WELCOME
More about curiosity, creativity and redesigns
We continue discussing curiosity - a key designerly behavior. Designers ask a lot of questions - of clients, stakeholders and users to truly understand and empathize with users before translating those insights into action to improve users' experiences.
Genuine curiosity is like a muscle that trained and strengthened through regular exercise. Begin by acknowledging that we don't know something. Research it, ask questions, adopt a beginner's mindset and don't be afraid to appear foolish.
This issue contains links to articles about creativity, redesigns of Twitter and the Whitehouse logo, and upcoming Super Bowl ads.
As Bezos said in his recent stepping-down-as-CEO announcement: "Let curiosity be your compass!"
FEATURE
‘Let Curiosity Be Your Compass’ - Three Takeaways From Jeff Bezos As He Steps Down As Amazon CEO
Bezos signed off his announcement email with "Let curiosity be your compass". Amazon's success has been rooted in the business being inquisitive and wanting to understand more about its consumers to in turn present solutions they hadn't even thought of. Think 1-click shopping, prime shipping and dash buttons (not everything was a success)
forbes.com
Inside YouTuber Mark Rober’s workshop, rocket-powered golf clubs and a giant Nerf gun
My younger son is a big Mark Rober fan and was excited when Mark Rober announced that he had a 1-month long engineering online class. He was one of the youngest students who completed it a this past week.
I love how Mark engaged students with engineering design, getting them into the discipline of brainstorm - prototype - iterate.
Whether you've heard of Mark Rober or not, take a look at this news story...
go.com
21 Ways to Inspire More Creativity in 2021
It's about that time where New Year resolutions have fizzled. Now would be a good time to look at some creativity hacks for you and your team. Practice with wonder and rigor...
inc.com
VISUAL
Imperfect, by design (Twitter)
Twitter’s got a new look. Get a peek behind the design, which... ...is ripped. Torn. Bold. Digital. Layered. And courageous. It has energy and motion.
twitter.com
Even the White House logo got a makeover. See what changed
It took 30 tries to get the new White House logo just right.
White House director of digital strategy Rob Flaherty: “It is both forward looking while having its roots in something very traditional. That’s a nice statement about what we’re trying to do here. We are bringing the country together and winning the battle for the soul of the nation, but also trying to do it in a way that makes people’s lives materially better.”
fastcompany.com
TOPICAL
What this year’s Super Bowl ads get wildly wrong
If you're like me, you forward the game and watch the ads this Sunday. While some big brands diverted their Super Bowl ad-spend, brands such as Squarespace, Robinhood, and Michelob Ultra will offer up a pep talk for almost every aspect of your life.
Also warned: Alexa's commercial is steamy...
fastcompany.com
For Black History Month, Black artists reimagine the YouTube logo
To mark Black History Month (BHM), YouTube announced that Black artists will reimagine the site's logo every week in February.
Keep a lookout for new designs the next three Mondays...
blog.youtube
NEWS
Coca-Cola loses its logo in bold new design move
Coca-Cola's new marketing campaign replaces its logo "inspiring" resolutions for 2021.
Currently on sale in Europe, and people can customize their designs online: https://store.coca-cola.co.uk/whats-your-resolution.html
creativebloq.com
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Until Next Time
It's been years since February's dates lined up so neatly... and a few more years until it happens again, so enjoy while you can!
I hope you enjoyed this issue, and the articles on the designerly behavior of curiosity and the other interesting reads.
I'm looking for feedback, of the brutally honest kind, so this can improve over time. You can reach me at lycerejo (at) gmail.com - thank you!