Do you ever feel pressure to be original?
If I can be frank, I’m kind of sick of that word…original. There’s so much pressure to summon the muse, to conjure from nothing groundbreaking thoughts and sights.
I call BS.
If these are examples of plagiarism, then we want more plagiarism. - Jonathan Lethem
It seems like there are plenty of event professionals out there that have read the Ecclesiastical memo: There is nothing new under... Read more »
Have you ever noticed how powerful the effect of scent is? It’s amazing, the memories and feelings a certain scent can elicit. My morning routine would be all together disquieting without the comforting aromatic melange of coffee and nag champa incense.
A scent can take you back to a rapturous day from your childhood or the day you got your dream job.
I think scents are such an under-utilized tool in the... Read more »
To photograph your parents, who will hold hands and cry on the first row of the chapel. To photograph your sister dancing with that boy she will marry in three years. To photograph those kids who will grow up so, so quickly. To photograph your grandfather, who will pass away next spring. To photograph your first kiss as a married couple, your best friend busting out her signature dance moves, the flower girl asleep under... Read more »
Striking the balance of adequate information information and adequate whitespace is the Stationers’ Dilemma. On a recent menu project, the input I received from the client and the chef were pretty far removed from one another. (Fortunately, the client and the chef were great in helping me land on a typesetting that worked well for everyone.) My initial sketch included the word “Menu” at the top as well as the event’s date. It also included the... Read more »
If you’re a creative professional (and I think most wedding planners, designers, caterers, et al are) and you live in a town with a regular Creative Mornings meeting, you should be attending.
They’re free, there’s food, and tons of inspiration.
If, like me, you don’t live in a town with a CM presence, why not create one? In the meantime, we can always watch from afar.
Here’s Aaron... Read more »
I was having daddy-daughter dinner downtown last night and had decided to succumb to the beauty of Florida winters and chose a sidewalk table. As dinner ended, some familiar melodies started drifting our way. We detoured on our walk home to explore and saw a couple of guys cranking out some seriously nice gypsy jazz – just a guitar and soprano saxophone playing some of my favorites. Stella By Starlight,... Read more »
There is a wonderful story of a group of American car executives who went to Japan to see a Japanese assembly line. At the end of the line, the doors were put on the hinges, the same as in America. But something was missing. In the United States, a line worker would take a rubber mallet and tap the edges of the door to ensure that it fit perfectly. In Japan, that job didn’t seem... Read more »
My friends are often a great source of delight.
Several friends have been encouraging me to read Simon Sinek’s Start With Why and, while it’s on my list, it hadn’t reached the top until yesterday. My friend Chrissanne spoke for a group of which I’m a member about social media from the framework of Sinek’s book. It was a very well-conceived presentation that was timely for this audience. I’m sure... Read more »
I think every invitation purchase (whether from a fine press or anyone else) should include a calligrapher; it’s the extra step that elevates an invitation above the rest of the day’s mail. The truth is,though , hiring a calligrapher isn’t always a fit for your clients. If you’re a wedding planner that’s handling the addressing of envelopes for a client, here’s a tip:
Have your stationer deliver the envelopes and liners separately (you’ll line the... Read more »
If I show you a political tract or a blog post or a remarkable new product with text that contains a typo, what’s your first reaction?
If all you can do is say, “You’re missing an r in the second paragraph,” you’ve abandoned your humanity in favor of becoming a spell checker.
Compliance over inspiration.
Sure, yes, please, let’s kill all the typos. But first, let’s make a... Read more »
Derek Sivers really challenged me recently with this post. As a former employee of my local chamber of commerce and a guy who just likes to be social, it’s safe to say I’ve got quite a network of friends and contacts in my great city. My friends jokingly call me the mayor – a nod both to the suit/tie/suspenders and my social proclivities.
My challenge is: the market for a... Read more »
I’m so grateful to be part of a great city.
Last night was the first meeting of Seth Godin’s Icarus Sessions. While people were meeting across the world, twenty-five or so people met at Lake Mirror Tower to discuss their passion projects – our fears, hopes and next steps.
I was thrilled to be surprised by some of my friends and the things they’re passionate... Read more »