What led you to a career in design?

My path to design was shaped by a childhood rooted in creativity and a curious relationship with media. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, I was raised drawing and painting, with no small thanks to a grandmother who nurtured my love of the arts. When it came time for college, I initially pursued kinesiology, but switched early on in favor of a more creative life.

I also grew up without a TV, which might sound strange, but it actually shaped the way I see design. When I did encounter commercials, whether at a friend’s house or a relative’s, I was captivated. While my friends ran off to play, I stayed glued to the screen, fascinated by the little stories each ad told and the way brands used aesthetics to convey meaning.

←

→

How would you describe your design style?

Pinning myself to a single aesthetic feels like putting a ceiling on what I can do. Instead, I strive to be adaptive, holistic, and concept-driven. What stays consistent for me is a love of hidden details: what I call “Easter eggs.” Small, intentional touches that reward the observant: a message tucked into packaging, a flash of color on the inside of a belt loop. For me, these details are a form of care.

Where do you find inspiration, and is there an artist you admire?

For me, inspiration has no hierarchy. It lives everywhere, from the polish of a Super Bowl ad down to the etchings on a dive bar bathroom wall. 

I think it’s important to notice not just what you like, but what you don’t like, and to understand why. That’s just as valuable.

When it comes to designers I look up to, I credit Aaron Draplin as an early influence who helped shape my eye. These days, I’m particularly inspired by Jessica Walsh and her studio &Walsh.

What type of projects would you work on full-time if you could?

Honestly, I love the variety too much to pick just one; that’s what keeps agency life exciting. But if I had to choose, I would point to motion design as something I’m increasingly passionate about. Motion adds a level of storytelling that static design just can’t replicate.

Tell us about your hobbies and what you enjoy outside of work.

Outside the studio, I play hockey and hike, but painting is where most of my time goes. I work almost exclusively en plein air, painting on location in the open air rather than from photographs or in a studio. It’s about observation and presence: going outside, finding a scene, and listening to what it’s saying. That connection to nature runs deep, rooted in a childhood spent outdoors on a lake in rural Wisconsin, learning about the land the way outdoorsmen do.

It was actually a happy accident that got me painting seriously. After graduating, I found the cheapest apartment on Craigslist in Laguna Beach, California. 275 square feet. A little sliver of ocean view. I had no idea it was an art destination until I walked the streets and found galleries everywhere.

I realized: oh, people actually do this for a living. I had no idea. Where I grew up, I only knew of painting as a hobby or a personal passion. I had no idea there were living, professional artists out there making a career of it.

So I picked up my brushes, started going outside, and never really stopped.

My initial reaction to this slew of content is to feel revolutionized yet instantly behind the curve. If AI is brand new, how have so many people managed to become experts? Published experts. Published and profitable experts. 

Perhaps this is because AI isn’t actually new. The term ‘AI’ was coined in the early 1950s but the concept of technology and non-human tools has been around since the Stone Age.

A Brief History of the Future 

In 1988, Pixar released one of their most successful short films. Despite financial constraints, Steve Jobs agreed, in the midst of a complete financial shutdown, to fund the project; and the Oscar Award Winning cartoon ‘Tin Toy’ aired at a 1988 SIGGRAPH Convention to standing ovation. This film was the first official test of a software called ‘PhotoRealistic RenderMan’ and was ultimately responsible for making computer animation a credible form of artistic production. Later in 2003, The Library of Congress elected this film for preservation in the US National Film Registry dubbing it ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” 

If you are scratching your head and trying to figure out why in the golden era of Pixar masterpieces, you do not remember anything about a toy named Tinny desperately trying to escape Billy the infant, it’s because the movie was wildly rejected by the public. 

While the PhotoRealistic RenderMan software was truly spectacular, audiences hated the realistic features. Billy looked so human that it made people uncomfortable. Judge Adam Areseneau referred to this film in a DVD Verdict in late 2007 as “the most frightening and disturbing piece of animation in the history of this art form.” This feeling of unsettled rejection to human-like attributes, known as “Uncanny Valley Phenomenon”, is largely subjective and has been debated since the early ‘70s. Is this something that we need to ‘force’ humans to ‘get over’? Or is this something that we just need to accept, and continue producing lesser value productions for greater human enjoyment? I suppose this lends to the greater question, do we create to contribute, or just for the sake of saying we created something? 

Fast forward to 2022, ChatGPT is released and the business world collectively loses their mind in pure panic mode trying to determine how and if to incorporate this revolutionary AI technology into their every day business. 

Is it safe? Will it catch on? Are our competitors using it? Will it replace employees or require more skillsets? How are we going to find time to learn this? Can we use it to publish a blog about how we are at the cutting edge of using it while we figure out how to use it? 

So, where do we start?

Let’s start with understanding the vernacular and distinguishing ‘AI’ from its buzzword counterpart. 

AI (artificial intelligence) is an all encompassing term that essentially refers to any non-human generated smarts. This is in itself a paradox since humans are the ones who have to feed any technological algorithm. 

ChatGPT, while not synonymous with AI, uses the concept of AI to act as a virtual assistant. While chatbot technology has been around since the 1960s, ChatGPT certainly upleveled that capability and is largely responsible for the recent surge in AI trending language. 

But while your headlines may presently be drowning in AI tagged headlines that basically all say “AI has developed new technology…. We’re not sure how to use it… but it’s here and you/we should probably look into this”, AI is not new. 

The Magic of a Good PR Spin

If there’s one thing marketers do exceptionally well, it is capitalizing on profitable products/services by pushing the same thing in a plethora of positioning variations. Leave it to marketing pros to support and proliferate ideas until they no longer hold any meaning. (Taylor Swift watches football. Enough Said.) 

While AI continues to evolve and offer advanced use-cases and iterations, we needn’t panic about the overhaul of everything we know and understand about the world. Because we have already co-created with AI for decades. 

Respond > React

It’s natural for marketers to live a bit on edge. The world is changing, trends are flying (thanks Internet), and with the flooding of new data every second, our understanding and positioning as well as that of our customers is shifting sometimes daily. With the fire under our feet and expectations to deliver exceptional marketing in the same way we did before our consumers had access to every transparent piece of information, this can be a daunting and frankly impossible ask for anyone to oblige. 

Instead of reacting to every ‘new’ trend or buzzword, let’s respond. Reacting is impulsive and often rooted in panic and emotion. We immediately jump into tactics and make long-term decisions based on short-term insights. This can be exhausting as well as expensive as we are tasked with continually shifting direction. It’s like starting from scratch every single day.

When we respond, we pause to absorb the information we are receiving, and we wait until emotion subsides. We think about how to leverage what we already have, and we walk confidently forward in the same direction we have invested our time, energy, and dollars into since inception. 

Leveraging AI 

The goal of any business is to maximize profits and impact. When we partner with businesses to strengthen their brand, one of the first things we look for is their difference. What sets this brand apart from any other competitive offering? What is their story, their WHY, their personality? What can we share with their audience that they won’t be able to get anywhere else? One of the best ways I find to leverage AI is to sift and sort through the copious amounts of information available and use that to streamline your messaging.

Do marketers need to think about AI? Probably. But isn’t that in our job description as marketers? To think about everything? 

What do we do with this information?

AI can be a great asset to your business. You can use it to research, automate, streamline, annotate…. But a tool is only as useful as the craftsman who knows how to use it. 

Technology has existed and evolved since the beginning of time. Ideas are tossed to the masses and the acceptance or rejection of any new idea or change is largely rooted in providence and timing. AI, along with any other marketable product, will continue to be re-named, re-positioned, and re-released to capitalize on current trends. This is marketing.

Where do we as marketers draw the line between creating to contribute, and creating for our own egos? And when does this become problematic? 

It’s not a question of whether or not the world should exist with AI, but rather how do we best use it to better the human experience. With the potential gain of technology, what are the potential losses? If we benefit from saving time and money at the expense of cutting thousands of job roles, what does that mean for our economy? For morale? 

Our job as marketers, as creatives, is to not only know how to create, but when to stop. Going back to the uncanny valley phenomenon, Tin Toy was shelved, but ultimately became the story plot for another popular film series. With some revised and overly-animated cartooning and an A-list cast, Tiny Toy became what we now know and love as Toy Story, which ultimately inspired a whole new world of both award-winning and beloved entertainment. 

Going back to HI

There is power in the story we create. The words we use and the frame we package truth within can dramatically alter perception and results, even when working with the exact same, accurate, data. 

While we continue to tinker with technological advancements, it is crucial now more than ever that we highlight and preserve human intelligence and well-being. Considerations such as legal protections, plagiarism, privacy breaches, psychological impact, economic impact, etc are real human challenges that require exceptional levels of intelligence and discernment. 

What is the real WHY behind technology? I would argue that technology exists to improve the human experience. It exists to make our lives easier, better, and more flexible so that we can enjoy more human experiences. Creativity without contribution is no longer about creating, but taking. Rather than hyper-focusing on the intricacies of technological tools, let’s put the focus back on connecting with our customers. This is where the real magic happens. 

Gigasavvy helps brands move their business forward and position themselves for long-term success with comprehensive strategies, meaningful brand stories, and innovative creative campaigns. Connect with us to chat about how we can help you bring your brand into the future. 

Meet the Designers: Teague Anderson

How did you fall into design?

I always loved making things when I was younger, and my love for design was born when I had to make PowerPoint presentations for my classes. I always wanted to flex on everyone with how good mine looked and how cool my slide transitions were.

How would you describe your design style?

I would describe my design style as sophisticated. I really like clean and simple, but like to add a little flare here and there to avoid work becoming too stagnant or boring. 

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from everything! Our whole world was created by a Designer, and there is no shortage of inspiration to draw from. Whether it’s beautiful nature scenery or cruising up and down aisles in the grocery store looking at packaging, it is always fun to see the different ways people express their creativity.

What type of projects would you work on full time if you could?

I would work on branding projects full time if I could. It is so fun to see a brand come to life from nothing, and to set someone up for their future success as a business. The whole process from logo development, to colors/type, to applications etc. is really enjoyable and rewarding.

Gigasavvy is a brand strategy firm and creative agency that is passionate about helping brands craft their authentic story. Contact us for help with your brand.

Meet the Designers: Jacky Northgrave

How did you fall into design?

Ever since I was little I loved to create – designing new worlds, telling new stories and letting my imagination run wild. My mom always did such a stellar job cultivating a space for creativity. As I grew older I dabbled in interior design, painting, drawing. My love for design started when I was little and has never gone away.

Once I started diving into graphic design, I knew my future was there. It was the perfect blend of so many artistic aspects all in one space. My career has just evolved from there, and I am very proud and grateful for what I’ve been able to build. I know that little girl would look at me now and be in awe of how design can be so much more than just her thoughts and dreams.

How would you describe your design style?

I think my true design style is modern minimalistic. I love the simplicity and power of curated elements that build together to create something strong and beautiful. I’ve always been more drawn towards minimal and impactful work, so I think I’ve just naturally carried that on in my own work. I love playing with typography, retro elements and abstract shapes to create a world of modern nostalgia. 

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. I learned from a young age that when you limit your inspiration you’re really limiting your potential. I could be inspired by the little moments: a song, a special experience, a person you just met, a story you heard. Inspiration is all around us. We just need to be ready and willing to see it when it strikes.

Lately some of my greatest inspiration has been from my daughter. She’s three, curious, whimsical and full of wonder. Seeing the world through her eyes gives me a new perspective, and a unique understanding of even the simplest of things. I’ve tried to carry the essence of a new perspective in my work to create something new and fresh, using a new and unique angle. 

What type of projects would you work on full time if you could?

I genuinely feel so lucky to have dipped my toes in a lot of different projects. I’ve been able to work on all kinds of design, and so many different projects. But, it’s those branding projects that I just love. It’s really my bread and butter. Whenever I get those projects it feels like home.

Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely love how I’ve evolved as a designer – art directing and strengthening new muscles – but I love being able to help someone feel confident in their business or brand by giving it a chance to succeed. Whether it’s breathing new life into existing brands or starting from scratch, it’s a problem I just LOVE to solve for.

Gigasavvy is a brand strategy firm and creative agency that is passionate about helping brands craft their authentic story. Contact us for help with your brand.

Meet the Designers: Nicole Pawloski

How did you fall into design?

Since I can remember, I have always wanted to be an “artist.” Growing up an only child, drawing and making art of any form was my outlet and way of expressing myself. This hobby stayed with me through grade school, high school and eventually led me to getting a scholarship to pursue fine art in college.

About as quickly as I started my fine art major, I decided this career path was not for me. As much as I loved creating, I soon realized I wanted more out of my career and I would not be a successful traditional artist. I remember seeing my former roommate’s sketches and concepts for a packaging project she was working on in her Graphic Design class and was sold then and there. I changed my major the following week and began exploring what it meant to “design on the computer.”

Long story short, I fell in love with the purpose behind design and creating for a tangible goal.

How would you describe your design style?

I would consider my design style to be very graphic forward and colorful. I love any opportunity to incorporate illustrative design and custom typography. My design idols Ty Mattson and Hoodzpah Inc. have also shaped my design approach and I hope to create an instantly recognizable style of my own.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration, for me, can be found everywhere. Over the course of my career, I have found that even outside of work – I am always creating. Whether that be in cocktail making, cookie decorating, calligraphy, etc. – inspiration is all around me and can take different forms. Inspiration is often found when we disconnect from our screens and take in our surroundings, explore different mediums, and have conversations with those around us.

What type of projects would you work on full time if you could?

Gosh, this is a hard question. Agency life really does allow us designers and creatives to touch a little bit of everything. I have really grown to love the process of creating a campaign from scratch and seeing the big picture come to fruition. The amount of teamwork, collaboration and talent it takes to take a single idea and turn it into a full campaign – involving video production, photography, asset creation, social media etc. is truly amazing and worth every minute put into it.

Gigasavvy is a brand strategy firm and creative agency that is passionate about helping brands craft their authentic story. Contact us for help with your brand.

We are happy to create a set of blogs that will feature each of our designers and give them a chance to show off their unique creative personality.

Meet the Designers: Brittany Davis

How did you fall into design?

Design isn’t something that came super naturally to me. I took one art class in high school (that I was whatever at) and decided last minute to jump into design as my college major. I took a giant leap – hoping that somehow it would suit me, and surprisingly, it did.

Looking back now, it does make a lot of sense, but in the early days of my design career, there were still a lot of doubts and fears. The biggest being that I had a mostly type A/left brain. I wasn’t a messy artsy person naturally – even though most of my design friends seemed to be, and that made me feel quite inferior – like I wasn’t creative enough to really excel in design.

Since then, I’ve learned to put my orderly, type A brain to good use in my work, and it’s really helped me shape my creative style.

How would you describe your design style?

I consider myself to primarily be a minimalist – and that really flows through most of my work. I’m a firm believer in purposeful design, and I like to think that the simpler a design can be, the better (most of the time, of course). It’s really easy to overthink and over-fluff creative with excess design elements or copy, and I think there is strength in simplifying a design down to its core, leaving only what’s purposeful and necessary. There are many other graphic styles that have shaped and inspired me though, including Art Deco, Swiss, Retro, and Dreamy.

Where do you find inspiration?

I believe that the world around me was designed with purpose, and that pushes me to do the same. Design should be not only beautiful to look at, but meaningful. That way of thinking has really pushed me to admire the world around me, and incorporate it into my work.

Right now for example, I’m really into sunset gradients. They are each so different and unique from day to day, but all equally beautiful. I also love looking at storefront signage in different cities – so many examples of fun, retro type!

What type of projects would you work on full time if you could?

One thing I really enjoy about working for an agency is the variety. No day is ever boring, because I’m never stuck on one project- but switching from brand to brand. If I could work on anything full time, it would definitely have to be a mix! I have a lot of interests, from packaging, type-focused creative, feminine brands, cosmetic, beverage, brochure/editorial, etc. It’s not necessarily about the projects for me, but the overall vibe! I think in an ideal world, I would work with a handful of different brands that live inside an aesthetic that I enjoy – something that I would buy into as a consumer. Those types of projects make my heart the most happy!

Gigasavvy is a brand strategy firm and creative agency that is passionate about helping brands craft their authentic story. Contact us for help with your brand.

If you’ve been reading, watching, or listening to the news lately there’s a good chance you’re feeling overwhelmed; caught somewhere between the hope of a world opening back up and the devastating effects of climate change, the promise of a more equitable society, and the brutal reality of oppressed people across the globe, the excitement of exploring a new frontier beyond Earth’s atmosphere at odds with the taxes gone unpaid to afford such extravagant private missions to space.

Positive Propaganda is our quarterly review of inspiring and critical stories that matter. In our second installment, you’ll learn about the AI giving copywriters a run for their money, the ongoing influence of Keith Harring, Bodyform’s groundbreaking #Painstories campaign, life lessons from Maya Angelou and Hallmark, the boundary-pushing work from Adidas, why going BOLD is the only way for brands to succeed in a crowded market, what the Earth is saying to us, how one cat food brand is restoring coral reefs around the world, the most innovative Brand Experiences being crafted today, and how an 11-year-old invented popsicle by accident.

Without further ado, Gigasavvy presents Positive Propaganda Volume 2. Please enjoy by skimming through the embedded deck below or go full-screen with this link for a more immersive experience.

With summer in full swing, we thought it would be a perfect time to sit down with Ryan to talk art, learn about some of his favorite brews, and see what craft beers he recommends drinking to stay cool as temperatures continue to hit record highs.

DR: Thanks for sitting down with us Ryan. I’d like to kick things off with a bit of background. Who are you, where are you from, and when did you get the creative bug? Was there a specific moment that you knew you would make a life in the arts and when or how did you decide to pursue a career in Advertising?

RS: Well, I’m me and I’m from right here in sunny Southern Orange County California. I have been doodling for about as long as I can remember. Some of my first creative memories are from when I was a little lad “Curtooning” right along with Curt Visca of “It’s Curtoon Time!”, a show that was broadcasted locally (channel 3?) that taught children how to draw silly “Curtoons”. My favorite character on the program was Sammy Surf. In fact, my all-time greatest birthday memory is when THE ACTUAL Sammy Surf showed up to my party and doodled right alongside me, my buddies, and my grandmother. It was truly RADICOOL! My foray into digital art began when my father handed over the keys to the annual family Christmas card creative; I dove into Adobe Photoshop 5.0 at the ripe age of 14. Creative pursuits have always been a part of who I am and who I want to be, but I finally realized that I could turn creativity into a career while attending Santiago Canyon College. I guess that’s when it occurred to me that somebody has to make all the magazine covers, album art, and beer labels.

DR: With all of the projects we’ve had an opportunity to work together on, you seem to not only be driven to push the boundaries creatively, but you really seem to experiment with your approach, methods, and tools you’re using to create the desired effect. In the time we’ve worked together I’ve seen you pull from hand lettering, illustration, motion graphics and animation, photography, and 3D. Can you tell us a little bit about your process and what excites you about switching up your approach and experimenting across mediums?

RS: I enjoy finding ways to get away from the computer. Or, at least initially away from traditional design tools like Photoshop. Shoot, I’ve been using it since age 14, remember? Any time I’m able to get off the computer a lil and produce results that fulfill a project’s requirements, that’s a win for me. I’m excited about experimentation across mediums because usually, it means a unique result. I want to see a lot more stuff I’ve never seen before.

DR: Speaking of all the great work you do at Gigasavvy, what are some of your favorite projects?

RS: My favorite projects are most definitely the work I’ve participated in for Flame Broiler. I’ve been able to exercise some off-the-cuff creativity in our social media photoshoots. I think our team rallies around the kind of work that provides an opportunity for play.

DR: Are there any other art projects that mean something to you that you want to share?

RS: Oh, gosh, so many, but I’ll share one. There are times when I have a real need to create something, but don’t know where to start. I have this bank of words and phrases that speak to the idea of not doing. So, if I’m stuck and have the urge to create, I pull up my list and I do. I start up my computer but don’t worry, there’s very little Photoshop involved. I type one of the words or phrases that I’ve jotted down and print it. I cut around the printed word/phrase and then scan while moving the cutout. The result can look pretty glitchy depending on how I’ve moved the print while scanning. I feel the effect works well with the distorted thoughts/feelings expressed in the phrase. I’ve named the series Idle Expressions.

DR: Obviously one of the main reasons we wanted to have this conversation now, was to kick off summer properly. With you being a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to beer we will no doubt get into some of your favorites, but before we go there, I’m also curious about how you got into Beer in the first place. What is it about beer that captivated you, prompted you, and continues to inspire you to document this passion through photography on your Schrambrewski Instagram?

RS: I became interested in beer when my dad and the next-door neighbor started brewing beer in the backyard. I watched them, occasionally helped out, and, as they began to enter beers in the OC Fair homebrew competition, I made labels to accompany the entries. When I began to consume and enjoy beer, I started brewing with my dad. The documenting of beer through Schrambrewski is another way for me to consume and create. It’s a way for me to practice photo lighting techniques and continually learn new things, all while enjoying a cold one.

DR: And For those that don’t already know, what is Schrambrewski, and what’s it all about?

RS: Schrambrewski is all about practicing photography, trying new beer, and enjoying the process. I rate all the beers I try and document a lot of them on Untappd. I’m also sharing some favorite images, animations, and behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram.

DR: Can you share a bit about the process, how you select the beers to be photographed, what your setup consists of, and your top 3 favorite shoots so far.

RS: I start with a beer I’ve never tried before (shoutout O’Shea Brewing Co. in Laguna Niguel for their abundance of great suds). I’ll usually gravitate towards some neat can art and go from there. I’ll choose a couple of other beers that I’ve never had before that may have the same colorway (cuz it’s all about that killer feed). I usually shoot on a seamless paper backdrop with some props or place the beer in an environment that works well with the can design/theme or style.

Typically, I take the photos right in my living room. I shoot with a Fuji X-T2 and any one of my Fuji lenses…I LOVE FUJIFILM. I use Godox speed lights and/or continuous lighting depending on how much gear I’d like to break out on any given evening.

Favorite Shoot 1 – This one took a good effort. I cut up several cans, took a handful of photos, and made a stop motion animation.

Favorite Shoot 2 – I enjoy the bokeh effect created by shooting hard light at aluminum foil positioned behind the subject. Plus, I got ice cream to pair with the beer. (behind-the-scenes image in post)

Favorite Shoot 3 – Because flamingos.

DR: Packaging design for beer continues to elevate. It’s one of those spaces where designers are really pushing the boundaries and making art that’s consumable by the masses. Do you have any all-time favorite cans? What are some current favorites?

RS: Absolutely! Some all-time favorites come from Brouwerij West. Between their collaborations with talented artists and their unique print/production applications, they put out cans that stand out from the crowd. One current favorite can design is for the Surround Sound El Dorado Double IPA by Collective Arts Brewing. I haven’t yet had a chance to try this beer but came across the art and I love all of the color pumped in there. What a fun can!

DR: Packaging and design are one thing, and in many cases, whether it’s beer or music – another area I know you’re deeply passionate about – the designs often reflect the overall quality of the product, from flavor to style and genre. Aesthetics aside though, what are some of your favorite craft breweries?

RS: Some all-time favorite craft breweries include Alpine Beer Company, Left Coast Brewing Co., and Beachwood Blendery. While they all brew some phenomenal beer, I dig these breweries mostly because of the memories I associate with them. I remember the time I took a trip to the small mountain town of Alpine, CA, and enjoyed a couple of beers in their quaint tasting room and backyard garden. I’ve had way too many good times celebrating friends’ birthdays, participating in a trivia night, or enjoying a Yoga and a Beer session at the strange office-building-turned-brewery setting at Left Coast in San Clemente. I won’t ever forget the great sours and the intimate brewery tour at Beachwood.

DR: Veering off track slightly here, but any jamz you’re listening to lately. What will you be playing at your BBQ and throughout the summer? Any album art you’re really digging?

RS: I’ve been on a pretty big IDLES kick for the past couple of years. The British rock band has some great tunes with even greater messages. The IDLES visuals (videos and album art) are just as incredible. I’ll put on the song “Television” or “Danny Nedelko”, crank up the volume, throw back a couple brewskis, and belt some meaningful lyrics poolside with all the homies at a BBQ this summer.

DR: Back to the beer. With independent beer run day upon us, which indi beers will you be sipping on this weekend?

RS: Oh man, so many excellent brews to pick from.

1. Perfect Day IPA by Stereo Brewing Company – You can expect a true-to-style West Coast IPA. C’mon, this is the perfect summer day in So Cal beer.
2. AFK by GameCraft Brewing – I have to include a beer from my nearest brewery and this is my go-to beer at GameCraft. This one is a refreshing German pilsner. If AFK isn’t available, try their Otaku Japanese Rice Lager. You gotta support your own local craft brewery because it shows you care about your local community.
3. The Dream by Beachwood Blendery – A Belgian-style sour ale fermented in oak barrels with passion fruit, strawberries, guava, mango, and pineapples. I love an evening sour. You cannot go wrong with any of the wild ales that Beachwood Blendery has to offer.
4. Flyjack Hazy India Pale Ale by Firestone Walker Brewing Company – This one is easy to find, easy to drink, and pairs well with hot and sunny. I like that it’s fairly low cal, yet still crisp and delicious.
5. Montucky Cold Snack – It’s a cheap American lager getting more distribution that looks and feels pretty darn hip. I recommend this one if you’re planning on throwing back a few.
6. 510 Kölsch by Almanac Beer Co. – This one’s a collaboration with Hella Coastal and it’s just delightful. It’s a lovely beer that’s bursting with citrus flavor and just might be my beer of Summer ’21.

DR: And for those looking to try something new: are there any styles of beer that people may not be familiar with but if they see at a store should be testing out for sure?

RS: One of the more unique, yet accessible styles is a cream ale. Pick up some Cali’ Creamin’ from Mother Earth Brewing Company and enjoy the nod to the classic cream soda flavor.

DR: Well I think that just about wraps it up. Anything else you want the people to know about?

RS: Not really, nah. I’ll simply end this with some Sammy Surf wisdom: “Practice, practice, practice.”

DR: Thanks Ryan, we really appreciate you taking the time to share some of your favorite brews as well as your essential tips for living the good life.

As a creative agency, Gigasavvy’s purpose has been brought into sharp focus over the last year and is more relevant than ever. To inspire meaningful human connection in a digitally-dominated world is baked into how we approach every aspect of our business. We believe that putting people first is essential to developing and delivering truly innovative solutions for our clients as well as for ourselves. Identifying the core human truths that connect us while focusing on ideas that inspire and unite people helps our team continue to challenge the status quo. With that in mind, we are excited to share the first installment of Positive Propaganda, our quarterly look into the key moments and trends poised to shape and impact the culture at large.

The interactive deck below is filled with insightful articles, engaging videos, immersive digital experiences, and whimsical games that represent the best of what the global creative community has put out into the world during quarantine. You can explore Positive Propaganda by clicking the arrows on the bottom right corner of the deck or view in full-screen here.

In fact, studies going back decades have shown that his mustachioed visage is more widely recognizable than Mickey Mouse. And, like Disney’s mascot, he just got his very own theme park to star in, Super Nintendo World, which will open at Universal Studios Japan this month. Similar themed lands are under construction at Universal parks in Hollywood, Singapore, and Orlando.

Superfans Create a New Holiday

Back in 2008, a few science fiction enthusiasts on Facebook announced that they were creating a holiday. They declared that May 4th was Star Wars day for no other reason than because it would be fun to greet each other by cheekily saying “May the fourth be with you.” The trend caught on and eventually was officially adopted by parent company Disney. It seems to grow in awareness and participation every year.

Nintendo’s fans at some point realized that another date on the calendar suited their favorite mascot, and announced that March 10th, stylized as MAR10 to resemble the name of the plucky savior of the Mushroom Kingdom, was the perfect day to celebrate the world’s most popular video game plumber.

The very first Mario Day was held in 2016 and proclaimed on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel. In 2017, Nintendo offered a free Mario-themed frame to Facebook and Facebook Messenger that could only be used between March 10 and 12.

For the following year, they partnered with Google by adding a playable Mario minigame to Google Maps. Discounts for Mario games like Super Mario Party, Mario Kart, and Mario Tennis Aces were rolled out for the 2019 Mario Day. Also that year, in-store events sponsored by Frito-Lay were held at their flagship NYC retail outlet.

For 2020, things were slightly different and more virtual. Select Mario games were discounted again, and special Mario costumes were made available in Mario Kart Tour. They also used the event to tease a new partnership on their Twitter account, which was ultimately revealed to be LEGO Super Mario.

Love for Mario Crosses All Demos

It’s official: everyone loves Mario, and that includes us! So, to join in on the fun, Gigasavvy’s creators, designers, and brand strategists thought up some colorful, fun, Mario-themed co-branding opportunities to drive home his universal appeal.

“Mario is unique in that the game and character represent an era and nostalgia for many, yet transcends generations and remains current. Although the Mario franchise needs no help in exposure, I wanted to imagine what it might look like as a brand collaboration. There’s something powerful about two brands coming together to create something new and unexpected–especially if it’s two brands you already love.”

– Tyler Oslie, Senior Art Director, Gigasavvy

 

The universality of Nintendo’s success is no accident. Nintendo is a master at using inclusive design that draws in super fans from all demographics, notably by elevating female video game sidekicks into full-fledged headliners.

Gaming is often thought of as a male-dominated pastime, which is why it was so groundbreaking for Nintendo to release a title like “Metroid” back in the 1980s and make the game’s hero, Samus Aran, a space-exploring woman warrior. Even Nintendo’s damsels in distress,’ Princesses Peach and Zelda, have evolved over the years to take on more active roles in their respective franchises. Gigasavvy Designer Brittany Davis has a strong connection with Nintendo and recalls many fond memories and used those childhood impressions to inspire her designs.

“Mario was pretty important to me back in the day. One Christmas when I was young, I got a Nintendo DS from my parents, and it was probably one of the most memorable Christmas gifts I’ve received. My sister and I were always playing Super Mario Brothers and Mario Kart. Even though I would fall off the road pretty regularly, Rainbow Road was one of my favorite courses. Nintendo is amazing at imagining these different worlds, and really immersing you into it. This was a really cool opportunity to jump back into that world as an adult and reimagine one of my levels as an adult! I really wanted to make it as colorful and lively as possible, pairing some retro, lava lamp vibes with a modern illustration style.”

– Brittany Davis, Designer, Gigasavvy

 

Gigasavvy’s Ryan Schram imagined a fun product using the hero’s iconic mustache as his source of inspiration.

“Mario has some notable features (hat, overalls, mustache, etc.), so I wanted to come up with a product that made sense based on these distinct features and work in all things, Mario. I thought it would be cool to focus on a mustache product. The tin itself represents a pipe from the Super Mario series and then I riffed on some of the other iconic elements from the game.”

– Ryan Schram, Production Designer, Gigasavvy

Art Director, Nicole Pawloski wanted to capitalize on the sentimental charms of a game franchise that goes back decades:

“Now, as many gamers are getting older, there is a great opportunity to create something nostalgic for an adult audience. What better way to celebrate Super Mario, than through a crisp hazy IPA? Specifically, I chose to highlight Princess Peach (my favorite female heroine) in an imagined Triple Hazy IPA, that would pack a juicy punch fit for any beer snob. So grab a “Peachy Keen” and celebrate your favorite childhood game while indulging in your new favorite adult beverage.”

 

The Game Continues

All of the Mario Day events this year will cap off Mario’s 35th anniversary, and several limited-time promotional games and products will be removed from their online store, such as Super Mario Bros. 35, an online game where 35 players simultaneously compete at classic Mario Bros platforming in a battle royale.

And yet fans are excited for the 31st when these unique, limited-time games and features disappear. Not because they didn’t enjoy them and will be happy to see them go, but because it means they can start getting hyped for the next big Nintendo franchise to get the anniversary treatment: Zelda.

The Takeaway

When your brand’s superfans decide they want to celebrate you, let them! There is nothing that brings consumers closer to your brand than some good old user-generated content. Once you’ve created something great, you have to set it free. Do your best to foster a dynamic community that’s empowered and invested in the future of your brand your success will be limited only by your fans imaginations.

Want to see how the creative minds at Gigasavvy can bring your brand to life with imaginative design and thoughtful execution? Get in touch today!