Filed under: Blogging, Branding, Business, Customers, Technology, Trends | Tags: Add new tag
For me, Social Media has a rebellious freedom that I find really attractive. Being part of the blogging world has given me an insight that has been pretty eye opening. Personal blogging aside [alot of ego involved there it seems] the more ‘technical’ big companies become [entering the blogosphere through smaller social media companies] the more I think the original rebellious freedom part dissipates….
It may be that as a consumer I am skeptical that this is another platform to gain access to my thoughts and manipulate their PR using a customer base. Lets be real here, the broader corporate market cannot even use the basic media tools very well [there will always be work for smaller companies like us] so how the hell will they effectively use a blog? Raw, direct communication [would you trust that? Comments can be removed etc...mmmm..not sure I do]
Sure I probably sound cynical, and I am sure that there are the odd few that have a good customer connection strategy that will make it work BUT is that really something that the majority are thinking or can do? I just don’t want to see a flood of crap from big corporates entering the blogosphere as consumers. Lets try keep blogging real!
Posted by: Candice
This site is either brave or stupid…. Check out the new website from Cool Hunters [trend peeps]. Interesting…
Graphic designers are cool and creative people, who get to wake up everyday full of energy and cool ideas ready to change the world in every aspect possible. We get to come up with great concepts and seeing the end result is always a cherry on top.
One thing though which seems to be a miss conception on especially with new designers entering the working environment, and the majority of students thinking of perusing a career in design, is that graphic design is All about “COOL”, don’t get me wrong though it’s cool but that’s not what design is about and some think it’s probably the easiest Jobs (correction profession) because they think that their artistic talent is all they will need to succeed thus forgetting the essentials and the principles of what graphic design is really all about. Graphic Design is about applying and taking into notice certain principles and understanding elements within the process of seeing a concept to print/whatever the context might be at the end of the day.
I feel that for designers to achieve optimum level in terms of helping the industry progress and produce innovative work, we as designers must not forget the purpose of what design is all about at the end of the day, which is to convey a message as effective and conceptually as possible to the viewer. Design has principles and elements, which have to be taken in to consideration thought the process, things like layout, focal points, colors and context so to speak. I feel a lot of designers tend to forget these especially in this era of drips, splatter and grunge contemporary design (put up your hand if you’ve never used drips in one of your designs to make it look COOL) I feel that it is because of instances like these which why there are more trend followers than trend setters, I would like to mention the fore fathers of graphic design like Milton Glaser and Saul Bass in this instance. They had a simplistic yet effective way of thinking outside the box but still understanding the relevance of what graphic design is about and what is it that needs to be achieved and how.
A design with no concept or purpose (which is more or less the stuff we see nowadays), might be visually exciting but at the end of the day it carries no weight or forward thinking, its like having a nice roof but with cracks on the wall which support the roof, which is where most designers, lack, not the house that is, but understanding the relevance of principles of graphic design, foundations and core of what design is all about. Designers should understand aesthetics and execute design that is conceptually strong and a need to link everything visually and conceptually.
It’s also exciting to see designers moving towards a more cleaner, conceptually strong design which is the true catalyst of innovation and what design is about, a profession which we love and practice.
Posted by: Mphumelelo
Filed under: Design, Lifestyle, Technology, Trends | Tags: Design, mac, new
I am a slave to great design…and it is something that I have come to expect from Mac…
Check out this keyboard beauty…
Posted by: Candice
Such weird weather lately, the gals at FT thought we should lash out on some new shoes…We’re singing in the rain!!
I am an Apple fan 100%, so this Ad caught me by surprise….interesting that this problem even exists and is bad enough to spend money on!!!
This is a campaign run in Australia aimed at creating awareness of the number of teenagers dying as a result of listening to iPods whilst crossing the road…can you believe that one!
Story originally see on Coolhunter.
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Branding, Business, Customers, Design, Technology, Trends | Tags: Business, Funk that, New Year, SMME
The Funk that! team is look forward to a busy 2008….The start of the year sees a new ‘funkster’ joining our team.
Welcome to Suerel who joined our web team this week [we can finally get someone concentrating on our website!]. We are looking forward to your creative input and comments on this blog!
One of our core business goals is to make a real positive difference in any project/business we touch. This year in addition to our existing business, we will focusing on offering more creative support to small/medium businesses. Its going to be a gr8, exciting year!
Here’s wishing everyone a great start to the New Year. May 2008 be a cracker!
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Blogging, Branding, Business, Customers, Technology, Trends | Tags: Brand Terrorists, Branding, freedom, web, Web 2.0
Sadly, a company I know recently experienced a small taste of negative Citizen journalism in the Web 2.0 world. I have always been pretty outspoken about being a Consumer Activist, but I think there is a big difference between activism [for a positive outcome] and Brand terrorism.
The definition of a terrorist is widely documented in our time. Brand terrorists are people that will go as far as stretching the truth [they often have hidden intentions] and want to hurt…. its more like sabotage. In the case of this company, blatantly untruthful inclusions were made in this terrorists ‘case’ to his minions. This is unlawful BUT fear drives company responses in cases like this, as anything you say could be taken entirely out of context and make the brand appear as if they are guilty, not to mention how many more potential terrorists could then mushroom up that would spiral more out of control. Most companies are unfortunately still not seeing how dangerous these people can be. They spend their time building a portfolio of negativity for your brand with the intention of ensuring they plant the correct seeds in the minds of their followers. Its about taking the corporates down…its about winning and its cheap to do. The only tools these people need are: a large network, a computer, a sharp tongue and a gripe.
So this begs the question is this right? I am ALL FOR freedom of speech, but this is a form of online ‘gossip’ based in most cases on shallow facts. Even if there is an element of truth to some of it, lying is something I cannot stand. Recounting your own personal experience is one thing, adding all the extra colourful ‘add-ons’ to keep your audience at any cost is quite another. Advertising on a site also does not help the situation, I believe some people use ‘gossip’ stories to make their site sticky and increase traffic, so this kind of thing can pay….
In the end these terrorists are bullies that end up ruining things for those using the web platform/tools and are legitimately communicating to people/customers and clients. You can unfortunately not discount them and they are dangerous but we need once again to find the balance. This behaviour chips away at the web’s credibility…..eish it always takes just one…
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Design, Lifestyle, Trends | Tags: Cocktails, Luxury Hotels, Treat
To meet for a cocktail and a chin wag at one of luxurious Morgans Group Hotels…….see you in Miami!!!
Posted by: Donna
