Nothing will ever quite be the same again. The people who bought us idea paint (yes, I have mentioned it before) – the paint that turns any surface into a whiteboard have launched a new product – CLEAR.
CLEAR can be applied over any type and any color of interior paint to achieve a dry erase think space that seamlessly blends with any decor. It is also certified low-emission, virtually odorless (insert happy dance here). This is one of those companies who make innovative products with a conscience (insert sigh of contentment here). To add to this they are donating $25 for each kit sold to charity: water a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
The future just became CLEAR - imagine the possibilities! – what would you use if for?
Watch the video below. You can read my other post about idea paint here.
Cena have been sponsoring my blog for a few months now, but I have to tell the truth I didn’t really know them very well. I kind of knew what they did, and knew the concept was clever (hence the great match for blog sponsorship) but now I’m thinking differently.
I sat down with Billy (the owner) and had a good talk. He is passionate about food and wine, and soon had me won over to the concept. Cena basically do three things : the cafe, catering and ready to cook. I opted for the ready to cook option this time… and he recommended the Authentic Chicken Enchiladas (3 for $16, 6 for $26) and a bottle of wine (recommended by Billy and only $13). 30 mins in the over later…. I think the pictures will tell the story…
They were giant (I was very pleased we opted for a salad with them), delicious, packed with chicken, and well let’s just say I had to hide the third one from my husband so it would be left for him to take to work for lunch today. The wine was delicious, soft and dry and mmmmmm. (I’m not sure they are proper wine terms, but I will be buying more bottles) My husband was won over (and that’s not easy). As we finished the meal he looked up, smiled and said “What are we trying next?….”
If you are in Lafayette, pop into Cena and find out more. You can eat lunch or/and take something home to cook. Yes, they sponsor my blog so I try to write about anything interesting they are doing… but now I know that what they do everyday isn’t just clever, but yummy too.
Muji is probably my all-time favorite store in the UK (and now in the US as well) – they do simple and clever so very well. I’m planning on getting this checklist stamp because, well, who doesn’t need a checklist stamp in their lives? – I can think of a million uses for it already (ok, I’ve only thought of 48 but I don’t even have a checklist stamp yet) from Muji US 0r if your Mum lives in the UK you can probably send her a begging email like I did! (via notcot)
I’m not sure how I missed this stuff but I’m ordering some today – I can already think of a million things that it will help make better… Sugru sticks to most things and air dries to a flexible rubber, its strong and durable, you can use it outside, and it’s removable. I haven’t tried it yet but I will, and will let you know what I think. I have some mac cords that could definitely use a little extra rubber and I’m sure I will hack lots of things. I wish they did an all-white pack but I guess most people don’t live like me – find out more here, or those of you who are amazon faithful click here.
You may have seen this video, it went viral recently. Following the much copied style of the Old Spice campaign Dave from Dollar Shave Club* introduces this simple concept. Simple may just be the new clever.
What can you make more simple in your business?
Can you make it easier for people to try your product? or to stop working with you?
Can you help make them want to tell others about it?
How do you make what you do more fun?
We can all learn some important lessons from the dollar shave club (and get a great shave)
This has made me grin in a way that only clever can. Euro RSCG 360, Paris came up with this bag for French toy company Joupi using the company’s existing tagline “Expert in children’s smiles” – can someone please send me one?
Our sponsors The Lab have a beautiful new logo – things are moving along, we (like the rest of Lafayette) can’t wait for them to open so we can try the Handcrafted Coffee & Comforts for ourselves.
They sent over a couple of other images that I can share with you, just to get your taste buds ready. I love the thoughtfulness they are putting into every aspect of their business, it speaks volumes about the quality they will achieve.
Go over to their Facebook page and make sure you like them – you are going to want to know more about them.
Help Remedies already had my attention with their beautiful packaging range, and now they have my undying love with the new twist they have added. Their adhesive bandages, “Help I’ve cut myself”, now come with a bone marrow testing kit, if you cut yourself you can swab a little of the blood and send it off to register to be a bone marrow donor. Genius. Freakin’ genius. The idea came from Graham Douglas, who had pitched the idea to every adhesive bandage company he could find, and found his match in the great people behind this already iconic brand. Read more on Good.is. I will buy the first packet of these I see, I hope you do the same. Visit Help Remedies here and say thank you by buying their brand. (trust me their website is as delightful as their products).
This made me grin. Wonderful announcement that the Manchester Evening News is moving. Designed by The Chase -A design company that includes many people from the wonderful University of Central Lancashire (yes, I went there) – It’s where my idea obsession started.
I was surfing the internets looking for clever and cool stuff to put on this blog when I tripped over your site and .. well I think it’s too early to use the ‘L-word’ but I think I have a crush on you. I found you through the wedding invitations you did for Kristen and Loren, I have never met them but they obviously have great taste (and Loren has great design skills)
and then I realized you are not that far away, just 90 minutes in fact, in Alexandria, LA – Please can I come and listen to your machines run someday and maybe we can smile at some beautiful work together. I’m sure I have some friends who will want to chaperone us.
This could be the start of some beautiful blog posts
This made me smile, and start thinking of great designs for bird houses – that’s how you know an idea works. You think ‘I could’ve thought of that…. and start thinking slightly differently’. From the cool guys as SuckUK – go like their facebook page or you can buy it from amazon* – and I dare you not to think about other ideas for birdhouses.
What a simple idea (one of those you kick yourself for not thinking of) little green skateboarders in the style of the classic toy soldier. I’m a 47 year old women and I’m sure I’m not their target market but I think they are wonderful… and they have surfers coming out soon (if you know me you know I won’t be able to resist them for a moment)
Today I’m feeling turquoise is a beautifully produced book by Pentagram (it was created as their 2011/12 holiday card).. and I must admit I’m feeling a little bit green that I didn’t get sent one. (one day when this blog grows into a much bigger blog I will be on the list for things like this).
“Because everyone knows that red means anger, green envy, and blue misery. But who knew that olive was the colour of deja-vu, brown the colour of indifference, or pink of laughing on the outside, crying on the inside?” – take a look at a few more pages below and find out more over at Pentagram (if anyone has one of these they can send I will do something crazy in return)
If you live in Lafayette, LA (or Shreveport/Bossier or Tyler, Waco, or Longview TX) you can’t help but notice a new logo everywhere in town. It is appearing on the doors, tables and windows of local businesses, on the sides of cars, t-shirts – everywhere you can put a logo (and some places you can’t). Locals Love Us is a new (and clever) business that encourages locals to vote on the businesses that they love (you’d probably guessed that right?) – They then provide a directory (delivered to all the homes and businesses in the area) so everyone can reference who won, they also provide the businesses with some very interesting data about their customers and how they voted and a great online presence.
I was planning on writing a blog post about this company anyway, but yesterday they also decided to become a sponsor of this site (Yes, they seem to have great taste). I love to work out what we can all learn from a clever business model and for me the takeaway is this: Emotional Buy In is the Holy Grail of business success, this company gets that first, upfront – and builds from there. Most companies want you to buy something first, then hope you fall in love with them – Locals Love Us want you to Love them (and what they do) and then work with you. Clever? – I think so. What does your company do to get your customers to love you or are you just casually dating?
Lafayette People Go Vote for your favorite businesses today!
The new prints from the guys over at Keep Calm Gallery just arrived in my inbox and I just had to share this one with you. Think Big (and when you’ve done that Think Bigger)
Beautifully designed bathtub inspired by watching people enter a waterpark slide and based on the principles of a seesaw. I love that is works for those who physically struggle to take a bath and those who don’t – that’s good thinking. This is inspired, practical and beautiful – all the things clever should be Read more about it and see more pictures here – from Yanko Design. Thank you Cindy for sending me this.
Beautiful stationery from Feb Design, building on the communication between customer and client and setting the tone for the relationship. Yes, I’m in love… see more here.
Yesterday one of my friends (thanks Jen) put this on her facebook page: google “askew” – of course I did – and I smiled. This morning I found out if you google “do a barrel roll” well, just do it.
The real thing is that if a company has taken the time to be clever about the hidden little things (easter eggs as they are called in the computer world) then you trust that they will be clever about the big things.
Lucky Ant is a like kickstarter for local businesses. The idea (only available in New York City at the moment) is that when small local business needs investment for expansion, upgrades, and other things that will help them succeed they can appeal to the local community to help. Customers can donate small amounts, hopefully leading to the businesses getting the big amounts they need – everyone who donates gets a reward for helping (just like kickstarter does for cool projects)
This is an intriguing idea – an update to church fundraising with a nice touch. Will be interesting to see it work. Watch the video here.
How Lucky Ant Works from Lucky Ant on Vimeo.
While you wait for the idea to come to your community ask yourself what could you do, what idea may just work for what you need to make happen. It may be just the year to take a chance on something creative!
When you see a clever idea, ask yourself "how does this apply to what I'm doing?" You will be amazed what you can learn from seemingly unrelated ideas.
Aileen is a graphic designer turned cynical motivational speaker who is obsessed with clever ideas and the creative process. She is a published author, columnist, award-winning speaker and English. She helps businesses create, develop and launch ideas to help marketing, culture, customer service and profits.
Nothing will ever quite be the same again. The people who bought us idea paint (yes, I have mentioned it before) – the paint that turns any surface into a whiteboard have launched a new product – CLEAR.
