Ok, I had to share this article – it completely caught my attention on CNN.com thanks to the headline: Building the brand: 10 great fashion-architecture hook ups. Probably caught yours too, so I don’t feel so badly!

Anyway, the article is actually a pretty cool slideshow of cool design for high-end fashion (Dior, Armani, YSL, Chanel, Hermes, etc.).  Check it out and let me know what you like, dislike (the architecture, not the fashion).

Well the blossoms are now off the trees, baseball season is underway (go Nats!), playoffs are just starting in the NHL (C-A-P-S, Caps, Caps, Caps!), and spring fever has set in for real.  To get myself back into the groove, I thought I would share some workplace findings…

• What Your Name Says About You. You thought picking a name for your pet rock was tough??  Just think about if you had to engrave the poor thing.  Check out Doug West’s thoughts on branding.
• A Home Away from Home.  Mike McKeown shares his thoughts on expressing individuality in the office…especially if you don’t have an assigned desk!
• The Human Spirit and the Workplace Machine. After

…

Well the blossoms are now off the trees, baseball season is underway (go Nats!), NHL playoffs are starting tonight (C-A-P-S, Caps, Caps, Caps!), and spring fever has set in for real.  To get myself back into the groove, I thought I would share some workplace findings…

• Work+Place History (7): History Happens Now. Check out a recent feature on HOK’s Jim Rice in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.  Jim is a superstar cyclist (and workplace strategist).
• How Brand Influences Workplace.  Mike McKeown shares some great images and concepts from a recent office relocation project for Millward Brown.

Enjoy the spring, and stay tuned for Episode XXVIII!

Brandkarma is a new website that aims to “help everyone make better brand choices and influence brand behaviour for good”…

The website features news stories about each brand, but relies on the input of its users to rate how well brands are performing. These ratings, called ‘doos’, are then visualized by ‘karma flowers’ for a quick overview of what people are saying about each brand. Detailed comments and news can then be read and shared with others via scoail media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

“Make the world better, one brand at a time. Join the conversation now!”

Jacqueline, Rob and Monte compare regional riding techniques.

Last week, 30 of the firm’s sharpest marketing minds hitched their wagons and journeyed into the Wild Wild West (OK, it was western Michigan, but let’s not get hung up on details). These brave pioneers ventured into the land of fine furniture to continue crafting the ideal HOK.

After wisely choosing to expand the definition of “branding” beyond its narrow Western origins, the group considered how to leverage HOK’s brand to unleash its true potential.

Our friends at Haworth deserve a Texas-sized thank you for hosting us at their gorgeous offices (and a collegial tip …

Seems everywhere you turn there’s a shocking disaster, an emerging scandal, or a fresh demonstration of our sputtering economy.

In response to the doom-and-gloom news that surrounds us, I created a light-hearted video that blends pop culture and politics with an A-to-Z glimpse at some familiar consumer brands. It’s backed by one of my favorite tunes from 1987 (a year most commonly remembered for Black Monday, the Iran-Contra Affair and the defrocking of televangelist Jim Bakker).

And so I boldly proclaim: It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel FINE). 

after standing in line for almost 4 whole hours this morning to vote (UGH!) i got to thinking about what this sticker on my shirt meant.  it really is a badge – a statement.  conveniently, when i finally made it into the office, i ran across this great manifesto by a fellow designer.  talk about branding and identity definition – how would your book read?