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Commemorative Natural Disaster T-shirts $15

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:55:59 +0000

Local

What is the proper way for the creative community to respond to a natural disaster? Evidentially we're supposed to make t-shirts.

I know, I know, your intentions are pure as the virgin snow because you’re donating all or most of the proceeds but pause with me to examine this wide spread phenomenon.

Oklahomans that live down the street just lost their entire home and all its contents. Pause and wrap your mind around that psychological and emotionally charged loss for a moment.

Would you want to be reminded of it for years to come? I wouldn't. So why be a walking billboard to hurting people?

What’s more, people lost their friends, their relatives, their spouses, and their little children. I'm not sure what I would say or do to someone commemorating my loss on their t-shirt.

So what is the proper response? What if we just removed the word creative from the question at the top of the post. What would a community do? They’d leave their “talent” at home and put on work gloves. They would pour out their time, money, sweat and tears to help the healing process.

If you are unwilling or unable to do that, then sure, make a t-shirt. Hopefully the shirts will raise money and hopefully that money will go toward helping people.

Please post your helpful thoughts in the comments section.

OREO is Wonderfilled

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:57:22 +0000

National

OCU New Logo Rises

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:12:37 +0000

Local

The reputable Pentagram has released Oklahoma City University's new identity:

Before Stout and Delgado redesigned it, OCU’s primary logo featured a silhouetted likeness of the university’s iconic Gold Star Tower, a 286-foot red brick tower built in 1953 to honor Methodists who died in World War II. The tower, an Oklahoma City landmark located prominently in the center of campus, is topped off with a 200-pound star positioned at the end of a long pole like a star on a Christmas tree. “OCU’s sports teams are called The Stars after the Gold Star Tower, and many of the university’s celebrity alumni, like the Tony Award-winning Kristin Chenoweth, are singers and dancers and ‘stars’ of the stage,” says Stout. “So it only seemed natural to turn their static star into a dancing star, with just a hint of the long pole it’s attached to at the top of that building.”

OCU was needing a facelift and we feel that Pentagram accomplished just what they needed. We won't miss the drab ‘Where you’re a name, not a number’ billboards floating around the city. We usually like to fuss about people going out of state for their design, but it's hard to complain when solid work is being produced. What are your thoughts on the new look?

View the rest of the work and concept from Pentagram here

Google Doodle for Saul Bass

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:08:49 +0000

National

Super awesome doodle from Google today. One of the best.

Spock vs. Spock

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:03:00 +0000

National

Robinsons: Pals

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:05:04 +0000

National

We can't find any Robinsons around here, but still a great commercial.

Silo Art Project Looking for a Kickstart

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:56:06 +0000

Local

Local artist, Rick Sinnett is hoping to add a little color to downtown OKC with this massive mural at Rocktown. Definately feel it's important to create more public art pieces around our city and this project could potentially inspire others. To learn more about the project, you can check out:

SiloArtProject.com or hit up the Kickstarter

This has also been picked up by CNN, so hopefully that helps get some momentum.

The History of Typography

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:13:02 +0000

National

Norman Music Fest Graphics Speaks Volumes

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:30:27 +0000

Local

Today begins the three day music festival, that is sure to bring the music heads down to Norman. It's with great pleasure to discuss the great design work that's coinciding the event, rather than the latter. We've covered it for the past couple years (2011 & 2012), and this year they've finally hit the mark. Every year, the event becomes even bigger and bigger, creating notoriety within the music community. It's a great platform for local music acts, but also to showcase some creativity in our state. We think Funnel Design did a great job creating a NMF brand that represents our music, style, and culture here in Oklahoma.

Check out event details here

Who do you want to see on the OKC Egotist?

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:24:46 +0000

Local

We do our best to scour the City of OK to find the best creative work out there. But we know there are literally thousands of artists, musicians, boutique agencies and others who fly under our radar - but not under yours.

So who are we missing? Do you know an awesome, unknown local agency we should highlight? Or maybe you're friends with a screen printer who does incredible posters. Hell, even if you did a portfolio-worthy print ad we haven't seen and want to show it off. You tell us. Click on the Submit tab and let us know.

Festival of the Arts 2013

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:20:34 +0000

Local

The Festival of the Arts starts up in OKC today. ICG created this colorful, ballon-y poster for the event. Sure isn't going to be bringing up any Addy's anytime soon, but I'm sure it hits its target audience.

More info here: http://www.artscouncilokc.com/festival-of-the-arts

“No gays please, we’re advertising.”

The London Egotist 2 — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:15:49 +0000

Advertising is a pretty progressive industry. We like to think of ourselves as an enlightened bunch. Some of our best friends are gay. Hell – some people in advertising are actually gay. Seriously. And yet, we all seem reluctant or incapable of portraying same-sex lifestyles in our work.

There are gay creatives, planners, producers, directors, clients and actors. And yet in adland, it seems gays don’t need mortgages, don’t drive cars, brush their teeth, play bingo or use low-fat spreads as part of a calorie-controlled diet.

There’s no question we should include ethnic minorities in our advertising. Who would even dream of digging their heels in to preserve an all-Aryan cast? We’ll feature empowered women. Strong-willed kids. And moonwalking Shetlands. But where’s even the token homosexual? They can’t all be at G.A.Y. screaming for a Kylie encore – or in hiding, surreptitiously unpicking the very fabric of our society.

Did Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s child-catcher change tack and start prowling the streets playing Barbara Streisand from a float pulled by French bulldogs, loaded with rainbows and glitterballs?

Dropping the G-Bomb

Benetton have deliberately courted controversy over the years – some executions playing ‘agent provocateur’ with same-sex relationships as their political football. But why can’t gays feature in ads because they’re normal consumers who just happen not to be heterosexual?

Look, it wouldn’t take much to stand out a mile in the UK straight-acting ad-scene. Feature gays. Leading normal lives. Arguing over dog food, trying out sofas, comparing their car insurance, living out their later years with a private pension.

Ikea ran the first gay commercial ever aired on US television in 1994. It ran for a few weeks until there was a bomb threat at one of their stores and was subsequently pulled. Have we moved on since then?

It must seem alien for gays to see themselves represented in TV shows and films but have their very existence given the cold shoulder when the ad break arrives. The few examples I’ve seen just use homosexuality as the rug-pull, the reveal, the joke. “Oh I get it, she’s actually a lesbian.” Gag, packshot, endline. Cheap.

JC Penney vs One Million Moms

JC Penney in the US used Ellen deGeneres to front their campaign which led to a storm of protest spearheaded by a Christian group calling themselves One Million Moms. They wrote, “By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years.”

So far, so predictable. But two silver linings emerged:

1: One Million turned to be a tiny fraction of that figure.
2: The backlash spawned its own backlash. The #StandUpForEllen campaign gained 50,000 signatures almost overnight and helped prompt JC Penney to er… ‘come out’ and say Ellen was their perfect brand ambassador.

In that distant land called real life, gay marriage is here. The Prime Minister – a Tory – is pushing for more rights for gays. And who’s to say he’s wrong?

Guinness made an infamous commercial portraying a gay couple back in 1995. It was ready to run, word got out, people were up in arms, the world was clearly going to end and the client lost their nerve. And in so doing, they compounded the very problem they set out to address.

Is it time for another try?

Papas and Papas

One recent exception is a Mamas and Papas campaign in the UK for their Urbo buggies, featuring heterosexual mums and dads, single-parents and a genuine gay couple and their little boy, Blu.

The press release states, “How We Roll celebrates the diversity and individualism that forms the makeup of the modern family, for whom parenting has simply become a positive extension of their current lifestyle.”

There have been mixed reactions. On Netmums, some are highly supportive – “The world is changing and it’s about time all loving parents are catered for in adverts” – while others chime in with not wanting to have this sort of thing “shoved in my face.” Freud would have a field day.

Even the gay community was sceptical. Were they being used simply as a PR stunt? Were the ads really running? It seems there are pitfalls and suspicion whatever your intentions.

Creatives want to create. We want to invent brand new stuff, never before seen. And yet there’s this vast expanse of unexplored territory: overlooked at best, taboo at worst.

It’s a rich, emotive area, surely. Love against all odds. Unconventional is cool, right? Overcoming prejudice, defying conventions, being true to yourself. You could have this space all to yourself. Column inches galore and plaudits for being progressive and well… real.

It doesn’t have to be gratuitous. No need to shock. In a way, the most shocking thing is that one of the most enlightened industries in the land is lagging so far behind the real world.

This post originally appeared on the DLKW Lowe blog >

Kool-Aid Man Returns

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:15:00 +0000

National

Kool-Aid Man, who has been the embodiment of the brand since he first appeared in an advertisement in 1954, has undergone a serious makeover with a brand new look and distinctive voice — courtesy of Saatchi & Saatchi NY and MassMarket.
This is probably how you remember him. Just isn't the same, if he's not yelling "oh yeah!." What do you think of the update?

Via

Dove's Beauty Sketches

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:30 +0000

National

Brilliant concept of comparing how women view themselves to what others see:

Ship My Pants

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:22:14 +0000

National

Kmart is still around? That's definately some news. but if they're trying to make a comeback, this hilarious bit might be helping.

Ghost Featured in How Magazine

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:07:52 +0000

Local

Just had to mention that local advertising studio, Ghost, made it into the latest issue of How, which we think it quite awesome. Great job guys, representing our city on a national medium. Everyone go pick up a copy.

(photo cred to C. Fuller)

Nike SB Eric Koston 2 – The Legend Grows

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:14:15 +0000

National

For all your skateboard fans out there, pretty funny commercial:

Creativity in the Community: Blake N. Behrens

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:05:09 +0000

Local

Creative Profession:
Designer, Problem Solver

Job:
Principal | Designer at RadFive Creative
1 of 3 at The Okay See Clothing and Community

Short bio:
After graduating from Putnam City North in OKC, I received a major degree in Visual Communication and minor degrees in Pre-Colombian Meso American Art History and Printmaking from the University of Oklahoma. After applying for internships with almost every OKC agency after my Sophomore year (and hearing back from none of them) I took a part-time job at a cemetery weedwacking grave stones and a part-time job auditing media buys. And to be honest, I preferred the grave stones… So I decided to focus a bit more on design and a bit less on extra curricular activities. After a year of hard work, I scored an internship at Visual Image, got hired a year later, and spent 8 great years at the firm. The last five years at VI was primarily dedicated to the Oklahoman anti-tobacco movement with Greta Puckett and Lindsey Funk. I believed in it thoroughly. And for the first time in state history, we have less than 25% of the population using tobacco. That’s a lot of fathers who will live to walk their daughters down the aisle and people that will live longer, healthier lives. That feels pretty good.

Last October I decided to take the plunge and open my own small creative shop. I am almost six months in and it has been an absolute blast. I hope to grow RadFive in to a creative force to be reckoned with.

1. How did you come to Oklahoma City? And more importantly, why do you stay?
Even though I say “directional” instead of “blinker” and “you guys” instead of “y’all,” I am still an Okie born and bred. My parents fled the frozen northlands of Chicago to move to OKC back in the late 70’s. My dad is a geologist and Oklahoma was (and is) the place to be for that industry.

When taking Dr. Jim Watson’s “History of Visual Communication,” I asked him why he thought Oklahoma didn’t have a stronger design community. He said that we have the talent but people move away because they think they can be good designers in Oklahoma.” I’m so happy that 13 years later, I can look around Oklahoma City and see such righteous talent and so many young designers staying. Between that subliminal challenge from Dr. Watson and my niece being born, I decided that I wanted to stay in OKC to try and help to make Oklahoma City a design hub and so my kids could grow up with close cousins.

2. Who was your greatest mentor?
Jennifer Blevins, a master of typography, really refined my approach to typesetting. Jennifer’s eagle eye helped make me in to the font fascist and typesetting whiz that I am today.

And Jesse Owen. That guy is not only one of the best designers I’ve ever met, but also one of the nicest people you could ever work with. My work was painfully flat and vector before Jesse started getting me to “style it up” & “texture it up.”

3. Which project are you most proud of? Please explain why?
If I had to narrow it down…

Creating packaging that worked for 25+ coffee varieties, through illustration, really pushed my style in the direction it is now. I would imagine the PARKS & Co.FFEE line will most likely be in my portfolio several decades from now.

The VI rebranding Grim Reaper guerrilla tactics were so much fun. To conceptualize, execute, participate, monitor social media, and edit the videos made it one of the most well-rounded projects of my career. Obviously this was a massive team effort, but I’m very proud of my part in it.

Creating a gig poster for the Rhode Island band Brown Bird, one of my absolute favorites, was a particular highlight for me. Especially when they commented on how much they liked the poster during their show.

4. What is one thing other creatives can learn from your biggest success and/or failure?
Fail by thinking first of appeasing someone, be it your boss, client, or Dribbble followers, instead of solving the problem at hand.

Succeed by believing in what you do. Passionately. If you don’t care about the product you’re selling, or the thing you’re working for, how can you possibly hope to convince anyone else to?

5. If you could play a game with any creative in the community, what would it be and whom would you play against?
I love the long term strategy of RISK. I’m also a huge fan of George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, the series Game of Thrones is from. So... recently, I started creating a massive Westeros game board that will be laser cut on planks of wood. It will be a collaboration with a good buddy and amazing artist, Vince Conn, who is making 3D printed pieces.

So, I would throw down a gauntlet to challenge individuals from other branches of our creative industry at a game of nerdy Game of Thrones RISK. I’d hit up a 3D artist, Vince Conn, of VC Creative. A writer, Brian Winkeler from Robot House Creative. A developer, James Harber from Studio FJ. An illustrator, Dusty Gilpen, from Tree and Leaf. A social media guy, Casey Cornett from VI. And a photographer, Chris Nguyen, a new guy to the community with some of the quirkiest portraits I’ve seen in our market. I’d love to see which creative background would come out on top. Also, I’d assume the cursing and conversation would be immaculate.

6. What is one thing you would change about your job or profession?
I would increase collaboration amongst creatives. Especially across company lines. Marc Bostian, Tim Watson, and I started a little lunch meet up called @DesignLunchOKC for local creatives almost a year ago. I’ve loved meeting people from competitive offices in a non-competitive environment. One of these days, I hope to put together a design show we can all collaborate on.

7. What is your best source of inspiration?
I have obsessively collected and cataloged inspiring images from ffffound, dribbble, designspiration, and numerous other blogs my entire career. When I need to brainstorm, I’ll pull out my sketch pad, crank up the volume with some old school ska music, and have my screensaver run with all the best images I’ve collected to really get my brain jellies a jigglin’.

Urban Wineworks on Paste's Top 50

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:12:57 +0000

Local

Foundry's Urban Wineworks wine label was featured on Paste Magazine's Top 50 Wine Bottle Designs. We'd probably include it in our list too.

Introducing: Google Nose

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:22:21 +0000

National

The Women's Shampoo Effect

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:14:36 +0000

National

Coca Cola: Chairs

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:57:30 +0000

National

Creativity in the Community: Steve Jones

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:29:41 +0000

Local

Creative Profession:
Director / Producer

Job:
Owner of Digital DK

Short bio:
I knew early on that I wanted to work for myself so I started my own company, Digital DK, at the age of 21 with a strong desire to produce fun, challenging and ambitious projects. Having close to 17 years in the graphic design, motion graphics, animation and post-production industries, I bring a multi-faceted ability and approach toward my directing career.

Like most creatives, I love movies, video games, music, comics etc … but my true passion is anything automotive.

1. How did you come to Oklahoma City? And more importantly, why do you stay?
Born and raised in OKC (Technically Norman).

While I think my career could have taken a faster path to success in a larger market, you just can’t beat the cost of living in Oklahoma.

With all the brilliant technology available today I’m able to work with clients all over the country. Where you live and operate a business isn’t quite as important as it used to be … If you’re talented, easy to work with, and charge a fair price – you can work with anyone, anywhere.

2. Who was your greatest mentor?
Creatively I haven’t had a mentor in the traditional sense. I’ve always trudged my own path in that regard. However, from a business perspective my father has definitely been my greatest mentor.

Having been a successful software business owner for years, my father has always been my go to guy for business advice. While he is more a gun-slinger risk-taker than me, his advice is always helpful … and trust me, you need a mentor you can trust if you plan on owning your own business.

3. Which project are you most proud of? Please explain why?
Right now I think I would say I’m most proud of our piece opening the 2012 OKC ADDY awards.

2012 OKC ADDY Awards Show Intro from Steve Jones on Vimeo.

Having free reign creatively plus matched up with an incredible team allowed us to do some pretty different and “Cool” things with the project.

Being part of the custom music creation with OKC native rapper Jabee, shooting in some of OKC’s unknown nooks and crannies, orchestrating a live delivery of the music at the event … all aspects came together to make an awesome and rewarding project.

4. What is one thing other creatives can learn from your biggest success and/or failure?
Success – You’ve got to have an incredible work ethic. It makes you easy to work with and inspires your team to try harder. Be humble but confident … No one likes a know-it-all. Set goals – both professionally and personally and kick your own ass if you don’t reach those goals.

Failure – As creatives we tend to keep to ourselves. Generally, we suck at selling ourselves. I’m the worst at self promotion and getting myself out there. Maybe I should set a goal for that.

5. If you could play a game with any creative in the community, what would it be and whom would you play against?
I would play a ruthless game of Risk with Brian Winkeler, Kathleen Shannon, Simon Hurst, Brett Grimes and Casey Twenter.

Tequila shot for every F-bomb dropped during the game.

6. What is one thing you would change about your job or profession?
Be gone deadlines….

7. What is your best source of inspiration?
I source inspiration from a ton of sources – movies / music videos for lighting, comics for composition, music for editing ideas. But, the single best source is jumping on Vimeo and viewing what your peers are working on … there is SO much talent out there and the community really presses me to go bigger and try harder.

It's What You See is What You Get Food

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:36:19 +0000

National

Creativity in the Community: Simon Hurst

The Oklahoma City Egotist — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:13:33 +0000

Local

Creative Profession:
Commercial Photography

Job:
Simon Hurst Photography

Short bio:
Born and Raised in the south of England. First job after studying photography and advertising in Yorkshire, England was a cruise ship photographer. I traveled a lot of the world. I met my wife Brina whilst on my second contract in the Caribbean. She happened to be from Edmond and won the coin toss. Here I am, here we are 16 years later. I was a freelance assistant for a couple of years and shot a few things here and there. Then landed a full time studio manager job in Norman. In 2003, when I turned 30 I started my own company Simon Hurst Photography. It was part time, but by 2008 was doing well. I took the plunge and quit my day job to be Simon
Hurst Photography full time.

1. How did you come to Oklahoma City? And more importantly, why do you stay?
I just gave the how I came to OKC. The reason I have stayed is because this is the biggest small town in America. That line is stolen from a good friend. It was not hard to see that this was a developing community and that good things were going to happen. I remember when Dell came to the city and I was asked to shoot for them. I thought that was really cool, especially as my images are still being used in their facility today.

2. Who was your greatest mentor?
There have been many. But the most important has to be Shevaun Williams. I worked for and along side her for 10 years. She is very talented and a good teacher. I started working with her freelance when we were still shooting film. We had color meters, dozens of filters and could shoot some wicked transparencies. It was great to go through the digital transition too.

Her work still inspires me today.

3. Which project are you most proud of? Please explain why?
There are several. In the last year or so I have been shooting for Slice. Last years Fall Fashion shoot was really cool. The cover got featured in a national magazine article. But one of my most proud moments was being asked by a company out of Connecticut to shoot the Devon Tower. Once the cranes were taken down I was to shoot it at different times of day and stages of completion. I shot a skyline shot that has been used many times from that shoot.

4. What is one thing other creatives can learn from your biggest success and/or failure?
Failures? Of course there are none ; ). Successes? Well, the phrase “ You are only as good as your last shoot” resonates with me. That keeps me on my game. “ Do you have any shots of ------?” “Yes but give me a couple of days to find it”. Then go and shoot it. Success comes from loving what you do. I love my career. It is different every day.

5. If you could play a game with any creative in the community, what would it be and whom would you play against?
I would play a drinking game with Brian Winkeler. Its really fun watching him get toasted.

6. What is one thing you would change about your job or profession?
Nothing. I love it. Although I would like to be more of a techie when it comes to the equipment. Last year I went to a photo expo in New York and was asked about the gear I use. I was asked about some setting deep in the auto modes. I replied “ sorry mate, I just shoot manual”.

7. What is your best source of inspiration?
In one word. Life...................