Kaleeta McDade

A takeaway from Adobe's AI/Terms of Service controversy: Creatives are, understandably so, on high alert when it comes to product/software changes around AI. Not only to protect our original work and IP but guarding the privacy of our clients and upholding NDA's. Many creatives I know have questions about AI, are vigilant about vetting any changes, and significant news spreads like wildfire. Although many of us use AI tools in our day-to-day or are overall optimistic (myself included), there is still a lot of unease and uncertainty in the community. Communicating changes clearly, in plain English (we're not lawyers), and making clear what it is and is not when making these updates is critical. #ai #creativeleadership

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As I embarked on the design system uplift work last month, an important question arose: Should we establish governance? The resounding answer: Yes. Why? Because the scope of my work extends far beyond the Publicis Sapient team. I'm collaborating across layers with other design and development agencies, as well as our client's in-house team. So, what's the governance model mantra we agreed upon? "Crafted by us, Adopted by you!" Here are the key traits of the model: - We redefine ownership, fostering accountability and empowering teams to contribute and collaborate effectively. - We establish clear criteria for component inclusion to ensure that only the best elements make it into the design system. - From meticulously crafted naming conventions to harmonious colour palettes, our guidelines and standards lay the foundation for a cohesive design language. - We prioritize comprehensive documentation, guiding users on system utilization, suggesting improvements, and reporting issues. - And we establish a communication loop for transparency, keeping everyone informed and aligned. Feel free to use this as a starting point for your Design System projects. Next, I'm hoping to set measurable goals to gain insights and check the effectiveness of our design system. #DesignSystemGovernance #ProductDesign #DesignSystem

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These physical objects being “crushed” does not define your creativity or your future as an artist, designer, or musician… Well, here we go again with a large portion of the creative community up in arms about a recent Apple ad for the new iPad. I’ve been hearing responses to a recent post on X like… — “Apple's image is built on connections with creative professionals. Those people have an intimate attachment to the tools of their craft. Symbols of meaning and fulfillment. Making an ad with this destruction is unprofessional and offensive on a different level.:)” Or… “I'm a designer. I had tons of crappy clients and this commercial is just plain sad. You must read the room of what's going on in the world right now. I get the message of "all in one" but using the crunch (or pressed) wasn't a nice approach. Destroying instruments where a lot of musicians appreciate is kinda sentimental. The musicians play their instruments because they feel joy and is the only thing they can afford. There is a crisis where we cannot buy the basics such food so probably won't have the $ to buy iPad. It's just tone deaf. Maybe 10+ years ago would've been another way to interpret but right now, 2024, nah. People are desperate and watching these commercials where they are pushing consumers to spend more on technology which are going to replace all art and creativity in a small device... not cool.” — Take things as you may, but… I find the symbolism of “destruction” to have been taken far too literally and rather perceive the visual concept of the ad to be about “compression and integration” through the process of “pressing and forming” so many creative tools into a single product. If this same visual concept were for an iPhone and the items being “crushed” were a fax machine, telephone, radio, keyboard, scanner, Rolodex, modem, monitor, encyclopedia, books, albums, etc. Would everyone have the same reaction? I don’t feel an iPad or any product will ever “replace all art and creativity”, but rather as a tool that may perhaps introduce more people to it. Technology will never stop for anything, and neither will human creativity.

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🎥 The Changemakers, Episode 44 🎥 HOW TO REFRESH YOUR BRAND EXPRESSION Nick Levesque, Creative Director, Asana Yes folks, we're back with a truly great episode that really gets to the nub of that age-old question: rebrand versus brand evolution. What’s the difference, and how do you determine which is right for you? When Nick joined Asana, he quickly identified which option would take the Asana brand to the next level. So how did he and his team navigate their way through the many challenges that these projects always throw up? Join us as we talk consistency vs evolution, distinctive assets, community feedback, internal/external collaboration, positioning for SMB vs enterprise and a whole lot more! This is definitely one for all the brand nerds out there. Links in comments - hope you enjoy watching/listening as much as I did chatting with Nick. What an awesome guest 😊 #brand #B2B #creative

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Let’s bring some nutrition into cards. That’s something OPC (Organic Playing Cards) probably thought of themselves when they started to create playing cards with various fruit and vegetable themes. Together their team and I refined OPC’s positioning allowing the brand to double down on the things it is already known for. In a collaborative effort, we discussed ways to redefine OPC during multiple strategy sessions. The goal was to clarify OPC’s voice and approach to ideate, produce, and sell products as a community-first brand. Eager to grow and expand awareness the following are some learnings we discovered. Complete Case Study: https://lnkd.in/ewCPvx3T —- Client: Organic Playing Cards Strategy: Max Jung

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Everyone wants a fabulous logo. It takes a great design process to get there. And that's exactly what we are covering in this series of posts. Yesterday, I covered the preliminary, "discovery phase" or, as some people like to call it, "onboarding." If you haven't read that post and the one before it, I recommend reading both to get full context. I'm breaking out the full brand design process so you know what to do if you are trying to do it yourself, or know what to expect of a really great designer if you are hiring someone. Here we go! The Brand Design Process: Phase 1 - Research This is THE MOST IMPORTANT PHASE. The better the research, the better the strategy. The better the strategy, the better the execution. The research phase is mainly comprised of audits. Compiling lists and comparing data. These are the audits and the data within each that we want to examine if it exists: • Brand - name, messaging, taglines, trademarks, brand manuals • Business - stationary, forms, invoices, business cards • Internal - memos, employee swag, holiday greetings • Retail - packaging, promos, bags, merch • Sales - sales/product literature, decks, investor relations, campaigns • Electronic - social/web, video, apps • Environment - interiors, exteriors, signage, trade show booths I use a checklist and a corresponding file structure to gather and organize all of this data from each client. This can take days, weeks or even months, depending on the size and history of the brand. (DM me if you would like the checklist and file structure) It should be noted that you can use the checklist to also reverse engineer the deliverables that will be created for the brand in phase 4 of this process. Corresponding with this data gathering is the interview. I interview the team that is responsible for branding decisions. The owner, founder, CEO, whoever it may be that is on the team. The interview is comprised of 16 questions that elicit the values, purpose, mission, vision, culture, goals and more. It is recorded, and transcribed and annotated and delivered for the team's digestion. This interview usually goes for several hours and a byproduct is a business/life coaching session where the answers that the team comes up with are revelatory for those being interviewed. I have found that time and again, that interview ends up being one of the most valuable parts of the branding process. The value comes from the clarity that arises for the leadership of the company. Even if the company had plenty of clarity in their business, it's amazing what happens when you get a whole lot more. Once the audits and interview are finished and all of the data is in our hands, the research phase is complete. The next phase is strategy, which is distilling this data down to two one page briefs. The Brand Brief defines the brand personality and the Creative Brief defines where we are going and why. And I have hit the character limit! See you tomorrow!

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🇺🇲 Happy Hump day, changemakers! Chris and Caitlyn here buzzing with the latest TPCI news. 🚀 We've Launched! Since our April 5th debut, we’ve been making waves with a brand that embodies the spirit of political creatives. We're already over 100 members strong and sprinting towards 200. Now, we need your help to amplify our voice: ▶ How You Can Help: - Spread the Word: Share our initiative within your network. Every share opens doors to new opportunities and connections. - Join the Mailing List: Stay in the loop with TPCI updates, upcoming events, and our growing community. Our official website is here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eXN7mPAN 💥 Be Part of the Movement: Share your details to stay plugged into the hottest job listings, collaborations, and digital happenings. 📣 Elevate Your Voice: With your expertise, we're not just designing — we're defining the future of political engagement. 👥 Together, We’re More: By joining forces, we're creating a collective that not only stands out but also stands for something greater. Ready to leave a mark on the political canvas? It starts with a click. https://lnkd.in/eAWXexxm #TPCI #PoliticalCreatives #Creatives

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Who wants to come work with me?? Are you an expert in design system workflows and building multi-state components within Figma?? Then Digitas Health could be perfect for you! Send me a DM with your resume/portfolio and let’s chat!

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💡 Want to know how to create a compelling narrative for your agency? Join Roland Gurney from Treacle as we discuss the art of strategic storytelling in the world of design agencies. In this episode of BRANDERMAN, Roland explores the intricacies of crafting distinctive and compelling narratives for design agencies. He discusses common pitfalls agencies face, the importance of a well-defined target client, and introduces the 3D positioning model—desirable, distinctive, and defensible. #AgencyNarrative #CreativeStrategy 🎙 Listen now: Link to the BRANDERMAN episode in the comments.

Good things are on the way.

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You could do a lot worse than spend 60 minutes of your day listening to the honest insights from the decades of experience of the ever-clever/lovely Bill Wallsgrove AKA #BranDad You may find your ikigai, and you may not, but you won't regret the journey... #design #branding #agency #client #wisdom #ikigai #BranDad

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🚀 Are you ready for the design talent surge? 🌟 In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the demand for top-notch design talent is like the ebb and flow of the ocean. It's not about *if* the need will pick up again—it's about *when*. And let me tell you, the tide is turning! As businesses continue to realize that exceptional design isn't just a luxury but a pivotal aspect of their success, the hunt for skilled designers is heating up. With brands striving to stand out in a crowded marketplace, the value of a designer who can create engaging, user-friendly experiences is skyrocketing. Here's the scoop: companies are ramping up their efforts to captivate audiences with stunning visuals and seamless interfaces. This means they're on the lookout for creatives who can bring fresh ideas to the table and transform the user experience from ordinary to extraordinary. If you're a designer, now's the time to polish your portfolio and showcase your skills. If you're a business, it's time to invest in talent that will propel your brand to new heights. The resurgence is on the horizon, and those who are prepared will ride the wave of opportunity. Drop a comment below or connect with us at https://lnkd.in/eFc6uVED #DesignTalent #CreativeCareers #DigitalFuture

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Branding efforts can feel like a massive undertaking, from finding the right partner and budgeting to rounds of revisions and final approval. Planning and executing your new brand across key touchpoints is crucial to protecting and capitalizing on your brand investment. Discover five rollout tactics to ensure a smooth implementation phase and a lasting new brand: https://lnkd.in/gY6ytVHK #BrandDevelopment

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Involve your intended audience early on in the decision-making of the features and be thorough in setting expectations to avoid Humane AI Pin crash.

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It's been a tedious and messy process, but 2024 has been the year of rebranding my own business. I continue to find/convert artifacts (images, language, mobile email signatures, etc.) from Hamel Creative to Handrail LLC. That said, I still provide strategy/creative/design solutions and support, but am now focused more exclusively on smaller, serviced-based businesses looking to expand and elevate their presence through packaged brand offerings that help position them as experts in their industry. Essentially, I get lost brands found - Creating strategic plans and unique identities based around their target market, values, and the outcomes they provide their clients. Oh, and I do this through an intensive process that gets business owners back to making money and positive impact sooner! If you're interested in chatting about how it works or just want to catch up, schedule a call or hit me up in the DMs. Cheers! #brandbuilding #smallbusiness #positioning #designeverything

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Published an in-depth breakdown of the leading #GenAI image tool strengths and weaknesses. I'll apologize in advance for Adobe Firefly 🤣 https://lnkd.in/eQR7E42H

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NEW ESSAY: The Sound of Software We're best known for our rich visuals at !Boring, but a surprising number of people tell me it’s the sound design that makes it for them. In most digital mediums like video games and film, sound is half the experience. And yet in software, designers mostly ignore it. I’ve come to appreciate that the reason sound is so maligned is not because sound doesn’t belong in daily software or is inherently bad. It’s just badly designed. In this essay, Composer & Sound Designer Thomas Williams and I dig deep into sound design to reveal how we use sound to create more soulful software and lay out the steps for others to get started. You'll want to throw the headphones on for this one… https://lnkd.in/gyDqrt7t

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Holy Moly...what a review of my podcast... "The Awakened Nation Podcast, hosted by Brad Szollose, offers a truly unique and engaging listening experience. Whether you're tuning in as a regular listener or as a featured guest, the show feels like an intimate conversation that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Unlike other hosts who may struggle with reading scripted questions or lack energy, Brad dives deep into thought-provoking topics with a cool and captivating demeanor. His interviews are free-flowing and revealing, allowing the guests to share their stories from the heart and connect with the audience on a deeper level. One of the best aspects of The Awakened Nation podcast is Brad's ability to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for his guests. He is fun, sincere, thoughtful, kind, and always prepared for each episode. This combination of qualities ensures that both the guest and the listener have an enjoyable experience while also being intellectually challenged. Brad's masterful interviewing skills bring out powerful information from his guests, leaving listeners laughing, reflecting, and feeling connected to a community of awakened individuals. The selection of guests on The Awakened Nation is another highlight of this podcast. Brad has assembled an array of influential entrepreneurs and game-changers who inspire many to make positive changes in their own lives. Through heartfelt conversations, these guests share their stories of success and personal growth, offering invaluable insights for the listeners. Brad's ability to connect with his guests allows them to open up in ways that touch his audience on a deeper level. It's clear that he appreciates heart and soul in his interviews. While it's challenging to find any negative aspects of The Awakened Nation podcast, some listeners may find themselves craving more episodes due to its addictive nature. Additionally, although Brad's conversational interview style is refreshing and makes it feel like you're listening to two friends chat rather than a formal interview, some may prefer a more structured approach. In conclusion, The Awakened Nation podcast is an absolute must-listen for anyone seeking to awaken, find answers to important questions in life, and gain a deeper meaning. Brad Szollose's ability to connect with his guests and create a genuine atmosphere of exploration and growth is truly commendable. The range of topics and guests covered in this podcast is enlightening and inspiring, offering listeners the opportunity to learn from ordinary people who have achieved extraordinary things. It's a unique podcast that stands out in the sea of similar content, and it's definitely worth tuning in." Whoever wrote this...WOW. THANK YOU. https://lnkd.in/gkrPHaZa #podcast #interview

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Arc Search looks so helpful. There is so much information out there. So many interesting and helpful industry articles that I have no time to read. Love the pinch to summarize feature. https://lnkd.in/eXHr5mPd

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