-
Explore the Edges
We have a great backyard, with a huge lawn, deck, and a playground for the kids. But even with all that space to run around and play, where do you think we consistently find our kids playing? That’s right, on the edges. In amongst the trees at the back of our yard, where the little…
-
Who are you designing for?
Despite our best attempts to be client or user-focused, often the answer is simply, “me”. Sure, we want the client to be happy (though they don’t know much about good design), and the users to have a good time (though most are stuck in Internet Explorer X), but first and foremost, we’re designing for ourselves.…
-
The Choice to Go Social
If you’re engaged in the world of social media, you’d probably be surprised how many brick-and-mortar businesses remain hesitant to join the social media hype. Whether they think it’s just a fad, fear bad reviews online, or don’t have time to invest in a growing list of social channels, many businesses still choose not to…
-
World Without Sidelines
“Another thing we can see in less industrialized parts of the world… is that something like making music, dancing, and singing together, as a participatory community that’s regular and ongoing is something that’s free, available, and part of everyday life. That’s a wealth and joy. It’s really interesting to realize that it’s been with industrialization…
-
Backyard Wonder
It started when we noticed a higher than normal population of orange-breasted robins occupying the trees in our neighbourhood. We started counting them, I think the record was 27 in a single tree. I’d never seen this many robins before! They flitted to and fro as if looking for something, making an awesome raucous all…
-
Spring Always Comes
Spring has finally arrived in Manitoba in full force. Our town is coming out of hibernation and taking a collective deep breath of rich spring air. When spring arrives every year, the memory of winter never seems so bad. But I remember this winter, somewhere between January weeks of sub -30 temperatures (Celsius, but…
-
The Basie Way
When most of us think of a leader we think of the trailblazer, the person at the front of the pack, leading the way. That’s how I’ve usually thought about leadership as well. The leader needs to stay out in front, do most of the talking, and shoulder the weight of the team. The problem…
-
The Promise of Advertising
I watched an interesting School of Life video the other day that struck me because it touched on a nagging doubt that plagues me as a marketing guy. The thought that I’m pouring all my creative juices into helping convince people to buy more stuff. Is buying more stuff really what anyone needs? Is this…
-
It’s Never Finished
There’s that moment in summer, when you’re just finished mowing the lawn, trimming the edges, cleaning up all the clippings. You put the mower away and look over your yard, the smell of fresh-cut grass filling your senses. And for just a moment, you feel the satisfaction of completion. Aaaah….. Then a moment later you…
-
My Top Reads of 2014
What did you read last year? I started 2014 with a hope of focusing more on long reading, rather than merely snacking on blogs and social media. While there’s so much great information available online, focusing on a single book or idea for a longer period is a valuable practice. A more deliberate pace and…
