The Propaganda Revolution?

So with the former Soviet Union starting to take shape again and the possibility of a "depression" as the pundits say, are we looking at a possible era of new propaganda? I'm not talking about the propaganda we get everyday by watching network television, I'm talking about the design propaganda that took us through the depression and WWII. There was amazing work produced back then at the expense of the governments of the USSR and the USA. Work that I think you would be hard pressed to matched on such a scale again. I think the real question is, does the world the way it is today have a place for such propaganda.

Personally I think as a whole that with the wide access to the internet and television that printed propaganda has little chance of a revolution. Sure the pieces could be produced, but to what success? Designers and collectors would love to get their hands on political and social propaganda posters. This is a problem - well designed, graphically interested posters would immediately disappear from their place of post, thus not allowing the message to get out. That's why I think the evolution of propaganda has already happened. Examine the current presidential election - messages, videos and stories being disseminated on the internet. Supposed news organizations with an initiative for a specific candidate. Regardless of the truth of any of the items they are around the world in seconds. A successful YouTube video today is 100 times more effective than a great propaganda poster of the 1930's. The whole thing that's sad about this is that those posters of the 1930's and 1940's will always be cherish and have a place in history. But how long will the modern day videos and internet stories be remembered and cherished? That's the problem with the internet - there's no tangible element to remind history that it existed. Print will never be perfect, but it will always be part of history.

As a designer I say we start producing propaganda to halt the evolution of propaganda - let's see how that would workout. Of course we may need a government agency created to oversee the PATEOP (Propaganda Against The Evolution Of Propaganda).

The Impact of Image

Don't you just hate it when a client comes to you and presents a project that they want to produce and they explain to you that they only have enough budget for design and printing. They have nothing for photography or illustration. What's the point? It's kind of like building a house without a roof - it's got windows and has a foundation but it won't last long and needless to say is useless.

I can't express enough how important imagery is for any project. While there are lot of options utilizing stock these days they is still no substitute for shooting or illustrating for the actual project. I've heard many times, "Oh don't worry, Jane here is a photographer". Really, than why is Jane answering your phones. There is a reason that professional photographers get paid for what they do, simply put - it's not that easy. Sure I can come up with some brilliant ideas for a project and have an idea of how I envision a photo looking, but just because I have digital camera doesn't mean I can shoot photos.

The photos when shot properly will perfect the concept and in turn make the piece effective. Why spend the money at all if you aren't willing to get decent photography or illustration? Keep the money and throw a party, it might have a better result. Now when the budget for photography or illustration is considered the outcome can be outstanding. Regardless of what the project is imagery is going to make or break it. So next time you want to produce an amazing piece remember to add in the budget for photography and/or illustration. Your designer/agency will thank you, as will your boss for producing such an amazing piece.

A Job Worth Doing

So today I was reminded of one simple rule of business - a job worth doing is worth doing right. While I always feel this way I have experienced many people that don't.

Today I had guys coming over to sod my yard and the guy who was really just a laborer said "the ground isn't prepared properly and I really hate to put nice sod on this uneven ground". Needless to say his instructions from his boss (the owner of the company) was that it was done and ready to be put down so just do it. This led to a discussion between me and his boss that basically went nowhere. After the owner left the laborer basically explained to me that the company has a new owner and how the new owner has no interest in doing something the best that it can be. He also told me he had very little interest in working under the new owner long term since the owner took no pride in doing the job right. Now remember this guy is just a laborer, just a guy who lays sod. So this laborer and his team decided among themselves that they are going to spend the several extra hours it will take to make the job just right. He had more interest in making me happy then the owner of the company. This guys pride in his job is so important to him that he's willing to go find a company that appreciates the good work he does. Who wouldn't love to have someone like that on their payroll. Needless to say at the end of the day the guys working in the yard, doing all of the hard work. They will be getting a big tip from me.

This really sparked that whole thought of a "a job worth doing is worth doing right". When did that change? When did so many people stop taking interest and pride in their jobs? If a guy laying sod can appreciate what he does so much that he's willing to go the extra mile to make it right, why can't all of us? I personally never take a client for granted. If I'm going to take on a job of course I want to do it to the best of my ability. By doing a great job I that client will refer me to other clients and hopefully I will have the opportunity to work with that same client in the future. It sucks to do work you hate, so if you hate it find a new job or a new client and do stuff you love. Even if you aren't making as much money you'll be much happier in the end. So the next time you take a job, first make sure it's worth doing and second make sure it's done right.

Signed, "Anonymous"

This post has absolutely nothing to do with items that are graphic or creative, but I did think in a way it was brilliant and raised lots of questions. It's a website called Hello! You There! The whole point of the project is to allow people to be able to send constructive advice to a person or persons anonymously. Basically you go to the website and enter the Addressee and the advice you would like to send to them, then an actual letter is created and mailed post to the location provided. It doesn't quite stop there - the addressee can then respond on the Hello! You There! website to the addressers letter.

So, is this a social experiment? I personally think it is. The idea of what if you can tell anyone, anything without them knowing it was you is something that would intrigue almost any human. We all have that deep, dark pit inside of us that want to critique someone we know - but fear hurting their feelings and damaging relationships. Is this a solution to that? Who knows. I definitely see where people will use this to get all those little things off their chest, but obviously you can't be too specific or else it wouldn't be anonymous.

So could this go beyond, "You really need to wear deodorant"? Why not send positive comments anonymously? Wouldn't everyone love to hear something great about themselves from an anonymous person? People always love to be credited for praise and hate to be credited for critique. I guess it's human nature, but is it just another step away from the personal aspect of communications. In the new world of emails and texting do we really need to add another way to communicate that's completely impersonal? Isn't it kind of cowardly to critique someone anonymously? Longterm, aren't we just making it so that people can't speak direct and as individuals we can't cope with criticism? Do we really want the next generation to cry and have their feelings hurt every time they are criticized directly? Just like any other tool, I think it has everything to do with how you use it.

Picking the Right Client

I recently had a potential client come to me with "concepts" that they spent some time gathering and producing comps for. They had supposedly given their ideas to the decision makers and they picked a direction. This is where they wanted me to come into the picture. My question was what exactly do you want me to do? The budget they had wasn't enough to actually produce concepts and go through the rough idea stage. They said that since I was a Senior Art Director they wanted me to come up with concepts and produce ideas to present to there bosses. This baffled me. They were insisting that since I was the Art Director the concepting really needed to be done by me. That statement was one I agree with. The designers and art directors should come up with the the concepts. The problem was they already lead the decision makers down a dead end road. A direction that had little impact and no thought to the future of where this company is taking it's marketing campaign. Needless to say I saw little reason to take this any further. If you insist on a creative doing concepts bring them in at the beginning of the project.

I wanted to address this point. From my standpoint I would be more willing to take a job with not quite enough budget as along as the client was open creatively to new ideas and the real future of their company. The last thing I want to do as a designer is come in produce a crappy campaign element and never see that client again. I personally want to build that relationship and trust to help their company reach it's full potential. A long term relationship benefits the client as much as it does the designer. If you have no interest in developing a relationship with your client then you need to get out of the business.

The reason that so many people are hesitant about handing over any creative control to an outside agency is because of the agencies out there that are only doing what the client wants for a paycheck. Those agencies aren't improving their marketplace, they aren't improving the future and vibrancy of their own industry. They are destroying it. I realize not every client is perfect and a few have a hard time looking outside the box, but at least try, at least educate them on why you think your decisions are better then theirs. Do your job. At some point you have to ask yourself is this good for me? Is this good for the client? Why proceed in a direction that a client wants to proceed if you know it's a waste of money? Why proceed with a client that won't let you do what you do?

I hate harping at these little facts, but I've seen it too often. After the dust settles and after the money has been spent these clients have essentially been ripped off, duped. They put their trust in an agency that had no interest in them. The client is responsible too, but there are a lot of people out there that talk a good game. If as a client you need to call a reference for a sound mind, do it. A good agency should have no problem giving you references to call. If they give you some crazy excuse, that just means they don't want you talking to their past clients and that's not a good sign. I know as a designer I love to find out what has happened with my clients creative partners in the past to get them to move on. It's not because I want to the hear the gossip (and usually it is) it's because I want to make sure that their decision to move on was a valid one. If it's some obscure reason like they moved to a different office, or the guys breath always smelled I would have hesitations about working with that client.

Do You Identify with Your Identity?

So, I just wanted to bring up a little subject that I've been discussing with people a lot lately - Identity. I'm not talking about our identities as individuals, but the identities of our companies or the companies we work for.

Most people don't look past their graphic image (logo, promo pieces, etc.) when you mention identity. While all that plays an important part of your identity it's only 1 part. Overall your identity is defined by how others see you. How they form their impressions and opinions of your business. This includes every aspect of your business that comes into contact with the outside world. Sales people, representatives, your lobby, your trucks that make deliveries, your logo, your ads, etc. It also includes the company that your business keeps. What I mean is other businesses that you partner on projects with or vendors that produce items for you clients - in the end they are all representing your company. If your vendors or partner businesses have bad ethical practices you can bet that in the long run it will be a weakness for your company.

So what am I really getting at here? Start examining your company from an outsiders perspective. Think about what they are seeing. So often I go into a business that expects there clients to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars with them, yet they have an outdated interior, an outdated image, an outdated color palate for their logo and everything inside is a mess (and don't even get me started on websites). What in my right mind would make me consider hiring them to do a job. Do what you do when you wake up every morning and get ready to go to work, look in the mirror. Image is important, but it's not your whole identity. You can look pretty on the outside, but if you are shallow and callus you'll be spending your nights alone.

I've turned down many clients based on their unwillingness to examine their own identity before selling themselves. Putting a pile of pooh on a silver platter doesn't make it more enticing. Why do I turn down those clients - because by me choosing to work with them that becomes part of my identity. Personally I'd always like to improve my identity. It's a continuous process that never stops. So never stop thinking about what other's think of your business.

The Greatest Printer on Earth

OK, the claim as the greatest printer on Earth was my doing, but I thought it was important to bring to everyones attention a little printer out of Nashville. It's a printer that opened it's doors early in 1879 and has producing amazing show and venue posters ever since. It's called Hatch Show Print. The printing process they use is letterpress utilizing hand carved wooden plates and letters. In it's early days the press produced handbills and vaudeville posters to promote engagements. Doing the early 1900's they also became famous for producing posters for the many minstrel shows (traveling tent shows) that traveled the South. Among them the famous Silas Green minstrel show. Doing the same time they were producing posters for many theaters throughout the south. By the late 1930's The Grand Ole Opry radio show had evoloved into a stage show in Nashville. Hatch started supplying posters for all of the Opry performers opening up the door to what was soon to be the printers claim to fame. Being so close to the Opry House through the 1950's allowed Hatch Show Print to highlight it's talent to the managers and promoters of country music. Naturally their jobs evolved into producing show posters for the Country Music stars as they toured. Many of these posters are still available for purchase on their Hatch Show Prints website. By the late 1970's Hatch was producing show posters for popular music as well as it's bread and butter industry at the time, professional wrestling. As time progressed through the 1980's the musicians started coming back to Hatch, recognizing it's historical importance as well as it's unique posters. Doing this time Jim Sherraden took over the shop as manager and started restriking some of Hatch Show Prints old images as postcards and posters. Sherraden was only manager for a year and a half before leaving to pursue his professional music career. In 1986 the Grand Ole Opry bought Hatch Show Print. Not knowing exactly how to utilize the shop, they hired Jim Sherraden as a consultant. Soon Sherraden was fully in-charge of Hatch Show Print once again. As the 1990's progressed, Sherraden saw the music industry recognizing the unusual talents of both him and the shop. Doing that time he designed or printed work for clients like the Georgia Satellites, Emmylou Harris and Fossil. Sherraden also started producing monoprints of his own using various old plates in the shops archives to create artwork. As a personal owner of one of these monoprints I can honestly say it's just a print it's as much as it's a true piece of art. So the next time you are in Nashville don't forget to stop by Hatch Show Print and say hi, and make sure you don't forget to purchase a poster or postcard. I think it's good to remember a giant in both the printing and design world. It's a look that's been ripped off a million times, why not actually produce it with the good old fashioned hand carved work of yesteryear. Let's keep this history alive.