Cd Dvd Artwork / Design | Former Blog of Eric S. Townsend

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Design is Everything

not sure where this started, but why is it that the default thinking on design is that it’s strictly about the visuals? a design includes a plan. a design cannot influence action without copy delivering features, benefits, etc. a design cannot succeed where there is inconsistency in the overall branding platform, or marketing program, or sales execution. it’s an integrated and dynamic study that explores far more than colors, photography, illustrations, etc. don’t do yourself a disservice by looking at things with too limiting of a lens.

Follow-up to My SuperCreative Talk

I really enjoyed my talk with a class of communications design students at the nvcc/loudoun campus on tuesday evening. the topic i prepared and delivered was transform yourself into a supercreative. at first, i got the vibe that maybe the subject matter was a bit heavy for the class. once i was asked to join a critique after my talk, saw the students’ work and heard them describe why they made the creative decisions they made, i could see that the value was infinite with the right student. professor julia turner was very appreciative, and i made a new contact through one of the students (ashley). upon hearing some of my approach to marketing new client sun and moon yoga studio to spas, salons and corporate human resources departments, she saw the opportunity to grow the business as very promising. she seemed to have a few contacts to pass along to help in that effort.

Confronting the Rihanna Witch Hunt

what’s with all the talk of rihanna being a devil worshipper? i’ve got my own take on this (read on). in 2007, countless posts examined lyrics to her hit song umbrella. her latest effort, russian roulette (pictured below), has people on the witch hunt again. the eye patch. the dominatrix outfit. a beauty that’s too good to be true. has anyone considered the following – that the tough girl persona is a way to overcome that unfortunate beating she took at the hands of fellow r&b star and former lover, chris brown? it’s also likely a commentary on the entertainment industry – the character tests and manipulation that face many leading ladies. why else would a skinny woman wear a girdle in that art? why is there a hole in her signature eye patch? well, maybe she played russian roulette and the bullet couldn’t kill. in fact, she sees more clearly now as a result. people can express feelings in a provocative way without becoming “possessed.” it’s healthy to confront that which is undesirable – even dressing the part – as a way to disarm its ability to control.

Townsend to Speak at NVCC/Loudoun Campus

as first announced on august 26, i’ve been invited to guest speak at the loudoun campus of the northern virginia community college (nvcc) next tuesday, november 10 between 5 and 7pm. the loudoun campus has been recognized for excellence in technology education. my audience will be students from the communications design program under julia turner, an 11-year veteran professor at the college. my topic will be an hour-long discussion of the importance of blending art and science in a communications design career. i’ll share anecdotes and examples from my 15 years of experience, where i transitioned from fine arts student into marketing guru. the science part will be underlining the importance of various business disciplines – advertising, marketing, communications and sales. yes, there is a measurable science to most of it!