As I was perusing the Internet the other day I came across this advertisement...





This advertisement is a good example of some of the creative concepts we were discussing in class. It is interesting because the product being advertised (Doritos) is not the center of the ad. When I watched the ad, however, I really wanted Doritos. I wondered why this happened and I realized that it was because the advertisement was not saying buy Doritos, but was using Doritos to make a point. I thought a lot about reversal and how this ad addressed the question: What do consumer's dislike about traditional advertisements? In general, we dislike ads that are saying BUYBUYBUY and ones that are completely unrelateable. This ad, however is highly relateable because many of us have been in situations where someone looks to us for an answer and we don't always have one. Additionally, the ad reflected on outsourcing, which is a big issue today. Though it seems as if they made light of the issue, they did it in a way that demonstrates the negative effects of outsourcing - it is not always successful or a good idea (the player getting tackled). The issue was also presented in a humorous light because they took something that is 100% American (football) and outsourced it, which adds to the creative aspect. They took a risk, but not one that would bite them back since football will never be outsourced. In all I think that ad is well done because it is relevant and does a good job at presenting both Doritos and current concerns in a humorous light.

Interestingly, this ad reminds me of the Twix ads, especially in the sense that the product is saving a dire situation. An example is presented below.

Creativity Lives!

Today, I went to the craft fair at the World Trade Center in Boston. At first, I did not know what to expect, but I figured it would be fun to try it out and I went with Ivanka so it also allowed for some bonding time. The craft fair was amazing. There were lots of vendors, like the few pictured below.

There were so many creative people that were showcasing their work. From jewelry to clothes to food, the whole place was a creative wonderland. Seeing the hand made items and the thought that went in to each piece made me so happy. It was refreshing seeing creative people embracing their work and sharing it with others. I was lucky enough to be part of their creativity. This experience gives me something to aspire to. I can be like those vendors and part of me wants to be. They are not afraid to fail. They are not afraid that they will be judged for their beer can airplanes (yes those exist). They just want to showcase what they can do and share it with others - the true beauty of creativity. Creativity is not about being the most unique or the coolest, it is about sharing ideas and building relationships through clever designs. This fair was a community of creatives and it was so enjoyable to go there and see some of the craziest things I have ever seen (Jack Daniels wind chime anyone!) Pictured below are two ginger-bread houses that were for sale at the craft fair. They are so cool and really emphasize how creative you can be with graham crackers and candy.

                        Whoville House

                                           Inside the Whoville house (they designed a dining room!!)

Nature is EXTREME

I saw this advertisement the other day and as soon as I saw it I said "I have to blog about this!" - seriously.

The ad is for Timberland and it is really cool because it promotes the product in a really creative way. The shoes are made out of recycled materials and the ad shows how saving nature can be an adrenaline fueled experience.





This ad is really creative, because not only does it weave its call-to-action with the actual progression of the ad, but it really relates to younger populations. It reflects the concerns of the current population, but puts a fun twist on it, which makes the ad more memorable and effective. Often, an environmentally centered ad will evoke feelings of guilt and that is not always effective in changing behavior - people still may not recycle. The way Timberland speaks to consumers, however, is fun and upbeat and offers a challenge. The challenge is the most interesting part because we all know that environmental decline is a growing threat, but the fact that it could be a fun and adventurous challenge to clean it up never occurred to me - I will definitely recycle and if they have those boots in a girl's style I will recycle in those!

Definitely creative minds at work!

It's a Whale!

Initially, I could not really figure out what to write about. In class we have been talking a lot about creativity in terms of a process and, to me, it had seemed as if the creative process was impeding my ability to truly be creative and stopped me from having a Eureka! moment. I am slowly realizing that is not the case. I find myself thinking more than usual and investigating things that I normally would not have looked at.

Take for instance the following advertisement. It is for a Japanese/Korean audience and it reflects the struggle that I feel daily.





What is so powerful about this ad is its ability to convey our inner demons. We all struggle with being different and, as a result, seek uniformity because it is safer. The little boy, however, is just trying to express himself and the world is going crazy around him. That is extremely powerful because it is often not the world that threatens creativity, but rather the individual. This little boy did not fear being individual, even though he is part of a collectivist society, and though everyone else seemed to fear for him, he only felt accomplished. Then, all of a sudden, out of the madness, everyone sees this little boy's genius and they have that ah-ha moment! This ad is very memorable and relate-able because it reflects what millions of people experience internally every day - the fear to be yourself. Thus, I realize the importance of the creative process and the importance of taking risks. What would have happened if Michelangelo never took risks, or George Washington, or Einstein? Honestly, I do not really want to visualize a world like that. Without risks, there would certainly be far less creativity in the world and it would be a more dismal place. There is my Eureka!

"My Week With Marilyn"

On Thursday I went to go see the sneak preview of "My Week with Marilyn," with the ticket that Prof. Vogel emailed all of us. Not only was the movie FANTASTIC, but the director, Simon Curtis, was there to answer our questions.

I took the opportunity to ask Mr. Curtis about his creative process when filming the movie, and his answers were very interesting! He said how he spent a lot of time fact finding about each of the characters by speaking with family members and doing general research - he has wanted to make this movie for 10 years! He also followed the diary that the movie is based on closely to really develop the story. Interestingly, he also brought up how he limited his focus to a particular week, which not only made the movie intriguing, but also left you wanting to know more (or least made you want to rent "The Prince, Showgirl, and Me" from 1995). Mr. Curtis was also able to use the house that Marilyn Monroe actually stayed in when in London, which really added to the reality of the movie.

I took a lot out of this because it helped me realize how important the creative process is in crafting a piece of work. I thought a lot about how without fact finding the movie would have been different and nearly as good. Fact finding is a vital part of the creative process and without it your creative potential cannot be fully reached.

Enjoy the Trailer Below (and when it comes out everyone should go!):

Will you be my champion?

When you examine the history of what a champion is you come up with a lot of things. In Arthurian times a champion was the King's number one solider who fought for him and protected him. Today, a champion can be a person who wins a contest. A person could champion a cause to make a difference. Or, a national champion is a large company that dominates a particular field. In all, the word champion can mean many things, but saying the word elicits a particular feeling - influential.

We were asked to think of three champions in our lives who really supported our creativity. I was able to think of a lot of people who really supported me and encouraged me, but my thoughts kept going back to the same person. My 11th grade English teacher.

From the start, I had always been interested in writing, but I didn't really understand my talent until he began to teach me. He encouraged me, challenged me, and allowed me to make mistakes without judging me. He opened the door to innovative and creative learning and some of my most unusual work is from my 11th grade creative writing class (remember the poem that this blog is based on).

I don't want to talk too much about how this man influenced me, but rather that he DID influence me. People are important resources in your lives and you should hold on to anyone who makes you feel creative. On Sunday, I, as the assignment suggested, wrote a letter to this teacher thanking him. I emailed it to him, hoping that he still taught at the same school. Today, he wrote me back. Just communicating with him made me remember all that I had learned and made me feel better. I felt like I could do/write anything and I have not felt that way in a long time.

Long story short, a person is a large influence in your life and you should seek out people who will support you. Because without them, you can truly lose yourself in society's chasm of forgotten dreams.

Please go to the link below and watch the clip. I can't get it directly on the blog because it is not on YouTube. It really reinforces how people can help you express yourself.

http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/100-Concert/

"Imagineering" A New World

Often when I think about what I want to accomplish in life I think of two things: I want to improve the world, and I want to work for Disney.

These two things may seem different, but they, as I have learned, are more similar than many think. Disney is the place where dreams come true, and a better world is a dream come true. Playing with semantics is easy, but when you observe what Disney does and how it is run, you realize that it truly is the most magical place on earth.

I often wondered what made Disney so magical...it was part Walt Disney's dream and part imagineering. Walt envisioned a place where families could go and enjoy each other and imagineers made it possible. This website explains what they do.

http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/who_imagineering.html

When I go to Disney I feel happier. I feel like everything is okay and that I am allowed to be a kid again. What other place makes you feel that way? Now that I am in this creative thinking class, I have thought a lot about creativity and how imagineers use their creative minds to create spectacular things. I want to do the same. I want to bring a smile to a child's face and make people feel like they can do anything without fear of embarassment. Go ahead, get your picture taken with Goofy!

Disney is at the forefront of the creative world and I know that without Disney the world would be a far more dismal place. So, if you think of Disney and smile, or watch Disney movies and laugh, or watch the following video and awe in wonder like a child - then Disney is not only fulfilling its purpose, but has truly made the world a better place. I only hope that I can do the same.