Jim Dore - Creative | Design

The Mural or “Me in 3 Years”

Jim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:45:17 +0000

This is me in 3 years. This probably IS the way I would handle it.

From the AAF Dallas.

(Thanks to Shanon Wille for calling my parenting skills into question.)

The God Complex

Jim — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:03:36 +0000

Everyone accuses creatives of being difficult prima donna’s with inflated egos and god-complexes. Guilty. But it’s not our fault. We have to be slightly delusional in order to survive. Our jobs and work-product aren’t quantifiable in a spreadsheet. Companies try to do it all the time. Creativity doesn’t fit in a spreadsheet. The fact there’s even a spreadsheet makes most creatives want to barf.

The guy in this article has some great insight on creative behaviors. It’s an anonymous interview, but I think his first answer really makes a solid statement. Creatives are annoying because, in the end, WE are the ones judged for the work. We are the ones that will have to put it on a website and claim it as our own. WE are the ones expected to take 10 different viewpoints and agendas, plop it into something, and make people love it and want to buy more stuff.

Don’t get me wrong. The other parts of the agency life are hugely important. Creatives don’t get work done without them. Period. I can’t do my job without them. There’s no hierarchy of importance (for me at least). None of us exist without the others. You get to say you worked for a national brand, which is impressive. But remember this, I have to show the thing that has 4 logos, 6 messages, the photo shot by the client’s friend, and three web addresses as “my work.”

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!!!

(Thanks to Shanon Wille and Digiday)

http://www.digiday.com/agency/confessions-of-an-ad-creative/

The Metaphor Continues

Jim — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:12:01 +0000

I’ve been on a bird kick lately. Seems like I’ve been including them in everything. It’s funny that they creep me out. Not as much as any person wearing a costume with a giant fake head (think mascots or Disney World).

Anyway, I digress. Here’s the image:

Speaking Of and In Metaphors

Jim — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:57:47 +0000

When I started at Barkley, I met Luke Lisi. Luke is an extremely talented designer (@lisidesign or lisidesign.com). Luke also has a habit of mixing phrases up unintentionally, which makes me laugh, particularly metaphors. We giggle like little girls, then go back to work. Last night, Luke sent me a text of his latest. I spent some time making this for him. I think there will be more of these. There will certainly be more mixed metaphors from Luke.

Perspective On What I Do

Jim — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:22:12 +0000

As some of you know, my wife and I will soon become parents. I’m quite excited about the prospect of being a father (until she becomes old enough to start dating–then I’m not so sure). Sometimes it’s hard to grasp what I do for a living. It’s subjective. Invisible meanings are attached to stuff to make it seem more clever than it is. We’re all guilty of this sooner or later. So what if we actually did approach brand meanings like a kid?

This video is of Adam Ladd’s 5 year-old daughter and her first impressions of major brand logos. I dare you to not be amused by this. And I have to say, I’m look forward to my daughter teaching me a few things, too.

T-Rex Trying…

Jim — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:53:25 +0000

So, I’d like to make a statement. I have short arms. Can’t buy clothes of the rack. I look like a little kid wearing his dad’s coat, going way past my wrist. I don’t put things on top shelves. It’s a difficulty I live with.

Hugh Murphy managed to capture my angst in his series of hilarious sketches about the failures of t-rex and his anatomical issues. This is one of the funnest things I’ve seen in a long time.

http://trextrying.tumblr.com

Anyone Gotten Some Sheetz Lately?

Jim — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:05:31 +0000

I know. Clever poop-joke title. Some roads must be taken.

I’ve been getting some great feedback on Bender lately. I’ve seen folks use it in their work which has been gratifying. I got an email from Riley Cran, one of the partners at LostType tonight. He let me know that Sheetz (a regional gas and convenience store, has been using Bender for the Meatball Sliderz. Those of you that know my eating habits will note that there is no more perfect use than that. Thanks to Riley and Ryan M Hammond who snapped the instagram photo.

Behold. I am now legit.

http://instagr.am/p/lBRTR/

Horrible Cards – The Oatmeal

Jim — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:07:10 +0000

I enjoy rewriting cards for people. I think most of the time, card companies just don’t have the statement of caring I need in my cards. A card is something you give to someone when you care just enough about whatever the situation is. But not Oatmeal. I am in love with these. What better way is there to tell someone you care then an image of a guy riding a rocket covered in “jiggly boners?” That’s a emotional release.

Horrible Cards – The Oatmeal.

In Your Face, Extra Space

Jim — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:45:42 +0000

Errant double spacing is a problem in your town. It’s a gateway punctuation error, leading to misappropriated commas or using more than one exclamation point. Now you can do something about it. If you are still using a typewriter (the only way I could see this being accepted), then I commend you for being able to get the internet on your typewriter.

Two spaces after a period: Why you should never, ever do it. – Slate Magazine.

Character Design

Jim — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:59 +0000

Not gonna lie, these are weird – like this salami company with a weird rabbit-eared sausage with an army of zombie slices and a balloon-knot exit port. Some of these are really great.

WEIRD ADVERTISING CHARACTERS [group] most interesting photos on FlickeFlu.