Office Re-design

Well, my life this last week has been a bit hectic. After getting very very very little sleep while working on an event last weekend (plus cutting out to go to a Ghostland Observatory concert - so good) I wrapped up my job at Microsoft by Friday. I had so many projects to complete I had very little time to even check in on my blog or the blogs of others.

Yesterday I started my new event planning job. My first task (that I've basically given myself) is to clean/organize my new office. Basically, I require a space that is both functional and comfortable and a little fun. Call me high maintenance, but if the office (my home as well) doesn't aid in me accomplishing my goals and make me feel good while I'm doing it - well... then I'm going to make it that way or be quite unhappy at work.

Here are some tips about Office Design. Regardless of what you do, it's important to have good design in the office for your happiness and productivity.

Fixing Conferences

Fast Company produced an great article with six lessons on how to fix conferences. I clicked through to this because my new job involves planning conferences - although not for designers. Regardless, it gave me a few ideas. Maybe it will help you too.

Here's a quick run-down of the 6 lessons:
1. Social media is the enemy of time-based productivity
2. All problems are systems challenges
3. Big thinking loves tight parameters
4. Ask for what you want
5. Meeting in-person is powerful
6. Action is harder than rhetoric

Read the full article here and learn more about how these tips can create a more collaborative environment.

Say Cheese!

This is just plain funny.

But seriously, this cheesy camera is part of a Smithsonian exhibit celebrating the evolution of the camera. Check it.

The Urban Cursor

I don't know why I love things like this so much. Maybe it is because it's unique, completely random, out of place, and interactive. It might even make you think. Maybe you just think "I don't get it" or "Why is this here?" but still you use your brain. It's a nice break from the mindlessness that occurs when you're walking down the same street you walk down everyday.
Check out the Urban Cursor! I don't think it's a form of advertisement but it's not a bad idea. Maybe Photoshop CS4 could advertise my having giant tools that manipulated the ground covered in chalk. Just a thought.

Holiday Marketing

Meylah, a crafty person's business blog, offers some holiday marketing ideas. They are designed for crafters but really I think most businesses could take this advice, tweak it and run with it.

My favorite idea is "Send clients an early holiday card or newsletter" - so easy! Also, I like the idea of taking your products and making them look like they fit in with the holiday theme.

Another great idea, throw a party! Invite people over and sell your stuff. Not only good for business, it's just fun.

Check out the rest here.

Masters in Branding

The first branding masters program in the United States! I want to go. I really want to. But I have to wait.... Malcolm Gladwell is one of the instructors! Patience, patience, patience.
Visit the School of Visual Arts in NYC for more info.

Beautiful Losers

Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.

Competitive Patience

I just had an interesting experience. Basically, I got a job without even trying... at least I thought that until my friend reminded me of the time I'd spent building a relationship with my new employer, and doing so with an intention.

I'd been volunteering on projects for the last five years and so when it came time to hire someone they thought of me. It was quite possibly the easiest job I've ever gotten. No application. No interview.

So, I'm starting to think... maybe patience and hard work really can pay off. And I'm profoundly impressed by this notion of building intentional relationships. It's the purest form of advertising and marketing! It might even be the perfect example of branding (a topic I've come to learn is quite vague and difficult to explain - more on that later).

I'm very excited to have a new position where I can be creative and think a lot about advertising, marketing and design and put my energy toward something I'm passionate about!

Give the Gift of Love

I'm thinking I'd like to host an event. Would you come?

Crisis = Opportunity

Throughout this recession, I've been blown away by the way some businesses (specifically credit companies) have decided to handle it. Sometimes it seems that they are placing all of the blame on the consumer for not buying enough. They've told us that buying more is the only way to save our economy even when buying more means more personal debt.
In my opinion, it's the business world that needs to change. We, the consumers, have already made our decision to buy less. How will you deal with it now?
John Gerzema gives a great talk on the post-crisis consumer. It's hopeful. He explains that maybe the crisis wasn't such a bad thing, that maybe the only solution isn't to return to our old ways of buying on credit and constantly looking for what is bigger, brighter, shinier, newer, faster.
I keep hearing this mantra across business media: now is the time to build your business. I see the word crisis and think decision or turning point. We have an opportunity to build someting new and great and wholesome. I, for one, am excited!

The Rules

One Hundred Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do... really? 100! I've never worked in a restaurant but I'm pretty sure the average restaurant doesn't have this many rules, but I think they probably should.
I might be one of the pickiest customers on the face of the earth. If I go to a restaurant and the staff doesn't welcome me or they seem impatient or they interrupt I am quickly turned off and I rarely go back. Restaurants have a lot of competition. If someone isn't happy with your restaurants service or food they can probably walk 20 feet in any direction and find another place to eat.
I appreciate this restaurant owners attention to detail. I also wish that other businesses would also take note of these details. I would love to own a restuarant/bar someday and I definately plan on using this list as a starting point and reference when hiring and training my staff.

B Sides, Vol. 1: Plays Well With Lasers

I've always enjoyed making mix CD's (or tapes back in the day) and I do think of it as some kind of art. As a fun project, I thought I would start making mix CD's for a few friends each month. I find it to be a good exercise in creativity, specifically in naming the mix and such. I made a little design with a sharpie on this one but I'd like to get a bit more creative in the future.

1. My Girls - Animal Collective
2. 1901 - Phoenix
3. Heartbeats - The Knife
4. All The Right Moves - OneRepublic
5. Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
6. I Want You back - Discovery
7. Paparazzi - Lady Gaga
8. Sleepyhead - Passion Pit
9. Ce Jeu - Yelle
10. Animal - Miike Snow
11. Rollerskate - Matias Aguayo
12. We Are Golden - Mika
13. M.A.G.I.C. - The Sound of Arrows
14. Dancing On My Grave - Ghostland Observatory
15. Stay Alive - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
16. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
17. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z
18. Hello Seattle - Owl City
19. Clocks - Vitamin String Quartet