How Passion is related to Lassie
Backsides are insanely captivating.
Of trucks, I mean.
A few days ago I drove in my bright blue Nissan Micra to the gym for a trial session.
Lifting dumbbells. Squats. Crunches. You know what I mean. I’ve never done that before, but I think I can do this.
Dennis is my coach. Nice guy. I like his positive smile.
Anyway.
A truck looms up in front of me, showing an image of a cool guy with a dog, standing in a designer living room.
The guy stares at me with an intense look. Text is written over him. And a URL.
I immediately grab my camera and take a picture, because I could see there was a lot that wasn’t working here:
What’s the message behind this picture?
Does this guy live in this house?
Is he a designer?
Why is he wearing a coat?
Is he going to walk the dog?
Did he just come back from walking the dog?
Does he ever walk the dog?
Is it his dog?
What’s the dog’s function anyway?
Designed with passion? Nope. I don’t see passion here.
And what about the URL? I’d have to use a mnemonic, because I will never remember these letters PTMD.
In short: I almost fall asleep and I will never order anything from this company. I don’t even understand what I could order. It’s very unclear to me.
Now you might think: Marenthe, act normal! What’s wrong with you?
Nothing’s wrong with me.
Long ago I had my own design agency where I designed campaigns and clever texts for big clients. Such as the campaign for the launch of Flowmagazine. I designed twenty huge posters for the Dutch Dance Theatre and forged a cool trend book for a well-known magazine, to name but a few projects.
You didn’t know this? That’s okay. I’ve not mentioned it. Luckily I’m writing a book about it!
What’s my point here?
What has always amazed me is: Why are entrepreneurs and companies SO deadly boring when it comes to their marketing strategies?
Twenty years ago when I designed fluorescent hand-lettered posters or collages in which I glued legs to heads, everyone thought I was crazy. I submitted ideas to clients who, uncomfortably fidgeting with the mouse-gray buttons on their jackets, invariably said:
I love it, but my CEO is super-conservative
Our customers are not ready for this
This is too progressive for us
I honestly couldn’t understand these reactions. Because, shouldn’t the biggest desire, as far as possible, be to stand out so that buyers fall head over heels in love with your product?
Steve Jobs (Apple founder) spoke these legendary words in 1997:
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
This makes me extremely happy.
Creative people think, feel and behave differently. Rebels simply don’t fit in perfect boxes. They crave the misshapen containers. They challenge, disrupt, and chafe at the status quo. In short, you need rebels to create something new.
Let’s go back to the truck.
I think this image needs a little more fun or quirkiness. That would attract customers like bears to honey-pot.
What about this?
Briefly:
There’s nothing wrong with you.
Simply embrace your inner Lassie, aka inner rebel.
Having an inner rebel is a gift but you need to nourish that.
You have a superpower, and that requires a unique approach. Your creative brain needs to play, run around, find fresh oxygen. Otherwise it will simply stagnate.
Go for it, rebel.
Kiss(es),
Marenthe 💞
Now my question for you is:
May I be your mentor on your holy, creative trail?
Not sure you’re an artist?
Think again.
Whether it’s painting, singing, tap dancing, making collages, writing, drawing, baking cakes, doodling, or art journaling, anything that maximizes your happiness and that gives you energy rather than taking it, matters. I’m willing to bet you create art every single day.
Do I hear a YES?
It would be my honor to help you with that. 💖
And don’t wait too long, because…
If not now, then when?!
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