Rudi O'Meara

You've likely heard "pets are the new kids." But it's more nuanced than that, says Senior Creative Director Meredith Post: "We're noticing how pets are treated differently than children: they are an idyllic extension of a person's identity. We treat them better than we treat ourselves and use them as a signal of who we are and want to be.” It means pet CPG is extending into realms like personalized nutrition and luxurious self-care. For more insights from Meredith Post, Carina Sandoval and Kyle Schutte, head here: https://okt.to/fA9oNI #petbrands #petcpg #consumerstrategy #petcare

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This article resonates with me, highlighting the challenges I encountered managing the San Jose public art collection. One particular hurdle involved reconstructing artwork imagery from unusable files due to outdated software limitations. If you require assistance in developing policies and guidelines for your public art collection, feel free to reach out—I'd be happy to help! #artcollectionmanagement #publicart

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💭 Is consensus and over-collaboration killing brave, inspired, and game-changing creative work? This question stemming from from Tobias van Schneider's piece has been banging around my head for the last two weeks. For my fellow designers and creatives and brand leaders, give it a read and a ponder → https://lnkd.in/gdtgjrTm #branding #designcollaboration #branddesign

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Resistance, recovery, reflection, and reimagination. Tara Hedayat-Zadeh, Design Researcher at THRIVE, explored these bold themes at the Design Research Society's conference in Boston. From centering care in tech to building trust and accountability, her insights shed light on the future of design research. Discover her key takeaways here: https://hubs.ly/Q02_syhr0 #DesignResearch #Innovation #thrivethinking

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A great video from design icons Pentagram on using AI in design The design is for Performance.gov website (a government initiative to document strategic goals and make them understandable to the public). The video outlines using crafty (paper, paint) inputs to create a large library of consistent illustrations for online use. Ps. There's no sound.

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One of the best articles to come out recently on brand strategy. Worth the time. When you are done listening to the Unorthodox Podcast by Rosie Lee Group, take a moment to read this one. #innovation #brand #creativity #bobdylan

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Hard to keep up with the amazing Doug Powell and his podcast This Is A Prototype: The Design Leadership Podcast with Print Magazine. I will admit, that while it is always fun to record these interview, I dont generally relish listening to the recordings after the fact. Yet, the first episode of my discussion with the amazing Kate Aronowitz from GV (Google Ventures) held up pretty well. I finally had a minute, after my younger daughter’s college graduation, to listen to Part 1 of our discussion. Totally inspired by so many of the themes that Kate touched on in: •   I really appreciate her challenging some of my recent Fast Company series on design leadership for centering the voices of folks of a certain level of tenure, history and privilege and calling out the need to engage and invest in the next generation of design leadership, particularly the folks working at startups who “probably dont look like” us. At Dalberg Design we have invested in a robust leadership development model for this very reason as we cultivate diverse talent in markets like Dakar, Mexico City, Mumbai and Nairobi. •   Related, Kate and Doug speak passionately about the design field becoming less territorial and find ways to better support the next generation as we go through our next evolution, which Kate is at the front lines of in her role as GV’s design guru. We dont “have to compete with one another. we could help move talent around and build the discipline together.” It is also one of the reasons I took my practice to the public sector. There is a refreshing openness among designers working in this field that was missing in my days in corporate design at frog. We have a collective responsibility to grow the field and establish the valuable role that design can play in social movements and systems change. •   I was also so inspired by Kate's commitment to building and nurturing communities that brings more senior and up-and-coming talent together. Many designers at early-stage startups are still working largely on their own and lacking community, which is something Kate is working tirelessly to build. I see our global as similarly inspiring and in need of community that is culturally relevant to them. It is a generation of diverse talent who are developing a powerful voice as they navigate their parallel journeys. One of the reasons we started our design practice at Dalberg was to give them a home and community. I hope that you will find these and other messages from the podcast equally inspiring. Please tune in for Part II, which launched last week and share your thoughts and reflections. Listen now 🎧 https://apple.co/3QVHJnM

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In today’s “blanding” trend, many companies are opting for minimalist designs that strip away uniqueness. But real differentiation goes beyond visual identity. To truly stand out, brands must build an authentic identity rooted in purpose and values, creating meaningful connections with customers. It’s not just about how a brand looks—it’s about how it makes people feel and how well it communicates its mission. In a crowded market, is authenticity still the strongest asset? #Branding #PurposeDriven #CustomerLoyalty #Differentiation #Marketing

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I’ve been gardening for as long as I’ve had an outdoor space to grow something in. When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, gardening was really easy. I had strawberries that were taking over the beds within the first year of planting. Prolific tomato plants. So many zucchinis and pumpkins and butternut squash that I was giving them to neighbors. I foolishly assumed I would have the same success when we bought a little house in the high desert. I was ready to be growing 40% of our produce at home. Our new yard took one look at me and laughed. Gardening here has been largely unsuccessful. Everything is thirsty. The wind rips small plants out of the ground. Deer clamber onto the porch to eat whatever they want - after they’ve decimated the veggie garden. There are ground squirrels - which are a horrible combination of a squirrel and a prairie dog - that just rip stuff up and leave it on the ground FOR FUN. Ahead of this summer I grew a total of three strawberries, one cherry and perhaps 5 tomatoes. But I finally grew this garlic. It took adjusting the soil. It took building fences. It took co-planting. But it’s a win. And one thing I’ve learned from burning out and clawing my way out of that burnout its to celebrate your wins. This little piece of advice has likely followed you around your career for a while. I hear it often. Though I hear this piece of advice all the time, the times I actually listen and apply the advice are few and far between. In short, it’s easier said than done. Our brains are wired to look for the negative. Negativity bias shows up in almost all aspects of our life - it’s why we dwell on the one nasty thing someone said to us in elementary school and don’t tend to think about all nice things people did for us. It’s why we feel like our entire day was terrible when one person at work said one annoying thing. It makes sense for humans to bias toward the negative, because our bodies are constantly trying to keep us safe. Our systems are wired to sense danger, to learn from negative experiences, and create memories that have us making different choices in the future. Though there are evolutionary reasons negativity bias can be useful, getting stuck in negative thought patterns can have a profound effect on multiple aspects of our life. For me, especially in periods when I’ve felt drained in other parts of my life, negativity bias creeps into work. Despite the mounting evidence to the contrary, negative thought patterns can have me convinced that I suck at my job and everyone hates me. Good news is, one of the ways you can work with your body to dial back the negative thought spiral is by….surprise….celebrating your wins. Consistently pointing out to yourself the things that have gone well (and giving yourself a moment to celebrate them) teaches our brains to seek out more examples of positive outcomes. So, I invite you to feast your eyes upon my garlic harvest and celebrate this win with me.

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Value that Design can bring in daily lives is significant and multifaceted, encompassing both tangible and intangible benefits. ➡ Thoughtful design can enhance accessibility, safety, comfort, and aesthetics, making cities more livable and enjoyable places to inhabit. ➡ Design can promote social inclusion and equity by ensuring that urban spaces are accessible and welcoming to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. ➡ Vibrant and well-designed urban environments can stimulate economic activity by creating attractive destinations for shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences. e.g. Dubai, Singapore ➡ Designing cities with sustainability in mind can help reduce environmental impact, mitigate climate change, and improve resilience to natural disasters. ➡ Designing walkable neighborhoods, providing green spaces, and prioritizing active transportation modes can encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases. ➡ Design can help preserve and celebrate a city's cultural heritage and identity by integrating historic landmarks, cultural institutions, public art, and traditional architectural styles into the urban fabric ➡ Design thinking approaches, co-design processes, and participatory design methods engage communities in shaping the future of their cities and generating innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. ➡ Well-designed public spaces serve as gathering places for social interaction, cultural exchange, and civic participation, strengthening the social fabric of cities. ➡ Design-driven placemaking initiatives and urban regeneration projects enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of cities on a global scale, driving economic prosperity and prosperity. #designlife https://lnkd.in/g65yb6jP

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Ever wondered how out-of-home advertising is thriving in San Francisco? Check out my latest blog post to see how brands are making waves in the Bay Area with creative campaigns and takeover transit ads. Read it here! #OOH #SanFrancisco #Advertising BART OUTFRONT Media

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Here goes Scott Berkun on Jorge Arango's podcast. Scott's latest book, co-authored with Bryan Zug is a must-read for designers and for all those who think design is easy. ;-) Give it a listen. Gems from Why Design is Hard "On the first day of design school, and in the first page of every design book, there should be a clarifying lesson about human nature. Decision-making in the real world is a social process, not a solitary one. This means design is usually a social process too, even if it’s just between a visionary solo designer and their fancy client.” and another … “Designers often say “they just don’t get it” about organizational leaders, as if “getting it” is a realistic expectation for people who are currently rewarded not to get it. It’s like being angry at a rock for being so quiet and unmoving.” cc: Dave Gray Anthony Lopez Lloyd Mathias Ken Gordon https://lnkd.in/gSKV4XDt

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How did your last PowerPoint slide redesign go? 🧐 I bet it was something like this... 1️⃣ Thought it would take just a few minutes. 2️⃣ Spent hours aligning text, choosing colors, and finding the right images. 3️⃣ Realized halfway through that simplicity is key. 4️⃣ Made five different versions, just in case. 5️⃣ Finally, hit "save" and hope for the best. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Designing a slide that’s both informative and visually appealing can be a real challenge. That’s why having someone like who has the process down to a science, makes all the difference. 🎨✨ Thank you, @JoeFenti for making amazing content! #PresentationDesign #PowerPointTips #CreativeProcess #DesignChallenges https://lnkd.in/gaYFNjxf

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For 10 years, I grew my educational toy store alongside my design career. Scaling wasn’t just about growth—it was about sustainability. Foundational systems, understanding finances, and tracking progress were key. More importantly, we nurtured a culture of support and creativity, without rigid hierarchies, ensuring everyone had what they needed to thrive. Growth has its twists, but with solid systems and a strong culture, the journey is truly rewarding. No siloes, pure team work. Because as they same "team work, makes the dreams work." #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #CreativeCulture #Efficiency

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I found the conversation interesting, but I didn't hear anyone mention the importance of the relationship or the quality of the product/service to the audience. It's much easier to "market" a product people need and value, especially if you understand how it might fit into their lives. If you have a brand that people like and identify with, it's an easy sell. Making a bad product famous doesn't make it better. Telling a story that doesn't match the experience destroys trust and expectations. To say it more simply, truly great products aren't hard to sell.

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Have you listened to The Design Imposter Podcast? Monique and I have some remarkable guests in the coming weeks and the conversations are 🔥 Actually, our pre-recording vibe checks have been 🔥🔥🔥 We really need to start recording the vibe checks for b-roll. ---- Here's one of my favorite episodes which discusses the benefits of working in a corporate environment over freelancing and entrepreneurship. https://lnkd.in/eYKW3sTA

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Loved reading this piece about the redundancy of generational labels, it echoes what I was sharing on-stage at DMWF last week - we are defined by more than our birth years! Marketers, strategists, and planners need to get more creative and dig deeper to really understand who they’re trying to reach. Look for real insights that define the people you're trying to talk to, not a bunch of statistics that describe their consumption habits. Professor David Costanza puts it perfectly: "Older people need different things than younger people. But call them what they are: older consumers, experienced employees, new workers, emerging professionals, mid-careers, etc.—rather than the debunked generational labels (and their associated stereotypes)." H/T to Jason Alan Snyder for always sharing thought provoking reads! https://lnkd.in/eF-9EiRr

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Great article. We need more of this.

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