Think Inside The Box

Creativity vs. Innovation, Pleasure vs. Value

John Armato — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:46:05 +0000

NORMALLY IF I HEARD ABOUT SOMEONE WHO WENT INTO A BATHROOM AND APPLIED TOILET PAPER TO THEIR HEAD I would think – as I suspect you would as well – “they’re not doing it right.”

But look at Nina Katchadourian’s Lavatory Self-Portraits in the Flemish Style and I think you’ll agree she was doing it right. Flush with inspiration in what has to be the world’s most confined studio, she created a series of images that amuse and impress and that also illustrate something really important about creativity: It’s supposed to be fun.

Randy Siegel's insight mannequin: The box doesn't have to be a box

John Armato — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:12:21 +0000

INSTEAD OF “WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?” maybe we ought to be asking “Where do you put them?” The answers are bound to be fascinating if Randy Siegel’s “Insight Mannequin” is any indication. … According to one of Randy’s recent Facebook posts, whenever he gets an insight, he writes it on a sticky note and posts it to this mannequin in his den. Isn’t that cool?

Evaluating ideas: How hard is it to explain?

John Armato — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:16:08 +0000

THERE’S A SAYING IN POLITICS: “IF YOU’RE EXPLAINING YOU’RE LOSING.” It’s true in the broader communications world too, and it makes for a great filter when evaluating creative ideas. … When a consumer sees your campaign, or a shopper bumps into your promotion, or a bookstore patron runs across your title, they won’t have read the research, consulted a briefing document, or been through all the brainstorm notes you’ve been through. The program, the display, the book — they all have to speak in the moment and be understood in an instant.

Join me at the April Sacramento Speakers Network Meetup

John Armato — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:39:53 +0000

I’M BACK AND I’M WRITIN’ AND TALKIN’. I took about a year-long hiatus from this blog as other demands commanded attention, but I’m back and more deeply immersed in all things “Think Inside The Box” than ever before. If you’re in the Sacramento area, check out the Sacramento Speakers Network Meetup group run by Stephanie Chandler. She invited me to be a guest speaker, so mark down April 4th and come out.

Big fears and small corruptions: The fifth anniversary of my (attempted) flight from Egypt

John Armato — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:57:14 +0000

THE HISTORIC, HEROIC, AND SOMETIMES HORRIFIC EVENTS UNFOLDING IN EGYPT this week come almost exactly five years after my own harrowing (but in retrospect mostly humorous) experiences on the ground in Cairo. In fact, it was my efforts to get off the ground that seared that week into my memory.

It’s February 2006, and I’ve just spent a week in Egypt on business. After seven educational, inspirational and exhausting days of pyramids and people, tombs and temples, marketplaces and museums, resorts and river cruises in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Sharm El Sheik, I’m beyond tired and ready for a calm, relaxing and peaceful trip home. Ten hours on a plane to sleep is all I want. All I have to do is get up in time to grab a cab to the airport.

Instead …

Merry Swingin' Christmas and a Hip and Happy New Year

John Armato — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:43:46 +0000

I hope you’re enjoying some creative fun in the spirit of the holidays as well!

What will YOU do for 12on11?

John Armato — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:42:29 +0000

TOM GIOVAGNOLI IS ALL ABOUT BIG. He’s a small guy (if you squint really hard he looks a little like the cartoon guy on the left), but comes from a big family, creates big ideas, and has a big heart. … When Tom sees need, humor, or quirkiness, he responds creatively. The other day he sent me a link to his latest big idea: 12on11. The concept: Dedicate the 12 hours from 11:11:11 a.m. to 11:11:11 p.m. on 11-11-11 to simple goodness.

Discovered: "Brain Pickings" and the Brilliance of Paula Scher

John Armato — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:28:41 +0000

I’LL KEEP THIS SHORT. Thanks to a friend’s Facebook post I’ve just now stumbled on to a fantastic blog and in particular, a wonderful, kindred post. If you don’t know “Brain Pickings” just go.

The 22-Minute Idea Habit

John Armato — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 03:26:15 +0000

I’M TRYING TO MOVE A LOT OF NUMBERS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. Weight down, bank account up, cholesterol down, sleep hours up, blood pressure down, age — well, I wish my age would just keep still for awhile. I live about a mile from the office and two weeks ago I somehow managed to turn my self-loathing from weight gain into a productive new habit: walking to work. So far, I’m down almost four pounds. But I’m up unexpectedly in another area: Ideas.

PR at pant level: "Who knew that was PR?" gets down on hands and knees

John Armato — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:29:18 +0000

THE “WHO KNEW THAT WAS PR?” FILES CONTINUE. Sometimes the oddities of a day in PR aren’t so much about the assignment as the are the personality. PR people are used to being problem solvers. In fact, that might be one of the best descriptions of our daily activities you can come up with. It’s just that you never know when you might be summoned to solve problems for people you wouldn’t expect to have an issue with, say, keeping their pants from dragging the ground.