May 20

2019 taught us a few things about life–we say this reflecting five and a half months into 2020 and 9 weeks into quarantine. But, a big thing that 2019 showed us was the big power of irrationality and the positive effects that can occur when you take a leap of faith and chase an out-of-the-box idea to help your company grow. Irrationality led to the reimagining of vehicle design, global issues, and customer experience.

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Apr 23

A month into the Great Quarantine of 2020, COVID-19 has taught us (i.e. forced us) how to adapt in a remote age. One industry that’s been forced to “modernize” is the health space. Telemedicine has become increasingly relevant since the onset of our quarantine. However, telemedicine isn’t a new concept. It has long been considered an effective way for people to access their medical professionals from the comfort and safety of their own homes. What’s different about it now is that the quarantine has necessitated that more and more people and medical practices turn to telemedicine as a primary solution for their issues. Using a digital device, healthcare officials can diagnose, treat, prescribe and educate a patient that’s miles away (an adequate social distance) and not risk unnecessary exposure or inconvenience for people on both ends of the equation. So with this in mind, we’d love to highlight 2 of our clients. One who had to enter this space almost overnight: Tri-County Medical Center. And one who has been occupying it pre-Corona: Telespine

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Mar 31

It’s no secret that Janice, Founder of Oblique Design and Kelly, Account Manager for Oblique, embarked on an incredible journey in 2019 as they traveled the world with Remote Year and had the opportunity to work remotely in 12 different countries. 3 months have passed since their Remote Year program ended and their return to ‘normalcy’. Since the New Year, they’ve been able to reflect on their experiences and digest the lessons they’ve learned while abroad. We thought it would be useful to offer you some tips, insight, and context for how to run a branding and web agency on the road.

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Mar 13

Really good looking retail packaging might be the key to saving the environment. Hear us out. There’s a company called Loop, founded by Tom Szaky. It’s a global circular shopping platform that uses durable, recyclable containers in an effort to eliminate waste. Loop partners with well-known brands (ex: Clorox, Pantene) and offers their products in reusable containers that are either directly delivered to consumers or available via retail outlets. Once empty, the containers are then collected, cleaned, and refilled. It’s a modern day milkman model. Customers are loving it because the packaging is really cool and sleek, and just has a really great aesthetic overall. Some of their containers actually prolong the shelf life of the product and make it easier to enjoy. Take Haagen Dazs’s for example. Loop’s packaging for the ice cream giant keeps the product frozen and fresh longer and makes it easier to scoop out every last bite.

Loop requires a security deposit with each purchase to guarantee returns of the packaging. This deposit also affords companies leeway to invest in better packaging design. Through Loop, different product manufacturers become responsible for a durable container meant for multiple uses instead of a one-time use container to transport a product from the store to the home. In this model, the sustainable packaging design becomes an asset, not just a production cost, where traditionally the company is responsible for product delivery and the customer is responsible for the use and disposal of the product.

Szaky conducted customer research to really get to the grit of why customers were using Loop. The average price of everyday items are a lot higher. Surprisingly, ⅔ of the survey showed that consumers use Loop because of the creative packaging design and ⅓ because of sustainability efforts.

This “Loop Effect” shows that there are goods that are not price sensitive and that the modern day consumer holds aesthetics and sustainability extremely highly. This proves that eco-friendly packaging may be worth the investment as modern consumers are willing to pay the difference.. Loop has shown us that you can do good and look good too.

Dec 11

Apparently, in 2018 the average American spent about 4 hours online a day, at least according to Nielsen. So that’s at least 4 hours a day per person where you have the chance to woo your customers online. The quickest and most succinct way of doing so is via your creative website design which helps communicate your company branding. We’ve already highlighted ways to improve style, functionality and experience.

So next, we’d like to debunk 5 myths about website design:

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Nov 18

In August 2019, Reebok rolled out a really cool campaign.

Their campaign, ‘It’s A Man’s World’, was for a re-release of 3 classic sneaker styles and 2 tee-shirts, and it featured 5 superwomen who are breaking up gender stereotypes in their respective male-dominated industries. But more importantly, ‘It’s A Man’s World’ showcased Reebok’s latest initiative: a creative platform celebrating female empowerment. The message of this campaign honors the zeitgeist of today and is downright empowering. Plus, the 5 women featured are objectively phenomenal.

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Oct 29

Earlier this month, Janice was featured on the podcast, #JustAddGratitude, to share her experiences as a digital nomad and Principal/Creative Director of Oblique Design, a Colorado branding and interactive agencyDuring the interview, Janice expands upon the complicated and inspirational personal realities of becoming location independent. This nomad lifestyle, seemingly unattainable to some, is actually well within reach thanks to the Internet, discipline, and great client relationships.  

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Jul 25

You know what sucks? When you go to a website and can’t figure out how to use it.   

Click a button that doesn’t work? Check.
Can’t find the scroll down menu? Check.
Accidentally end up on the wrong page? Check. 
Close your laptop when one too many pop-ups plays whack-a-mole with you? Check, check, check, and check.  

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Jul 19

It’s been a minute since we’ve had to deal with Sex Ed in school. But what we remember about that class…is actually nothing.  

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Jul 12

Plastic sucks, and we have to do better 

Canada is planning to decrease their environmental footprint by proposing a ban on single use plastics in 2021. But, some serious work needs to be done in the meantime. That’s what David Lee Kwen of East West Market in Vancouver noticed too 

 

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