Thieves!

I was recently outraged by a bottle of smoothie (I know, only me).

It wasn't out of date.

It wasn't expensive. I didn't even buy it.

The bottle didn't cut, bruise or in any way damage me physically.

It did however feature the 'Froosh' company logo, a clean simple font where to two 'O's are manipulated to look like cherries. This logo (infuriatingly) looks identical to one I designed for cherries in my portfolio, in a range of funky formats.

I know it's unlikely that a multinational company is getting their ideas from a jester in converse trainers but it's still ruddy annoying. Why, Froosh? Why? They don't even use cherries in their smoothies - Jerks!

OK, bad news:

Anyone I show this to (including future employers) will see the Froosh logo when (and if) I show them my work. I'll either look like someone who is same as everyone else or like someone who steals from everywhere else. Neither of which will brighten a gloomy day.

I'm the creative equivalent of Herbert Spencer...

Glad you asked! Herbert Spencer was the original proponent of the term 'Survival of the fittest' (sound familiar?), but then this joker, "Darwin" wandered on to scene and took the glory. Despite coining the term, Herbert was left a whisper in history and Charles the thief got all the credit.

In this scenario I'm inaudible to people more than two feet away.

The good news (and the point I'm going to focus on):

I have some good ideas. Good enough for a multinational organization. It's a charming little logo, regardless of who was the originator (I was!). This provides, a glimmer at least, of a silver lining, in that I have what it takes to do something in this industry. In fact, I have pushed my idea further than Froosh. I won't say how (spies everywhere) but I think it separates our ideas enough to satisfy my ego.

I can take this compliment, move on, develop, get better, until my ideas are unreachable to envious fruit companies.

So no more of this childish competition. We are brothers of creativity after all, and we should let each other's ideas live and let live.



Mine's better anyway.

Be Stupid!

During my first few days at D&AD we ransacked the warehouse and found loads of interesting entries from the previous year, (which we rather shamelessly kidnapped for ourselves). So now, sat on my desk, is various posters including one from Diesel - the 'Be Stupid' campaign.

As far as a campaign for jeans goes - not the best, but it does present an interesting philosophy.

I like the idea behind 'Be Stupid'.

I think it's something that I haven't done an awful lot lately. I personally think that world needs a bit of stupid every now and again. It's refreshing and it can more often than not, lead to something new.

A lot of things aren't tried because they are deemed stupid.

A lot of ideas aren't followed through because of people being afraid to look stupid and make the wrong decision.

The other weekend I tried something stupid. I went to a roller-skating rink slash bar. Combining skating with alcohol sounds like a stupid idea. It may actually be a stupid idea... but it was amazing. I can't actually remember having that much fun in a loooonnnng time.

This whole experience taught me that "stupid" isn't necessarily a bad thing. Its an excuse to not try something new or adventurous, to stick to tried and tested methods, to learn using books and guesswork.

Poppycock!

The best way to learn is to do even if it may seem stupid at the time. It's more effective and, as it turns, more fun.

Should I be elevated into a position of power I will declare it the national philosophy to be stupid and create a nation of the world's "stupidest" smart people. Until my takeover however, I am simply going to make more stupid, and therefore better, decisions.

Batter Up

I feel a bit more pressure writing this post today. I started at D&AD on Friday, had a great day and saw lots of amazing creative work- blinding creative work. I mean, there were pet chickens with pet chickens, and pubs on boats, and balls transforming into words in the air (honest). That all raises the bar.

It creates a whole new level of expectations.

Lots of genius people with genius ideas about genius looking...

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from their pillars of proven excellence at the young rookie entering the fray, with a degree in business, a very literal mind and limited (awful) drawing skills trying to be a creative. I always imagine when someone becomes exquisite, and I mean absolutely fucktastic, in their field, they turn into a pipe-smoking, smarty pants in a silk robe with one eyebrow raised and an audible scoff at the idea of anyone achieving what they have.

"Preposterous" he'd say between one puff of his pipe and the next.

(I don't really believe this to be true. I'm yet to meet anyone creative, especially who's successful, who is anything short of warm. It's just a humourous image I like to use.)

You see, I operate a lot like Everton FC. They always act like the underdog, and they thrive off of it. I remember when I started drumming I was left in awe of Travis Barker. He was so amazing. I loved watching him play everyday because he showed me what was possible to do with a pair of sticks. I used him as my competition and it made me work harder and motivate myself awesome.

I guess I'm a scrapper at heart.

It's the best asset I have right now. I'm a passionate storyteller and would like to sneak my way into a position where I can write nonsense for people and live adequately off of it, but my writing can only get me so far. My spirit and general noisiness also has a part to play in any success I should have.

As for the new standards, I look forward to taking them on. I'm gonna dance (like a psych patient) over them and enjoy doing so. I'll show Lord Smarty Pants... and his pretentious pipe too.

Teachers

I was wandering across the YouTube universe when I was directed to a video of Jennifer Love-Hewitt. I approached the video like I do most things in life- a quiet curiosity but wasn't expecting anything special. While watching however something unexpected happened- I learned something. Jennifer said something that really stuck with me. I'm not going to share what it was because that isn't the point. The point is that everyone can teach. There are opportunities to learn all around us, if we just take the time to listen.

The Balance Theory

Would you like to know one of the most commonly said phrases to me? "You can't eat pizza everyday Will".

Poppycock! While we're on the subject though I would like to say a thing or two. First, to those people who are trying to rain on my parade, trying to separate me from my delicious friends (How dare you!), I would like to point out that it's a bit harsh to will punishment upon me, when my only crime is, I haven't been punished. The area does arouse my interest though. I have always been a fan of behaviour, stories, and in this case, nonsense.

So, where do these stories come from and why does everyone believe them?

I've always thought that people believe in a fair and just world as a self-defense mechanism. Balance makes us feel safe- to think that if we are nice, people will be nice to us in return. If I get a parking ticket in a particular car park then, you should too. Most of the time these stories and information they relay goes against their own experiences. I guess that 'universe balance' theory makes them feel as if they have some control over their lives. Unfortunately, it's not balanced and they don't have control.

This world is full of chaos, randomness and frankly, nonsense. There is no balance, no rules. It can't be controlled. But why would you want to?

Not having control is a good thing. No control means there are no rules, and no rules means no limitations. The universe is boundless which (theoretically, at least) means we can do anything we want. We can achieve anything. It means that our realization of our own powerlessness walks hand in hand with an almighty, 'Fight Club' style, liberation. I would like to propose, that by accepting the universe as it is (instead of the stories you hear) and denying your own narcissism, it rather poetically gives you more power.

Of course, it is up to you to determine which belief structure you subscribe to, but I won't be attending any 'Pizzaholic Anonymous' meetings in the near future.

Bored

There's a word that's been on my mind a lot today - bored. It tends to be seen as a negative feeling but is it? Does it have to be seen like this?



Why can't it be seen like this?



Isn't that better?

My opinion is that bored should be redefined. It can be positive, perhaps even exciting, as contradictory as that sounds. Bored is an opportunity, it's a challenge. It's the interval between one memorable moment in life and the start of the next. It's a hunt for something interesting. The recognition that your current activities or lifestyle are not stimulating enough to warrant your full attention and effort. It is the availability of time, coupled with the desire to use it more productively. The motivation to change our lives for the better.

When you think about it, wouldn't the world be a better place if more people were bored?

Declaration of Intent

I talk too much about advertising. I don't like people in advertising who only talk about advertising but my posts have all been advertising, advertising, advertising. I can't even open a post without talking about it. It's what's on my mind but it isn't what this blog was for.

It was for all the things I find creative, inspirational and wonderful on this ride through life. It was to motivate me to go explore and wander until I found things that make my heart excited. It didn't have boundaries. It wasn't for anything. It was just a document of my hunt for beauty and eccentricity.

I got off course and wandered off, much like I do in real life so I'm going to try to somehow find my way back. Write about things that interest me. Advertising interests me but so does design, music, photography, technology, philosophy... pretty much everything.

This is a declaration of intent. To expand my horizons a bit. I am somewhat trapped in London, one of the richest cultural places to be so I am going to try to soak up a bit more and find some inspiration.

What If Advertising Sucks?

Everyone keeps telling me advertising is great...

"It's fun"

"It's creative"

"It's the best job in the world"

... but what if it's not? What if they are full of shit? What if they are so full of shit that they can't even smell what they are shoveling? I've heard lots of numbers being thrown around, "four years", "six months", "18 months" with regard to how long it takes to get into the industry.

That's a long fucking time.

How can a job in advertising (or any job for that matter) be worth that? I done some thinking and I currently have a theory- It's not. It's not worth it at all. It's possible. If we consider how human beings rationalise their own behaviour, it's very possible. Let's say the chain of events goes as follows: man decides he wants to go into advertising, studies at college/university for a few years, applies around for jobs for several months/years (perhaps working as an intern/on a placement) and finally gets the call they've been waiting for.

Now, that job, be it amazing, average or downright awful will still be perceived to be amazing. Regardless of the experience he will be blind to any drawbacks because his ego is tied to their position and the hard work it represents. God bless repression!

It has all the makings of some twisted psychological form of employment Stockholm syndrome. Like a child with an abusive parent that convinces themselves Daddy hits them "for their own good"

I must confess, that I am new to this game and haven't suffered much at all in terms of rejection, but I've done my research. I know what to expect. I can't imagine after 12 months, much short of spectacular would be worth my while yet I still want this career, this chase. There are much easier ways to go with easier success so why go for it? Maybe, I'm just stupid. Most humans are stupid most of the time and I am human most of the time.

My alternative theory is this. I want to take a chance, take a risk. I don't care if I get destroyed! Winning all the time makes it meaningless so winning once means everything. I hate playing it safe, because ultimately, reward is proportional to the risk we take to get it. By this logic, maybe, advertising actually could be worth it. Only one way to find out though.

Finding Somewhere

'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to from here?'

"That depends a great deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat

'I don't care much where-'

'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat

'- so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.

'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the cat, 'if you can only walk long enough.'

I am once again delving into Wonderland but once again for a valid reason. You see, for all my research and education in marketing, advertising and communications in general I'm still not sure where I'm going. That is why I have kicked up my roots and shot down to London Town. My thinking being a lot easier to judge a landscape if you can see it. Makes sense right?

I have to say it feels good to be here. I'm filled with equal parts excitement and gut wrenching fear (Ok, maybe 40-60) but that's the healthy thing to aim for. I couldn't take sitting on the sidelines of Norfolk, watching everyone try and not give it a go myself. I went out for a few drinks last night to celebrate my new housemate's birthday (and on a sub-level, my arrival) and there was a bit of awkwardness when people asked me what I do:

Well I do advertising... well, not yet... but I want to do some... not like Mike (who does facebook ads etc)... but creative ideas and writing... and stuff... well kind of... so what do you do?

It, is, awful. I suppose the good thing from my point of view is that my overthinking mind already compared having a job I don't like but pays and being unemployed for a while until I get what I want and I stand by it's decision. Still, I have to say it will be made painful by the fact that my current social circle consists of almost exclusively economists and bankers. Still I think it will work in the long run... I think.

So from here on out, it will just be me, my boots and this road without any signposts. As I don't know where I'm going I have the luxury of being unable to take the wrong path - as long as I get somewhere.

Hope

I'm big fan of storytelling, most of all, the way heroes and villains are so frequently portrayed so obviously. The good guy, usually dressed in white defeats the black evil doer and world peace follows.

Right. That's great. Good for them.

Sometimes, however, stories manipulate the truth and bad guys can be portrayed as good. I would like to expose one of these sheeps for the wolf that it is. My target is a little thing most of you have heard of called hope.

Hope is not good. It is not your friend. Hope is a wolf, and it will betray you when it starts to get hungry.

Let's use an example. Lets use Max, the cab driver from the movie 'Collateral'. For those of you of who haven't seen it, Max is a cab driver who dreams of owning his own limo company (there's a part where an assassin by the name of Tom Cruise gets in his back seat but that is irrelevant for this point). He has plans and ideas formulating in his head, talks the talk and walks... oh wait, he doesn't 'walk'.

Do you know why? I'll tell you.

Hope.

He hopes it will happen. He hopes one day his dream will come. With a pinch of irony, the hope we have for something often paralyses us against making it happen. Hope leads to fear that our dreams won't come true, or be as good. Most of the time people would rather hang on to the hope they have for something than actually try because trying means the image they have in their heads will have to be destroyed.

It's such a shame because hope is meaningless. Actions count! I understand the comfort hope can bring but unless you try to achieve what you want hope gathers more value than it deserves and becomes a hinderance.

I'm not saying this to be cruel. I'm saying it to give you the motivation to actually chase your dreams and desires. Hopefully at least (I couldn't resist!)

Heaven on Earth

Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad.
But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.
David Hume

The new trailer for Devil May Cry 5 is reigniting my love for the series. The mythology and story are so rich that it's easy to delve completely into it's world. One my favourite ideas is the outside-in view of mankind portrayed. To me, it feels like seeing the backstage area of the world.

I think that it's our downfalls and weaknesses are what make us special so, once the veil of romanticism is lifted off of mankind it's true beauty can show through.

Thoughts on 'The Hood'

I recently reread 'Little Red Riding Hood' and I have some thoughts.

Firstly the protagonist, Red Riding Hood. How disappointing she is and certainly not the brightest light bulb in the house if she can't tell the difference between her grandmother and a four-legged, carnivorous canine. Maybe she should be going to school instead of having picnics in the wood?

As for the wolf. Well foremost, he's a WOLF! People always seems surprised or disappointed when he tries to eat people. Why? That what wolves do. Would people be surprised to get stung by a bee or wet from the sea? No! Let's give him some kudos for taking a more sophisticated, strategy all be it not in the most flattering manner.

I do however feel sorry for Grandma, the poor, neglected old lady. I would like to point out though that the wolf getting into her house was the result of negligence on her part, be it, from leaving a window open or answering the door to a wolf so we get an idea of where Little Red gets her wits from.

I want to rectify the Lumberjack myth as well. He's not a hero. He's a murderer of the smartest wolf on record and (depending on which version of Riding Hood you subscribe to) possibly a pedophile.

Here At Reading

Frankly, the lateness of this post is an outrage but I was struck by 'Reading Flu' for the week and a bit after the festival so it got put on the shelf.

This is just some clever ideas I noticed during the festival that I thought were worth sharing.




This is for 'bollocks to poverty' campaign to raise awareness. They were giving out temporary tattoos and had a photobooth, a tent with ping pong and foosball table. I like it that the charity adapted it's approach for the festival and got people interested using fun. I will believe in the power of fun over guilt when it comes to charity.



How trendy are these? They not only look cool but you can attach it to your ipod and play music out of the speakers. I'm a guy so I can't wear it but I still think that's amazingly clever.



This looks good too but that's not why it's here. Have you read it? It's quite possibly the best I have ever heard a bacon bap sound. Seeing this 'the morning after' was irresistable. Unfortunately, afterwards you realize it's still just a bacon bap.



This is just something that caught my eye. I have only seen the atticus bird upside down. I think it's some form of artistic side emerging, noticing how different things can look when you look at them from a new perspective.



Finally, how about a moment of sympathy for the poor chump who had to film from the top of this enormous crane. Poor little guy!

Why Being A Billionaire Would Suck

Travie McCoy wants to be a billionaire (so frickin' bad) and I like to play devil's advocate. What better motivation to write a new post?

This isn't just a passing thought. This has been on my mind for a while. It's one of those random things you discuss that everyone seems to have the same opinion on- Yes I would like to be rich. Why?

My first thought is that we associate more with better, so more money means a better life. Not being a fan of groundless rationalities I would like to present some reasons why being a billionaire would suck.

1. Value
All the way down to our subconscious mind we create values for products based on what they cost. That's why when you eat food from the mini bar it tastes 'better' just because we are paying more. Continuing this line of thought, if you were a billionaire even the most expensive meal would be nothing but pocket change meaning, it would taste like a dog's back on a hot day.

2. Snobs
No-one likes them but the transformation into 'snobdom' is unavoidable like sunlight, the aging process or people putting mayonnaise in your sandwich.

3. Work
The simple truth is no billionaire works 9-5. They are either CEO of multinational corporations, in which case they work all, the, time, or, they're playboys who never really work (they may call themselves socialites). This means either

a) you never see your friends
b) you sit around all day like an old maid, staring to the horizon, waiting for your friends to finish work.

Lame.

4. Trust
Everyone has trust issues. Imagine what would happen if you had a billion reasons for someone to betray you. How would that feel? You wouldn't trust anyone. Boo Hoo. Much worse than your insecurities is the very real possibility that you are not being paranoid at all. You better believe if there was the possibility of gaining a few million dollars commission, assassins will be lining up left, right and centre to unleash their AK47 at your Armani covered ass.

5. No Restrictions
Not completely unrelated to the first point I suppose but from the other side. We love chocolate because we can't have it. Cigarettes are desirable (to some (other) people) because they are wrong. We love things that are stupid and ultimately lead to our demise. BIllionaires have no such area. Want to raft down a waterfall of Mediterranean budgies? Easy. Want a playstation 3 that cooks your breakfast with lasers? It is made. There are no limits and with that comes a world with no desire.

So there you have it. A few select reasonings why you are better the way you are. So please, next time you drool over the thought of super wealth, remember how lucky you are to be a broke loser nobody wants to be.

Imagination Vs Reality

I've been having some extra time on my hands lately so I decided to update my music video repertoire and try to find a music video that was original or witty or in anyway different from the rest of the pack.

I failed.

Everything that I saw looked the same to me, or like something done before. Rapper walking through ghetto with bikini clad ladies; Rock band playing to overenthusiastic crowd; and Neyo, stop stealing from Michael Jackson, PLEASE!



However, my efforts were not completely wasted. I stumbled onto this beauty on Kerrang and it caught my attention for one simple reason. If a movie was made about my life, or me (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, hollywood) then this is how the protagonist, me, would see the world. Half reality, half fantasy and both sides barely distinguishable from each other and forming one abstract visual. I love it when life is interrupted by imagination coming in and crashing the party. It doesn't call and make an appointment, it just shows up uninvited and chaos ensues.

I've always thoughts that's how it should be, with both elements at the same time. Reality is not entertainment. I don't see the purpose of watching something that could happen in real life, or worse, that commonly happens, he said shaking his head at the thought of 'big brother'. On the other hand fantasy works much better on it's own but still not as good as the team like chocolate and caramel. They both taste good alone but together they are a force to be reckoned with. Yum. What was I talking about again?

Inside Me

In search of inspiration I decided to look inside myself, see what I find and well... ta-da!!!



There is something fantastically backwards about drawing words.

What came first?

It's an ancient question, which came first the chicken or the egg?





Let me give you the 411

I like Magner's cider. It's yummy! I also like their ad where people catch things and dive around in a puppet like fashion.

In contrast, I don't like Bulmers cider. It's not a pleasant taste to me. Too sweet. Coincidently I also don't like their ad with summer in their shed or factory or whatever that is.

I'm not a fan of coincidence so... there be 3 explanations by my eye.

1. I like the cider based on whether I like their ads in which case, kneel before advertising lowly peasants. Mwah ha ha ha!

2. I like ads based on the cider (This is more likely as I seem to remember making my decisions about said ciders before I'd seen any advertising about them). Back in your box, advertising!

3. I judge both aforementioned ciders and ads independently of the others based on my own reasonings. This can't be true. Can it?

A Widdle

If two Will's are better than one, is Will Wills better than two Wills' because Will Wills has two Wills' in one?

The Latest Addition to My "Crib"

Not many people know this but I have an imaginary house that I'm going to buy/build when I become rich. It has an indoor bouncy castle room, a music studio/event arena and on the walls of my enormous bedroom is wallpaper created from a comic I designed. Thank you, that IS a wonderful idea! I know! I began thinking about this when I used to watch MTV cribs as a youngster and somehow it's all blossomed into being one step away from me drawing up blueprints and getting estimates.*

Recently I have added a new feature to the crib. Musical Stairs! I want them, I want them NOW!

While my crib is inspired, this idea is genius!

A lot of you will probably have seen this already (since it happened ages ago) but in case you travelled here from the past, or recently feel into a long hole and have only just escaped, I thought I'd share it with you.

This is one of the ideas from the fun theory. It's a project from Volkswagon trying to encourage better choices through the addition of fun. There is a whole load of ideas so have a look if you want a giggle or inspiration for something creative you're doing.

http://www.thefuntheory.com/

All of the ideas I've seen so are so ingenious that I am hulk green with envy yet simultaneously inspired. This is the kind of thing I love to see.

Love <3 Love <3 Love

Imagination meets Good Deeds makes Happiness. That's my kind of threesome.


* Please note, I am poor and will probably never own my "crib" so no calls from architects/estate agents/golddiggers please!

Thank You Hugo!

This was actually the first time I have come across Sienna Miller. Thank you, Hugo!

There's something natural about this ad. It doesn't say 'glamorous' to me. It says 'fun' or 'jump' or other word with connotations of energy. To me it seems to have a completely different feel to other fragrance pieces featuring size zero models strutting down hallways with a gaze you'd probably see on a spider when a fly bounces into it's web. It's much more natural and warm. Overall if it were a girl, she'd be interesting and fun and personally much more appealing.

I think its great that this perfume brand took a different direction than the others. Without going into too much detail and revealing my extensive knowledge of perfume adds (It was for research, I promise) it's nice to see a cosmetic that would make a woman feel good to have instead feeling bad they didn't have it, if that makes any sense. In our facebook driven, image obsessed culture I for one have noticed a decline in self esteem which I think is a tragic shame considering how beautiful everyone is. Hopefully this would do a little bit to counteract that. Thank you again Hugo!