This is not your father’s Audimobile

So you bought the Audi Q7, and you're looking to disguise it as a mid level GM vehicle? Today's your lucky day!
...reminds me of...

Audi R8 Goodness

The amazing R8. Mid-engine Audi/Lamborghini Gallardo platform. 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. About $100,000.

( via leftlane )

Marketing to the Hispanic audience

So a Puertorican, Cuban, Colombian, Argentine walk into a bar. Nope, this isn’t some cheap, tasteless joke about our newfound multiculturalism. It’s everyday at one of the top Hispanic agencies in the US.

Unless you’ve been living in Kuala Lampur, you know the Hispanic market has enjoyed a boom over the past few years. Clients are familiar with the research and charts all showing the growth in purchase power over the next few years coming from the Hispanic market, so most are interested in buying into this “new trend” which has been happening for the past 20+ years.
(FULL STORY)

José Reyes is partner and creative director at Turbulence, an award-winning creative shop in Miami focused on revitalizing brands by building culture not just advertising.

( via ihaveanidea.org )

10,000 reasons to show off

The Pilsner Urquell International Photography Awards Competition is the world’s most prestigious photography contest for both professional and amateur photographers. Enter Advertising, Architecture, Book, Editorial, Fine Art, Nature, People and Special categories for your chance to win the coveted title of International Photographer of the Year and the $10,000 cash prize today.

Why do some things never go out of style?

The great practitioners of modern design in America instinctively knew the answer. Herman Miller would like to explore this idea with you. Meet the designers, learn about their world and their work. Like anything from Herman Miller, this site is valuable.

herman miller discovering design

This is why I don’t go to the movies

People are dumbfounded when it comes up in conversation (about every five minutes it seems) that I rarely see a movie. I've never seen ET, Star Wars, etc. I have many reasons why this is the case, but a real good reason is the fear of turning into this guy.

( via res72 )

Passion and High Performers

Ten Ways to Build Passion
10. See greatness in those around you and share your vision
9. Express constructive feedback in terms of "the vision"
8. Believe that things can be different and approach the improbable with optimism
7. Set high standards for performance and hold EVERYONE accountable
6. Demonstrate courage, judgement, risk-taking and continuous improvement in your own performance
5. Recognize and celebrate success
4. Design growth experiences that stretch but don't break people
3. Invest in trust and even love
2. Respond maturely to failures and setbacks
1. Push power and decision making down

“High performers drive you nuts sometimes. You need to enjoy that. Steer them, frame their objectives, but don’t repress them.”
--Terry Leclair, Senior PD Director at Intuit

“High performers are like ‘thoroughbreds’. They require lots of care and feeding - but boy can they run.”
-- Tobey Corey, Founder US Web

“As a leader you have the obligation to define the ‘what’ to the Nth level - to get to goals for the right level - to make sure the ‘what’ is right. But you don't want to dictate the ‘how’. You want to give the team and the individual the determination of ‘how’.”
-- Pankaj Shukla, VP, Quickbooks PD at Intuit

Eight Ways to Wipe Out High Performers
1. Work overload
2. Lack autonomy (micromanagement)
3. Skimpy rewards
4. Loss of connection
5. Unfairness
6. Value conflicts
7. Let low-performers ride
8. Create an environment of fear, uncertainty and doubt
- -
A video on the subject of top performers and leadership
If you’re one of my immediate colleagues, this may not play nice with our proxy.

( via creativegeneralist )

The Hilton Experience

Hilarious, really. A post about “get-aways” from a person who barely ever takes a break. But...This website blows my mind. If it loads slow, know it’s worth the wait. If not for just the music.

Ben Folds, Persephone's Bees, James Blount, Vassey, etc.
NICE!

"Dear God..."

These letters speak for themselves.

( via BagOfNothing.com )

Instilling Innovative Culture

Trends, the future, innovation, creativity -- that's the focus of internationally recognized futurist Jim Carroll. Jim believes it’s a great time to adopt ideas to get your company out of a complacency- funk and into an innovation- mindset. One that will help you turn change into opportunity.
A 10-Step program.

( via jimcarroll.com )

30 Days. 30 Pieces of Art.

20 artists make a piece of art. Each day. For 30 days.

( via LOUNGE72 )

Be. Like. Mike. (aka: mikeartworks)

Mike’s got his own Coke commercial. Big skills.

( via LOUNGE72™ )

Innovation isn't business as usual

Companies who’s boardroom understands the tangible value of design and brand also understand creativity and innovation requires a unique blend of work and play. And only a few companies in the world are as successful in these regards as Apple. Jonathan Ive, Apple’s creative thought leader and senior vice president of product design, leads a team with the utmost respect and concern for the design process. Here’s a rare glimpse into Apple’s design and innovation process under Ive’s stellar leadership.

Still Interested? Then check out...

More lessons on Design Innovation
BusinessWeek Innovation




( thanks Chris A )

Better Living Through Design

An e-magazine dedicated to people interested in great design. All products meet at least two of the three criteria:

1. Must be available to purchase online.
2. Is well designed and has a useful purpose.
3. Is made using recyclable/sustainable materials or otherwise environmentally sound

Honestly, a bunch of stuff you don't need.

Better Living Through Design

Attention Ministries: This site will suck

Though the name might throw you, if you’re involved in ANY way (however remotely) in serving the design, marketing or general communication needs of a ministry, I guaranteed this site will suck - (hours of your time that is)! According to the website, it’s intention is to “frustrate, educate and motivate the church to communicate” - simply put, to help the church matter. I care about the latter part of that statement, which is why I thought you too might be interested in checking out this site.

If you go quickly through the site you won’t appreciate it. The concept is very intentional. Here’s insight into why they chose to use the “S” word. They’ve provided an alternative link with a different name in case the word troubles you.

Teddy - Draw 2D, Get 3D

An amazing Drawing Program that takes your 2D drawings and Java renders them in 3D. Very amazing. I could see this technology being developed further and better, but quite a step forward in concepting. Windows OS only.

Teddy. By Takeo Igarashi.

( via slashdot )

InDesign CS2 Tip-of-the-Week Archive

All the InDesign CS2 Tip of the Week articles in one convenient location here. Considering how much time I spend in this application, it never ceases to amaze me how much more there is to know.

K5 in time for Christmas?

The Apple iPod’s relaunched. And though I’m one of the last 10,000 holdouts in the United States without one, I do have the Motorola ROKR. Contrary to the millions of negative reviews, this is a very nice phone/MP3 combo device. I’ve enjoyed it.

But “music’s meant to be shared” says Samsung...

...with the introduction of their K5 mp3 player. Looks pretty nice (and would share quite nicely into my Christmas stocking!).

Now, speed ahead 5 years and who do we see running into the marketplace, cash money wildly spewing out of their back pockets? Well it's big ole’ Microsoft! Ladies and gentlemen...introducing ZUNE. (Campaign suggestion...“Zune, Zune, Zune”). Again, I may be the only person who doesn’t get it, but apparently this disturbing and unhelpful website is Microsoft’s concept of what information might quench the thirst of their hungry and loyal customer base.

Hey, Race ya’ to iTunes to buy that catchy Ashtar Command song they use on the site called “The Second Coming of the Monkey God.” Last one there’s a...well...a rotten Monkey. And while I'm on the subject, ya’ suppose Apple would employ a song on their website from a band named after this organization?

Blogging Anxiety (Check your ego at the door)

Perhaps you’re aware of this, but I’m new at this blogging thing. And each time I consider adding a new post, a few key questions come to mind.

Questions like, “Since I find this interesting and/or helpful, will others?” Or, “Is what I"m about to publish something only I have never seen before?” Or, “Where in the world-wide-web did I mine this nugget of goodness?” Further...“If I can't remember who I got it from, or if I miss associate it, will I bum someone out?”

To blog is to best check your ego at the door. Blogging is pretty much an open book in these regards. So should I post something crappy, old, or from your blog without giving you credit, I ask for grace. After all, you get what you pay for, right? As of today, no big checks have graced my mailbox!

Design Impacts Bottom Line

“share prices of companies which invest in design performed up to three times better”

Great companies place high value on design, giving them a competitive “leg up” in their markets. Design allows companies to improve innovation, productivity, create consistent and favorable brand impressions, and numerous other tangible advantages. In turn, design tangibly impacts their companies' bottom line.

In the Design Index by DesignCouncil (the Canadian equivalent to our own AIGA, for which I'm a member) – statistics prove out this point again and again. I recommend the DesignCouncil site to all my colleagues. It's a treasure trove of insight, rationale, research and inspiration. It's the type of site you might even suggest to your customers. Or potential customers.