writer + editor-at-large
Dick Bruna and Nijntje on DutchDFA
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~Pablo Picasso
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
This Too Shall Pass by OK Go [Rube Goldberg Machine]
“The achievement of excellence can only occur if the organization promotes a culture of creative dissatisfaction.” ~Lawrence Miller
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In de Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @CM_Utrecht | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30 We are all creative equals
CreativeMornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series for creative types. Each event is free of charge, and includes a 20 minute lecture, plus coffee!
On 30 March 2012, CreativeMornings Utrecht will host its inaugural lecture at “In De Ruimte” (Oudegracht 230A), opening at 08:30 (AM). Delivered by Tessa van Asselt of TrendsActive, the talk centers on the basic principles of trend interpretation, sharing some examples of how they are used in real life situations. Her agency, TrendsActive, specializes in the identification and translation of social cultural trends into the development of business strategies, communication tools and design concepts. Over the years, the firm has worked with Fortune 500 and non-profit organizations alike, catering to a broad group of clients such as Tetra Pak, Coca-Cola and Ikea.✌
For more information on CreativeMornings Utrecht and CreativeMornings™, visit the websites listed below:
CreativeMornings | Utrecht and CreativeMornings™
Follow CreativeMornings Utrecht, CreativeMornings™ and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @Utrecht_CM (CM Utrecht), @Creativemorning (CM Main) and @phillipqgangan.
“The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a very creative mind to spot wrong questions.” ~Anthony Jay
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
“Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found.” ~James Russell Lowell
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles, featured in the animated film, Yellow Submarine (1968)
“The things we fear most in organizations—fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances—are the primary sources of creativity.” ~Margaret J. Wheatley
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
Divers, a short animation film by Paris Mavroidis.
“The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” ~Edwin H. Land
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
“Once we rid ourselves of traditional thinking we can get on with creating the future.” ~James Bertrand
CreativeMornings Utrecht | 30 March 2012 | In De Ruimte (Oudegracht 230A) | 08:30 (AM) | @Utrecht_CM | @phillipqgangan | 30 x 30: We are all creative equals
CreativeMornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series for creative types. Each event is free of charge, and includes a 20 minute lecture, plus coffee!
Establishing CreativeMornings in New York City in September 2009, founder Tina Roth Eisenberg aspired to create an accessible, inspiring morning event for people to meet. Starting the day right with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a dose of creative inspiration is undoubtedly a recipe for success. Dubbed as “TED for the rest of us,” the Creative Mornings lecture series has spread to 19 cities across the globe – from Auckland to Cape Town to Budapest – with 3 more soon to launch, including Utrecht in the Netherlands.
CreativeMornings | Utrecht
On 30 March 2012, CreativeMornings Utrecht will host its inaugural lecture at “In De Ruimte” (Oudegracht 230A), opening at 08:30 (AM). Delivered by Tessa van Asselt of TrendsActive, the talk centers on the basic principles of trend interpretation, sharing some examples of how they are used in real life situations. Her agency, TrendsActive, specializes in the identification and translation of social cultural trends into the development of business strategies, communication tools and design concepts. Over the years, the firm has worked with Fortune 500 and non-profit organizations alike, catering to a broad group of clients such as Tetra Pak, Coca-Cola and Ikea.
30 x 30 | We are all creative equals
In anticipation of the CreativeMornings debut in the Netherlands, CM Utrecht x phillipqgangan present: 30 x 30 – a celebration of creativity and inspiration. Beginning on the 1st of March 2012, phillipqgangan will feature 30 creative works over the course of 30 days. The project aims to inspire people to do something creative, today. After all, creativity is not limited to realms of art, literature and music alone. Instilled in each and every one of us is a child-like sense of wonder that yearns to be free. At the end of the day, we are all creative equals. ✌
For more information on CreativeMornings Utrecht and CreativeMornings™, visit the websites listed below:
CreativeMornings | Utrecht and CreativeMornings™
Follow CreativeMornings Utrecht, CreativeMornings™ and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @Utrecht_CM (CM Utrecht), @Creativemorning (CM Main) and @phillipqgangan.
If you would like to share a creative work that may be featured in 30 x 30, be it a photograph, article or video, please do not hesitate to contact the author at phillipqgangan@gmail.com.
Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam played host on Thursday (22 December 2011) to the launch of Indie BRANDS – a new book portraying 30 independent brands and their inspiring stories. Written and curated by Anneloes van Gaalen, the publication explores the Indie Brand concept as well as the creative minds behind them, the innovative products they make, their base of operations and sources of inspiration. Be it Tony’s Chocolonely slavery-free chocolate or O△+ biodegradable sneakers, erotic fragrances by Etat Libre d’Orange or hyper-caffeinated Frittz-kola, Ms. van Gaalen traveled the globe to investigate a variety of brands and what makes them tick. Accordingly, financial and creative independence, original storytelling and a firm grasp of marketing are unifying virtues inherent to authentic, independent brands as opposed to those in the mainstream.
Accompanying the launch was the well-attended Indie Brands Event. In participation with a number of brand owners featured in the book, the gathering combined keynote speeches and panel discussions on critical issues surrounding an indie brand lifecycle. From the initial idea generation and brand formulation to media exposure, cash flow and growth, the speakers presented valuable insights based on their own experiences and mistakes. More importantly, it was an opportunity for these individuals to share their personal stories and how they were inspired to throw caution to the wind and devote their lives to create something valuable.
Despite their good intentions, there was still a hint of skepticism among those in attendance, particularly in regard to the authenticity of these brands. A few members of the audience were not entirely convinced of the sincerity of the business owners and questioned whether or not their brands were truly independent. Intriguingly, with the introduction of each panelist, the crowd was bombarded with professionally executed marketing campaigns and audiovisual presentations. While both storytelling and marketing play an integral role in establishing brand identity, there is a tendency for companies nowadays to carelessly throw around terms such as sustainability, social responsibility and independence in order to boost their corporate image, hence the public’s suspicion.
Similarly, it seemed as though the main focus of the conference was entirely on the brands themselves and the products they represent. Albeit unavoidable at a brand-centric event, the pursuit of customer satisfaction was a missing element in the discussions. It is common knowledge that the success of an indie brand or any other brand for that matter primarily depends on the customers’ patronage. No amount of marketing gimmickry or storytelling will ever convince a dissatisfied customer, especially when it is the brand’s value-added services such as on-time delivery, after-sales and customer assistance that are substandard.
Nevertheless, Ms. van Gaalen thinks otherwise. As a veteran of the street art scene and a well-published author on the movement, her primary passion lies in good storytelling. Of the 60-odd brands she shadowed over the course of 2 years, only 30 were deemed worthy enough to grace the pages of the book with authenticity as a fundamental provision. What was most inspiring to her was when business owners openly admitted their failures, whether it was the incapacity to fulfill purchase orders, the abhorrence of their peers or a disastrous product launch, all resulting in the severe loss of capital. Sure enough, it is this sort of honesty, imperfection and struggle that separate these brands from the mainstream.
At the end of the day, founding a business is no easy feat. Leaving behind a lucrative career or starting out with no more than just a good idea in order to create something of value is a risk only taken by a few. Whether they are strictly indie or not is beside the point. What is clear is that these brands are the real underdogs. They are the products of creative thinking and grueling hours of hard work, facing insurmountable uncertainty with an air of confidence, unwavering commitment to what it is they do and the guts to dream. ✌
For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the brands featured in her book, visit the websites listed below:
Indie BRANDS (BIS Publishers)
Anneloes van Gaalen (Paperdoll Writing)
phillipqgangan 