Play space.  Designers like to have a little fun.

If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably noted ‘Head Honcho’ and the iconic stripey top being used in and around various online social spaces. It’s caused all sorts of reaction and interestingly has inspired a few people to want to do business.  This is fact, which we’re sure, you will find most interesting.

Why use an Icon, not a Photo?

As designers, we have to research, plan and think about the most unlikely eventualities that actually take place in the real world.  Yes.  We design for the real world.  Many people are very comfortable with the activity of online networking for social media whereas others are not so comfy, especially when it comes down to self image.

At Digital Stationery we have been studying the use of Avatars and noteably remarking where people a choosing to shy away from using the medium.  The big question is “Why?”.  Largely, it comes down to the level you personally feel comfotable with.

Many other designers have also researched the same area and designers everywhere are working on solving this little dilema that people have.

Just have a look at the following designers:

As designers, there is an understanding that we need to look upon the world slightly differently.  At the same time we need to accomodate real world requirements.  At Digital Stationery, we particularly wanted to use a photograph and it was important that the photograph would be “real world”.  That said:  a new blog post may appear using the original image.

Privacy through design

Not everyone wants to display their photograph and this is often a key requirement in design.    There are many different reasons why this requirement might fall in to the design box.  Here is a short list of reasons:

  1. A person is not comfortable with their self image
  2. A person feels their privacy is exposed by using a photograph
  3. The target market expects to see someone ‘older’, ‘younger’ or ’somethingelse’
  4. There is no budget  for photography and we have to ‘make do’ – yes, real world…!!!
  5. Separation of self image from the business is a key business requirement

Let’s look at ‘Head Honcho’

Let’s look at what Digital Stationery did differently:

  • The business cards is striking, front and back
  • The business card has had people in fits of laughter – great ice breaker for networking
  • The colour changing icon is a great conversation tool
  • The email joins social media ‘persona’ with traditional marketing channels – there is now a figure head
  • People say Head Honcho looks so much younger in person – oooo, we like that.!!
  • Good or bad, people recognise the icon instantly.
  • It’s great being able to comment and people know who it is, without fail
  • The Avatar icon is great – it creates conversation, people say “why have you not got a photo”
  • All conversation is good for social media – woot woot..!!!   This is social media in action.!!
  • The business card extends it’s use to bring the conversation back online (scanned / photographed with message)
  • It is different, it has been designed
  • It’s all fun.

Something to think about…

There is a distinct difference between ‘working on your business’ and ‘working in your business’.  ‘Head Honcho’ is a role we all take on when working in our business.   How do you manage the two different sides to your business?  Do you wear more than one hat?

Fancy a comment?