http://www.psfk.com Your Go-To Source For New Ideas And Inspiration Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:16:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.psfk.com/2008/05/buzz-with-youtube.html Thu, 15 May 2008 18:25:24 +0000 Earlier this month, in an interview with CNBC, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said, “We believe the best [YouTube] products are coming out this year. And they’re new products…much more participative, much more creative…much more interesting in and of themselves.” As part of their continued efforts to experiment with new ways to provide value to YouTube advertisers, Google have announced buzz targeting. The press release reads: “One of the greatest aspects of YouTube is how it has democratized the way in which videos are discovered and promoted,” said Shiva Rajaraman, YouTube Product Manager. “On any given day, a video from aRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/05/innovation-at-nokia.html Thu, 15 May 2008 18:22:46 +0000 Nokia has over 300 designers worldwide, and ships over 1.2 million products everyday. Core77 has an audio broadcast that investigates their design process, ethnographic wanderings, sustainability initiatives, and plans for the future. They chat to Younghee Jung from the services and UI design team, Rhys Newman from the Homegrown Project, and Anton Fallgren and Aki Layneh, two industrial designers out of the Copenhagen studio. Core 77]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/03/axe-3-the-power-of-mixing-and-matching-2.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:33:48 +0000 One of Unilever’s most renowned brands, AXE deodorant, recently went to market in Argentina with a new product concept and communications strategy. In order to increase consumption of its product, Unilever created “AXE 3”, a combination of two already-existing AXE deodorants mixed into a third fragrance. In order to convey this innovation, Unilever’s agency developed a media-neutral campaign where “mixed fragrances” corresponded to “mixed women.” The idea was to show men the power of mix and matching women with different tastes and preferences. Initially, the launch consisted of TV and billboards, as well as flyers that showed how men couldRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/01/sleek-push-pack-product-design.html Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:11:40 +0000 Cscout points us to a sleek new push pack box designed for Glyna, a Japanese sleep supplement powder that comes in long individual packets. Other than the novelty of something new, the benefit to push packs is that the outer box remains intact after the initial opening, where as traditional boxes tend to get ripped to shreds with just the slightest bit of impatience. Cscout: Push-Pack product design in Japan]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/01/house-of-bols-an-adventure-of-the-senses.html Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:58:31 +0000 When challenged to create a relevant museum/experience for Lucas Bols and all of its brands, the Dutch Booze brand responded by creating House of Bols. In March of 2007, across from the Van Gogh Museum, House of Bols is a hybrid museum and brand extension – “it’s an adventure of the senses and an initiation into the world of cocktails and bar tending.” Visitors can learn about the rich history of the worlds oldest distillery, test their taste buds in The Hall of Taste (pictured), and even try their skills at flair bar tending. From the photos, the space looksRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/12/los-angeles-times-20-at-the-psfk-conference-los-angeles-2.html Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:00:27 +0000 Jason Oberfest, head of Product Strategy and Business Development at the Los Angeles Times reveals how they are working on building a content business in a digital era. Click To Play Key Points: - The LA Times, a paper with a weekly circulation of 3.6 million and 5-11 million unique monthly visitors to its website, still faces the issue of establishing itself as a dynamic online go-to source, as almost all papers do: “Newspapers are in an interesting time trying to reinvent themselves online – and there is a lot to be done. The fundamental issue is that engagement onRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/12/our-role-in-your-new-world-at-the-psfk-conference-los-angeles-2.html Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:22:23 +0000 Conn Fishburn, Director of the Advanced Strategies Group at Yahoo!, speaks on how the rise of social networks gives agencies and their creative teams a new and expanded role in shaping consumer experience. Click To Play]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/12/fred-water-at-the-psfk-conference-los-angeles.html Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:19:07 +0000 Adam Gayner, founder [and friend] of Fred, discusses the creation of agile, inviting, stangely meaningful brands and the process he uses to make them. Have you met Fred? Click To Play]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/12/a-suicide-girls-stories-at-the-psfk-conference-los-angeles-2.html Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:38:20 +0000 George Parker interviews Missy, the founder of Suicide Girls, to understand how she took a different route to create a well loved modern brand. Click To Play KEY POINTS: About Suicide Girls - Suicide Girls started in 2001 as an experiment art project. After the dotcom burst there was nothing to do. I went back to school in Portland and started photographing my friends. What we found was that where most models had a vacant look, these girls had a point of view. We decided to take these girls with something to say and put them on the web andRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/12/ben-sherman-ad-campaign-shot-by-photoblogger-2.html Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:56:50 +0000 Photos are just coming out of Ben Sherman’s new ad campaign, which was shot by photoblogger Merlin Bronques of the notorious Last Night’s Party, and styled by Fashionista contributer Josh Madden. This marks the first time a photoblogger has shot such a high-profile ad series, though internet crossover stars are starting to be a little hum-drum these days. The ads look very nice, though they’re not as unconventional as one might expect from such an exciting collaboration. [via Fashionista]]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/12/lexus-owners-get-priority-parking-at-stadium.html Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:54:46 +0000 Lexus drivers in Philadelphia will soon be able to park in two priority parking areas at the Wachovia Center. As part of a new three-year advertising and sponsorship package between Lexus and and arena owner Comcast-Spectacor, Lexus owners will get to park in specially reserved lots that prominently feature Lexus advertising on the light poles. [via Jalopnik]]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/11/ethical-merchandise-with-great-design.html Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:49:08 +0000 With a goal “to create beautiful things that make life better and save the world,” New Zealand based B_E_E is living up to their mission statement and providing environmentally sustainable household cleaning products with some killer design work. Made from essential oils and other natural ingredients such as coconut, palm oil, sugar, and orange oil, these products are remarkably strong. So far, they are the only brand of cleaning products to receive accreditation from New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment. Currently you can only find them in New Zealand and a few select shops in Australian, but of course, theyRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/11/vws-night-driving.html Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:31:10 +0000 Created by DDB London, Volkswagen has just launched a TV ad for the Golf exploring the concept of night driving. In it, a man drives through the streets of Los Angeles at night while Richard Burton does a voice over reading from an excerpt of Dylan Thomas’ play “Under Milk Wood.” [via Influx]]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/10/inspirational-images.html Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:42:44 +0000 We just stumbled upon FFFFound!, a great new web service that allows users to post images they like. Nothing new there. However, the service can also recommend images users might like based on their unique tastes and interests. Similar to how Netflix can suggests movies they think you’ll like based on previous rentals and a rating system, FFFFound! recommends images you might like. The more you reflect your tastes by bookmarking images you like, the better the recommendations. The sites is still in private beta, so you can’t register yet, but it’s still pretty fun just flipping through. FFFFound!]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/10/improving-barbies-packaging.html Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:33:12 +0000 In an attempt to reduce excessive packaging and create an unwrapping experiences that was best suited for their demographic, Mattel conducted a little market research to observe how girls were attempting to open the painstakingly complicated packaging, and then spent some time with their designers and engineers to come up with a solution that both saved them money and increased the overall unwrapping experience – all while ensuring that Barbie safely made her trip over from China. After observing that most girls attempted to just “pull and tear” Barbie from her package, the design team decided they needed to streamlineRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/10/rocketboom-incorporates-google-type-ads-to-program.html Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:42:13 +0000 Not long ago, we reported on Google’s new user-controlled ad format for videos that “allow users to be able to accept and choose what type of advertising they engage in” – the kind that pop up for about ten seconds over the bottom portion of the video but give the viewer the option of either closing the ad after it pops up, or clicking through to the ad’s destination. Well, it seems everybody’s favorite news vlog, Rocketboom, has introduced the same type advertising on their daily program. But, Rocketboom took it one step further by actually thanking their sponsor (ComedyRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/10/microsoft-gets-hugh-macleods-wine-2.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:29:34 +0000 Blue Monster Reserve is a special bottle of wine that has been made exclusively for Microsoft by South African winery Stormhoek. Blogger and Cartoonist Hugh Macleod of GapingVoid is the marketing strategist for Stormhoek and developed the Blue Monster image after meeting many of the Microsoft staff at various tech functions that Stormhoek was sponsoring. From there, he developed the little monster and added the tagline: “Microsoft – change the world or go home”, which apparently has become somewhat of a mascot for some in the company. The bottle is only available to Microsoft staff, members of the “Friends ofRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/09/bluetooth-graffiti-billboards.html Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:37:55 +0000 To promote his love for graffiti, Marc Ecko is creating digital “citylights,” or large LCD screens, that feature bluetooth interactivity. These giant LCD screens allow passerby’s to access the screen via bluetooth and “spray” graffiti with their mobile phone. The design is currently being tested in Germany. -Contributed by Jon Lombardo]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/09/core77s-hack-2-school-2.html Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:57:09 +0000 In honor of the new school year, Core77 has created a rather comprehensive and amusing guide of tips, tricks, and lifehacks for design students. The list is divided into 5 categories – Classroom, Dorm Room, Represent, Crash Course, and Cheat Sheet. Everything from pranks and tips on how to sound smarter to clever ways to decorate your dorm on the cheap are mixed in with thoughtful essays from people like Ralph Caplan, Alissa Walker, Alice Twemlow, Steve Portigal, Jessica Helfand, Scott Klinker, Steven Heller, Sam Montague, and Jill Fehrenbacher. The whole site is packed full of fun videos, useful lists,Read more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/wealth-luxury-myths-revealed.html Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:28:36 +0000 Independent research company, Luxury Institute, which focuses it’s research on only the top 10% of America’s wealthy, has created a list of the top ten myths about wealth and luxury from a marketing and branding perspective. In it, they dismiss many long held assumptions that America’s super wealthy are all drinking Cristal on their Yachts and throwing money at anything that moves. In actuality, they’re typically very hard working, savvy consumers who are value conscious and have acute brand recognition. Most spent years working long hours to get where they are and continue to adhere to smart business practices byRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/psfk-conference-speaker-jason-oberfest-la-times.html Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:50:03 +0000 At the PSFK Conference Los Angeles, Jason Oberfest will reveal how the LA Times is working on building a content business in a digital era – and will present for the first time, new web developments that the paper are about to launch. Jason oversees product strategy and business development for the LA Times Interactive properties (which attract 9.2m Unique Visitors monthly) and is leading the design of a suite of forthcoming social news products. At LA Times Interactive Jason has been improving customer loyalty and other key audience metrics while also boosting advertising effectiveness. Jason led a 2006 PhaseRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/speech-bubble-logos.html Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:09:06 +0000 Anyone else been noticing the abundance of speech bubbles these days? It seems as though they’ve become the de facto symbol representing the interactive and personalized nature of Web 2.0 – and startup companies can’t seem to get enough of them when it comes to designing a new logo. Eachday writes: As a catch-all symbol, the speech bubble is tough to resist. It contains what everyone wants to say about the “new” web: user-generated, communication, collaboration, commenting, social media, community, self-published, my voice, our voice, rating, ranking, sharing and the rest. On top of that, it’s simple with a minimumRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/annoying-brand-voices-2.html Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:18:11 +0000 Over on Welcome to Optimism, London’s wieden + kennedy blog, there is a great example of when ‘the voice of the brand’ is taken too far. The article documents some of the Malmaison hotel‘s quirkier attempts at communicating with their consumers. Welcome to Optimism writes: Now, I like Malmaison. They provide quite nice hotel rooms and facilities at a fair price. I would actively choose to stay there and pay with my own money, even. But on a recent stay in Leeds, after a long day, when I got to my room I became irritated by the voice of theRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/skateboarders-switch-to-un-branded-boards.html Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:34:23 +0000 The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about skateboarders newfound preference for blank, un-branded skateboards. When kids first start skating, the allure of name brand boards is strong, but as skaters become more advanced with their tricks, they break more boards. Thus, paying the high prices that “cool” boards command can get pretty lame if you’re snapping a board a month. The Wall Street Journal reports on the 12 million American teenagers who skateboard: They are the industry’s prime customers, both devoted to the sport and savvy. And when they started out, most of them invested in premium boardsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/deluxe-daycare-on-the-go.html Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:51:51 +0000 Traveling with young children is one of the most taxing aspects of being on the go. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport hopes to have made the experience of weary baby-toting travelers a little bit nice with its recent opening of Schiphol’s Babycare Lounge by Nutricia. As Springwise reports: Located in the airport’s main departure terminal, the lounge is (as the name indicates) a co-branding effort by Schiphol and Nutricia, a Dutch baby food brand. Designed by MV Architects, the lounge is serenely stylish and geared to ensuring a baby’s well-being while en route. The 90 m2 area features seven circular ‘cabins’, eachRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/axe-in-japan.html Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:53:57 +0000 Adverblog points us toward The Axe Effect’s new site after launching in Japan. Through funny instructional videos, fake news channels, and even an “Axercise” channel, the site teaches men how Axe will increase their sex appeal with some cleverly branded entertainment. The Axe Effect]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/innovative-cd-packaging-2.html Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:40:25 +0000 Our indie rock friends from Durban, South Africa SUPERHOTJOY, just sent us their debut album. The album is great, but what really caught our attention was the fantastic packaging]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/06/brands-and-ma.html Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:43:26 +0000 The weekend WSJ had an interesting piece on brands, marketing and M&A. The authors suggest that a significant blind spot exists in many deals where all the emphasis is on the hard numbers and not enough attention paid to less tangible items such as, "corporate reputation, goodwill and the brand itself." The following steps are suggested to remedy this: Selling the Brand. First, a marketer would explicitly consider how the company can communicate the benefits of the merger to customers, employees and investors — and win their support by making them feel like active agents in the deal rather thanRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/06/both-sides-of-the-story.html Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:43:19 +0000 We’re impressed with the BBC‘s new US advertising campaign: More images of the campaign at Adverbox (Kudos to Colin Nagy)]]> http://www.psfk.com/2007/06/boingboing-names-virgin-america-plane.html Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:57:58 +0000 As part of Virgin America‘s “Name Our Planes” program, BoingBoing was offered the opportunity to name one of the new fleets planes. They went with the “Unicorn Chaser.” BoingBoing explains: “The idea of Unicorn Chaser first popped up on Boing Boing to serve as a cleansing of the palate after a viewer has been subjected to a distasteful internet image or experience” said Xeni Jardin, a tech culture journalist and co-editor of Boing Boing. “Nothing takes away the sting of a jarring experience better than an image of a nice unicorn prancing in the meadow.” “Unicorn Chaser fits the VirginRead more...]]>