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Can’t say much but lol.

That… and crazy-fun stop-motion!

Mandalorian Dance
Uploaded by PatrickBoivin

My 8yr old son tends to make up jokes (to emulate his hilarious, story-telling dad). My son and I sometimes have a little competition to see who can make mom laugh.

In case you’re not a parent -  most 8yr old jokes find a place somewhere between “that doesn’t even make sense” and “lost in space”.

So this morning my son has this perplexed face (that’s when he’s thinking of a joke)…

“Hey Dad… I have a joke.”

“Okay son.”

“There was an electric man and a regular guy. The electric man walked up to the regular guy and said, ‘Hey WATTS up?’”

(and then he raises his eyebrows and waits for the laughs)

Thinking to myself, (I must one-up this young Padawan) I say… “That joke was ELECTRIC!”

He looks at me and said, “Gee dad… that was a shock”

The student has now become the master.

(I’m not even sure if he meant to be funny on the last line)

Yep, that’s right! You too can give some money for someone’s sole!

Today, there will be hundreds of bloggers communicating that they have given $5 dollars for two pairs of shoes.

“What for?” — I’m glad you asked…

“Nashville, TN — November 7, 2008 — Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to those in desperate need, has announced plans to launch a new fundraising website, www.50000shoes.com. The charity is challenging bloggers and social media users to raise funds for 50,000 pairs of new shoes in 50 days.”

“For who?” — I’m glad you asked…

Soles4Souls, with their distribution partners, work “around the corner and around the world”. They are in over 35 states and 50 countries. Areas they serve.

Footwear is a basic necessity and I personally have enough shoes in my closet to share with others in need.

I’m reminded just how insatiable we are. Chevy even played into that materialism with this commercial.

I wish we were better than that! Therefore…

I, Matt Clark, being of sound mind, do hereby donate $5,
to be delivered as a pair of shoes, on behalf of love, on this Monday, November 10, 2008.

Next!

Websites:
DONATE
Detailed information

I just read the Dave Fleet’s post on Branding… which came from Seth Godin’s post on branding… which came from Freshfuel and Dieline’s post on some new logos!
(at least I believe that’s the bunny trail that led you to here)

The BIG IDEA is:

Re-branding will not fix your company’s problems!

»»» I agree! «««

MY EXAMPLE: I saw this evident in Time Warner Cable who became Bright House in Tampa and Orlando, Florida. While they have a fresh look and better commercials… it’s still Time Warner in control and the same sluggish support and service.

Now back to the story: Pepsi’s Chief Marketing Officer Dave Burwick said

“If we don’t change quickly, we run the risk of being a footnote to history,”

First… I doubt your logo has brought you to the point of being a footnote.
Second… You do realize the expense of re-branding (stationery, signage, product bottles/cans/etc, invoices, toilet paper in CEO’s bathroom). It’s a grand-brand-task.

The reality?

You can take a bad logo and still provide great service or product and be powerful.
I know… I know… “why did you just say that, man-who-creates-logos?”

Because the logo or icon is not the brand. It’s the identifier.

It’s like this: My face might be my logo (what you see initially and identify with)… but what I DO and SAY is my brand (why you believe in me or trust in me or follow me). Nothing takes the place of consistent branding that communicates your organizations’ values and personality.

So why a logo in first place? Because everyone needs a face! Some have a good one… and others need a facelift

So here are the new identities you’ll be faced with…

Actually… when you turn it just right… the new pepsi logo looks similar to something I’ve seen lately… 

Go brand yourself!

This is a blog response to Pete Wilson’s post “This explains a lot”

What do you think is the biggest difference between you and your spouse?

I believe this picture says it all

Head back over to his post… This explains a lot.

Today GettyImages purchased Jupitermedia for $96 million. I received this letter in my box this morning…

Getty Images swept up iStockphoto.com for $50 million back in 2006. Will Getty own all the stock images in the world? 

These are some of the largest stock photography sites where designers purchase stock photos (and now vector and video). Just check out most ADs you see today… and you’ll see stock photos!

I buy credits at iStock… and have a subscription to photos.com (which is under Jupiter Images). Now… they’ll be brothers.

Is this a good thing for us (designers) or a bad thing? 

Sound off!

Read more about the purchase HERE

another creative smile by imagedesigns © 2008

A new study from Duke University shows that being exposed to the Apple logo can make you a little more creative!

Indeed, we are influenced by what we see and hear (good or bad) and sub-consciously act upon that influence. 

This also communicates the importance of “branding” over a “logo”. While I design custom logos for organizations… it’s key to communicate the consistent identity more than just an icon. While the Apple icon is cool (and cooler than IBM logo)… it’s more of WHAT they communicate and HOW (and of course their great products). They have created a style that surrounds their identity which is consistently communicated on a regular basis.

Listen to this short 3-minute interview for the full story! (link to NPR)

Enjoy some random photos from #catalyst08. Some of these photos are from the TWITTER seating section with fellow Tweeters! (feel free to download)

These are some of the Twitters that I actually met while there:
@pinkhairedgirl, @babusaada, @AmyHouck, @tiffany_d_smith, @michaelharrison

These were some that flew by me and I didn’t get to finally meet face to face:
@cadillackzak, @flowerdust, (a slew of speakers, bands)

More to come on the conference!

For some REAL photos… check out Scott Fillmer

©mattclark

The future of www.iknowtheguru.com will consist of design tips, creative video tutorials, thoughts on culture and random personal ideas. Thus far my posts have been random… but now we focus the sights.

Well… I did it! I messed it up. Yep… lost all my posts (not that I had that many)… but they’re MIA! I still have them in a folder… so I’ll post some of them. I had a buddy (@iamphilayres) set it all up… but then I went and messed it up.

one word: UGH