Mike Peck

These physical objects being “crushed” does not define your creativity or your future as an artist, designer, or musician… Well, here we go again with a large portion of the creative community up in arms about a recent Apple ad for the new iPad. I’ve been hearing responses to a recent post on X like… — “Apple's image is built on connections with creative professionals. Those people have an intimate attachment to the tools of their craft. Symbols of meaning and fulfillment. Making an ad with this destruction is unprofessional and offensive on a different level.:)” Or… “I'm a designer. I had tons of crappy clients and this commercial is just plain sad. You must read the room of what's going on in the world right now. I get the message of "all in one" but using the crunch (or pressed) wasn't a nice approach. Destroying instruments where a lot of musicians appreciate is kinda sentimental. The musicians play their instruments because they feel joy and is the only thing they can afford. There is a crisis where we cannot buy the basics such food so probably won't have the $ to buy iPad. It's just tone deaf. Maybe 10+ years ago would've been another way to interpret but right now, 2024, nah. People are desperate and watching these commercials where they are pushing consumers to spend more on technology which are going to replace all art and creativity in a small device... not cool.” — Take things as you may, but… I find the symbolism of “destruction” to have been taken far too literally and rather perceive the visual concept of the ad to be about “compression and integration” through the process of “pressing and forming” so many creative tools into a single product. If this same visual concept were for an iPhone and the items being “crushed” were a fax machine, telephone, radio, keyboard, scanner, Rolodex, modem, monitor, encyclopedia, books, albums, etc. Would everyone have the same reaction? I don’t feel an iPad or any product will ever “replace all art and creativity”, but rather as a tool that may perhaps introduce more people to it. Technology will never stop for anything, and neither will human creativity.

14

9 Comments

When I hear from a client “I like” or “don’t like” this or that color for project x-y-z, my response is, always, only a question. What color does your customer react to (ok, like or dislike)? I know they don’t know. Be a good client. Let your designers design. Color theory is their jam. We keep preferences out of design. Even our own.

7

1 Comment

Brand Identity concept for a new CPG/DTC product. Can't share too much yet but it's coming along nicely! #cpgbranding #dtcbranding #brandidentity #branddesign #logodesign

18

7 Comments

With twenty years in the creative field, I've seen sensory-rich packaging design become a game-changer. This article spotlights six brands that have reimagined their packaging to engage the senses, leading to increased consumer interest. It's a smart fusion of art and science, proving that impactful design can shift consumer perceptions and cement a brand's place in the market. Essentially, it's the art of turning simple packaging into an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression.

6

Mechs. So many mechs and so many styles. I started exploring --sref again looking for additional good graphic novel/comic book styles. In my testing, I would bounce from mechs to some of my weird west prompts to see how it handles humans and creatures. Some work great for both, some not so much. #aiart #aiartwork #aicc #aicccreators #midjourney #midjourneyart #midjourneyai #illustration #nijijourney #NIJI #characterdesign #characterart #generativeart #generativeai

29

6 Comments

We recently unveiled Emota, a new entity born from the merger of two established experiential brands, WRG and Ashfield Event Experiences. Our mission was to create a brand that inspires both our clients and a global team of over 300 professionals who have transitioned from competitors to collaborators over the past year. With "the power of purposeful connections" as our guiding principle, Emota is built on the belief that emotion is essential in crafting impactful experiences. We are convinced that every emotion has value and can be harnessed to forge deep connections between audiences and brands. My standout moment in our journey was experimenting with brainwave and facial tracking software to create real-time graphics. This innovation allows our brand to dynamically respond to the emotions of its audience, bringing an unprecedented level of interactivity and personalization. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting development. After considering over 500+ names, navigating a legal restart, and involving more than 12 senior leaders, our CEO, his boss and his bosses bosses — we are proud to introduce Emota, a brand that is now beginning to make its mark. Emota. Powerful experiences. Purposeful connections  

59

3 Comments

Tethered Closures on Bottles are the New Hot Trend in Beverage Packaging Design

1

NEW WORK INBOUND 🚨 A social first design identity! The team at WhisperBakes were in a very similar situation to many business owners I work with - great products, a lively and driven team, an established process that could scale, but struggled to wrestle with a lacklustre identity that didn't portray any of these amazing traits. It was becoming cumbersome and confusing to work with - completely holding them back! They wanted to start making the most of a generous following and customer base across various digital platforms so decided we would develop an approach that was digital-first, scaleable and as fast-acting and responsive to digital trends as possible. I developed a digital "sticker-type toolkit" that could scale - responding to online trends and adapting to their ever-changing product list. The solution was in speeding up their time-consuming social media content strategy and crafting a clear and recognisable aesthetic that has allowed them to spend less time in front of a screen and more time focussing on quality products and customer satisfaction and engagement. Let me know what you think of the result! Are you struggling to scale your identity on social? Get in touch and let's see what we can do! #brand #branding #animation #freelance #freelancedesigner #brandidentity #marketing #strategy #graphicdesign #social

543

40 Comments

What happens to all the Executive Creatives? Do they sail away with their 🦁🏆 to an island full of chunky acetate glasses and endless production budgets? It's a question I asked for most of my career. Where do you go after Creative Director? After CCO? Do you stay in that lane forever? It took a while for me to notice them: the creatives who didn't have 'Creative' in their title anymore. Because they became CEO. They started leading Growth, or Revenue, or People. 💡 Of course that's where they go. When you're solving complex business problems, you need someone to balance imagination and reality. Someone who will listen intently to what you're NOT saying, to what you're feeling. You need someone with insatiable curiosity — an opportunity truffle pig, rooting around to unearth the people on this earth who simply must have what you have to give. Creativity is the ultimate business and leadership skill.  So what's happening to this Executive Creative? 🙋‍♀️ No islands (yet). I'm going to keep straying from my lane: this time into a new race where Creative isn't in my title, but it's in my blood. (dramatic? Finally started GoT, sue me.) My new role is telling the story of Native Digital. This group of berserkers moonlighting as marketers, looking for brands who need an injection of perspective-tilting energy and quick wins that add up to long-term growth. I'll continue to pour into the creative powerhouses on the team, to convince every performance media team member that they are also creative, and to help our clients cut through the noise. I've been doing this for years. I won't start wearing power suits or stop getting tattoos. It's just a label change, but it comes with a request: TALK TO ME. Tell me what you need. Ask me anything. Dish out advice. I want to listen.

162

46 Comments

Brands are too hesitant to sound conversational in their brand voice, yet when asked about what sets them apart, they'll often say, "we're approachable". Then your brand voice should reflect that. No need for buzz words in your brand voice. Be who you are inside and out.

4

What if what you're going through isn't hard? What if you're just too sensitive? Think about this: Hold a piece of foam near a candle flame. It catches fire instantly. Now, hold some plastic near that same flame. Within seconds, it starts to melt. But gold? Hold it near the candle flame, and it can withstand the heat for ages, barely changing at all. It's the same flame, right? Again... What if what you're going through isn't hard? What if you're just too sensitive? #justcreate #creativityforall

11

7 Comments

🎙️ "Lou Maxon, a distinguished figure in the realms of branding and design, shares his fascinating journey on the RebelRebel Podcast. From the early influence of his father’s post-production work to founding a brand and design firm in Washington state, Lou has consistently demonstrated his commitment to creativity and storytelling. He recalls his childhood fascination with the design process, his formative experiences in the magazine industry, and his eventual transition into branding, highlighting the interplay between his past and current endeavours." https://lnkd.in/gXNAeFEv

2

We're building out this promotion where we wanted to give sweeps entries for a Watch or a Like on a YouTube video. Unfortunately, that appears to be a oneway ticket to getting our client's page taken down. In an attempt to ensure video engagement is authentic, YouTube's Fake Engagement Policy prohibits you from exchanging things like that for compensation (i.e. an entry). I always recommend checking with Legal first, but also, just come up with a more creative way to grab those eyeballs. #yesterlearnings #youtube #engagement

1

A company video is more than just camera work and slick visuals. Graphic elements designed with a story in mind moving with purpose will create a more compelling experience. Your presentation is an opportunity for branding and entertainment which is often lost to the straight forwardness of plain talk.

1

What does the color red mean to you? Green? Can you imagine how many banking mistakes were made because they put the cancel button in green? Yikes. Colors and what they represent are important in design! #design #color #fail

102

15 Comments

***RECOMMENDATION ALERT*** Words are just as crucial as visuals when it comes to impactful design. Think of iconic taglines like “Just Do It” or “We’ll leave the light on for you." These weren't pulled out of thin air, nor were they the product of AI. They were crafted by creative minds. If you're looking for a creative genius to elevate your company, product, or service, I highly recommend Tom Caldecott with Caldecott Communications. His vast experience and strategic insights in both B2B and B2C sectors enable him to drive strong ROI and grab attention with his powerful use of language. Tom is not only skilled in copywriting, editing, scriptwriting, content creation, and demand generation, but he also excels in strategically placing those words to shine. Take your business to the next level by working with Tom and add him to your network, and for any project opportunities.

2

READY for a fresh approach to branding?  SENSORY BRANDING sensuality-driven visual content. #identitycreation #emotionalterritories🏆#awardwinning #contentstrategy #creativecontent #cinematography #videostyles #socialvideo #postproduction #shortform #digitalfx #filmmood #nature #nachhaltigkeit #sustainable #fashioninspiration #newstyle #newvisions #keyvisions

2

I recently designed the Summer 2024 edition of "The Infusion Advocate" for the National Infusion Center Association (NICA). Did you receive your copy? Did it look a little different? NICA recently underwent a brand uplift which includes a new font system, simplified color palette, and updated iconography. Print newsletters are a tangible form of communication that brings ideas directly into your hands. Does your organization need a newsletter? Considering updating yours with a new style? Please leave a comment below or DM me to set up some time to how I can help you achieve your communication goals. #graphicdesign #newsletters #IVtherapy #infusiontherapy #marketing

31

12 Comments