Gordonated

Magnets as a solution

Doing jobs for corporate clients sometimes can result in different emotions. All jumble up in the pool of trying to come up with things that are workable, following strict corporate identity guidelines, seeking approval in a different language (Eg. designer thinks green is nice while client wants gold to signify wealth) and trying to make the end product/result look good. Most of the time, it involves walking between the fine line of making things of which the creative industry will recognize while also trying to impress and make your corporate clients happy. Which is a very tough job.

Recent jobs on my list include a very interesting list of things. All done for corporate clients:

1. 5 jigsaw puzzles with magnetic plastic strips.
   Hugely sized at about A2, these jigsaw puzzles are actually for a launch of a clients ‘awareness’ campaign. The campaign involves participants to go through a three stage game of trying to fix the puzzle, which the magnetic strips will come in handy to fit them accordingly into the design.
2. Standees.
   14 human life size standees for print to be transported overseas for a certain event. These designs contain quirky images of ‘Photoshopically’ modified humans. No further comments.
3. Foldable pocket guide with a magnet to empower the companies strategy.
   Not exactly a pocket guide. But thats what its called across. Sized at about 14cm when closed and 42cm when opened in height and width, this foldable collateral seeks to run its job as a tool to reinforce the company strategies. Powered with magnets on the back to be attached to cubicles.
4. Acrylic photo drop box & magazine pick up tray.
   Task was to come up with something where employees will be initiated to submit photos for publication purposes and also a slanted area where magazines are available for pick up in style.

And so we were sitting down, brainstorming and chatting about all this corporate stuff and suddenly, we had this sudden thought; Are we missing something in life because we happen to be designers?

I have seen with my own eyes how excited clients are about things that we as designers (or ‘creative people’) will consider gimmick and boring. How the excitement in the faces of the employees at a certain meeting brighten up when cliques are used extensively. The thrill and sharing of ideas from clients that we have even dumped into the trash before starting on the job.

It gets even more exciting when a certain ‘interactive’ ‘element’ is added; magnets, badges, plastic, velcro, key-chains, strings, etc. Just a little of a certain element added up to make the initiative look good. I’ve even heard of USB driven thumb-drive attached into an internal circulation magazine, just to contain some images, unseen footages from the magazine.

I don’t really feel comfortable to put in much input in things like these because I believe things like this sometimes are not really contradicting the ideas and core reasons behind each project. Its also very risky as things like this might take away the main message that we are trying really hard to convey. Sometimes, it might even turn out to be a real visual pollution or wastage of resources.

Do I get excited over things like this?

1. The only thing I really get excited about is to get to know the possibility of things and save the better ones for future explorations. If I happen to get good feedbacks on my little magnetic jigsaw puzzle, maybe I will save this idea for any upcoming jobs in the future that requires a further in depth of the usage of the mechanism.
2. Well, I get to make a few friends/contacts with suppliers here and there.
3. Jobs like this usually helps the company financially to provide us with bread and butter to survive.
4. I might have a lot of clashes in concepts, perceptions and expectations towards things that concerns this with each respective client but at the end of the day, it is their design. I have a responsibility to make sure that my clients are happy as well.

In the midst of all doing all this, I begin to feel a sense of lost at times. Am I missing out the little funny things that design, regardless of gimmick or recycled ideas, can create a certain amusing and provocative thought in us?

I’m not sure if magnets will work as a solution for me.