Long Weekend Meter...

Chocolate's Lion's Share

It's certainly no news to us that people crave chocolate more than any other food.

Chocolate, made from the seeds of the Theobrama cacao tree, was known to the ancient Greeks as 'food of the gods'. The Aztecs reserved its consumption for priests, warriors and nobility and a beverage made from the seeds, called chocolatl, was a sacred concoction that was associated with fertility and wisdom. It was also thought to have stimulating and restorative values...

First introduced to Europe in 1528, it was not until 1876 that milk, cocoa powder and cocoa butter were mixed together to form what we now know as chocolate.

But who owns the lion's share of cravings in the world today?

The latest research I've found shows that 16 of the top 20 consuming counties are European. Switzerland leads in chocolate consumption at more than 22 pounds per person each year, followed by Austria at 20 pounds and Ireland at 19.5 pounds. America is estimated at a measly 11.7 pounds per person. Still, in 2001 Americans consumed 3 billion pounds of chocolate, which totaled $13.1 Billion in sales. 66% of chocolate is consumed between meals and it's been voted North America's favorite flavor by 52% of adults surveyed.

Most researchers believe chocolate's sensory qualities, chemicals, cultural values, social values and hormonal influences all play a role in chocolate cravings. It is the complete chocolate bar that people crave. Not one single chemical or quality can be soley responsible for satisfying a chocolate craving.

Whatever the reason, we all know it's definitely not advisable to get too close to a person's chocolate stash...

Retiring But Leaving Behind...

A rough illustration for an email retirement celebration announcement. The lady in question is a global traveler who has adopted animals from all over the world, from elephants in Africa to pandas in China... to strays at home. So when she retires at the end of the month, she takes with her an entourage... and leaves behind a plethora of examples of how to put your money where your heart is...

Temptation...

(Cue evil laugh: Bwah-ha-ha).

Push or don't push?

Queen Playtime

One of the differences Canadians have with our southern neighbors is our attachment to the Monarchy.

Some would argue that the royal link is outdated, irrelevant and should be rewritten. Others would claim that tradition and history has it's own special value, if not allure.

But whatever our positions, there is no mistaking the regal beauty of our Queen.

Anyway, the Queen is on Canadian soil until sometime after the weekend. I cut the grass, just in case she decides to drop by...

Sunday Playtime II

z-z-z-z-z

Giving a Brand Life

Above, some recent rough "look and feel" directions for a newly revitalized department. Capturing the spirit and energy behind an initiative can often be achieved in a minimalistic way by using simple and dynamic imagery. Combined with a push to a web site or a call to find out more, the results can be more effective than a word-filled layout.

This department incorporates services to students orienting them to the university, helping them gain experience while they're here and aiding them to attain career goals when they graduate.

"Teasers", like these explorations, can arouse curiosity and interest, and can be added to for other applications across media.

Conference Announcement Video

Traditionally, right at the end of a conference, the torch is passed on. The new hosts stand to announce next year's location, introduce the theme and begin to build excitement.

(Background) CANHEIT – Canadian Higher Education Information Technology – is an association of college and university IT professionals. Next year's conference is in the city of Hamilton... at McMaster University.

Here, a quick three week scramble produced this video including new branding and an introduction to the venue. Hopefully, it will serve its purpose well!

Thanks to the McMaster Office of Public Relations for supplying the still shots, MJM productions for the audio voice over and Inspired One for film work and editing.

I tried putting the video on this post, but it was slow, pooped out and looked crappy. You can find the HD version here:
http://www.vimeo.com/12407306

Love to hear your thoughts...

Speaking of Creative Briefs...

...creative freedom is one thing, but it's best not to leave room for misinterpretation... lol. Walk? Wok?... :o)

Variable Data Innovation

A pilot project exploring the possibilities of customized publications, by email or by print, via data collected either by database or by on line information gathering. This site, developed with the expertise of designer extraordinaire, Simon Oakley, gives one demo of what is possible. ROI on this customized database publishing opportunity rises from a traditional 3 - 4% to a possibility of 12 - 15%. We've come a long way since landfill quality direct mail.... for the full demo site please visit http://media.mcmaster.ca/variable/

A New Look at Care for Seniors

A recent initiative for the HHS regarding senior care, chose the pearl as an appropriate symbol: recognizing each pearl is ‘one of a kind’ and one that becomes more beautiful and iridescent as it develops. This approach paved way to allow the introduction of strong character-orientated messaging.

Please Stay Tuned...

In our childhood pajamas we would sit in front of the television test screen, hands in chins, waiting patiently for the channel to return.

For the past week Rand's Place has been uncharacteristically quiet. I've been the one watching the test screen, living through a minor illness by prescription, sleeping and small sips of cold water... waiting for life to return to normal and programming to resume.

See you all soon!

Ladybug

Ladybugs, or ladybirds, have long been the favorites of children.

Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home
Your house is on fire and your children are gone
All except one, and that's Little Anne
For she has crept under the warming pan.

In parts of Northern Europe, tradition says when children capture a ladybug, make a wish, and then "blow it away" back home to make the wish come true.

In Italy, it is said by some that if a ladybird flies into a bedroom, it is considered good luck.

In central Europe, a ladybird crawling across a girl's hand is thought to mean she will get married within the year.

In Russia, a popular children's rhyme exists with a call to fly to the sky and bring back bread.

Similarly, in Denmark a ladybird, called a Mary's hen, is asked by children to fly to 'our lord in heaven and ask for fairer weather in the morning'.

In Turkey, ladybirds are called luck bug. When a ladybird lands on children, they wish something and sing "Fly fly my bug, your mother will buy you slippers and shoes".

In France, ladybirds are considered to be bringers of good weather.

May you all have good luck today, wherever you are. Times six.

The Look and Feel of Event Graphics - Update

Bottom two images: Options for a logo/event graphic for a yearly conference (IT providers in a higher education environment). Even honoring a historic maple leaf shape and name, the task of updating an event graphic from year to year often comes down to typography, effects, color - all affecting look and feel in different ways. Here, two options demonstrate the various "feels" that can be achieved.

Top image: some tweaking of the font and addition of a tag line, or theme. We're getting closer!!!

Friendly Patient Education

A project in development. Thoughtful communications are important for all sorts of different reasons and often the most valuable is found at a one-to-one level. Information between docs and young patients are helped explained with visual aids. Here, a demonstration of the process involved in the successful, healthy intake of food through the stages of providing sustenance to muscles, and one where lifestyle, diet or other medical issues may interfere with the process...

Pick Your Plum...

The Elephant In The Room...

(click to enlarge)

Personal Positioning

Just when you thought it was safe to come back to Rand's Place, another moral dilemma... how to address the issue of large egos without appearing egotistical... lol

Ongoing Sustainability

One of the benefits of a great client is the ability to move a concept forward through different applications. Here, new collateral for an persona previously posted here: a pull up banner for trade shows (showing the technical template with bleeds, etc.) and, below, an easel poster for local events.

Yellow Budgie In Dramatic Action

Animated Messaging

When it comes to communicating change to a young target audience, a friendly message that puts the blame on inanimate objects is often a good strategy! :o) In this case, the traditional use of cards to pay for photocopies is being replaced by an online management system where users will sign into an online account using their unique password. This message is being put up on computer screens, electronic message boards and posters throughout the facility far in advance of the switchover.

Working in Small Spaces

From the archives, an assignment for a suite hotel with three major benefits: amenities, size and location. Rather than listing the three benefits in one small space ad, running three ads in rotation and highlighting one benefit per ad proved more effective.

1+1=5?

Creating the illusion of the improbable is the art of many who are far better than I. Photoshop offers talented artists the opportunity to change the visual story from one that is "everyday" to one that may help deliver a message by prompting both interest and retention. (If you're interested, I've added the original photo below...)

How to Keep The Aliens Away :o)