Have You Made A Red Stapler Lately?

This inspirational bit is from Logic + Emotion.

Did you know that before the movie Office Space, it was impossible to get a Red Swingline stapler? That's because they didn't exist. They do now. And they've become highly sought after across the globe. For proof, just do a search on Flickr for "Red Swingline stapler".

Fact is that during the making of Office Space, production designer Edward T. McAvoy had a problem to solve. He needed to find a Stapler that was so special — the film's quirky character Milton would covet and reclaim at all costs if taken from him. McAvoy decided that a Swingline Red stapler would be the perfect object. Only problem was that after calling Swingline, he was told they didn't make Staplers in Red. So what did he do?

He painted one himself.

Now here's where it gets really interesting. After the Red stapler made it's debut in the film, Swingline started getting scores of requests to purchase the Red staplers (which didn't exist). So they did what any good business would do. They started producing them.

I've always loved this story for a couple of reasons. I'm a big fan of Office Space, but even more importantly I am amazed at the powerful and unexpected result from what seemed to be just a detail. After all, it was only painting a stapler. It's not like McAvoy was coming up with the next "big thing".

But ironically he did.

His simple gesture created the symbol for that movie. It's the one thing that almost everyone who sees it remembers. It's become an icon of corporate culture and maybe even a statement of rebellion against it. I was thinking about this recently because I realized that I haven't created any Red Swingline staplers lately.

Why is it so hard to make 'Red staplers'?

I wish I were creating more Red staplers in my job. Why does it seem so difficult? It's hard because sometimes we don't know when to do the right thing — what measures to take to see our ideas through the way we intended them to be. What if someone approached McAvoy and said "Look! I found a Red stapler. It's not a Swingline, but who will notice"? Not good enough. For reasons not known, McAvoy wanted a Swingline. So when he found out that Swingline didn't make a Red stapler, he asked them if he could have one painted. When they agreed, he wasted no time taking the ordinary black stapler to the auto body shop for it's makeover.

When are you going to make your Red stapler?

Can Only Superman Wear His Undies Over His Pants?

Doing things differently always pays. You think it doesn't? Listen to this. "If you keep doing what you have always done then you will get what you have always gotten". We didn't say that. That there is something mommas and class teachers and coaches tell their wards all over America.

Doing things differently challenges your current beliefs
You might learn that many things, which you currently take for granted, are an actual dampener. Surprise you it might, but also give you fresh new direction. Not a bad deal at all huh?

Doing things differently opens new possibilities
Since you go out of the box, things, which are normally not in your grasp, may now come into your life. And you may find that some of those new things are very, very rewarding. Sure looks like doing things differently allows you to expand yourself in new and creative ways.

Thanks to Donald Latumahina for the last bit. About the swords this week, it did finally come out of hiatus. Well at least the Design Sword did. And it went to Mallika. Err... any ideas for doing things differently at our next meeting?

"What Da Ya Know? My Dad's A Designer."

Taran Raj, all of seven months, is Yuvaraj's son. Look at those "deer-in-the-headlights" eyes.

Staying Motivated

This bit is from an interview. Or maybe we got that wrong. But it sure puts things in the right perspective.

“Life is too short and competitive to spend time in debate over nuance. Time spent haggling over words on a page or processes is time spent not being impactful in the market place.”

“Immediate and gut feedback on creative work is critical to keeping the process moving and creative people (both client and agency) motivated and engaged.”

Is anyone listening?

No Show Again

And this time we're reminded of what Lee Clow has to say.

"The best reveng is a better ad."

Shouldn't we take a cue?

Will Do Anything To Get In

There are agencies out there where people would gladly give an arm and leg to get in. Agencies that are the envy of every other agency. Agencies that get mails like this one. This is a job application that was published on the wieden + kennedy blog.

Subject: RE: I am applicant

Dear Mrs Natalie,

I presume you are well. That makes me feel happy for you.

I sent you my application on Friday today is Monday morning and I’m waiting for responsiveness. It hasn’t come. This is a shame. I wish to make my purpose fully clear to your business and so write you again.

There is no time to waste! Waste is folly. Waiting is pain. I have pain.

If there is a requirement for further explanations, please to not wait to contact myself.

My pencil is sharp.

Warmness,

(Name deleted.)

"WHY? We Want A Reason!"

Chella and Arshad were livid this morning. They wanted a reason why the meeting was postponed. Perhaps that's a pointer about a couple of things. That the Monday Morning Meeting is eagerly awaited by some of us. (Would the one's who eagerly await this meeting go, "Thank Gawd It's Monday Morning"? Err... That was just an aside, you can ignore it.) And that the meeting is finally being taken for it's worth, though there's a long way to go before we wring every last ounce of benefit from it. It's the Chellas and Arshads that take the Monday Morning Meeting to higher ground. Bravo!

Our meeting will be tomorrow. Perhaps literally on higher ground - the conference room on the second floor rather than the one on the ground floor.

No Show

Our meeting today was rather peppy. But then there wasn't much spice. The swords didn't pass hands this week. Not the Sword for Design. Not the Sword for Copy. Right now they are back in the shelf in our conference room. Arshad continues his good run though. You keep it up there Arshad and take it further. Next week we'll bring back the spice, won't we? Next week we'll have proved that we rose the bar a notch higher.

Meanwhile we have TEASE VII to worry about as it's just been announced and promptly been dubbed the Hate Figure Project. This could be a lot of fun. Everyone's been asked to give the meanest face to the figure we hate most. Yummy! Just what a lot of us were waiting for…