Friday, February 26, 2010

Fresh Air...


Capturing a common memory can be an effective way to celebrate the spirit behind a current event. But it's tricky. You can easily overdo it and collapse into stereotypical imagery and sentiments. Plain language helps. Telling a simple story can break the bonds of the predictable. Thanks to Rick for the image that sparked the idea...

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

An Analogous Communication Technique


In trying to reach busy minds with a new, somewhat complex approach, it is sometimes handy to offer an analogy. This technique, demonstrated here in a somewhat humorous way, allows the viewer to 'see' what may be a challenge in a more friendly, interesting manner and may spark more interest, understanding and buy-in than a normal checklist of factors or benefits would. Photo courtesy of NASA

Saturday, February 20, 2010

An Angel Singing



A neighbor of mine passed away this week. It made me think about things. And you know what happens when I think about things...

Sunday, February 14, 2010

(Fun) Business Process Mapping


Back to business... Flow charts and lengthy step-by-step business process documents are very important, but when it comes to encouraging the enthusiastic participation of the team, sometimes a fun approach will enable quick reference to the process and overall buy-in of a new initiative. Here, a variation of rough draft of such a process map, prepared for a large organization. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Friday, February 12, 2010

Let The Games Begin



A quick look within to witness Canadian Olympic heart.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Where's Your Groove?


You sleep late and your shower decides cold water is now in vogue. You rush to get dressed in the dark only to discover, too late, that your socks don't match and your sweater has decided to collect all the stray pet hairs in the house. The coffeemaker goes on the fritz, spewing hot brown liquid onto the kitchen walls and ceiling, and your digital cable decides to freeze on the weather forecaster's face (the upbeat one that irks you) just before they can tell you the weather. You rush out of the house without your umbrella and your car won't start. You hoof it to the bus stop. On the way the sky opens up and it pours buckets. While trying to call the office your cell phone slips out of your wet hand and breaks into a thousand pieces. The first and then the second bus is packed and drives right on by. The third bus stops but is so crowded you have to sit beside someone who hasn't bathed in, like, six years. You get to work late, looking like you came via the sewer with that lingering smell in your nostrils. Your allergies kick in and your eyes begin streaming tears and you begin sneezing uncontrollably.

You're in a crappy mood. You know it. The people around you know it. You hate it and you need "the cure". Busy day ahead.

You slip into your chair, take a deep breath, slip on the headphones and push the button. What do you listen to that breaks the spell and puts you "in the groove"? What is THAT powerful?

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Celebrating Color


Every now and then someone waltzes into your life and adds a bit of 'something' to it that wasn't there before. No two people are alike. Maybe there's a reason for that... :o)

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Prompting Participation


In progress: further rough concept exercising. Objective: to prompt awareness and engage men in prostate cancer checkups - without falling too too far into stereotypical patterns. (Plus, my first and probably last experience as a hand model...)

Hmmmm... whatcha think?

Monday, February 1, 2010

Sticky Applications



... that's my story and I'm sticking to it (sorry) :o)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sustainability Acts of a Different Kind



A personal thought that one's own perception is often a good place to begin in developing a better personal environment.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A Rare Editorial


A concept prompted by one particular group's recent pie-in-the-face incident in Canada and today's rants against Groundhog Day in the US...

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sunday Playtime



Often, a concept begins with the question "what if..."

What if personal batteries were available and came in flavors to charge you up with your own motivator? Would it be a good book, a scintillating conversation, a night with the inlaws, a tall glass of cold milk, the color yellow, or the ever popular coffee fix? Mine happens to be meatballs. I lust after meatballs. And after getting some, I'm totally charged! (Okay, I'm weird, LOL!)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Coping Playtime

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Three-Dimensional Effectiveness


One of the pleasures of my work with academics is being able to help express a complex concept in a graphic form. I've learned, through my work, that evaluating effectiveness is often not a two-dimensional thing, but it is often a three-dimensional 'matrix', where all factors come together to create a whole. Where missing sectors are able to be charted, identified and addressed. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Here, a personal expression - a work in progress and your comments, suggestions and tweaks are welcome. I'd be glad to add the revised version to this post! Have fun!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Web Concepting Deux


How to present a service with a diverse set of offerings? Our own microsite, developed in Flash, borrows the concept of our Service Desk. Scrolling back and forth along the "desk" reveals the different services, represented by various icons. Mousing over the images reveals the service title in the right corner of the top banner. Clicking on the icon sweeps the image to the end of the service desk to reveal a page with specifics... with an animated hand popping in with a post-it note with contact info for each service. See the site here: http://mps.mcmaster.ca

Heartfelt thanks to Steve, Simon, Martin and Tara for their many hours of gnashing of teeth, tearing out of hair and general sweat and toil...

Web Concepting





Linking the visual set up of a website to the concept behind the organization gives you the opportunity to consider abandoning the traditional menu bars and creating an unique experience for the viewer. Here, an early site for a member network, (designed to link researchers from different regions, to share documents, discussions and collaborate on development). The site is clean, showing a menu of interconnected orbs. When moused over, the choices for that section are revealed and the thematic pic changes inside the center of the menu. Clicking on the orb takes the viewer to the general section, while mousing down and clicking on a menu item takes the viewer to that particular page.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Ode to Patrick Nagel

Monday, January 11, 2010

Yakyak Playtime

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Retro Moment




Friday, January 8, 2010

Empty Chair


A study for an annual report for the CCSA, highlighting harm reduction and the value of helping keep people with difficulties in the system.

Mixed media on canvas.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year Playtime



Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Pending Playtime

Friday, December 25, 2009

Playtime (b)...

Saturday, December 19, 2009

2009

My own thought for this time of the year attempts to present an example of a 'marriage' between a visual and the copy. Apart, the photo or headline can be interpreted in any number of ways. Together, they support each other to define both the personality of the piece, and deliver the message.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Caption/Headline Collaboration?


Post your thoughts about what caption or headline might make this visual (created so long ago I forget what for) pertain to a timely concept for a worthy cause, be it a personal development or not-for-profit message... Have fun and keep 'er clean!

Above, a contribution from a custom lettering designer Alan Ariail, from the Chicago area, who wrote and designed this phrase to go along with the visual. A splendid mix! You'll find Alan's blog here.

Thanks to all the ideas submitted both from here, LinkedIn and FB. Not a bad one in the bunch! And keep 'em comin'!