Spring is, of course, a time of renewal. After six months, Idea Design 2.0 is here. And welcome.The revised site and blog really encapsulate all that we believe. Please take a few minutes and poke about, subscribe to the blog, email me your thoughts, critiques or to discuss what we can do for you.Thanks for coming by and we look forward to you inspiring us today.
Please update your bookmarks to: http://www.ideadesign.ca/the-naked-idea/
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Moving The Naked Idea
I hope this is my last post on blogger.
I blogged a while back about the redesign of Idea Design. This has been a year long project with many ups and downs and has given me the opportunity to step back and really analyze what Idea Design has to offer to the sector of fund raising and more importantly, it's clients and customers.
I got to work with an amazing writer and designer, Kim McMullen of Flipside Creative from Vancouver who left no stone unturned in her search to understand what Idea Design does and who we work for.
I finally understood what it was like to be on the other side of the fence - I was now (deep breath) the client! A very scary prospect indeed, but unique in the sense that I could understand why some clients react the way they do and resist against some types of changes.
But Kim was gentle. She found the voice in my head, she got to the very heart of what it is that I do and my feelings for the creative I produce. And executed it flawlessly.
Other creative colleagues expressed surprise that I would allow another to rebrand me. I think like all clients, we know what's best for us and what the correct solution is - but we are blinded by those beliefs as well.
You'll have to ask Kim, but I believe I was a good client. I challenged her, I pushed her and I respected the hell out of her for what she was doing for me and my company. It's a tough job.
So now, I have been working with the uber-patient Paul Koehler, of Omega Station to make it sing. And it is thrilling to see all the jigsaw puzzle pieces fall into place.
The job of a programmer-designer is probably a thankless one. There is so much of the process that goes unnoticed and misunderstood (Paul has caught me going "huh??" on more than an a few occasions)... and yet so important.
And so, I hope to be relaunching Idea Design one week from today - and at the risk of offending all Christians around the world - almost to the day that Jesus rose from the dead. There's something symbolic in that I think.
I have tried to be a good client and let the talented people around me do their absolute best for me and I hope I succeeded.
You will be the judge on that. Stay tuned.
I blogged a while back about the redesign of Idea Design. This has been a year long project with many ups and downs and has given me the opportunity to step back and really analyze what Idea Design has to offer to the sector of fund raising and more importantly, it's clients and customers.
I got to work with an amazing writer and designer, Kim McMullen of Flipside Creative from Vancouver who left no stone unturned in her search to understand what Idea Design does and who we work for.
I finally understood what it was like to be on the other side of the fence - I was now (deep breath) the client! A very scary prospect indeed, but unique in the sense that I could understand why some clients react the way they do and resist against some types of changes.
But Kim was gentle. She found the voice in my head, she got to the very heart of what it is that I do and my feelings for the creative I produce. And executed it flawlessly.
Other creative colleagues expressed surprise that I would allow another to rebrand me. I think like all clients, we know what's best for us and what the correct solution is - but we are blinded by those beliefs as well.
You'll have to ask Kim, but I believe I was a good client. I challenged her, I pushed her and I respected the hell out of her for what she was doing for me and my company. It's a tough job.
So now, I have been working with the uber-patient Paul Koehler, of Omega Station to make it sing. And it is thrilling to see all the jigsaw puzzle pieces fall into place.
The job of a programmer-designer is probably a thankless one. There is so much of the process that goes unnoticed and misunderstood (Paul has caught me going "huh??" on more than an a few occasions)... and yet so important.
And so, I hope to be relaunching Idea Design one week from today - and at the risk of offending all Christians around the world - almost to the day that Jesus rose from the dead. There's something symbolic in that I think.
I have tried to be a good client and let the talented people around me do their absolute best for me and I hope I succeeded.
You will be the judge on that. Stay tuned.
Monday, March 10, 2008
What's the big idea?
A few weeks ago I mentioned I was quizzing some colleagues about the importance of the big idea in fundraising. As always, you realize there is no easy or quick answer.
As a creative person, I think I am constantly challenging myself to think about something or execute something in a way I've never considered in the past. I really want to be a part of something that has never been done before and I think in my search of that "big idea" I have actually overlooked it.
Both David Love (E.D. of TRCA) and Steve Thomas (Creative Director of Stephen Thomas) see a lot of worth in Ken Burnett's Sofii project. Which I highly recommend you join - for free. It is a fantastic showcase of fundraising from around the world. But Derek Humphries (Director at Think Consulting) thinks it may have the opposite effect of what Ken Burnett set out to do - which is inspire original thinking.
"I don’t think inspiration or innovation comes from looking at other people’s work. It comes from inspiring yourself and having the courage to be different."
I feel I prescribe to both points of view. I can either steal other people's great ideas or let them inspire me to create some of my own.
But let me get back to my original point.
I think that the big idea is this: Make the small ideas sing.
My colleague Dean Hughes (Director of Direct Marketing) said it really well.
"Maybe a chef analogy is better. To make a fabulous meal, you have to ensure that every stage of it is perfect. Even down to chopping the onions and garlic. Most amazing chefs concentrate on the details to make something incredible. Read Bouchon by Thomas Keller... This is probably the world’s best chef and he spends all his time talking about peeling vegetables for stock and chopping onions properly. Because he knows that the finished dish can only be perfect if absolute care and attention are put into every stage. I’m sure that if he made you a bacon sandwich, it would taste incredible.
That’s how I feel about creative. Big ideas are important but they come as a result of perfection in the details."
Now that's food for thought.
As a creative person, I think I am constantly challenging myself to think about something or execute something in a way I've never considered in the past. I really want to be a part of something that has never been done before and I think in my search of that "big idea" I have actually overlooked it.
Both David Love (E.D. of TRCA) and Steve Thomas (Creative Director of Stephen Thomas) see a lot of worth in Ken Burnett's Sofii project. Which I highly recommend you join - for free. It is a fantastic showcase of fundraising from around the world. But Derek Humphries (Director at Think Consulting) thinks it may have the opposite effect of what Ken Burnett set out to do - which is inspire original thinking.
"I don’t think inspiration or innovation comes from looking at other people’s work. It comes from inspiring yourself and having the courage to be different."
I feel I prescribe to both points of view. I can either steal other people's great ideas or let them inspire me to create some of my own.
But let me get back to my original point.
I think that the big idea is this: Make the small ideas sing.
My colleague Dean Hughes (Director of Direct Marketing) said it really well.
"Maybe a chef analogy is better. To make a fabulous meal, you have to ensure that every stage of it is perfect. Even down to chopping the onions and garlic. Most amazing chefs concentrate on the details to make something incredible. Read Bouchon by Thomas Keller... This is probably the world’s best chef and he spends all his time talking about peeling vegetables for stock and chopping onions properly. Because he knows that the finished dish can only be perfect if absolute care and attention are put into every stage. I’m sure that if he made you a bacon sandwich, it would taste incredible.
That’s how I feel about creative. Big ideas are important but they come as a result of perfection in the details."
Now that's food for thought.
Monday, March 3, 2008
30,000 children die each day...
My colleague, Gayle, over at the blog no shoes wrote a few weeks ago about how effective a statement like "30,000 children die each day". She writes how researchers tested an image of Rokia, a 7 year old starving child from Mali verses the same image along side significant stats that really demonstrate the famine and starvation in Africa.
You can read her whole post here.
Obviously I hope we all know what performed better. As I commented on her post, I know as an individual, I can't help 30,000 children.
But I know I can help one.
Make sure your problem is one that donors can help solve. It seems so "common-sense-y"... doesn't it? But I am amazed at how often organizations feel an avalanche of stats and figures will result in more donations.
You can read her whole post here.
Obviously I hope we all know what performed better. As I commented on her post, I know as an individual, I can't help 30,000 children.
But I know I can help one.
Make sure your problem is one that donors can help solve. It seems so "common-sense-y"... doesn't it? But I am amazed at how often organizations feel an avalanche of stats and figures will result in more donations.
Monday, February 25, 2008
My Two Cents: Death of Direct Mail
I just realized this is the second time in as many posts that I've used the word "death". Hm. Mental note: Next post think of something more original.
It seems to be that a lot of people are talking about the impending death of direct mail.
Direct mail donors are old and dying.
The rest - don't respond to it and are tired of the "wasteful" packaging.
If people had been blogging around the time of the invention of the TV - my post would have been called "Death of Radio".
It gets a little tiring, especially as I talk with the new generation of fundraisers who are being told "it's all about online fundraising" and direct mail is increasingly becoming a waste of time and money.
I've said it before - Direct mail is NOT going the way of the dinosaur - but it is changing. If you insist on mailing out the same packages, using the same formats, same ideas that someone came up with 5, 10 years ago - yes... your direct mail program will likely die.
It's like donors - they also are not becoming extinct - but they are changing. You need to rethink what you do and how you say it to reach out to them. Give them a relevant message they can get emotional about and involved with. Give them hope and appreciate them.
It will be like a whole new life...
It seems to be that a lot of people are talking about the impending death of direct mail.
Direct mail donors are old and dying.
The rest - don't respond to it and are tired of the "wasteful" packaging.
If people had been blogging around the time of the invention of the TV - my post would have been called "Death of Radio".
It gets a little tiring, especially as I talk with the new generation of fundraisers who are being told "it's all about online fundraising" and direct mail is increasingly becoming a waste of time and money.
I've said it before - Direct mail is NOT going the way of the dinosaur - but it is changing. If you insist on mailing out the same packages, using the same formats, same ideas that someone came up with 5, 10 years ago - yes... your direct mail program will likely die.
It's like donors - they also are not becoming extinct - but they are changing. You need to rethink what you do and how you say it to reach out to them. Give them a relevant message they can get emotional about and involved with. Give them hope and appreciate them.
It will be like a whole new life...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Death by PMS 576
I know my lot in life. I am a designer. I am a graphics communicator.
But, I have a beef. A branding beef to be clear.
At the risk of offending, well, pretty much every charity I work with, please stop killing me with your "brand".
Too many charities have been told by too many brand experts that if their logo is not reproduced in PMS 123 and placed in a hallowed ground of concentric circles, set on top of a three rounded corner box (with the square edge behind on the bottom right).... well - the consumer or donor WILL NOT GIVE! The sky will fall and the brand manager will be out of a job.
Please...
I like how it is worded in the style guide for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. "A brand is a combination of tangible and intangible attributes... Brands provide donors, customers, volunteers and the public with a means to choose which organization, which service, or which product to support..."
I've read it a few times now, it doesn't say anything about PMS 123... hmmm...
What if, as a designer and communicator, I wanted to raise money for your charity.
What if I focused on:
- a provocative message
- stated why you needed money
- clearly showed how the donor can make his or her donation
- designed it so the message was clean and readable and engaging
What if I didn't use Fruitger Bold Condensed for the headline and Adobe Garamond Regular for the body copy?
PMS colours, font selections, types of pictures are great supports for your brand - but first and foremost, focus on what matters...
The message.
What if I raised money for you if you like it or not?
But, I have a beef. A branding beef to be clear.
At the risk of offending, well, pretty much every charity I work with, please stop killing me with your "brand".
Too many charities have been told by too many brand experts that if their logo is not reproduced in PMS 123 and placed in a hallowed ground of concentric circles, set on top of a three rounded corner box (with the square edge behind on the bottom right).... well - the consumer or donor WILL NOT GIVE! The sky will fall and the brand manager will be out of a job.
Please...
I like how it is worded in the style guide for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. "A brand is a combination of tangible and intangible attributes... Brands provide donors, customers, volunteers and the public with a means to choose which organization, which service, or which product to support..."
I've read it a few times now, it doesn't say anything about PMS 123... hmmm...
What if, as a designer and communicator, I wanted to raise money for your charity.
What if I focused on:
- a provocative message
- stated why you needed money
- clearly showed how the donor can make his or her donation
- designed it so the message was clean and readable and engaging
What if I didn't use Fruitger Bold Condensed for the headline and Adobe Garamond Regular for the body copy?
PMS colours, font selections, types of pictures are great supports for your brand - but first and foremost, focus on what matters...
The message.
What if I raised money for you if you like it or not?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Taking it to a new level
Last week I posed a question to some of those who I view as some of the top creative minds in the fundraising sector. I will share all of those thoughts with you in the future.
Part of the question was: What is GREAT creative fundraising and what do I have to demand of my clients to ensure we can reach the goal of creating a great fundraising piece.
Derek Humphries of Think Consulting reminded me it comes down to the basics.
Seek out great clients, demand clear and inspiring briefs, work for those who inspire you and make sure the message is creative and impactful.
Sounds easy doesn't?
Part of the question was: What is GREAT creative fundraising and what do I have to demand of my clients to ensure we can reach the goal of creating a great fundraising piece.
Derek Humphries of Think Consulting reminded me it comes down to the basics.
Seek out great clients, demand clear and inspiring briefs, work for those who inspire you and make sure the message is creative and impactful.
Sounds easy doesn't?
Monday, January 21, 2008
My Two Cents: Direct Mail
At the risk of sounding completely "ranty", let me announce my frustration at the state of direct mail here in Canada.
I think Ken Burnett says it best. In an alert from plazapublishing.co.uk he says, “Sadly, most fundraising today is look-alike, stereotyped, aimed at the lowest common denominator, the victim of formulae and formats designed by marketing people for easy mass reproduction."
Amen brother.
As someone who designs a lot of direct mail, it gets tiring to see people doing the same things the same way they always have.
Yes - I know. You need to get your 8% response (or whatever your mathematically determined response is).
Yes - I know it worked last year and the year before that.. but have you noticed how the response rate has been dropping?
Yes - I know you have targets you need to meet - and you don't want to mess with a winning formula...
But - as fundraisers working in a industry that is rapidly evolving, we also need to evolve. Find, beg or steal extra money to try next things, new ways of communicating... get outside your comfort zone... For the sake of your organization. For the sake of the medium. For the sake of fundraising.
Burnett has launched a site that anyone who is in direct response or fundraising should join and be a part of. Check it out at: http://www.sofii.org/.
I think Ken Burnett says it best. In an alert from plazapublishing.co.uk he says, “Sadly, most fundraising today is look-alike, stereotyped, aimed at the lowest common denominator, the victim of formulae and formats designed by marketing people for easy mass reproduction."
Amen brother.
As someone who designs a lot of direct mail, it gets tiring to see people doing the same things the same way they always have.
Yes - I know. You need to get your 8% response (or whatever your mathematically determined response is).
Yes - I know it worked last year and the year before that.. but have you noticed how the response rate has been dropping?
Yes - I know you have targets you need to meet - and you don't want to mess with a winning formula...
But - as fundraisers working in a industry that is rapidly evolving, we also need to evolve. Find, beg or steal extra money to try next things, new ways of communicating... get outside your comfort zone... For the sake of your organization. For the sake of the medium. For the sake of fundraising.
Burnett has launched a site that anyone who is in direct response or fundraising should join and be a part of. Check it out at: http://www.sofii.org/.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Your opinion!
Happy New Year to all!
I wanted to start 2008 off right by getting a better sense of the sort of content you would like to read more about. It's one thing for me to write about whatever I want, but how about writing about what you want to read?
Please leave your comments here or email me directly at jlepp@ideadesign.ca.
I really appreciate your input.
Coming soon! I am really excited to have my first guest blogger on deck. Sandy Rees, CFRE from the Get Fully Funded Blog has submitted a great article about basic tips to keep in mind when designing a communication piece for your donors.
If you or someone you know would like to be featured as a guest blogger, please let me know! Thanks.
I wanted to start 2008 off right by getting a better sense of the sort of content you would like to read more about. It's one thing for me to write about whatever I want, but how about writing about what you want to read?
Please leave your comments here or email me directly at jlepp@ideadesign.ca.
I really appreciate your input.
Coming soon! I am really excited to have my first guest blogger on deck. Sandy Rees, CFRE from the Get Fully Funded Blog has submitted a great article about basic tips to keep in mind when designing a communication piece for your donors.
If you or someone you know would like to be featured as a guest blogger, please let me know! Thanks.
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