Friday Fives, Vol. 209
This week, we’re in the mood to stop moodboarding, growing quite angry over shrinkflation, and learning about a breakfast soda that we didn’t know we needed.
Moodboards Make Boring Marketing
If you happen to be a human in the 21st century, you’ve no doubt noticed that a lot of advertising looks the same. One such example of an art direction style that’s been replicated to death is the “shelfie,” popularized by a 1982 Clinique campaign. Why haven’t more beauty brands pioneered their own style instead of copying Clinique’s? It’s not a lack of imagination, it’s a surplus of process. When art directors explain what future ads will look like, they need to bring examples in the form of a moodboard. Those examples are usually pulled from what’s beautiful and popular out in the world. Thus, variations of the same great idea get jammed into moodboard after moodboard, seemingly forever, until all ads look like they’re from one place. We can’t speak for everyone, but we’re on board to deprioritize moodboards.
The Adidas Stan Smith sneaker has been a staple for 50 years. The classic, minimalist design gives them a timeless look for all occasions. The Stan Smiths dreamed up by British designer Craig Green are also timeless, but more so in the sense that it looks as though they were plucked straight from another dimension. Bizarre but somehow brilliant, the shoes feature inflatables, screws, and bits of tube, yet the signature dots make them unmistakably Adidas. If you’re in the market for a shoe that looks like it’s somewhere between a child’s drawing of a foot and a futuristic bounty hunter’s boots, look no further.
Snack lovers, you may want to sit down for this one. To combat rising costs, popular brands we all know and love (and used to trust) are resorting to a dastardly tactic called “shrinkflation.” Instead of hiking prices, brands like Fritos are slashing the contents of their bags, reducing the weight from 9.75 oz to 9.25 oz (5 fewer chips) while charging the same price. This injustice doesn’t stop at the chip aisle. Brands such as Crest, Charmin, and many more are shrinkflating their products and hoping we won’t notice. Well, we noticed. And we’re a little hurt. We might feel a little better if someone bought us a bag of Fritos, though.
Ok so, Coca-Cola with Coffee isn’t your thing, and you feel like regular old soda is more of an afternoon drink, but you’re really looking for a way to get that sweet cola flavor first thing in the morning. Where, oh where do you turn? Pepsi Maple Syrup, of course. That’s right, IHOP and Pepsi collaborated to create an extra syrupy soda that tastes like a perfect pairing for pancakes. You can win a can by entering the sweepstakes on Pepsi’s Instagram, or you could just pour half a Pepsi and a glug of maple syrup into a glass and call it a day. Just don’t do that at an actual IHOP. People might think you’re weird.
The Oscars are this Sunday. While many outlets will tell you who’s likely to win or even who should win, the good folks at Vulture have compiled a list of valid arguments for why any of the Best Picture nominees are more worthy of a participation trophy than a golden statuette. Regardless of the falling ratings and continued drama, we’re going to watch anyway — mostly because our March Madness brackets are busted wide open like a watermelon dropped from a building. But we’re still holding out hope that we’ll win big in our Oscars pool.
The Working Assembly is an award-winning branding and creative agency.
Established in 2017, we collaborate with emerging and evolving companies for end-to-end brand building, including strategy and visual identity, print and digital design, content, and creative campaigns.
Have a project in mind? Let’s talk.
hello@theworkingassembly.com
The Working Assembly
NYC branding agency exploring the intersection of art, design, technology and culture. Partnering with emerging and evolving brands.
