Why timeless design principles still matter in a world obsessed with trends. The Problem with Modern Branding A few years ago, I was in a meeting where a client asked if their logo should “look more like Airbnb’s.” You’ve probably…
In the area between downtown St. Louis, Forest Park and South City, there’s a stretch of Manchester Ave. where culture and creativity thrive. To locals, the six or seven blocks are known simply as “The Grove.” From its roots as…
You know that sinking feeling: You’re reading your competitor’s website, and the messaging sounds… familiar. Too familiar. You realize you could swap logos and no one would notice the difference. “Innovative solutions.” “Customer-centric approach.” “Leading the industry forward.” Generic. Safe.…
The notification pops up on LinkedIn: Your biggest competitor just dropped a rebrand. It’s sleek. Bold. Everywhere. Your phone buzzes—the CEO’s asking, “Did you see what they did?” Your stomach drops a little and the questions start coming. Are we…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with hundreds of brands over the last 25 years, it’s this: Branding is personal. Brand is reputation. It’s a reflection of self. It’s the founder’s vision. Their baby. It’s business, of course,…
I’ve read The Emperor’s New Clothes to my kids probably a thousand times. It’s one of those classic bedtime stories that sticks with you. Partly because it’s funny. Partly because it’s short. And partly because there’s something deeper going on…
Bookmark this for when your CEO asks, “Will a rebrand really be a smart investment?” You never know what type of questions you’ll get when you’re presenting to a client. We were presenting a rebrand to a client team…
Companies are being built and sold faster than ever before. Every day, there are new startups, new products and new services. And every day, competitors join forces in the hopes of seizing an even larger share of the market. But…
It’s a classic, versatile pairing in cultures around the world: chicken and rice. But there’s a specific chicken-and-rice dish that’s particularly popular in Singapore, Malaysia and much of southeast Asia. Hainan chicken, or chicken rice: slow-poached chicken paired with seasoned…
Mergers can be like marriages—thrilling and risky, combined with serious discussions around identity, responsibilities and who makes better coffee. When Lightedge and Connectria tied the corporate knot, they needed an identity that felt true to both their pasts and shared…