around the room at everything that is red.

Look at the screen.

Do not look around.

Try to remember everything that is blue.

Struggling?

Why can’t you remember anything blue?

Because I told you to look at everything that is red.

Red has value.

Blue doesn’t have value.

You look at the blue, but you’re not consciously aware ofit.

In humans, we call this a reticular activating system.

I could write dozens of blog posts on how this truly affectsyour day to day life.

But if you’re really interested, find out for yourself.

But. Have you considered how this might affect your personalrelationships?

Apparently:

“You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover”.

But don’t forget:

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”.

It’s all a bit confusing really, isn’t it?

The fact is, we do judge people when we first meet them.

And every time from that point onwards.

As humans, we’ve survived, and evolved, by knowing whensomething in our immediate environment is a threat, even other humans.

So if someone says something unintelligent when we firstmeet them. We label that person as unintelligent.

If someone is particularly happy when we first meet them, welabel that person as happy.

If someone is rude, or confrontational when we first meetthem we label that person as always being rude and confrontational.

And then we look for evidence to support that label.

Remember the reticularactivating system.

If you have judged that someone as rude and confrontational.

Then rude and confrontational behaviour in that person hasvalue.

So when you’re around them, you take note of the behaviourthat you can label as rude or confrontational. You give it value and so, paymore attention to it- further supporting the label, the role you’ve created forthem.

You ignore the nice, normal things they do, and start tolook for the things they do that justifies the label you’ve given them.

You force them to fita role. And you play a role accordingly.

If you judge someone as particularly funny, you play a roleof being particularly amused when you’re around them.

If you judge someone as a bully, you play a role as avictim.

As humans we judge.

But as humans, we’re also capable of forgiving.

So let go of your grudges at the start of each day. Stoplabelling. Stop judging.

You might see something that contradicts the label you’vegiven someone.

If you don’t. Maybe you were right. But there’s always thechance you were wrong.

An awesome post about stress

2012-01-26T21:42:00.001Z

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience.

With a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'..... she fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?", she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced.

So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... pick them up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment.

Relax, pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it.

Suck on that.

2012-01-26T18:42:00.003Z

Audi 2012 Superbowl spot.

Some girls like vampires.

They probably won't like this.

You'll see why.

Happiness in less than 100 words

2012-01-25T21:41:00.001Z

If you want to be happy. Look inside yourself. It’s the only place you’ll find it time and again.

For decades, the worlds richest people have said the same thing:

“Money does not make me happy.”

Money’s only a problem when you haven’t got enough.

One day you will die.

Even a negative moment in your life is still a moment in your life.
Be present to the moment. Accentuate the positive. Ignore the negative.

Techno Culture

2012-01-20T00:37:00.005Z

When the lights go out.

With the recent switch off of the Internet site 'WIKIPEDIA' it made me realise, from the results of the shut down, how reliant we are on the Internet and technology. If we didn't have google what would we do? If we didn't have the Internet what would we do?

Oh yes I forgot we have those old fashioned objects called books! I, along with millions others, am guilty of forgetting to use the basics for collecting information and resources. It makes me realise how advanced our world is and how we take this for granted everyday as well as forget what we have already.

I read a piece online which stated how many people spoke up about the shut down of Wikipedia, how many people wanted to learn, to have ease of access to online knowledge. Yes this is an amazing result in 24 hours but it makes me a little sad. Knowledge isn't just on the Internet it's everywhere. There was life, creation, learning, development and information before the Internet was created. We didn't live in a dark age, we are intelligent humans, to me the Internet is just another way to keep and store this existing information and is a quicker way to access it.

It's not just the Internet its this whole developing techno culture which we live in. There is constant change, improvements and new inventions. The main one being phones.

It was only the other day I was walking through town, texting on my phone looking down and thinking 'I wonder how many people I come across today who, just like me, will walk around with their head down, absorbed by technology'. Two minutes later I bumped into someone who wasn't looking up but at their phone.

We are consumed by it all. The thrill, the new age, the speed, the ease and the beauty. All this aside we forget about the beauty that surrounds us, that already exists. My point? There isn't a specific one but to try to make people think before they go to use google, use a book instead. When you're walking to somewhere take your headphones out, put your phone away, look up. You never know you might actually see something. Something worth looking at. Something simple and beautiful. It's there all you need to do is open your eyes!

LE.

Solutions come in all manners

2012-01-19T19:03:00.001Z

Problem: Turning the page is effort

Solution: Create something that turns the page for you (that looks like a lot of effort to set up)

Results: Pointless, but entertaining, and entertaining makes me feel positive. So, success!

When In London..

2012-01-15T18:23:00.002Z

On our agency visit trip to London, I took some random footage, that was in November...nearly two months later I got round to compiling the footage and sticking some music on it. I think it might be too long, what do you think?

Enjoy :)

Ad of the week 43

2012-01-04T00:46:00.000Z

I was sat in a room full of people when this came on. The conversation was absolutely roaring.
Within seconds, the whole room was silent.
Silent, for the entire length of the advert.

Then, at the end, almost simultaneously, mum and dad said:

"I never thought that was going to be ad about air miles"

That, is a brilliant ad!

To Crowdfund or not to Crowdfund?

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000Z

Mouse is a new British SciFi short film about a man who finds himself trapped in a giant human experiment where he is only one of a thousand clones of himself.

It is innovative and mysterious but, beyond this, tells an even more intriguing tale of the future.

The future of film financing.

This is the first time I have ever embarked on a crowdfunding campaign and it's already very hard work. Crowdfunding is the principle of gaining a little bit of funding from a lot of people and is born out of the lack of normal funding for Arts projects. Film funding does exist, but there is not a lot to go around (Creative England have tabled no short film funding for 2011/12) and crowdfunding is about being proactive and accessing funds held in your own social networks. It has opened up the possibility for anybody to f*ck the system and take matters into their own hands.

But is it sustainable? Could I crowdfund a project next year after doing this one? I'd feel uncomfortable about it, unless I had built up new networks, which people do. But when run well it can help put the decision on 'what's worth watching' back in an audiences hands. And it can mean something VERY important, anybody that dislikes the same old recycled rubbish in the cinema can take a proactive step to FUND a new cinematic voice.

Let's say this is a transitionary step in the funding model.

Old models had a hierachy which put funding bodies at the top of both the money tree and the 'taste' tree. A few people decided what we all wanted based on personal taste and previous box office success. Is it culturally right? Will it support the community and will it make a solid investment?

New models do not mean good films are no longer good, they just mean that smaller more niché productions can get funds directly from their audience which they may never have had the opportunity to find before. And those without pedigree can find a trapdoor in to the industry that may not have existed before.

But, as with reality TV shows, this gives an unrealistic view of who can make it. Grabbing a camcorder from Comet and asking your friends for money is an opportunity which now seems available to many, but does not replace the need for a gripping story.

Those that really want it and have tenacity and a vision will find SOME way to get their work seen. And then, over time, they'll learn, they'll hone their craft. That's always been true. Whether it be crowdfunding or some other way, it is less the medium and more the 'need' in the filmmaker.

For me? It is about getting back to a love. I found myself with a lot of reasons not to do it and finally reached a point where I realised none of these reasons compared to the one reason I had for wanting to do something. Because I desperately want to affect culture with story.

I'd love to have your support for Mouse, after 2 days we are way ahead of our targets but still have a long way to go and every investment takes us towards the goal of getting an exciting new scifi short film made, and more importantly build audiences and momentum for future productions.

If you want to get involved, you can fund here or simply share this blog post or the following links. Crowdfunding is not just about the money, but the supporters you pick up along the way.

Sponsume

Vimeo

Mouse Short Film Blog

What If?

2011-12-20T13:47:00.001Z

The power of asking 'What if' is ever so valuable in the world of advertising, and I've never seen it pulled off as well, or as engagingly as here.

The lesson? Ask more What Ifs.

Merry Christmas too.

The Power Of Christmas Spirit

2011-12-19T22:46:00.002Z

This is a clever little thing.

Merry Christmas Everyone !

Ad of the week 42

2011-12-18T12:00:00.000Z

A brilliant example of a convincing argument.

I think that when your advertising has a convincing argument, it becomes much easier to produce work that is simply brilliant.

It isn't Christmas until...

2011-12-12T15:07:00.001Z

The Coca Cola advert is on TV.

You might be a member of a Facebook group with this title.

There are dozens of them.

Their members total in the hundreds of thousands.

Is it really possible that a brand could own christmas?

Whether it is or not.

It just goes to show that people don't hate adverts. They hate bad adverts.

Energy - It's 75 % of the job.

2011-12-10T13:22:00.001Z

Thanks to Paul Arden for the title.
I'm going to share some inspiring quotes with you. Hopefully, combined, they paint quite a pretty picture.
"Never stop improving yourself. You are unlimited."Serge Kahili King
"Energy flows where attention goes."Serge Kahili King

(People who have a lot of energy will find out exactly what this means.)
"Energy - It's 75 % of the job. If you haven't got it, be nice."
Paul Arden.
“You have to be talented and you had to be nice. If you are nice but without talent, we are very sorry, but you just wouldn’t do. If you are a great talent, but not a nice
person, we have no hesitation in saying ‘No.’ Life is too short to sacrifice so much of it, to
living with a bastard.”Bill Bernbach.

CA Society hit Blackpool

2011-12-07T15:56:00.004Z

Bright and early last Wednesday (30th November) the CA Society set off on its first day trip of many. We headed for Blackpool to see the 2,200m square outdoor typography installation, the Comedy Carpet.

We ventured towards Blackpool Tower, which stood across the promenade from the Comedy Carpet. It was covered in comic catchphrases and comedy sketches of hundreds of famous comedians; greeting us was Bruce Forsyth’s classic, “nice to see you, to see you nice.” After walking over happily windswept, we went into the centre to look at The Grundy Gallery, which was full of inspirational art - from paintings to video installations - all of which was Blackpool’s own.

We went for a hearty lunch of fish and chips (and mushy peas in some cases), and explored the local markets, before heading back to the promenade to spend all our coppers in the arcade, to discover who was pro at air hockey, bowling and catching teddy bears with giant claws. Pennies spent and rock brought, we wandered down the Christmas light lit sea front back to the coach. It was great trip enjoyed by first, second and third years and a lovely opportunity to see some public art in action.

Lily

Why do we dream?

2011-12-03T08:00:00.000Z

So basically, you're brain is a huge storage device.
When you dream it's like your defragmenting your mind.
Some crazy facts about your brain:

-Everything you have ever seen, heard, touched, smelled, felt, tasted and said, is in there. You just can't access all of it.

-Every person you see in your dreams, you have seen in real life at some point in time.

-You don't only use 10% of it. Every part of your brain is used by your body. But it's only 10% that you can consciously control. Imagine if you could control all of it! (The basic premise for the film limitless.)

(There are actually ways you can control your subconscious. Crazy!)

You might be thinking; "My brain is actually a lot like a computer."
You would be very right.
Since humans made computers, the similarities are almost unavoidable. We want technology to be as human as possible.

2011-12-01T16:59:00.004Z

Movember

The MEDAL!

Approaching the CA Office!

So as today we turn to the month of December we say far well to the Movember Moustaches and good morning to clean shaven faces.

After conducting a vote of 'WHO HAS THE BEST MOUSTACHE?' via the social media Facebook (what would we do without it?!) the majority of the votes went to GYLES LINGWOOD!

Here is the winner both his medal and clean shaven face!

Even though we love to have a bit of fun in the CA studios this was all for a very good cause and we would like to thank everyone who participated, donated and supported us! So far the CA team have raised around £375 this is FAB! So if you donated thank you very much if not then don't feel you have to but if you would like to before it's to late below is the link for the CA team (gyle's page - donate either to him or the team or another member if you wish!)

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/2049730/

Good bye to all those fabulous moustaches that have been grown, brushed, washed and well pampered during the past month!

Thank you, once again, from myself and the CA team!

LE.

Ads that people don't hate

2011-11-26T20:53:00.002Z

“It’s not art and it’s notscience.

It’s some weird mixture of the two that no one can really put theirfinger on.

It depends on somany different things that there are things that just work.

Like the gorillafor Cadburys.

You can’t explain why that works. Nobody knows why it did.

Creatives thought it was amazing, the public thought it was amazing. Nobodyknows why, it just was.

Advertising. It’s a skill. There aretechniques to it.

But for the really good ones, the ones that hit the sweetspot, like the gorilla ad…I guess there’s a bit of magic and luck that comeswith it.”

Althought people skip adverts and say theyhate advertising. School kids still sing jingles in the playground and everyChristmas there’s the 100 best TV ads ever made and if you ask anyone, ‘what’syour favourite ever TV ad?’ Everone will have an answer.

Because advertisingcaptures people imaginations, and that goes against the likes of sales figures.

There is actually something that gets into the mind of the consumer and theylearn to love a brand.

That’s the ultimate, if youcan get someone to love a brand. From the client’s point of view, they love that. From then consumer's point of view they've found something that they love and they trust and they enjoy. From the creative's point of view, they've done an ace job.

Thatdoesn’t necessarily mean ‘We’ve sold 200% more mobile phones this year’.
Itmeans that you’ve tightened the bond between a brand a consumer.”

(Taken from a dissertation interview)

Free happiness- Part 4

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000Z

Today. We’re goingto get specific.

How can you generate happiness?

First of all. Realise that "happinessis actually your default state".

When you wake up in the morning. You arehappy.

Then, as you experience reality, or what youthink is reality (we could really be in the matrix) “your state eitherincreases or decreases.”

You get happier, or sadder- depending onyour experience.

Let’s just stop. And think about that.

Happiness is actually our default state. Howliberating is that?

Happiness isn’t something you can monitorhowever. You can’t grade yourself on how happy you are. You can only ever addfuel to the source or let it burn out.

Think of happiness as a “searing hotcoal. Not a raging bush fire.”

Happiness is always within you. You canchoose to be happy, always- if you want to be. We all experience moments ofextreme happiness (the raging bush fire).

But if you actively seek this. You’ll liveyour life in highs and lows. Focus on happiness as a searing hot coal, itjust sits there, constantly providing energy.”

“Walk through the world with ease.With the current of the world. Don't go against the current of the world justto create drama or excitement."

“Have you ever met anyone for whom theworld just seems like such a light place?”

Everything is so easy for them. They alwaysget what they want- the world just seems to align itself around this person’slife.

This is not luck. I don’t believe in luck.

I believe in wanting something so badly thatit’s all you ever think about.

I believe in being prepared to take theopportunity to get it and actually taking it when it comes.

I’ve just finished reading Think And GrowRich.

A book written by Napoleon Hill, after hespent 25 years studying the common factors that united some of the mostsuccessful people in the world.

The book is quite old but is stillabsolutely relevant today because it’s entire focus is on people.

This will mean less to people who haven’tread the book. But the book contains a secret. A secret for success. And itwill take you reading the book to find out what that secret is for yourself.But the book has taught me, that to achieve something difficult:

-I have it to want it. Like, really want it.Have a burning desire for it. I have to want it as badly as I think I’d wantair, if I was drowning.

-I have to have a plan for getting it. Anactual realistic, logical plan, with dates, times and deadlines.

-I have to surround myself with other peoplethat want it for themselves and for me.

-I have to learn to kill my fears.

-I have to learn not to let the negativethinking of others to affect me. Or even to register with me.

And more that can only be learned by readingthe book.

The book uses a concept called Auto-Suggestion. Thisbasically means:

That if you really want something, have aburning desire for it, a plan for getting it, are surrounded by others who wantit and want you to get it, are not fearful of the journey you must take to getit, the path you must follow or the consequences of following said path.

And that you affirm these things to yourselfevery day.

You tell yourself that these things willhappen.

You believe so strongly that they willhappen, that you feel like they have already happened, that the thing you wantis so real that you can reach out and touch it.

That not only do you believe they willhappen, you understand they will happen.

THEY WILL HAPPEN.

When you get to the point where allyou want to do is be successful, you’ll be successful.

You almost trick your subconscious into makingit happen.

Your subconscious thinks that it istrue.

If you do the above for example, with thefirm belief that you will be a creative director by the time you are 35. Youwill be.

Your subconscious will find the mostrelevant experiences necessary to get you there.

It will embed itself in everything you doand say in order to get you there.

BE WARNED THOUGH.

BECAUSE THIS FUNCTIONS JUST AS WELL WITH NEGATIVE THINKING.

Self-fulfilling prophecies do exist.

If youconstantly think negatively, negative things will not only happen to you,they'll begin to happen in greater quantity, intensity and frequency.

If you think you are not talented.

Tell yourself you are not talented.

Believe you are not talented and never willbe.

YOU NEVER WILL BE.

However. If you think and trust that you areand will be, brilliant. Know it. Understand it. Believe it. Tell yourselfrepeatedly that you already are and will continue to be.

YOU WILL BE.

“We’re talking about unwaveringbelief.

To have unwavering belief you have to getto a point where:

1. You fully assume that what you’regoing to do is going to work

2. You have to be totally indifferent tothe odd times that it doesn’t.”

“Whatever you’re doing. Be offeringother people value.”

“When you live through your ego. Andyou’re seeking a reaction to self-seek- that is taking value, and it feelshorrible for other people.

Your only criteria for any interaction orexperience should be that you put yourself out there and you said or did whatyou thought in the moment. The criteria for an interaction or an experience isnot a reaction.

When you naturally bring the party,people gravitate towards you.
When you try to wedge into the party, ortry to bring the party through neediness, through the ego, people gravitateaway from you.

Your flaws; in the presence ofself-esteem, are quirks, endearing quirks. The things you’re embarrassed about,are only bad if you let them be bad. If you are disconnected from your selfesteem.”

Be grateful for everything.

If you are cold, be grateful that you haveclothes you can wear to keep you warm.
If it’s raining, be grateful that youcan go into a building that will keep you dry.
THERE IS NO END TO THIS.

I am grateful for carpets, they cushion myfeet.

Moaning is probably the worst thing you canever do, ever.

Because it solves nothing.
But it does trickyour subconscious into thinking you have solved the problem.

I went on holiday in August. And spent fortyminutes waiting in line for check in.
I listened, for FORTY MINUTES to a couple in front of me moaning. NOW I'M MOANING. Haha.

I'm not, I'm telling a story. They actuallyprovided fantastic entertainment.

Especially when they tried to get us to moanwith them, so we could all feed off each other in a massive orgy of negativity.

First of all, it was an easy jet flight andthey seemed to expect emirates service.

Expect to get what you are owed andnothing more and you’ll never be disappointed.

For forty minutes the couple moaned.

They could have actually complained andmaybe something might have been done.

But they chose to moan, and ANNOY THEMSELVESFOR FORTY MINUTES.

I however, really wanted to go on holiday. And I realised that the only way that wasgoing to happen was if I waited in the line.

I don’t know how to build or fly a plane andI don’t think I could have swum. I accepted things the way they were becauseI was grateful that AT SOME POINT that day, I would board a vessel that wouldtake me from one COUNTRY to an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT COUNTY.

At around 500mph in a few HOURS.

People used to spend weeks travelling todifferent countries. Now we can do it in only a few hours and people moan thatthey have to wait in a line? Seriously?

“How do you complain about ANYTHING?? Forreal, ANYTHING AT ALL. How do you complain...? You're alive. You're here.Do you SEE what's in front of you? OPEN YOUR EYES. I'm here with you, too. Let's crack some jokes,mess around, have some fun.

The ride will end, we will die -- but we're here: NOW.”

If you want to be happy. YOU CAN ACTUALLY JUST BE HAPPY.

Stop.

Stop everything.

Stop what you are doing.

Stop relying on your environment and on thepeople around you for happiness because it will never come.

Most people hate their jobs. They do thejob they hate to get the money they think they need to buy the stuff they thinkwill make them happy.

Seriously. In this day and age. THEREIS NO REASON TO BE DOING A JOB YOU HATE.

If you want to know how to do anything.THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

If you want to build planes. THEINFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

IF you want to save lives. THEINFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

IF you want to lose weight. THEINFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

All you need is some dedication to gain theknowledge, then some logic to differentiate between what you think is right andwhat is wrong. Because the information can be contradictory. Of courseit can. There is so much of it.

Drink, drugs, sex, rock & roll and NEW STUFF will never make you happy.
They are temporary fixes. Everyonelikes new stuff. I LIKE NEW STUFF.
But I know I don't NEED IT to be happy.

I do know however. That I like it and thatit might make my life easier.

My HTC has made my life easier. I used to spend an hour every morning on mylaptop doing the things I can now do throughout my day on my HTC.

Do you see the difference? Between thinking I need it to be happy. Andwanting it to make my life easier?

I do not NEED a HTC. But it has certainly made my life easier.

But isn't that what advertising is about? Selling people things whether they need them or not?
I don't know what advertising is about. But I don't think it's about that.
At this present moment, I think it's about this.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND HAPPINESS. Stop looking for it in new stuff, in the things you do, the things you own, the people you know, the food you eat and the life you have.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR LIFE SITUATION.

If you are rich, you are not your money.

If you are fat, you are not the size of yourjeans.

If you are a victim, you are not your scars.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND HAPPINESS. LOOK TO YOURSELF.

SMILE. IT’S FREE.

SHOUT. FEEL GOOD. BE HAPPY.YEE-HAW.

Clap. Dance. Look around, look at thedepth in things, and people.

Fuel the fire. Doing these things WILL ACTUALLY MAKE YOU HAPPY.

IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, YOU CAN, FOR FREE.

Ads that don't look like ads

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000Z

This is an ad, art directed by Helmut Krone.

Krone is heralded as possibly the greatest art director that ever lived.

Krone believed that ads shouldn't look like ads.
Something which has come very much to light while I have been writing my dissertation.

This is taken from an interview I did last week:

"If people don't like ads, let's do as little as possible to piss them off. Actually, let's do the opposite and actually reward them and make them like us.

That way; even though they might be in the category of people who aren't interested in what we are selling, if we don't annoy them, and we actually we make them feel good about our brand. Then there's a chance they might just become a customer.

An advert, or a campaign, or an event or a stunt is interrupting someone's life, in some way. You better interrupt it with something good, that they want to do, or else, then you've lost them."

Festive Mobile Mobile

2011-11-18T00:12:00.004Z

Experience Mobile Mobile from James Théophane Jnr on Vimeo.

I thought this was a really interesting take on the whole Christmas decoration thing and is a fantastic (if a bit unnerving) replacement for a Christmas tree. It was made to sit in the lobby of Lost Boys (an interactive agency) and play Christmas Jingles. What I thought was really exciting about it - besides the fact it's phones hanging from the ceiling playing jingles and generally flashing and being cool - was that anyone could go online and compose their own jingle live, which played in real time at the reception of the building in Brick Lane. There's something very intriguing about the way they recycled technology for this.

Free happiness- Part 3

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000Z

Today we're going to talk about how to make life more fun.

A very easy thing to do is to allow risk to be a bigger factor in yourlife.

If you don’t know what to do. Write down six things you could do and rolla dice.

Flip a coin.

Ask a stanger to decide for you.

The best thing about allowing risk to be a factor in you life is that when things don’t turn out like you expected, you won’tpunish yourself because you were not in control of the decision.

In fact, it’s only when you flip a coin, inthat exact moment, that you know what you want. Because a little voice in yourhead says “I hope it lands on…”

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE PROBLEMS. GO AND GET BIGGER PROBLEMS.

The more you focus on the problems you have, or how hard your life is, the more insecure and theless happy you’ll be.

Have you ever met a true extrovert?

Likereally, extroverted person?

Who says whatever is in their head.

They don’t eventhink about it.

Just blurt it out and see if it works out.

My brother is a lot like this.

He upsets alot of people.

He says things.

Then he thinks about them.

Then he apologises,profusely.

But the thing is, most people forgive him.

Because they accept that, that is the person he is.

And to some degree they admire him becausehe has a type freedom that they don’t.

They admire him because during aconversation, they’re often having to retreat into their head, to findsomething to say or to relate to the other person.

He doesn’t.

He just speaks without thinkingand somehow everything just aligns itself.

"Your thoughts during any kind ofinteraction should arise, they should not be chased."

(Unless you're being creative or solving a problem ofcourse.)

Why?

Because you are censoring and suppressing all of the things that make you who you are.

You're stopping yourself from doing the things you want to do and saying the things you want to say because you are worried what other people will think about you.

When you stop thinking so much about what you or what you say, life starts to be a bit more fun.

Also. Stop making excuses.

Just do it.

Live your life in 1’s and0’s.

If you do what you said you were going todo. You get 1. If you don’t you get 0.

Ignore and disregard anything inbetween, that doesn't help you learn and grow closer towards 1. If you do not achieve something. Do not makeexcuses for why you didn’t achieve it.

This is simply you justifying why youdidn’t achieve it in order to protect your ego.

Accept that you didn’t achievewhat you wanted to do. Learn from the experience, and try again.

What is your ego?

First of all, it’s not evil and youshouldn’t hate it.

“Ego- A rational construct that wesubstitute for self-esteem when our self-esteem is wounded (often at a youngage).

Self Esteem- you’re born with it. It’sindescribable; you can not explain or logicize it. You have it as a child andyou’re born with it. It is self-sustaining.

Your ego is by nature false, it’s neveras accurate as you think it is.

The ego tries to shelter us from the unknown.

It tries to shelter us from the frightening truth that a lot of life is unknownand uncertain.

Your ego is a black hole. It constantly craves references andexperiences to validate its self. This causes neediness.

Your ego stores your wounds. We all havewounds, these embarrassing, humiliating things.

The egooffers buffering around your wounds. The ego structure is the scar.

Do not make an identity out of yourwounds. Do you make an identity out of your hands?

How do we get rid of the ego?

Accept thewound.

Accept yourself both for your positive side and your flaws.

When youlook at the depth in people, and realise that we’re all human beings- all madeup in the same way. When you get to that level, a click takes place and youbecome what’s coined as “comfortable in your own skin.”

Until next week

2011-11-13T21:41:00.019Z

MOVEMBER!

Yes you guessed it, it's November month of the facial hair! At TPH we have our own CA MOVEMBER team and in aid of raising awareness and money (because we can't grow moustaches of our own) myself and Amanda are hosting a poll of 'who has the best mo?' out of the Gyles, Justin & Mike and by the end of the month we will award the best mo with a beautiful medal - courtesy of

http://uk.movember.com/

Here are some images of the posters etc which

we have put up round the studios - exciting stuff!!

All posters, badges, wristbands etc were part of the party pack supplied by the charity for our upcoming LINCOLN INK (THE MOVEMBER ADDITION) PARTY which will be on the 15th of this month!

To help us raise money & awareness please visit the MOVEMBER website and donate via :

http://uk.movember.com/donate/team-details/id/342274/searchTerm/lincoln+uni

Here are some fetching photos of the 3 lecturers so you can

start voting for who has the best mo:

These are our CA MO BRO'S please vote which is your favourite via a poster which will be made and put up in the studios this week votes will be added up and the best MO BRO will be awarded their medal at the end of the month!

Keep an eye out for posters for voting and most of all don't forget to donate to the CA MO GROUP it's all for a worthy cause!!!

L.E.

Ad of the week 41

2011-11-13T09:00:00.002Z

What an engaging way to advertise a hoover.
I literally could not stop watching this.
Brilliant execution.

Free happiness- Part 2

2011-11-09T08:00:00.004Z

I have some shocking news for you.

Some people don't like you.

Have you ever considered that out of the billions of people on earth, the unique differences in all of us- our genetics, our minds, our tastes, our opinions and our beliefs. That sometimes, people just clash?

So “some people [will never]like you, and guess what? There’s nothing you can do about it. No amount of coercion, toadying, or pandering to their interests will help.”

"The first noble truth is that most people don’t even know or care that you’re alive. Embrace this, my friends, for it is true freedom."

“You don't need everyone to like you”

"Here’s the next thing: not only do most people not know that you exist, and some are judging you, but it totally does not matter even if they are.

How liberating this is may not even hit you yet, but it will. Check this out: when people don’t like you, nothing actually happens.

The world does not end. You don’t feel them breathing down your neck. In fact, the more you ignore them and just go about your business, the better off you are.

You know when they say “the best revenge is a life well lived”? Well, this is true, but it isn’t the whole truth. A life well lived is great, yes, but it cannot happen while you are sweating about who your detractors are and what they think. What you have todo, what you have no choice but to do, is accept it and move on"

“It’s your people that matter”

"Ok, so you’ve adjusted to the fact that most people in the world are barely aware of your existence,and you’re also conscious of the fact that those who don’t like you are in the obscenely small minority and don’t actually matter. Awesome. Next you need to realize that the people who do care about you, and no one else, are those you need to focus on.

Relationships are weird. Once we’re in one (with family, a spouse, whatever), we promptly begin to take the other person for granted and move on to impressing strangers instead– say, our boss. Then, once we’ve impressed our boss, we start taking him for granted too,and so on, in an endless cycle of apathy. It’s like we always prefer to impress and charm the new than to work on what we already have.

But these people– they are your champions– they understand your quest or your cause. They make you feel good when you’re around them, make you laugh or make you feel like you can just be yourself. They make you feel relaxed or at ease. You’ve shared things with them. They’re important. Focus on them instead.”

“The people who don't care what others think about them are the ones who change the world"

‘There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.’

SOMEONE ACTUALLY SAID THIS!

It was Ken Olson,president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), maker of big business mainframe computers, arguing against the PC, 1977.

People will always doubt you.Learn to deal with it.

“You want to know something?

This actually has nothing to do with anyone else. It has everything to do with you.

Everyone has an internal eye.It is always watching. It has been slowly constructed by society at large and by your friends and family, and it checks you for unacceptable behaviour. If you have had it around for long enough, you actually start to believe that the eye is you, and that you’re “being reasonable” or some other rationalization.

But the eye isn’t you at all.It is a prison, and you have justified its existence by obeying it. It’s strong because you let it be strong.

But the secret, the part that’s amazing, is that it can’t do anything to stop you, even if it wanted to.It’s an eye. It can only watch. The rest of you is free to act as you wish."

"What it takes to move past anything is to simply realize that your obstacle is unimportant, and that it can be dismissed…

If you dismiss the things that do not matter; if you remove those things from your mind and focus on what must be done; if you understand that your time is limited and decide to work now; only then will you be able to get to the finish line. Otherwise, you will be dissuaded into living a life you aren’t interested in.

You need to handle failure and obscurity better. You may be in a tough place right now, where you feel lonely or like a loser. No worries, we’ve all been there. But it’s time for you to realize how common these things are, and that they’re experienced by even the most successful and happiest people in the world. Those people get past them, and you will too."

No matter how much you try and cover your self up. It is always coming through. People literally have screens for this sort of thing. If you rely on a false identity, or a false sense of self. Your "bravado" dissolves literally instantly when you meet a good judge of character.

You must realise that the present moment is all you ever have. The past has gone, it no longer exists and you cannot change it. The future is simply an abstract concept of the person you think you're supposed to be.

The only place you can seek and find happiness is in the now. Bask in the moment and just roll with it.

The now is the only thing that matters.

You might have had a huge problem yesterday. And you might have a huge problem tomorrow.

But do you have a problem right now? Right this second, do you have a problem? Feel liberated? I do.

If you're not having fun to some degree, every second of every day, why are you alive?

Equally. If you are not scared every single day of your life. You are not living as much as you could be.

“Start doing things you consider embarrassing.”

Feel like asking a stranger in the street to dance. DO IT. Feel like wearing an assortment of fluorescent 90’s clothing (Haha, the 90’s) DO IT. Chances are most people won’t even notice.

They are too busy worrying.

Worrying about where they’ve got to go, what they have to do, where they’ve just been and what they’ve just done, to even notice you.

“Accept, or deal with,awkwardness.

It’s widely known that interviewers get their best material by being quiet and allowing silence to force words out of a politician or celebrity.

You may be uncomfortable with silence. I know I still am. But I have been working on it and have to say that it is a much more serene state to be in than trying to cover it up with random babbling just to fill up the air. This is one type of awkwardness, a kind thaty ou should feel comfortable about and learn to live with.

Another kind of social awkwardness is this in-between space where you might have done something wrong or been wronged, but don’t say anything. [After] a few harsh lessons, [you]come away realizing that the freedom that comes from talking about an uncomfortable truth is better than the comfort of avoiding that talk altogether.”

“Refuse boundaries”

As long as you aren’t hurting anyone- physically or emotionally, breaking the law or doing something that doesn’t benefit everyone involved...DO WHAT YOU WANT.

Why should you not do something just because a stranger will judge you.

THEY ARE A STRANGER.

Chances are you will never see them again. And they will judge you. But secretly, there judgement will come from a place filled with jealousy and resentment. Because you are free and theyare not.

“Tell the truth”

“You don’t need to be an arrogant person, but the world does not need another conflict-avoidant, evasive person. No one wants another individual who steps in line with everyone else.The status quo is doing fine without you, so it’s up to you to challenge and change things when it’s needed.

Don’t mind-read either. Telling the truth means seeing the truth, not adding your own layer of sugar coating or suspected emotion on top of it. Just accept people and situations as they are in the present moment.

Actually start living

“This step can’t happen without the others, but once you’ve gotten here, you can safely begin to explore a whole new world– one where anything you do is fine as long as it isn’t seriously hurting anyone else.

Once you begin on this path, you start to discover that practically everyone is capable of understanding the weird things that you do. In fact, it makes you interesting and worth paying attention to,further feeding into your plans of world domination, should you have any…

But none of this fun can happen without you recognizing, and walking past, the eye.

Doing this is a powerful act of control which builds momentum and makes you strong”

More to come next week.

A new day, a new post.

2011-11-07T01:32:00.003Z

Good morning.

My head hurts.

Tesco brief.

12pm tomorrow.

It's all about the voice.

It doesn't just sound nice by choice.

Tesco. Every little helps.

Well quite an enjoyable brief to say the least.

Been quite an enjoyable week. I've been so bloody busy yet there is something enjoyable about that. My mind hasn't wandered and I have had no time to ponder on life's perplexities (which I do often).

Also starting a new venture which involves advertising and graphics work out of uni. TOP SECRET THOUGH. Yes I posted it on the blog... it's exciting ok?

Ok, point of the post Liam!

'Happiness often sneaks in a door we did not think was open.'

I think it's fair to say we all want our lives to be perfect, we all need direction. We spend our lives working towards things we want to happen, figuring out relationships, always trying to do the right thing, always trying to be the best we can be so that one day we can sit in our rocking chair and say "Fuck... We've arrived" and that we found happiness along the way.

Some would argue it was there all along. Currently my happiness derives from advertising, eating it, sleeping it, dreaming it, being it.

P.S My radiator is HOTT.

P.P.S Goodnight. For those that are still up, this is for you...

- Liam out.

Ad of the week 40

2011-11-06T08:00:00.001Z

Really, almost anything could cause a Zombie Apocalypse.
But according to this ad, it isn't going to be Toshiba.
I like this ad.

But then again- I'm a student. So naturally, I love zombies.

Free happiness- Part 1

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000Z

Don't you wish, that whenever you want, you can just be really happy?

Like, REALLY HAPPY.

DANCING IN THE SUPERMARKET HAPPY.

SINGING LOVE SONGS TO FROZEN MIXED VEGETABLES HAPPY.

DANCING WITH THE FRIGHTENED PENSIONER HAPPY?

You can.

How?

Well, here are the ten hot tips for how to be happy.
Just kidding.

But I wanted to share a few things I've read about with you.
If you have to label this. I guess its self-actualisation.
I'd prefer to call it getting up in the morning.

Here are some basic guidelines for being super-freakin’ happy all the freakin’ time.

SINGING LOUDLY IN AN ELEVATOR FULL OF PEOPLE HAPPY.
AWKWARD HAPPY.

After you've read all the parts of this. Step back and look at them as a whole.
And you will see my friends, the Golden Nugget that lies before you.

I have quoted a variety of sources in this blog post.

I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH.
Not my words. And I do not take credit for them.

Much of this content is quoted from a gentleman called Julien Smith. He is brilliant and I suggest you check out his blog. Some of it comes directly from a gentleman called Owen Cook.

Anyting I have quoted can be found in quote marks and in italics.

Right. Let's get super freakin happy.

LAUGHING AT BUGS HAPPY.

“You have to dictate your own identity. Be the person that you want to be. Not the person that other people expect you to be.

You are not the person you were two years ago, two months ago or even two hours ago. You are yourself in this present moment.

Do not live up to other people's expectations.

Judge your own value by a criterion that is YOUR OWN.”

“You have to decide what you value in life.”

If you like screamo music. And someone says they don't like it so they don't like you. Fine.

Music is about what you feel not what you hear. They are shallow. Let them judge you, it's their loss.

Express your personality freely and let the chips fall where they may

If you are a genuine, authentic person, and people don't like you. They really don't like you.

But the more you pander to them to try and make them like you the less they'll respect you.
If you draw a line, it will cause tension, but they will respect you.

“Own who you are. Do not live up to other people's standards.”

Realise that the reasons you often don't like someone else, is more often than not a reason that you don't like yourself. Accept it. And focus on seeing the good and the depth in yourself and others.

“Identify yourself as an individual who cannot be categorised.
With a dynamic and flexible identity that can evolve at any time you chose.”

“Know that you offer real value to people and if they don’t see it it’s their issue not yours”

“What you’ve been through in life has served you so far. So trust yourself to get by in any situation no matter what”

“Remember your acceptance in any particular situation is never a threat to your overall being.”

If there is someone better than you, accept it, accept them.
Don’t resent them. Be inspired by them.

You can’t be king of the castle all of the time. Or ever in fact.
There is always going to be something bigger, better and cleverer than you.
So why compete with it?

Compete with yourself. Not with others. You are not above, or below the world. Or anyone in it. You are part of a whole.

“You have to get over comparing yourself to other people. Get over finding your identity based on where you are on societies totem pole.

You must be able to feel good independently, generate your own happiness.

There are so many things that people chase, that they think will make them happy, that ultimately fail, because they are only looking at the surface of things and not the depth.”

And don’t try to improve yourself coming from a place of self-hatred. Because you will get nowhere.

Don’t run because you hate your body and want it to change.
Don’t read books because you think you are stupid and want to be clever.

Accept yourself as you are right now.
But realise that if you want to, you can be a better version of yourself.

There is nothing wrong with accepting yourself but still wanting to improve.

Know how you expect other people to act.

If you spend every day being the best version of yourself. There is nothing wrong with expecting other people to do the same.

Basically. We’re describing what it is to have and live in, a strong reality.

Live in your own reality. The reality that you want and that you like.
Because no one really knows what reality is.

People will think you’re weird. People think I’m weird.

But why should you live your life the way anyone but yourself, wants you to?

“There are four pillars of a strong reality:

-Who you are - status, identity, what you deserve out of life

-Your values- Your tastes, opinions, your sense of humour

-Strong personal boundaries

-Knowing how you expect people to act”

These are the things that make you who you are.

Don't change them for anyone but yourself.

Until next week.

Ads of the week 39

2011-10-30T18:06:00.000Z

Three this week.

You could be wrong

2011-10-30T11:35:00.000Z

Everything you know, about anything, could be wrong.

You could actually be immortal.

We could all be someone’s dream.

Scientology could be the only true religion.

We don't know. All we know is what we've found out up to and including thispresent moment.

Feel free to dismiss other people's ideas.
But you're not necessarily correct.
And you'll never know if you are.

Think about it

2011-10-28T19:54:00.000+01:00

If someone was to ask you, what has inspired you, what would you say?

After creating countless typography pieces for Brian's brief, it reminded me of these typographic art pieces I looked at during one of my college projects.

Titled 'Celebrate The Music That Makes Us', they were created to advertise the 51st Grammy Awards.

Artists were asked for songs that had inspired them throughout their career and lives. The song titles were then used to create the portraits. Artists ranged from Stevie Wonder to Lil Wayne.

I love these portraits, I love the style and I love the vibrant colours.

It's just a simple design executed really well.

Think about it.

Back to the future

2011-10-27T20:17:00.002+01:00

Want to speak to yourself in the future?

Futureme is a website that allows you to send yourself emails in the future. On a given date.

Want to make sure you stay happy? Or healthy? For the rest of your life?

Then check in on it, every now and again.

It's a bit like a checkup. But for your life.

Right Or Wrong?

2011-10-26T18:11:00.002+01:00

I'm going to throw this one the jury, let them decide.

Lesson? Violence only creates losers.

"I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, mans being unable to sit still in a room" Blaise Pascal.

No arms, no legs, no worries.

2011-10-26T08:40:00.002+01:00

Watching this video made me re-evaluate a lot of things in my life. Here is a man who has no arms or legs but manages to live a very happy, successful life; just because he doesn't let his problems get him down. He is thankful for the things he does have in his life and loves to challenge not only himself, but the beliefs of others. People have said he won't be able to play sports, go swimming or do so much of the stuff we take for granted in our day to day lives, but he has overcome all of this. I found this video truly inspirational and motivational, it made me feel like i can do whatever i set my mind to and i hope other people can appreciate it too.

Ad of the week 38

2011-10-23T16:09:00.002+01:00

If I watched TV 24 hours a day, I think I'd love it too.
I wish I was a director.
Or a bear.

Youtube Heroes

2011-10-22T20:44:00.002+01:00

Youtube may only be 6 years old, be what it has created and led to is inspiring, youtube have made money, and with enough views, people who make the videos can make money too.

And its this principle that really blows my mind, you make a video of anything you want/that you think is really cool, and if the world seems to agree hello cash influx, this post is all about my YouTube legends.

You might well know some of the following legends, you might not, but all the videos are worthy of a watch, and all have trends that I'll discuss later on

FreddieW

FreddieW is the top of the Legends for me, over 2 million subscribers, he has made his own brand, he is everything advertising wants to be, cool enough to regularly look at every week, and i do, without fail, he's made some epic videos, and all are based on incredibly simple ideas with elements of humour.

This ones simple idea: Lets take away the normal bullets and gore, and add flowers. Bam, Visual worlds collide at its best.

CorridorDigital

Dubstep guns, probably their most famous piece, notice with this video how harmoniously the action and music combine, its perfect, and an effect done to look simple, but as were all learning, simple is the hardest thing to achieve.

EpicMealTime

If you've not heard of these guys by now, you probably live under a rock, and thats fine, if you like rocks, i wont judge, much.

Anyways, these guys made a cooking show look cool, they turned something we all know so well, and twisted it on its head and punched all the rules in the face, and you know what, it works, so damn well, they now sell shirts, and sell them well, they made a business out of the thing they enjoyed.

These are just a few of my Youtube Legends, i could show more, but this isn't about me (much) its about what these guys have in common.

Simple ideas

Humour

Motivation

and that last one is key, they never became famous after 1 video, it took time, and work, just like advertising, you might get one right one week, and wrong the next, but those who succeed, keep going.

Above all else though, you have to love what you do, these guys do, and they keep doing it because they love it so much, it just so happens that around 4 million people across the globe also love what they do too.

Finding the Golden Nugget

2011-10-22T09:00:00.003+01:00

Everyone has their own process for finding their clients 'Golden Nugget'.

But Bill Bernbach can certainly point you in the right direction.
He did actually say each of the below separately.

But I have arranged them in a way which makes the most sense to me.

“The purpose of advertising is to sell, that is what the client is paying for and if that goal does not permeate every idea you get, every word you write, every picture you take, you are a phony and you ought to get out of the business.

The magic is in the product.

Know that product inside out before you start working. And relate that knowledge to the consumers needs.

You’ve got to believe in your product. You’ve got to live with your product, you’ve got to get steeped in it. You’ve got to get saturated with it. You must get to the heart of it.

Indeed, if you have not crystallised into a single purpose, a single theme, what you want to tell the reader, you CANNOT be creative.

Finding out what to say is the beginning of the communication process.

Advertising doesn’t create the product advantage, it can only convey it.

The truth isn’t the truth until people believe you, and they can’t believe you if they don’t know what you’re saying, and they can’t know what you’re saying if they don’t listen, and they won’t listen if you’re not interesting, and you won’t be interesting unless you say things imaginatively, originally, freshly.

At the heart of an effective creative philosophy is the belief that nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature, what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action, even though his language so often camouflages what really motivates him.

Insight into human nature that is key to the communicators skill."

Go Beyond The Cover

2011-10-22T00:16:00.000+01:00

I think this is great! not only is it a good advert but it has a powerful message.

I think we are all guilty of 'judging a book by its cover'. If you see someone covered in tattoos you automatically form an opinion of them based on how they look, because they don't conform to the social norms of society. By covering his tattoos up they have made him look like everyone else, but underneath he is someone different than first expected. People can surprise you below the surface! and this advert shows we should get to know them before we judge them on their outward appearance.

Guerrilla Gardening

2011-10-20T14:30:00.005+01:00

Here's a lovely little indie way of making graffiti out of moss. I think it's a sweet idea and it'd be wicked to watch something like that grow on your walls, maybe not in your rented accommodation though, I don't know how well that'd go down. Either way I think it'd be an incredible thing making living and breathing graffiti.

What you will need:

One or two clumps (small handfull) of moss.
2 cups of buttermilk. (you can substitute with yogurt/vegan yogurt can be used)
2 cups of water (or beer)
1/2 tsp. sugar.
Corn syrup. (optional)

Steps:

Gather up as much moss as you can find or buy.
Wash the moss to get as much soil out of the roots as possible.
Break moss apart into manageable pieces and place in a blender.
Add the buttermilk/yogurt, water/beer and sugar. Blend the mixture until completely smooth. You’ll want it to have a paint-like texture. (If the mixture is at a consistency where you feel it will drip, add corn syrup until the consistency you desire is reached)
Use a paintbrush to apply the moss-paint to the surface on which you wish your design to grow.

**If possible, check back weekly to either spray the design with water (to encourage moss growth, especially if you live in a dry environment) or apply more moss-paint.

Can you do this?

2011-10-19T07:00:00.004+01:00

Human potential absolutely blows me away.

Usain Bolt can run at 38.48mph.

The men in this video do not use their bikes or their skateboards. They absorb them.
They become one with them.

Their skateboards, their bikes; are an extension of their body.

I think it is incredble. And fascinating to watch.

JUST DO IT!

2011-10-18T23:11:00.006+01:00

This evening I attended (along with fellow CAer’s) the screening of the documentary/film called ‘JUST DO IT- Info for outlaws’.

The idea behind the film was to show and educated people about the idea of environmentalists being activists and outlaws portraying their beliefs and actions through the power of the documentary. We were also given a copy of a newspaper which helped back the points made in the film and gave you an insight into the world of these ‘outlaws’.

(see photo- below)

Personally myself I have no clue about politics I was never brought up to believe in one party or one style of living but I have always been passionate about environmental issues, yes I’m one of those people who bugs my flat mates to recycle, I mean its not that much of an effort really, is it?

I believe that if this is our world then why don’t we care more about it? And after watching this film I feel even more driven and passionate about the subject. Ok so I’m not going to start skipping lectures to go chain myself to PowerStation’s or banks in London; however I feel the film showed that these actions weren’t intended to be malicious or destructive but more to make a stand, make their point and hope that it would take effect for what is a worthy cause. Yes there are moments of destruction to get onto a power plant site but I felt that this was due to passion and willingness to want to make a stand. It annoys me when people rant on about ‘rioters’ and ‘protestors’ as if these people have no consideration or thought about what they are doing, when after watching the film it is clear to see that there is so much careful planning and time put into all actions. People from the groups ‘ Plane Stupid’ and ‘Climate Camp’ all set out to achieve something with creating the least bad press as possible but enough press to be heard and eventually most causes started to be discussed and resolved for instance the incident with HEATHROW AIRPORT wanted to build a third runway through a town taking away their houses, village and community. Through the power of ‘PLANE STUPID’ group the community began to come together over this issue helping this group of environmentalists clear a area of unused land and greenhouse and convert it into an eco-friendly and useable area for the community, not only did this help the plan for the runway to fall through but it brought the community of people together, than passion rose and hard work prevailed, for me this says it all.

Hard work, persistence, strong beliefs, goodwill and community of people can help make a difference. Some may disagree with my review of this film, that is entirely up to them everyone perceives things in different ways. For me it was well worth a hour and half of my time, I learnt something new, I felt inspired and I began to understand how different people act on situations and causes that they are passionate about.

After all if you are passionate about something then surely this is the right fuel (eco-friendly fuel also) to help push you, drive you and help you achieve something.

LE.

What's your perspective?

2011-10-18T00:38:00.001+01:00

I found this image online and was intrigued by the idea behind it; It's a really cool way to show how different people view things from different perspectives and it made me wonder about the different things that limit our creativity and how we view the world differently depending on our age.

I think, to an extent, it's easier for children to be more creative and imaginative because they look at the world in terms of what is fun and what isn't. Seeing this image really inspired me to try and look at things differently and open up my mind to creativity.

Entry Requirements- 1 Open Mind and lots of Curiosity

2011-10-17T18:11:00.000+01:00

Yes I did fall for it.

And I showed my flatmates- they fell for it too.

Curiosity is a powerful tool, great things can come from it.

Thinking 'maybe this could actually work' when you're about to do something (like lick a laptop screen for example) may seem silly afterwards when it doesn't work.

But what if it does work?

This post will change your life

2011-10-16T13:14:00.001+01:00

This is a brilliant book.

It is a daily challenge. Every day. For 365 days.

Including such classics as: 'Tattoo a banana' day. 'Make prolonged eye contact with everyone you meet' day. 'Write the opening sentence of your debut novel' day.

Now it isn't the book that I'm promoting so much.
But the idea behind the book.

Challenge yourself to do something different every day.
Because how can you ever change or improve if you continue to do the same things?

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Ad of the week 37

2011-10-16T12:02:00.001+01:00

Good insight.
People who enjoy losing weight tend to do so, more successfully.

The ad is fun, creative and well executed.

What to look for in every skill you learn

2011-10-13T20:24:00.005+01:00

Before we start, there is some juicy stuff in this post. So stick with it.

I joined the martial art society tonight. It is brilliant.

They teach you a different martial discipline every week. Which might sound like it will confuse it’s members, it does. But this isn’t a bad thing.

When it comes to martial arts and self defence, and well- all skills; Confusion is good.

Why? We’ll come on to that later.

I’m currently reading this. In which Bruce Lee discusses why all martial arts are fatally flawed.

I’m sorry if you are a die hard Bruce Lee fan and this isn’t quite how it is written in the book. But I’m just making a point.

“All martial arts and self defence disciplines are flawed because they all teach using form and style.”

Why is this flawed? Because all humans differ in height, weight, shape, speed, power etc. So there can be no correct fighting “style” until humans of another nature exist.

If and when humans with four arms and four legs exist. Then can we say

“If you have two arms and two legs, this is how you fight. If you have four arms and four legs, this is how you fight.” But until that day comes, there can be no style or form because we are all different.

“There can be no form or style other than what we do in the moment that we HAVE to defend ourselves.”

I think violence is a horrible, ugly thing.

For someone to show another human being enough disrespect that they want to cause them physical harm makes me sad.But we are animals and it is built into us.

I personally think that it shows that we have not finished evolving. Violent people in particular, NEED TO EVOLVE. Evolve, learn how your emotions work and find another way to express yourself.

“If you’re willing to fight me, you’d better be willing to kill me.”

Bruce Lee.

This is why the best martial arts are about self improvement, self discovery and self actualisation. About knowing how to protect. Not about knowing how to hurt.

So why is confusion good in learning skills?

“There can be no form or style other than what we do IN THE MOMENT THAT WE HAVE TO…”

Confusion in learning skills shows that the skill is being internalised.

When you were a baby. You could not walk.

Now you can walk. You don’t think about it. You just do it.

You do it in the moment and it does not require thought.

You do not think about what to do before you do it and you do not think you could have done it better afterwards. Unless you're Jack. He's always trying to improve his walk.

You trust your faculties to do it to the best of your ability, without thought.

This is internalisation.

I can't remember. But I bet learning to walk is confusing.

Confusion when you learn the skill, means that when you need to use it, you will do what is right without thinking about it.

The process of internalisation can be a frustrating thing.

You think you have done the right thing or the good thing. And it turns out you haven’t.

It’s easy to get frustrated, angry or even upset. But you have to focus on what you learn each time. Not how well you did.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN AND HOW CAN YOU APPLY IT?

Lee stresses that the more you disregard form and style and focus on the underlying signposts in the martial skills you are taught. The better you are equipped to reach a higher level of being. And the greater the ability you have to defend yourself when you have to WITHOUT THINKING.

THIS APPLIES TO EVERY SINGLE SKILL YOU LEARN

Learn the skill, appreciate the time and effort that was taken and the value that was given by your teacher. Do not ignore the style or form, be conscious of it. But be aware that it is the underlying signposts that will lead you to a level of higher being.

Appreciate this. It is only possible because as humans we have consciousness.

You can teach a dog a skill.

But the the dog will never analyse or deconstruct the skill. Or see the underlying signposts that led it to a place where it was able to perform the skill.

A book can teach you skills. But a book can never show you the signposts.

No one can MAKE YOU good at advertising. Or any skill for that matter.

But they can give you the signposts that lead you to a higher level of being. Being good at martial arts, or advertising or any skill- isn't something you do, it's something you are. BEING NOT DOING.

No one can MAKE YOU good at advertising. But they can help you become the sort of person who can be good at advertising. If you let them.

Be conscious of style, form and technique. But focus on the underlying signposts.

How not to use the internet

2011-10-12T20:36:00.006+01:00

The internet is a powerful tool.

In the right hands, it can do brilliant things. In the wrong hands, it can hurt people.

Thanks to Brad Sykes for this.

A tasty combination.

2011-10-09T18:05:00.003+01:00

Nice bit of synergy.

http://www.doritosandmax.com/index.html

I wish I had an icefist, it would be so "cool".

Sorry that's the best I have.

-Liam out

Ad of the week 36

2011-10-09T14:37:00.001+01:00

Simple, awkward, creepy.

The series can be found here.

Really achieving your childhood dreams

2011-10-08T18:18:00.008+01:00

After watching Steve Jobs' commencement speech, it reminded me of a lecture by Randy Pausch.

Both of these men were were told they had only months to live.

As humans we need deadlines in order to work at maxium efficiency. It' built into us.

By looking at these two men in their final days, it seems that knowing when you are going to die completely changes the way you live.

I was inspired to hear that Steve Jobs spent the last thirty years of his life asking himself every morning:

"If today we’re the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"

I think The way that these men looked at life in their final days is testament to how we should look at life every day.

I think if we all knew the day we were going to die. We would all live a bit more.

3:47am.

2011-10-06T03:47:00.010+01:00

Now it's 3:48am.

Why on earth am I still awake?

Steve Jobs has been confirmed dead at the age of 56.

For those of you that don't know, Steve Jobs was the chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios.

A true inspirational genius.

I think I posted this speech a while back but for all you new bloods, check this out. It's worth a watch.

One of the best speeches I have ever heard. So good I could watch it over and over again.

Jobs urges us to pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks.

Personally, I'm a firm believer in the idea that "everything happens for a reason". This speech inspires me massively every single time I watch it.

After finding out about his death and watching this speech again I had no chance in hell of getting any sleep. My mind was buzzing.

What did I do?

I did something I love...

I created some Ads in the memory of Jobs.

R.I.P STEVE "THE APPLE GOD" JOBS

(February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011)

- Liam out.

You Can't Swallow The Sun

2011-10-02T12:27:00.005+01:00

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, (altered into a supposedly terrible film with Julia Roberts) speaks openly about the difficulties of continuing to be creative after potentially reaching the peak of her career.

I like the concept of our creative abilities being enriched by spirits living in the walls surrounding us, it's quite bizarre, but perhaps a good way to separate ourselves from our work - particularly in a crit, and therefore finding all the criticism constructive.

Externalised your idea, keep a pen and pencil on you. Olé!

Lily

Wanna' be successful?

2011-10-01T18:02:00.003+01:00

I Don't think I have ever heard a formula for success put any simpler.

Anyone else notice the Nike logos creep in.
Not an intentional viral I don't think.

But, 730,000+ views in one month.
Not a bad.

I'm a rocket ship on my way to mars, I am a satellite.

2011-09-26T11:38:00.003+01:00

What a cracking planet we live on, taken from a satellite orbiting earth in time-lapse footage. Notice especially the lightening.

Greg.

You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake

2011-09-25T16:03:00.004+01:00

I really, really like this film. If you haven't seen it I'd seriously recommend it.

There are a lot of reasons I wanted to share this.
Firstly it's one of my favourite films.

Secondly, it shows you what some people think about what we do.
We'll address that in a minute.

Thirdly, there is an important philosophy that exists in this film. The film is very hard and graphic. But take Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt's) character- remove all the graphic language, adult content and explicit metaphors. And he's actually discussing something which links strongly to Buddhism.

Tyler's Philosophy:

You are not your job.
You are not how much money you have in the bank.
You are not the clothes you wear.
You are not the contents of your wallet.
You are not the car you drive.
You are not your grandee latte.

What does this really mean:

Most people hate their jobs. They do the job they hate to get the money they think they need to buy the stuff they think will make them happy.

Did that make sense? Read it again.

The character of Tyler Durden is pretty radical. And whilst I disagree with the lens through which he looks at life. I think there is a lesson for us advertisers in his way of thinking.

Some people, few, but some; think that this is the aim of us advertisers. To turn everyone into needy, blood sucking consumers.

Is it? Is that you thought when you decided you wanted to go into advertising? Did you want to shape a society that has people cramming material possessions into their life thinking it will make them happy?

I'm confident that you didn't. I'm confident that hardly anyone in advertising is here to do that.

I personally think that you cannot sell to a consumer without using a desire which already exists. I do not think the aim of advertising is to pull something off or to trick people into buying things they don't need.

My aim at least, is to identify the people who do want and will make valuable use of a product or service. And then to sell it to them in an interesting, engaging, honest, integral and creative way.

We are all responsible for our own happiness. And we should all be happy without our material possessions.

Especially us in the advertising industry, we work so closely all the time to the latest clothes, trends, cars, gadgets and rocket boots that it's easy for us to forget we don't need it to be happy. We might however, be part of a group of people who want and will make valuable use of some of it. And they are the people I want to sell to.

We're salesman, not con artists.

I know I don't need anything material to be happy. But I do appreciate that there are products and services out there that will make my life easier. And I am happy to be sold to.

Less Is More.

2011-09-20T23:36:00.004+01:00

Emeli Sande has an incredible and inspiring voice; if I could sing, I'd like to sing like this. In this version of "Heaven" on Jools Holland, the purity of the vocals against the rawness of the instruments keep it simple, its refreshing. To take such a powerful voice and embrace it by refraining from allowing the accompaning music to take over, I think it gives the song greater depth, the lyrics carry more meaning. Change voice to idea and music to copy/imagery and perhaps there's a link to advertising.

Lily

This is awesome!

2011-09-12T14:11:00.004+01:00

Someone find an ad, and put this in it!

From an entertainment point of view. In terms of finding something that people will pay to watch, these guys have really nailed it.

Ad of the week 35

2011-09-10T14:34:00.002+01:00

This ad is simple. It sends a very clear message about what it is like to drive this car.

Drama isn't something I've heard a lot in car advertising and it's an interesting way to sell the new Cadillac. People who buy fast cars want drama, and this ad promises it.

Turn things upside down

2011-09-07T20:47:00.003+01:00

Look out in the trailer for "Devil" where the footage of New York is flipped upside down.

The entire opening scene of the film is shot this way. Upside down shots tracking the New York skyline. Accompanied with the music this created a very uneasy feeling for me as I watched. It set the mood for the film perfectly and made me feel very uncomfortable.

All by flipping some footage upside down. They kept it simple and that's something we all should strive to do.

Musical Violent Inspiration

2011-08-30T15:45:00.002+01:00

I found this inspiring, judge at will.

P.s. If you enjoyed this, watch Prism by the same guys, amazing what people can do with naff all money and lots of time/friends.

P.s.s just watch everything on youtube, if people like it, its what they wanna see, make your ads like that, and people will wanna see them.

Greg.

How interesting are you?

2011-08-15T12:59:00.003+01:00

We're recruiting Inspiration Blog-Reps. Just two per year!

The competition will be fierce!

If you think you're interesting, want to learn something new all the flippin' time and are interested in all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff- apply now by emailing "Yes" + your name to:

elliottstarr@hotmail.com

Many thanks,
Elz.

Ad of the week 34

2011-08-08T15:28:00.003+01:00

Van Damme talking about his tight pants. Who doesn't enjoy watching that? I like Coors light a bit more after watching this ad. Sadly I'm a cider man.

Ad of the week 33

2011-08-04T17:51:00.002+01:00

I like this ad for the following reason:

-Human truth- lots of people lose their keys.
-Wouldn't it be great if you didn't have to find your keys to start your car?
-Other car manufactures might have made this claim, but I can't remember their ads.

But. Here’s the controversial part.

If you're a man, chances are you keep your keys in a pocket of some sort, rather than a handbag. A woman can still drive the fiesta without knowing where her keys are, as long as they are "in [her bag]… somewhere". This is a great selling point!

But it doesn't quite work like that with men. In most situations: if you're a man and your keys aren't in your pockets, they're not on your persons. They might be in the house, or the office. And if they are, you’re only going to be able to drive you’re lovely new Fiesta about ten metres.

So what’s the appeal in this ad for men?

Is it that you have a “cool” gadget that means you don’t actually have to put a key in the ignition? I think so. I know I’d feel like Batman pushing that big “Power” button. Even if you’re a man who’s not into gadgets, you now have to make less effort to drive your car. Benefit!

How to live to be 100+

2011-07-28T15:31:00.005+01:00

This is a very interesting video from Ted.com that talks about four "Blue Zones" in the world- where people tend to live the longest, healthiest lives.

Only 10% of how long we live is dictated by our genes. The other 90% is dictated by our lifestyle.

It concludes by outlining some fundamental similarities between the four "Blue Zones" lifestyles that contribute towards their long, healthy and peaceful lives.

But what really resonates with me is the concept of Ikigai, that originates in Okinawa-Japan. In the Okinawan language they do not have a word for retirement.

Instead there's one word that imbues your entire life, and that word is Ikigai. Roughly translated it means "The reason for which you wake up in the morning."

We're not talking about waking up because you have a lecture or you have to catch a bus. But the reason you wake up in the morning, every morning. We're talking about Purpose- knowing who you are, what you value and what you want.

What's yours?

Show me your dirty face.

2011-07-25T20:42:00.004+01:00

Insane illusion that makes pretty people look ugly and ugly people uglier.

- LN*

Ad of the week 32

2011-07-24T15:20:00.008+01:00

Ok. It's not a new campaign. But it's good. Here's why.

-They are simple.

-People are talking about it. I have overheard several conversations about this cider.

-People are buying it. The majority of the conversations I have heard involved one or more people having tried it or intending to try it.

-Stella uses self-deprecating humour to great effect. I particularly like the Old style Ad (Definitely check that link out. And this one) presentation of the product and the overly French-ness of it all.

-By claiming that it is "Cidre" and not "Cider" they effectively have a USP over every other major competitor in the cider industry.

-The ads are just about the right amount of witty. "Cidre" means "Cider" in french. C'est Cidre, not cider- effectively means: It is cider, not cider.

Scottish Is

2011-07-09T11:46:00.003+01:00

"I felt so proud to be Scottish, the first time I heard it. Then realised- I'm English"

"Scottish Is" Compiled from Radio 1s listener's comments, brilliantly written.

2011-06-30T21:43:00.007+01:00

Just Another Sunday Afternoon

As she sat there; blank expression staring up at the sky through the glass of our conservatory roof; I wondered what she was thinking. What was it that was going through her mind, was it nothing or were there thoughts that so unimaginable that one could not conquer up themselves.

For she had lived a long life, many a challenge, memories, family, friends, but now was the years had passed and life had taken its toll I wondered to myself what was left of the Nan I once had.

Yes we know it's inevitable this growing up business but doesn't it make you wonder about the life cycles of each and every person? What life they led, whether it was one they wanted or if they had dreams unfulfilled, ambitions still lurking in the back of the mind. For me the idea of growing old scares me, the unanswered questions, the wondering, the unknown. Yes we know we cannot tell the future, even if we could I'm not sure I would want to know. Life is so precious and yes we should cherise every day but what happens when the days seem to roll into one, and you never quite know what the day, when your brain no longer functions like it used to? They say we grow up then go back to being like children, the need for care and attention, I wonder to myself why this is so? The human body is a remarkable creation yet still years and years have passed where we get old and as they say everything 'goes downhill'. How is it so that years of growing, learning and developing can banish with a single chemical reaction? How is it that the brain stops functioning, we mix things up, get confused, day dream and can live blissfully unaware that it is doing so?

My Nan has vascular dementia thus the reasoning for my ramble. I sit there and look at her wondering what she is thinking, is there actually anything going on in her brain? One day will she not know who I am? Will she ever be able to remember what day it is? Sometimes I see glimmers of the Nan, the woman I idolised and grew up adoring and then it can go as quick as the blink of an eye. So heartbreaking thinking that one person can disappear so rapidly that the family she loves and is loved by can sometimes hardly recognised the woman she used to be. Why is it so that the human body can change so dramatically?

Some may think of this as a sad situation, technically I have grieved for the Nan I once had yet the woman that sits there every sunday reading the newspaper in our conservatory still fascinates me. She can still tell me stories of when she was a training to become a nurse, her youthful adventures and the start of her family life. So you may think why be sad when I really I still have her she has just been reincarnated and manages to still leave me wondering about the things that run through her brain. Ok she may tell stories and we sit there rolling our eyes knowing it never really happen, yet I still find it amazing how the brain can go through so much trauma yet creativity still remains. I suppose you could look at it this way; we are born creative and if you nuture it then it will remain with you no matter what life throws at you!

Hit Me Baby One More Time

2011-06-28T23:14:00.003+01:00

I'm not quite sure whether this has gone viral just yet; another great Evian ad created by those at BETC Euro RSCG. I'm intrigued as to what will come next, I also want one of those baby t-shirts (yes, they are available on Ebay).

Amor Vincit Omnia.

2011-06-27T16:09:00.004+01:00

Love' a word used so often, yet many of us still search for its true definition.

To me, 'Love' is the greatest power on earth. It conquers all things.

I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.

Love is a state of extreme happiness that is produced by activities, objects and events that we find pleasure in.

Love is also the score of zero in tennis or squash, but that is not the type of love we are talking about here!

Right now, I love a lot of things: Creative Advertising, music, photography, sunny days and those people that love me back and give my life its value.

Now I'm sure you're thinking, here he goes again, another deep and meaningful post that shouldn't be on the blog... At the end of the day that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However love relates to everyone, even you, even advertising.

- L*Nicholson

Ad of the week 31

2011-06-22T20:55:00.004+01:00

Powerful ads that make good use of metaphor.

People are social spectators

2011-06-13T18:23:00.004+01:00

Before reading this post- bear in mind; everyone has the ability to dictate their identity, to make their own decisions and to decide what they value in life. But not everyone does.

As creative people, we spend a lot of time looking, listening and doing. We tend to be more aware and more interested in the things that happen around us. I like to people watch. Many creative people are the same.

But. This does not make us "special". Everyone is watching what everyone else is doing all the time. What is special is that people watchers tend to observe others objectively. We are not influenced by their actions, only interested and at the best of times; entertained.

But what about everyone else, what are they doing?

They are watching what everyone else is doing and following.

Let's think of some situations. You are in a shopping centre. You see a huge crowd
forming, you join. You have no idea why. Is someone important appearing? Are they giving things away? You have no idea why you are waiting and are surrounded by people doing the same.

There is a protest on your street. You are standing watching. You do not support the cause. You are an objective spectator. A young girl joins your side and watches with you. Her intrigue grows and she wanders towards the protest. You watch her as she watches the protest escalate into a riot. You see her transform. Everything about her changes- her posture, her facial expression, her breathing. She picks up a bottle and throws it. You ask her why. And she cannot answer you.

You live on the beach front. You are woken by a powerful earthquake. You panic, grab your phone, wallet and passport- the essentials. You flee your house. You get to the street expecting to see hordes of people heading for high ground. (You live near water and there has just been an earthquake.) Tsunamis kill millions of people. They are catastrophic. You head hurriedly for high ground. All the time expecting to see people doing the same. Where is everyone?

Slowly, you see house doors opening. Your neighbours potter out. They look around. Left, right. They look left again. They shrug, close the door and mosey back to bed. Let's not forget. You live near water and there has just been an earthquake. Why are these people not running for their life? Because no one else is doing it.

People see other people doing things and follow them.

Consider. If you and your friends went back in time and ran down the street screaming- everyone would follow you.

What a giant bunch of robots we all are.

Ad of the week 30

2011-06-12T17:47:00.001+01:00

I have looked for Drench every time I have purchased bottled water since seeing this.
Plus, I love Big Steve- good lad.

Proper Job

2011-06-09T15:33:00.002+01:00

For the past week and a bit I have been working as a copywriter for Lincoln based design agency, Design by Distraction. If this news surprises you, you're not alone. Upon getting the job my initial response was, "Have they not seen my work?" followed by, "Seriously...it's a design agency, have they not seen my work?!?" But, as it turns out, they had seen my work, and I was appointed to the task of writing everything. Literally everything. No word leaves this building without first receiving an in depth review by my bespectacled eyes. Admittedly this task can get somewhat boring, with only about 50% of my time actually being spent on writing my own stuff, but it's still quite a daunting prospect given how a matter of weeks ago I was finishing my degree work and applying for any job that would take me.

Now things I do actually get made. They become reality, rather than merely A3 drawings that will maybe get seen by a handful of people in their lifetime.

I've learnt an awful lot in my first 8 days of employment, not least the often misunderstood art of SEO. Search engine optimisation is key for these sorts of places to run, and every client they have wants it in the bucket load. For example, one of my briefs is to write a new front page for their website. It needs to be creative, catchy, engaging and different, whilst still including key words such as advertising, marketing, brand identity, graphic design and web development to name a few. I attempted to make it into a poem (obviously. What else would I do?) and was told it was "very creative," but in a way that convinced me it will never, ever appear on the website it was intended for. I have instead gone for something a lot more dull, but including all the afore mentioned words a lot more often, which of course has received a much better reception. Just by mentioning the words advertising, marketing, brand identity, graphic design and web development I've already added valuable SEO to this blog. That'll be a few hundred pounds, please.

As well as that I have also learnt to answer phones and redirect calls. It's a glamour job, and one I'm yet to mess up to such a degree that I've been sacked. Fingers crossed.

It's weird to think that this time two weeks ago I was applying for part time work in bars and department stores. Now I'm actually doing something related to what I want to do and the tea is on constant supply.

That's the main reason I said yes, really. Tea. I'd be nothing without it.

www.distracts.co.uk

Ad of the week 29

2011-06-05T11:44:00.000+01:00

I honestly could not stop watching this. Great storytelling.

Chance

2011-05-30T00:06:00.002+01:00

Have you considered how many things affect what you do each day?

Ad of the week 27 & 28

2011-05-29T13:02:00.005+01:00

Bounce

2011-05-28T12:10:00.003+01:00

You might not like the song. But I like the video. It's about a man who goes crazy.

Who says music videos have to be awful?

Nobody's perfect. But you can be really, really good

2011-05-22T17:04:00.018+01:00

It's a new self-help book I'm thinking of publishing. Any thoughts on the title? How about:

How you can be successful for less than the cost of your daily eggs

I know. I feel sick too. On a less ridiculous note, here is some good stuff I've stumbled upon.

1. Repeatedly successful people respond instantly! When an investment isn’t working out, they sell. When they see an opportunity, they make the call. If an important relationship is cooling down, they take time to renew it. When technology or a new competitor or a change in the economic situation requires an adjustment, they are the first and quickest to respond.

2. They work hard! Yes, they play hard, too! They get up early, they rarely complain, they expect performance from others, but they expect extraordinary performance from themselves. Repeated, high-level success starts with a recognition that hard work pays off.

3. They are incredibly curious and eager to learn. They study, ask questions and read—constantly! An interesting point, however: While most of them did well in school, the difference is that they apply or take advantage of what they learn. Repeated success is not about memorizing facts, it’s about being able to take information and create, build, or apply it in new and important ways. Successful people want to learn everything about everything!

4. They network. They know lots of people, and they know lots of different kinds of people. They listen to friends, neighbours, co- workers and bartenders. They don’t have to be “the life of the party,” in fact many are quiet, even shy, but they value people and they value relationships. Successful people have a Rolodex full of people who value their friendship and return their calls.

5. They work on themselves and never quit! While the “over-night wonders” become arrogant and quickly disappear, really successful people work on their personality, their leadership skills, management skills, and every other detail of life. When a relationship or business deal goes sour, they assume they can learn from it and they expect to do better next time. Successful people don’t tolerate flaws; they fix them!

6. They are extraordinarily creative. They go around asking, “Why not?” They see new combinations, new possibilities, new opportunities and challenges where others see problems or limitations. They wake up in the middle of the night yelling, “I’ve got it!” They ask for advice, try things out, consult experts and amateurs, always looking for a better, faster, cheaper solution. Successful people create stuff!

7. They are self-reliant and take responsibility. Incredibly successful people don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on. Extremely successful people take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success.

8. They are usually relaxed and keep their perspective. Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance; they know the value of timing, humour, and patience. They rarely panic or make decisions on impulse. Unusually successful people breathe easily, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in a crisis.

9. Extremely successful people live in the present moment. They know that “Now” is the only time they can control. They have a “gift” for looking people in the eye & listening to what is being said. They never seem rushed, and they get a lot done! They take full advantage of each day. Successful people don’t waste time, they use it!

10. They observe trends, notice changes, see shifts, and hear the nuances that others miss. A basketball player wearing Nikes is trivial, the neighbour kid wearing them is interesting, your own teenager demanding them is an investment opportunity! Extremely successful people live in the present, with one eye on the future!

If you're still reading. Just to make you really feel sick with all this happy go lucky stuff; here are two ways to live your life.

Option 1: You can accept responsibility for where you are in life, take control of your actions and put the work in. You make realistic goals and work hard on them. You associate with those people who you want be associated with. You don’t blame other people for your failures and you genuinely add value to people’s lives.

Option 2: You get what is given. Things happen to you which aren’t fair. You want to tell people about your problems and why things didn’t work out the way you wanted. You always have excuses and reasons why not to do something new or different, yet what you are currently doing makes you unhappy.

Life is fair. There is no point being bitter at the world for having being dealt a lousy hand in life, it is how you play it that counts. You are at the the centre of your problems and only you can make the change to actually focus on solutions. Until you reach that point, you are your own worst enemy.

Don't suppress your emotions, they're what make you human. Feel sad, cry when you need to. Everybody hates this self-help crap. But how can you expect to be creative-and produce amazing work if you're sad, depressed and narrow minded?

16 articles every creative advertising student should read

2011-05-18T16:13:00.004+01:00

Including classics such as:

The Top 10 Mistakes in Portfolio Development

And who could forget

83 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me While I Was Learning How to be Creative.

Tasty stuff. Get it while it's hot.

This is not an epic fail

2011-05-18T15:33:00.003+01:00

Ad of The Week 26

2011-05-17T01:10:00.001+01:00

You should always check a lift. Always.

Beyond The Frame

2011-05-11T15:11:00.002+01:00

I think photography is at its best when it isn't just a composition in a frame; but when it holds your focus, captures part of the emotion, personality and story of those within the image, makes you stop, think and carries you to where the camera was held. I think photojournalist Benjamin Krain does this exceedling well.

Take a closer look: http://www.benjaminkrain.com/

LP

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

2011-05-11T13:29:00.003+01:00

Victoria Coach Station, London. A place I've only been once, but a place I'll undoubtedly end up spending hours waiting whilst at Uni. It does not reflect the glamorous image many people may hold of London, particularly as the pigeons flap above my head; but it is a wonderful jumble of language and culture. A hub of diversity, embracing my mum's favourite saying, "variety is the spice of life."

People sit, cramped knee to knee, without a single word or polite acknowledging smile - this seems to be the London way. Chart music plays, muffled by the rumble of suitcase wheels and echoing conversations.

Everyone sits differently, composing themselves in their own manner, tailored to their choice of time-filling activity. Some flop into the regimented, cold seats tapping on their phones pretending to be busy or maybe seizing the opportunity to contact a friend long forgotten. Some perch, hardly sitting at all; unable to become fully engrossed in their book for the fear time will lose pace and run away. Some gather in their groups, half conversing, trying to not appear bored with the company. Some enjoy the luxury of a laptop, perhaps a bold move to make when loaded like a mule, and potentially a perfect target (I may have watched too much of 'The Real Hustle.') Some gaze into space, thoughts engulfing their minds yet they remain expressionless. I wonder what they are thinking; maybe they wonder what I am writing. I sit, pen in hand, secretly watching people's behaviour.

Three things came to mind after spending an hour indulging in the joy of waiting. Firstly, what is it that triggers our thoughts? The process is often hard to trace, the source undiscoverable, lost to new theories, explanations and topics. It is fascinating the journey your mind takes. (This post alone has jumped from expectations of a coach station to thought patterns.)

Secondly, that people are remarkable. The intricacy of minds, variety of personality and diversity of background all stand together creating the world we live in, the society we know.

And thirdly, that there is only so much you can learn from observing someone, especially for a short period of time, but it's always interesting to wonder what their story is. Which made me think, what if someone observed you? What would they conclude from a few moments of watching your behaviour?

Now an ad which sort of relates.

LP

Need a face?

2011-05-10T12:45:00.004+01:00

You need a face. You need a middle aged, round faced mexican man with a moustache, a stubbly beard and a missing front left tooth.

We've all been there. Hours on google with some very questionable searches.

"Smiling mexican fat beard tooth"

Facity.com is a website full of faces, broken down by country and city.

Check it out.

ES

Touch the Rainbow.

2011-05-09T14:04:00.001+01:00

My sister sent me this. She's doing her own degree course, but prioritised this over her work.

Advertising rules. Yeah?!?

Ad of The Week 25

2011-05-08T22:08:00.003+01:00

This weeks ad of the week comes to you in two parts.

Both parts attempt to portray the same message: Our product makes certain occasions even better.

However, one is American, one is British.

Spot the differences.

Firstly from the USA:

And now the UK entry:

You'd never of guessed, would you?

A choice has devastating effects.

2011-05-06T18:16:00.006+01:00

Did you know that every choice you make has devastating effects, such as what interior/exterior colour you would pick for your car.

So you want to buy a new Range Rover Evoque yes?

All the options of sporty or luxury, three or five door, black gloss or white are far too off putting.

So how do you decide these options I hear you ask?

Well you simply play this interactive, highly engaging online film!

Being Henry is an interactive film in which viewers get to decide how Henry proceeds through the narrative at stages. Does he head straight into the restaurant to meet his annoying sisters and smelly grandma, or does he decide to walk around the corner to the bakery and conveniently "forget" about his family reunion and go crazy on a double chocolate glazed XL donut?

Every decision results in an option for the car. If you happen to decide to chat up the waitress in the cafe this lends itself to the five door option.. Makes sense right?

Apparently there are more than 30 different endings, what will happen in yours?

YOU DECIDE!

CLICK HERE & PLAY INTERACTIVE MOVIE: http://helloevoque.com/beinghenry/en-gb/

- LN*

Good Morning Television.

2011-05-03T13:45:00.003+01:00

Odd bunch, these breakfast TV presenters. At a time when most people are still asleep or at the very least hung over a bowl of cereal hoping to find some essence of life, these chaps are up and about on our screens with beaming smiles and a sense of enthusiasm one should not come across when so little caffeine has been consumed. Their glittering teeth light up the living room, illuminating further the weary faces of their viewers that have attempted to hide them to the best of their ability behind coffee mugs and toast.

As I sit there learning about the events of the day and of how nice the weather I'm going to be too stuck inside to enjoy is going to be I kid myself into thinking I'm awake. I look down at my now emptying bowl of cereal and say,

"Yes, now I have eaten this grain the day shall be easy."

I attempt to shake off any lingering shackles of tiredness, pretending that becoming an insomniac as soon as I feel any hint of pressure hasn't impacted upon me in the slightest.

I am fine.

I put on the kettle and bring down some work, laying it out on the table in front of me with pens of all shapes and sizes ordered down by its side. Today is going to be productive. I can sense it.

Kettle boiled, me and my tea are ready to take on the world. Soon there shall be no world left to take on, such is the amount we have defeated it. I pick up a pen and begin to draw images of such beauty that if put on the Britain's Got Talent stage they would win on image alone.

"That is a wonderful border," Michael Mcintyre would say.

"This is why I love the UK!" the Hoff would join in.

Amanda Holden would sit there weeping at the very thought of it.

They're right. That is a pretty impressive border. I am putting my art A Level to good use. Before I know it I have added to the border with words and pictures, occasionally I use colours and tonal shading. My god, this is amazing. I knew today would be good but this is beyond my wildest expectations.

The hours pass by and more work gets done. My portfolio is heaving by the end of it all, gasping for advertising air such is the burden it must now carry.

I put the kettle on again. I deserve this reward.

The next day I look at my work once more and realise I've spelled, "Remember," as "Rember," I've drawn a Kelloggs pack shot on an ad for Lufthansa and my Guardian work has seeped through my layout pad, leaving its logo on the next 3 pages.

A breakfast TV presenter tells me of news that Osama Bin Laden is dead, and how coming up is some top fashion advice for pear shaped woman.

If only they knew the real world problems I was facing...

Ad of The Week 24

2011-05-01T15:15:00.001+01:00

In a weird reversal of this, I find most girls I know look a lot better without my glasses on.

Odd.

Thanks to Darena Stoda for having such a filthy mind.

Your Life is a Sham!

2011-04-27T19:25:00.001+01:00

Don't just take my word for it.

Here's an expert:

What a load of balls!

2011-04-24T20:08:00.003+01:00

You know those "I wish I had thought of that" moments? You just had one whilst watching this I would suspect.

Oglivy came up with this innovative idea for Budweiser by creating a sport! It stemmed from the two passions of men: football and nightlife.

It is even broadcasted live by ESPN and Fox Sports!

Shall we get a team together boys?!

- LN*

Ad of The Week 23

2011-04-24T16:10:00.000+01:00

Happy Easter.

Blank Canvas

2011-04-23T20:54:00.003+01:00

We live in a society obsessed with looks, fashion and first impressions. Don't get me wrong I can judge by first impressions but who doesn't ? I like to fit in and follow the latest trends but really aren't trends just phases? Phases like art movements? So does that make us all walking canvases?

I don't know about other people but I wouldn't want to be a cheap imitation of a piece of art, something that has already being created once. I mean wouldn't that be like recreating a piece of Vincent Van Gogh's work and why would you do that when it wouldn't be anywhere near as beautiful or amazing as the original. It wouldn't have the same quality or presence.

I remember a certain Liam Nicholson (LN) telling me:

"We are born an original, don't die a copy"

This stuck in my head! So next time you go to get dressed and think 'what shall I wear today?' think about what you want 'your canvas' to show, express yourself be unique! After all your a piece of walking art!

Oh to be 13 Again

2011-04-23T19:55:00.003+01:00

A couple of months ago whilst on a walk in Graves Park, Sheffield with my 13 year old cousin I realised that I had forgotten the simple beauties that I once came across when I was younger. The adventures I used to embark on, feeling fearless on my bike as I raced through fields and woods near my house. The endless possibilities and the exploring that once was the only thing I could do to escape everyday life. Imagination was the biggest key to all of this.

We forget sometimes that children are still learning, discovering and finding their feet. We forget that we too were once children and that back then we looked at the world in a completely different way, whether that be classed as slightly more naive or not, we looked at it with new eyes. Eyes that longed for adventure, stories and creativity after all it cannot be argued that children are good at using their imagination!

Young minds are the creative's of the future, they need nurture and care. Taking a moment to reminisce on my own childhood I realised I did so much that I had forgotten. I looked at Graves Park in a different way, using my camera as a different pair of eyes I took on a new adventure capturing things that usually are missed by the naked eye. From this I was able to share with my cousin a new way of looking at the world and inspired her to take up photography!! Yes me inspiring a 13 year old to do something other than facebook or internet shopping!

After realising how much of my childhood I had forgotten I felt a little sad, I decided that from now on I need to reinstate my inner child after all Picasso once said:

" Everyone is born a creative it's keeping it as you grow up that's the problem"

So take a moment to think about all the small things you did when you were a child, something you may pass over when thinking back; simple things such as walks in the park, riding your bike, visiting grandparents who had a garden full of possible adventures. And when you think of these things think back to how different the world looked to you then, naive or not now you will look at it in a completely different way; take this and see if it can inspired you in your work whether it be photos, drawing or of course ads!

Creativity is the key to our future, nurture it !

And it was all yellow.

2011-04-21T15:38:00.001+01:00

I don't know what to make of this. So, as with all stuff that confuses me and makes me question the existence of life, god, Scottish people or all of the above, I thought I'd show it on here. Enjoy