21' UPDATE ::: Progression can and must be positive for all ::: 2020 arrived with a ‘disruption’(global vibration) that could be interpreted, like a flashing signal to reflect deeply on how we should (collectively, or off-the-grid individually) move forward >>> into our future. Below is a 'foresighted' article written in the winter of 2018... Hmm.. Perhaps the Earth singing to us? ... Slow down, take that much needed break... Ease up, Ease up... before clicking forward the Galactic Clock a quarter past 2021 - a very symbolic date of new and/or altered future-prisms. ???
- Article 11 . February 2018
::: The Curve of Tremendous Progression :::
{-:-} Throughout history, human beings have been very busy climbing the incredible slopes of progress, growth and advancements. There has not been a moment along our journey onto it's unknown peak, to sit back and take it all in. It's been a steady and gruelling hike of: keep up and adjust, keep up and adjust… (and we've now reached the 'holy-shit' spot.)
>>> We are currently facing a fantastically towering, mind bending, beyond-massive curve of tremendous progression. Like the inevitable birthing of True-AI, Digital Medicines (Bio-Technolgy), Planetary Human-Explorations, the Pop-Commercialization of Entheogenic Formulas, etc…
Our surroundings are about to jump into light-speed. /// It's time for businesses-brands-people to unstrap their mountaineering crampons and buckle up into this now-very-ready, smoking rocket.
"Tomorrows progression is about to blast off the mountain and into the riddling Multi-verse."
...Things are about to get ultra-dynamic-multi-
Anxieties are extremely high because the continual progression of all-things is steadily being fuelled by an uncontrollable 'FORCE', which we could call: 'the breaking down of boundaries' or 'the dismantling of creative constraints'. /// All hyper-advancements are made by constantly challenging and disrupting our cultural norms, traditions, religions, social convections, etc… /// Therefore while this force positively propels progress, by being the fundamental process behind great change, it's never-ending breakdown and dismantling of central 'Earth-grounding' concepts also negatively leaves us questioning more, feeling more alone, more uncertain, more spiritually lost and simply full of deep-rooted anxieties.
In other words, modern thinking and/or radical progression is driven by us repeatedly 'shaking things up' (disruption), which in turn has created a cultural 'casualization' of all-things: casual fashion, casual language, casual relationships, casual sex, casual business, casual spending, casual politics, casual religion… which provides us with greater space/room to further and widen old roads - accelerating innovation, future advancements, etc... But unfortunately, at the same time, it's 'casual-causing' affects on society/culture fogs the windshield - our basic human-need for a seriously protective and clear view of where we are heading.
Thus, while we're gaining 'wider roads' to radically create and progress anew, we're also developing 'worse vision' to properly/mentally/positively move along these magnificent new highways.
>>> It's simply getting harder and harder for people to emotionally navigate in todays rapidly evolving world.
"Levels of depression and anxiety have been increasing worldwide.” *
Statistics have been highlighting the a very steady, "hot-rise of the self-care movement", and showcasing how it's not something that’s going away. People (of all-types) are trying to take-in those healthy deep breaths.
- - - aaauuommm - - -
This globally-expanding Quest for Calmness is a natural reaction (parallel-journey) alongside our futuristic progression. As technology advances, so must our mental and spiritual relief. It's a natural and needed balance. Yin to Yang. ::: (Note-to-self: perhaps that's why archaic revivalism and/or tribal imagery always makes visual appearances within sci-fi films - eg. Matrix, Blade Runner, Fifth Element, etc…)
In short: As everything in our world progresses forward, life is continually becoming more complex, hectic, harsh – mentally overwhelming. /// And sadly inner-peace and/or mindfulness has become a luxury item.
Regular people can't afford the time for naked-yoga or the cash for any bio-hacking... And #SelfCareSunday is simply not enough. /// So the 'breaks' are trying to be pushed, but progression will not be stopping or even slowing down >>> it will be speeding up!
Alpha brands/businesses/people have an opportunity to become tomorrows fantastic future hero's
...helping in the cerebral fight against progressions 'secretive' dark-side ::: creatively providing a clearer view and some of those 'deep-breaths' ::: relieving and aiding this globally-growing epidemic ::: reinforcing the 'positive in progress' ::: catalyzing more mindfulness and/or mental upliftment - which is not a want, but a human need!
::: Hmm? ::: Well, from here most agency folks would strategically steer this odd-rant into different directions that specifically revolve around your unique ID - brand, product, service, etc… which is the correct and logical next step.
In full transparency, I was mainly using this type as text filler, to give you a little something to read and ponder, while I showcase/share some of my design work ::: BUT amazingly there is a skinny answer.
There are three Human Need Spaces that invariably come up, in all the qualitative ethnographic research I've been privileged to analyzed over the years. (Data collected from real 'human to human' conversations in research topics from medicine to fashion, from coffee to beer, from music to marshmallow cereals…)
Simplicity, Caring and Confidence.
Life today is getting too complex. Hero Brands provide simplicity. Life today is hard and harsh. Hero Brands motivate caring. Life today is full of unsureness, distrust and skepticism. Hero Brands encourage inner and/or outer confidence.
These 3 territories have constantly kept reappearing - throughout various projects -no matter what the study or topic (banking to toilet paper). These territories/spaces always seem to require emotional upliftment within research participants. /// It's not eureka worthy. As it's not new. Check it out... do some digging... get a job in research or advertising… most notable, remarkable, emotionally connected, cult-worthy Campaigns, Innovations, Products, etc... have infused at least one of these elements.
Quick Examples ::: Caring: Patagoina, TD Bank, Toms… Confidence: Nike, Tesla, Starbucks… Simplicity: Uniqlo, Uber, Amazon… and of course many brands rest on territorial intersections (a positioning that venn-overlays 2 or all three of these and more). Yet the 3 mentioned here seem to be highly present and active within several global-alpha-brands - yesterday, today and into the future.
::: Conclusion :::
Simplicity, Caring and Confidence are the safety belts, headlights and windshield wipers for tomorrows intense rocket ride.
- - - - - - - - -
Lastly, it is our responsibility to {DESIGN} Create & Transmit positive human experiences - within territories like these <in any-every-and-all of our interactions> as Company, Brand and/or Person. So that together, we can counter the emotional adversities/global anxieties that are arising around us due to our natural desire to continually advance and progress, and the inevitably ever-more-radical methods used to get there.
Article 11: Design Branding & Foresight, By: M.VanderVoet - 02/1/2018
x x x
Words: MV 2018 /// Visuals: Yoga Pen Doodles • Print Campaigns 2001 - 2011 • Dharma Wood Carvings - Multi-Hobbist EX. • [PLACE] Brand Here - An Alternative Approach to Marketing Complex Identities (Thesis x Business Proposal) 2008 • Ease Up. Ease Up. Brand x Apparel Design 2019 ::: Note: All visualizer examples by Mark VanderVoet - IIIV