This made me laugh so much yes I wet myself- what more can I say really
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Ideas
Yes the dreaded blank piece of paper. The room now empty as the suits have briefed and discussed what the client needs. It’s just you and your marker pad staring back at you. Sitting opposite with the same blank expression is your partner and no matter how good the brief or the amount of work gone into preparing it, I still get that gut wrenching feeling every time, ‘Is this the one where I screw up and I don’t get that idea’?
Don’t be fooled, you might think looking at creative people as a collective that they have an air of confidence (or as a planner I once worked with politely put it ‘those arrogant little twats down the corridor’). Yes they are, but if they are worth their salt and talented, most will all inwardly be a gibberish wreck inside.
So what sets the best creative thinkers apart? Well, the good ones revert to child like behaviour (that doesn’t mean they throw creative tantrums and sulk), no it’s where they ask all those questions like my daughter does when we go for a drive; why is the sky blue? How does a car move? This is the start of the creative process; creative people ask lots of questions.
Once you uncover all those why’s and where’s around the brief then you can start creating some ideas. First I start by using a mind map, most will know what this is; but it’s where you circle a key word and from that think of words or images that are associated with it. It’s at this stage that you are still in the mode of asking questions but they become more a ‘what if’? This is a very important stage in getting that idea.
‘Be curious not cautious.’ It’s also a time where in the back of your mind deadlines loom, and negativity starts coming into play in your sub conscious and your train of thought becomes blurred. Usually this is where the panic sets in and the ideas stop flowing but you must keep doodling. To help you fire up your thinking start recalling of all the books and films you have ever seen, recap on stories you’ve read or your friends have told you.
This is where the legendary John Webster once said; ‘treat your brain like a library and store all those images and stories so when you need to you can start flicking through your library’. This must not be confused with looking at YouTube! This is usually done by lazy creative’s, so avoid at all costs this temptation; it can contaminate your thinking.
Also creative people never ‘switch off’. The mind is always thinking so put everything down on paper, scribble on whatever you can lay your hands on (I have scribbled ideas on my kid’s colouring-in book as I had an idea for a kid’s yogurt). It’s at this stage nothing is wrong, some of the best ideas have come from silly suggestions.
Don’t just sit at your desk, go for a walk. I used to know a creative in London who would ride the Circle Line on the tube to think of ideas. I much prefer to go for a run; I find it’s a great way to think without taxing the brain. I can relax and the ideas then begin to ‘pop’. Thoughts rain down inside my head and the heart pumps, I get that tingle down my spine and concepts start flowing.
So here’s the bit you really want:
• Think as a child would. As Pablo Picasso said;
‘It took me 30 years to draw like a child’.
• Don’t think about winning awards- 100% guaranteed to fail.
• Be curious not cautious – ask lots of questions.
• ‘Blinkers kill thinkers’ quote by me while writing this.
• Train your brain to store information like a library.
• Read more books- Guinness ‘Surfer’ came from Lord of the Rings.
• Avoid YouTube– real people have done it better and you’ll come out badly.
• Look at award books- but see what else you could have done better.
• It’s healthy to fear the blank piece of paper- so enjoy.
Don’t be fooled, you might think looking at creative people as a collective that they have an air of confidence (or as a planner I once worked with politely put it ‘those arrogant little twats down the corridor’). Yes they are, but if they are worth their salt and talented, most will all inwardly be a gibberish wreck inside.
So what sets the best creative thinkers apart? Well, the good ones revert to child like behaviour (that doesn’t mean they throw creative tantrums and sulk), no it’s where they ask all those questions like my daughter does when we go for a drive; why is the sky blue? How does a car move? This is the start of the creative process; creative people ask lots of questions.
Once you uncover all those why’s and where’s around the brief then you can start creating some ideas. First I start by using a mind map, most will know what this is; but it’s where you circle a key word and from that think of words or images that are associated with it. It’s at this stage that you are still in the mode of asking questions but they become more a ‘what if’? This is a very important stage in getting that idea.
‘Be curious not cautious.’ It’s also a time where in the back of your mind deadlines loom, and negativity starts coming into play in your sub conscious and your train of thought becomes blurred. Usually this is where the panic sets in and the ideas stop flowing but you must keep doodling. To help you fire up your thinking start recalling of all the books and films you have ever seen, recap on stories you’ve read or your friends have told you.
This is where the legendary John Webster once said; ‘treat your brain like a library and store all those images and stories so when you need to you can start flicking through your library’. This must not be confused with looking at YouTube! This is usually done by lazy creative’s, so avoid at all costs this temptation; it can contaminate your thinking.
Also creative people never ‘switch off’. The mind is always thinking so put everything down on paper, scribble on whatever you can lay your hands on (I have scribbled ideas on my kid’s colouring-in book as I had an idea for a kid’s yogurt). It’s at this stage nothing is wrong, some of the best ideas have come from silly suggestions.
Don’t just sit at your desk, go for a walk. I used to know a creative in London who would ride the Circle Line on the tube to think of ideas. I much prefer to go for a run; I find it’s a great way to think without taxing the brain. I can relax and the ideas then begin to ‘pop’. Thoughts rain down inside my head and the heart pumps, I get that tingle down my spine and concepts start flowing.
So here’s the bit you really want:
• Think as a child would. As Pablo Picasso said;
‘It took me 30 years to draw like a child’.
• Don’t think about winning awards- 100% guaranteed to fail.
• Be curious not cautious – ask lots of questions.
• ‘Blinkers kill thinkers’ quote by me while writing this.
• Train your brain to store information like a library.
• Read more books- Guinness ‘Surfer’ came from Lord of the Rings.
• Avoid YouTube– real people have done it better and you’ll come out badly.
• Look at award books- but see what else you could have done better.
• It’s healthy to fear the blank piece of paper- so enjoy.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Baa Baa HELP! Baa Baa
Passed my Bronze for Life Saving and my first rescue was a....sheep lovely Dee Murphy wrote this piece about the poor sheep who needed a surf rescue.
Sheep Rescue
Unnamed Government sources released a statement today in relation to the concerns raised over a covert operation in the locality of Stroud over the weekend.
It was made known that a rogue agent only known as “The Mosselly” defected to the other side was seen in hot pursuit, chasing silent operatives across hostile territory onto an remote island where the operative only known as “the sheep “ was stranded. Details remain rather woolly at this time.
Above picture illegally obtained said to be “The Mosselly”
It has been reported that a crack team under the leadership of Commander Kevin (no last names issued for security reasons) launched a covert rescue operation known as “Sheep Rescue ”.
The hand picked elite team assembled in the early hours of Sunday morning for a lengthy breakfast sorry briefing before the dangerous and daring rescue could take place.
Specialist equipment was brought in under the secrecy of night and taken from the barn in the early hours.
The elite special ops team headed off in to the wilderness under the guidance of Commander Kev .
It is also known that several undercover operatives came to assist one known as “The Buddy” or “The Sweeper” .The former code name due to his superficial attachments to anyone who will feed him.
““The Sweeper” kept the team safe by his constant surveillance during the dangerous time .As communication was on silent so not to cause distress to the agent being rescued.
As Commander Kev directed his team further coverts were activated from the field .It appears they came out of no where to offer support. They looked a lot like horses in blue jackets but I was informed by the unnamed source that these agents had been in deep undercover for sometime and are a crack squad whom are known to blend well with the scenery.
One was seen conversing with Major Beale at some length. They disappeared shortly after that.
Commander Kev and his specialty equipment was launched into icy, deathly waters with little concern for his own safety (watched closely by his loyal team) swam with gusto to rescue the stranded agent now known as only ewe”.
She was promptly lead to safety by the rest of the team for a debrief.
Brave Commander Kev who has been nominated for the Victoria Cross for his heroic efforts lead his team back to base for a debrief and celebratory drink. Which I believed carried on long into the night.
“ Ewe ” was unavailable for comment and I am informed has gone back to covert duties.
The rogue agent has since been decommissioned and returned to headquarters somewhere in Sydney.
An unnamed source deep within the Commanders camp has made serious allegations that “the Ewe:” was pregnant and Commander Kev was the father. He had informed his wife he was going on long recon missions and runs but has been rendezvousing with this agent “the Mossley”knew about it and was jealous hence the altercation.
Commander Kev wife did not want to comment but stated she had noticed some of her best underwear was missing and there were credit card statement for several 5* hotels , the finest French champagne and plates of very expensive grass.
Sheep Rescue
Unnamed Government sources released a statement today in relation to the concerns raised over a covert operation in the locality of Stroud over the weekend.
It was made known that a rogue agent only known as “The Mosselly” defected to the other side was seen in hot pursuit, chasing silent operatives across hostile territory onto an remote island where the operative only known as “the sheep “ was stranded. Details remain rather woolly at this time.
Above picture illegally obtained said to be “The Mosselly”
It has been reported that a crack team under the leadership of Commander Kevin (no last names issued for security reasons) launched a covert rescue operation known as “Sheep Rescue ”.
The hand picked elite team assembled in the early hours of Sunday morning for a lengthy breakfast sorry briefing before the dangerous and daring rescue could take place.
Specialist equipment was brought in under the secrecy of night and taken from the barn in the early hours.
The elite special ops team headed off in to the wilderness under the guidance of Commander Kev .
It is also known that several undercover operatives came to assist one known as “The Buddy” or “The Sweeper” .The former code name due to his superficial attachments to anyone who will feed him.
““The Sweeper” kept the team safe by his constant surveillance during the dangerous time .As communication was on silent so not to cause distress to the agent being rescued.
As Commander Kev directed his team further coverts were activated from the field .It appears they came out of no where to offer support. They looked a lot like horses in blue jackets but I was informed by the unnamed source that these agents had been in deep undercover for sometime and are a crack squad whom are known to blend well with the scenery.
One was seen conversing with Major Beale at some length. They disappeared shortly after that.
Commander Kev and his specialty equipment was launched into icy, deathly waters with little concern for his own safety (watched closely by his loyal team) swam with gusto to rescue the stranded agent now known as only ewe”.
She was promptly lead to safety by the rest of the team for a debrief.
Brave Commander Kev who has been nominated for the Victoria Cross for his heroic efforts lead his team back to base for a debrief and celebratory drink. Which I believed carried on long into the night.
“ Ewe ” was unavailable for comment and I am informed has gone back to covert duties.
The rogue agent has since been decommissioned and returned to headquarters somewhere in Sydney.
An unnamed source deep within the Commanders camp has made serious allegations that “the Ewe:” was pregnant and Commander Kev was the father. He had informed his wife he was going on long recon missions and runs but has been rendezvousing with this agent “the Mossley”knew about it and was jealous hence the altercation.
Commander Kev wife did not want to comment but stated she had noticed some of her best underwear was missing and there were credit card statement for several 5* hotels , the finest French champagne and plates of very expensive grass.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Spot the difference
Now this ad was done about 6 years ago for the Halifax Building Society I remember clearly(he was looking very smug) my then copywriter Kevin Morris (Posh Kev) picking up loads of awards for best copy at many international awards from One Show to Creative Circle so when I was running pass this poster on the Sydney Road I thought the ad was running over here, but alas no it's for the ING and instead of a silver haired old boy we have a ginger haired Scots man in Billy Connelly.
I'm bias but like most things I prefer the original, the gag was new then and the art direction was much cleaner.
MANLY
Eveytime I look at this I get a rush of calmness, wonderful how pictures like this can be so powerful.
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