No reason … Just love this!

As a designer, a brand strategist, a photographer and much, much more, I have come to a realization … So, what is key to the success of “our” mission? Stewardship of Potential. We must bridge the gap between conservative practicality and great vision.

So many are hindered by the thought of failure, that they are not willing to even attempt the smallest amount risk to reach any success. Fear can be crippling. But I’m more fearful of not succeeding, than I am of potential failure. Failure is not the end all, be all. Its just one step in realizing the solution. Failure is the path to success. How many different light bulb experiments did Edison create before one actually worked? Over 10,000!

Many times, clients are blind to the potential of  success. And we must be stewards of that potential, bridging the perceived valley of death. Regardless of the visual aesthetics of any given design, it holds very little value in the equation of success divided by risk multiplied by cost. Conservative practicality will always prevail … it’s safe. Unless, the potential of success is properly communicated. If at first it not understood, repeat. And yet still not understood, then adjust the explanation. And repeat as necessary.

Stewardship of potential is key to attaining success with a client.

Read. Think. Then Reply. You’ll sound Genius!

Ok, while that may not be exactly 100% truthful, one can at least guard themselves from sounding or appearing to be less than competent. It easy, really!

Agency-to-client consultation can be a bit dicey sometimes. Most often with consultation one is trying to guide. To guide from one’s own experience, one’s own learned mistakes, one’s own learned successes. Yet, recently when providing some very straightforward consultation regarding the value of social media, and how it is best leveraged, my consultation was less than appreciated. It was perceived to be counter to the client’s own objectives. It was perceived to be lecturing! Unfortunately, this was in no way my intent. And note, I was quite diligent in the use of my language in hope to avoid this very outcome.

Here’s the thing … My only goal for any client is the client’s success. The success of the basic objectives. Because I know that only if my efforts translate to success will the client solicit my help with future successes.

And here’s the rub … If my consultation is ignored or discounted, I still have to execute the will of the client. And I’m happy to! Only, when the client comes back to me in a month or longer and asks why this particular initiative was not quite as successful as I had initial positioned, it’s difficult to respond with … “Well, I told you so!”

Not too long ago, I ran around Manhattan with 25 white, helium-filled balloons for a photo project … Purity in the City. Well, this basic idea was replicated by 300 +/- volunteers who were a part of City Uprising 2009. Purity in the City photo project was one of two Arts Renegade Projects curated by SALT artspace. And all the participants took photos while galavanting through the streets of NYC, documenting their experience.

I also went out with a one of these groups and took portraits, which you can see by clicking here.

All of the particpants photographs were collected, printed and became a part of an interactive gallery exhibition at SALT artspace … Photos above.

Recently summoned to my civic duty, I was in lower Manhattan in the heart of the NYC Judicial system. Sat for hours and hours in a large room … Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

While out for a lunch break, I stumbled upon this octagonal urban oasis in the middle of a small park. Beautiful and refreshing.

Gotta love public art installations!

One of the many missions of City Uprising 2009 was the Arts Renegade Projects on the streets of NYC. And one these Arts Renegade Projects followed one of my recent, personal projects … Purity in the City, the 25 white helium filled balloon project.

On Monday afternoon I followed one of the many groups that descended on the city with 25 white helium filled balloons, and we went up on the Highline. We had a great time … Short-lived, but lots of fun. We spent about 30-45 minutes walking down the Highline, and I took a handful of portraits in the process.

So, I know the coolest 12 year old in all of New York City … Noah R. And he recently had this killer idea that ended up being called “12 Second Sketch.”

It all started one day in Central Park when Noah decided to sketch the Dakota building. For those who don’t know, that’s the super-famous building where John Lennon resided, and was shot just outside. Anyway, Noah decided to sketch the building in 12 seconds, because, well … He’s twelve!

And today, Noah, Paul, Jenny and myself set out to make a short film that explains all of this. We interviewed Noah, so that he could explain his concept. However, we didn’t want the visuals of the film to explain the concept. We want the visuals of the film to represent Noah’s perspective. So, that’s what we set out to accomplish. We headed downtown to the Meat Packing district to the Highline. We shot video, shot some stills, did a quick audio interview, and took some audio clips from the streets of NYC.

Looking forward to seeing the final piece. Paul’s supposed to be putting it all together tomorrow and it will be used at City Uprising this year in NYC. Over 400 volunteers are going to be running through Manhattan trying to get New Yorkers to participate in a 12 second sketch of “anything that comes to mind.”

Pretty cool, no?

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with a young couple & their daughter who are from Sciliy, here in NYC on vacation visiting family. It was a glorious afternoon following weeks of rain. It was a perfect day for this. A few selects above.

Could this be an attempt at preemptive leniency from a police office if this driver were pulled over for a traffic violation? This sign definitely does not look official by any means. However, if the desired objective is attained, then the design would be a success. Potential proof that design isn’t always pretty!