Citing Pepsi’s very costly debacle with the redesign of the Tropicana logo and packaging, as well as, Gatorade’s profit drop after the adoption of “G”, the author, Jeff Reeves, makes a great point. Albeit preaching to the choir here, he concludes that design has a direct effect on brand loyalty, but more importantly, the bottom line.

Check it out here: Unpopular Seattle’s Best Logo Could Hurt SBUX

Check ‘em out:

25 Best iPhone Apps for Designers & Freelancers | Inkd

Top iPhone Applications That All Designers Should Have or Own | Interactive Blend

14 Best iPhone Apps for Graphic Artists & Web Designers | iSmashPhone

I believe in this book and it’s principles  so fervently, that I bought a copy for each of my Designers.  I even listed it as required reading in my each of my Art Director’s development plans.

For a quick review, there’s a presentation deck online

But definitely get the book, it’s a quick read and has great personality.

What he failed to understand and what, unfortunately, many folks can’t grasp, is the science behind what we do. I came across this article on doshdosh.com, titled “11 Ways to Influence People Online and Make Them Take Action”. It speaks to the psychology behind web design; exploring the patterns of human behavior and thought.

Designers, in turn, leverage those patterns and marry them with fundamental design principles to not only create pieces that we’re most proud of, but from a business perspective, we use that formula to increase reach and awareness of marketing campaigns, foster new product development and create “Brand Fans” which makes companies profitable… a far cry from a kid in the basement.

EXACTLY, That’s what innovative design and targeted consumer marketing is for!

Absolutely Mr. Jobs has done his job well, as expected. That’s why we as brand marketing professionals get paid to do what we do every day….create innovative and differentiated products/services that shape consumer perception, enhance their experience and ultimately influence their behavior. We thereby maintain loyalty among our repeat buyers/visitors and establish positive brand awareness among those who are not.

Apple does just that and they do it very well. People scoffed at the idea of iTunes and digital downloads with the iPod. Apple revolutionized the music industry by redefining distribution and changed how consumers purchased and stored it. Not to mention the rockin’ marketing campaign that accompanied the product launch that captivated folks and made them say, ‘hey that’s cool, I want that!’ Brand marketing at it’s best!

Apple probably saved the music industry to a certain degree, or at the least stopped the hemorrhaging. They could very well do the same for the print media with the iPad, changing how consumers engage with newsprint and magazines, a troubled medium at best. Sure you have your Kindles and your Nooks. But from a UI design perspective…. they somewhat lack the sexy sizzle that consumers are accustomed to having. Not to mention all the other features of the iPad from gaming to web browsing; it, in my opinion, is a far superior product. But then again, I am biased.

So as a brand loyalist and tech geek, I applaud the iPad and will be one of the first to cop one! Thank you Steve, keep on keepin’ on!!”

I’ve recently found myself in a creative rut. Read my latest issue of HOW and visited a few sites on how to stay creative and keep your motivation. Then I had an epiphany… I should start doing experimental design work on my own, kind of like extra credit homework. And not just within the realm of graphic or web design, but incorporating the other creative things I like to do like painting, interior design and crafts.

I recall in one of my weekly staff meetings, asking my team to bring in and share something inspiring that they’ve created, totally unrelated to the work they do for me. Something that they were passionate about. That was one of the best staff meetings. It fostered new ideas and really got the team energized.

So off I go, with a new resolve and rejuvenated sense of purpose. Updates to come, TTFN!

I’m still trying to figure out how to best use it, let alone how to whittle down what I have to say down to 140 characters (nearly impossible, I love to ‘talk’… er, tweet).

So according to the graphic, I’m dead…yet I managed to wrangle up two followers… how does that happen?!?

Anyway, I ran out of my office supply of Method sanitizer the other day. (I won’t lie, I’m not much of an environmentalist, but I love the packaging…). I run down to the local Walgreens and they didn’t have any, so I was forced to buy the generic brand.

The label was so uninspiring, so, I fired up Illustrator and made my own label. Great conversation starter when people stop by to chat.