power to the people
If you really dig old school stencil art, the Russian revolution or propaganda art, then check out this new book Power to the People.
The book features stenciled Russian Telegraph Agency window posters that hung in storefronts from 1919 to 1921, just after the Russian Revolution. (T-shirts, just waiting to happen.) From Print.
Labels: art, politics, publishing, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:55 AM
0 comments
print is the new interactive
Frog Design started a new magazine, DesignMind. A magazine. On paper. That you get in the mail, or on a newstand. It's written by frog designers, technologists and strategists.
This will be interesting to watch it's progress, as other publications struggle to survive on paper. If nothing else, at least there's a website.
Labels: design, publishing, self promotion
posted by darryl ohrt @ 5:49 AM
2 comments
people still read magazines?
Thought Gadgets reports on a cool new idea in the magazine publishing industry. (Yes, there's still enough people to call it an industry, I guess.)
MagHound is a service where you pay 9.95/month for seven publications that you can switch with other publications whenever you want. Tired of Vanity Fair? Switch it next month and get GQ. Switch and swap month in and month out.
I'm suspicious that they feature magazines that have been shuttered. Some for a while now. But we'll cut them a break for now, as it appears that the site is still under construction. (Magazine publishers: there are better ways to slow launch a site. Call us.)
(And doesn't Photoshop make Lindsay Lohan look hotolicious??)
Labels: publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:51 AM
1 comments
how could you add a little willy wonka to your brand plan?
Brian Shaler points to Nate Westheimer's story about Gary Vaynerchuk's wonderful 'Wonka' style marketing.
While traveling together for a tech conference, Gary went into a Borders, searched for his book on the shelf, and hand wrote a note in the book. The note includes a secret password that if emailed back to Gary, will get the recipient a special prize. Wonka-freakin-licious.
Labels: creativeinspiration, marketing, publishing, stunts
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
0 comments
the chelsea hotel never looked so nice
Members of Pentagram Berlin just completed work on what looks like a stunning book devoted to New York's world famous Chelsea Hotel.
Labels: photography, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:51 AM
2 comments
accidental branding: the "i didn't read it" review
Here's the thing. Publishers send us books all the time, for review on BrandFlakes. But I've sadly given up books for everything internet. There are some really, really hot books out there. Worthy of reviews. But there's only 24 hours in a day. And at least a few have to be devoted to sleep, for now.
So here's an attempt at a review, for a book that I haven't had time to read. I'll highlight the things that you might find helpful, if you're considering purchasing Accidental Branding.
But let me be clear: I didn't read this.
(All ratings are based on a 1 - 10 basis, 10 being "excellent.")
The book's concept: 9
How a handful of really cool people have built some very successful brands. Each chapter is devoted to another personality. Really, really cool people that you'd like to know more about - Craig Newmark (Craigslist), Gary Erickson (Clif Bar), Roxanne Quimby (Burt's Bees), and other super influential business people.
Cover design: 3
This one won't pop off the shelf. You've got to look for it. I would have given this a "2", but I'm in a good mood today.
Font size/typography: 6
Nothing uber creative, but nothing annoying or intimidating either. Clean layout, clean type, done well.
Pictures/info graphics: 0
No photos. No sexy info graphics. I think that's ok, given the subject matter. It's about the people, and their stories.
How it feels in your hands: 8
There are three kinds of books:
a) The kind that your English teacher assigns you to read, and is about 900 pages too long, and 43 pounds too heavy.
b) The pamphlet that's trying to pass as a book, but really isn't a book at all. It's a brochure.
Accidental Branding isn't either of these - it's a appropriately sized. Like a good book should be. The kind of book that feels good in your hands, after you've bought it. Your messenger bag will accept it, and it will feel just right to open, on a long train ride.
Other reviews that I would believe:
Greg Verdino
The Marketing Spot
ToddAnd
Scale of "I'd like to read it": 8
We can learn so much from others. Accidental Branding is chocked full of stories from people that you can't help to admire for their business and brand success. I swear that I intend to read this one. I just need a free weekend. Or a couple of nights...
Labels: books, branding, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
7 comments
how to write a novel. 140 characters at a time.
NL Belardes works in the ABC newsroom. He's got an interesting side project: He's writing a novel, titled Small Places, 140 characters at a time. Using Twitter, of course. (If you start reading now, just make sure you start at the bottom.)
I wonder if he's actually posting as he's writing, or if he's got a portion of the story "in the can" and posts it periodically? (I've asked him via Twitter. Follow his personal Twitter stream , and maybe we'll find out.)
This is an interesting writing technique - because once it's posted, it's published. He can't go back and edit. That's got to be a real challenge for the author of a novel. This is a fun, and really cool idea.
Labels: publishing, social media, twitter
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:21 AM
4 comments
embrace your inner dorkness
Dorks just became really cool. Geeks have had their day, and remain awesome, but dorks are the new hot. And it all happened thanks to the release of Dork Magazine, an online publication dedicated to art, habitat, and people.
The current issue is really good. If you enjoy BrandFlakes, you're going to love Dork. Issue #5 includes articles about Nike, Uniqlo, SmartCar, the Murakami show in Brooklyn, and sooo much more dorkaliciousness.
Labels: art, fashion, pop culture, publishing, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
0 comments
ten rules of lois
The April issue of Metropolis has a wonderful spread devoted to the Esquire cover designs of legendary ad man George Lois.
The piece features ten covers, with George's "rules" on their design. The Ed Sullivan cover above, accompanies rule #5:
"If your magazine doesn't have the clout to sign up the celebrity you need for your idea, attack him at the stage door."
You'll have to (gasp!) invest in the paper copy of the magazine for the other rules, because unfortunately, Metropolis doesn't have this spread available on line.
You can view a truly inspirational gallery of covers with George's commentary, on his official site.
Labels: adindustry, photography, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:18 AM
1 comments
how competition fuels bloggers
Not all will admit it, but bloggers are pretty damn competitive. Publish a list, a chart, a link guide, and watch everyone scramble to get a better position. So how do you best channel that competitive spirit into a friendly, positive promotion?
Rohit Bhargava did exactly that, to promote his new book Personality Not Included. Rohit created a contest where participating bloggers interviewed Rohit via email, and the public could vote on their favorite interview. Genius. Multiple bloggers interview Rohit, talk about his book, and reach out to their networks to garner votes for their interview.
Linda Sherman (who placed second in the contest) writes a wonderful post about how the promotion fueled her competitive spirit.
Need bloggers to talk about you? How can you get them to rally together, while competing with each other?
Labels: blogging, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:41 AM
4 comments
how to save the publishing industry
The Amsterdam Weekly has launched an interesting campaign to get people to pay for the paper. They've divided each page of the publication into 204 blocks, and are selling each block for €5. The blocks that don't get sold, don't get printed. Leaving blank pages, or blanks on pages. Even the cover. Punishing all of the readers, for the few that didn't contribute. Can't wait to see how this turns out.
Labels: publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:40 AM
1 comments
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