Be Innovative

The last bit of an interview from an old copy of Lürzer Int'l Archive (Vol. 1-2011):

Interviewer: Why are you innovative?
Gideon Amichay: Probably because it can make my life better. I enjoy my day more this way. Just think that, every day, you can invent something. Not only to create, but actually invent. After 20 years in the business, it is so great! It is so easy to create things we already know, things we have done in the past. That's nothing. In fact, when I ask people "to bring to the table the ideas they think we cannot do," it takes the entire agency to a better place. We cross borders and make our way into uncharted territory. 

A month or two ago, I went to this talk at the Toronto chapter of Miami Ad School. It was something like advice from thriving creatives. A few months ago that, I went to another talk where the speaker said something like creativity can change the world.

I think - I truly believe that creativity can save the world. It may even be the only thing that can save the world in the state it is today.

It is incredible and inspiring and breathtaking the things we can do with creativity, with a creative and explorative mind. To be innovative. To think of things that haven't been done yet. To challenge the notion of 'what if'. For this, I most admire children and the way they think; the way they imagine and dream. Anything is possible. In fact, the wilder the better.  Wouldn't that be remarkable?

Be innovative. Stop thinking about what can't happen, and just imagine - even for a second. What did I want to happen as a child? What did you want to happen as a child? How do I bring that into the world? How do I keep dreaming and wondering? How do I live that expansive imagination again?

Bill Bernbach

A quote from an advertising legend - "Human nature hasn't changed for a billion years. It won't even vary in the next billion years. Only the superficial things have changed. It is fashionable to talk about changing man. A communicator must be concerned with unchanging man - what compulsions drive him, what instincts dominate his every action, even though his language too often camouflages what really motivates him. For if you know these things about a man, you can touch him at the core of his being. One thing is unchangingly sure. The creative man with an insight into human nature, with the artistry to touch and move people, will succeed. Without them he will fail."

Titled "Stolen Moments of Peace"

This is a photo from April 7, 2016. I'm not entirely sure if it has already been featured on this blog. I can tell you that the similarities between this photo two years ago and now are frighteningly similar. I still eat almond butter and banana on toast. I still have that MacBook Pro. I'm typing on it right now. I still use that NYX brush with another bottle of that NARS foundation. I still have that plastic tumbler from Starbucks and it's still what I use to drink water. I still use that coffee mug. We still have that plate.

It is alarming to me because I am frightened. I finished school last Friday. I'm looking for an internship right now. I've had two phone interviews and two in-person interviews. I walk away from every single one not knowing how I did. I tell the boy I am seeing that I do not think I make great first impressions. I'm not that charming. I think I am mostly shy and awkward around new people - but not in a cute Zooey Deschanel way. Just an awkward maybe-Aubrey Plaza way.

I'm worried that after a year of school, I am still not going to find a job. I am tired and so eager for a change of pace. I am ready for a change in my life. I want to try new things. I want new challenges. I have felt very stagnant the past three years since I finished my undergraduate degree. I'm concerned that I never feel confident after my interviews. I think I'm a hard worker and I become a very caring, sweet, considerate and friendly person. I'm worried that isn't capable of being shown in the little time interviews offer.

I don't know what I'm going to do. I am hoping for the best. I know I have people who believe in me. I know I have good work. It's just hard to convince myself not to be so scared. I emailed my professor after the interview a little freaked out. She replied, "Hang in there" and "If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be (for now)."

What will be, will be. 

(They are some differences. I no longer use that makeup bag. I don't use that Too Faced powder anymore. I killed that succulent. I don't know what happened to that plush. The snowglobe is put away somewhere. Same with the notepad. I have a different MetroPass.)

Convocation nearly three years ago, June 2015

DRAFT

Below is the first draft of a piece of long copy. I really liked the imagery and the voice of this piece. Being able to write stuff like this, is kind of the reason why I went into copywriting. I want to be able to tell stories - powerful, moving and beautiful stories.

Describe your last experience of falling in love.  

You met your husband at age 22. It was a Saturday night outside of the university pub. You bumped into him because you weren’t paying attention and had one too many. You looked at him to say sorry. He smiled and then you lost your words. You fell in love. It was the first time.  

You lost your first job at age 24. You drove an hour and a half to sit at the beach and cry. You sat right by the water. Waves licked your toes. Sand tickled your skin. You watched the sun set. It hugged you as it left. You fell in love.  

You had your daughter at age 30. She wrapped her little hand around your finger. You whispered hello. You fell in love.  

You started painting again at age 40. You fell in love.  

Through a lifetime of falling in love, stumble into it again.

 My final submission did not look like this or sound quite the same. But I wanted to keep the first draft.

Dear Reader, let me know what you think. This is my favourite part of writing. I love creating imagery and feeling. How did I do? Can I sell you not just a product, but a lifestyle? The near-perfect life? A dream?