My Name is Kate

links for 2010-02-23

• Dolly Oblong
  I really like the little paper toys shown here - you can download some of the patterns for free. Fun!
  (tags: papercraft papertoys paper-toys blog design illustration handmade diy crafts)
• grain edit · modern graphic design inspiration blog + vintage graphics resource
  Grain edit is focused on classic design work from the 1950s-1970s and contemporary designers that draw inspiration from that time period. Site content includes interviews, articles, designers’ libraries as well as examples of rare design annuals, type specimens, Ephemera, posters and vintage kids books from our bookshelves.
  (tags: blog design retro typography vintage illustration graphic advertising graphicdesign)

That's a lot of blue! Olympic Hodgepodge #1

So, if you live in Vancouver, you may have noticed that there is this sporting event in town that is closing roads, creating line-ups the like of which haven't been seen since Soviet Russia and bringing some of the best musical acts in Canada to town.

I have been meaning to write about a variety of Olympic-related topics, so here you go ... my first Olympic Hodgepodge!

Get in the Olympic Spirit

While I haven't been wearing red everyday, I have followed one of the suggestions in the Paint the Town Red guidebook: hang red and white xmas lights.  I've hung them on the balcony and they seem quite fetching. I do think the people across the street who have hung their multi-coloured xmas lights from December back up are kind of missing the point.  But I only mock them a little, because showing your spirit is a good thing, right?

But don't confine showing your spirit to your physical surroundings! You'll want to dress up your digital digs as well.  I made these patriotic avatars using Team Canada's "It Takes a Nation" app.  

 
 
 

Olympic Gear

Now, if you're looking to dress the part of Olympic fan/fanboy/nerd, you will definitely want to check out the Vancouver 2010 store.  Now, I'm not generally a proponent of rampant consumerism, but, two things here:  1) the Vancouver 2010 store is powered by the very awesome (and homegrown! Go, Vancouver!) e-commerce software and company Elastic Path; and 2) I really like the pins.  

You've probably heard about the 2 hour lines at the official HBC store - well shopping online eliminates those lines! And (AND) Elastic Path has partnered with VANOC to offer local residents free shipping and overnight delivery. Sweet! So if you need that cowbell for your day at the bobsleigh track or the big plush Mukuk for cuddling at home, you can get it delivered NEXT DAY!

When the good folks over at Elastic Path told me about their great shipping deal for Vancouverites (heck, actually all Lower Mainland folks), they also sent over a few sample items. No giant Mukmuk, but they did send pins!  And I want to give a couple away to YOU - whether you live in Vangroovy or not!  Details below. At the end. Keep reading ...

links for 2010-02-09

• Coca Cola, Standard Chartered and the oil industry - a force for good? | guardian.co.uk
  Reminds me of the effort one NGO is putting in - to try to use Coca-Cola's distribution network to get aid to developed world. Can't remember NGO name ..
  (tags: ngo business csr socialresponsibility CorporateReputationManagement)
• Guess Who’s Talking: Social Media Ethical Dilemmas
  Really appreciate this piece by Todd Defren - candidly discusses how his agency handles blogs and blog comments are part of PR. And what their ideal interaction with client & blogger would be. And what isn't the ideal. The one thing I would be interested in seeing is getting the client reaction to their scenarios - as an agency person, I too am uncomfortable with scenario #2 - but do clients not feel as squeamish? Should they? Should I not? Great thought-provoking piece.
  (tags: marketing socialmedia ethics community pr blogging blogger+relations)
• Digital Media Jobs in Canada
  New digital media job site in Canada - launched a few weeks ago. Just getting started. Give them some support!
  (tags: jobs onlinejobs digitaljobs canada)
• 10 elements of style of blog post writing
  I was just talking about Strunk and White yesterday with a colleague. We both agreed it is the best book on grammar and style. And now Marko Saric has condensed its guidelines for bloggers. Nice.
  (tags: socialmedia blogging writing copywriting)
• Various Alice in Wonderland Designs for Inspiration
  Variety of amazing representations of Alice in Wonderland.
  (tags: art inspiration aliceinwonderland)
• 5 Insightful TED Talks on Social Media
  TED is this week. I won't be attending it in person this year, but streaming it live via the TED Associates program. There are many many many great collections of TED Talks out there, but this is a set of 5 nice and easy ones on social media from Mashable. I particularly like the one from Stefana Broadbent!
  (tags: socialmedia tedtalks inspiration ted)
• 200+ Free Valentine Icons, Buttons and Badges for Bloggers | blueblots.com
  I loves me some free icons, buttons and badges. Especially when they are holiday themed!!
  (tags: design tools resources icons valentine free)

links for 2010-02-08

• Influential Marketing Blog: An Insider's Guide To Marketing On Flickr
  Article about using Flickr for marketing. This starts with a specific event (the Beijing Olympics) and talks about marketing photographs, but the advice around creating groups and participation in the community certainly apply to anyone.
  (tags: marketing flickr socialmedia smallbusiness community)
• A Hotel’s Guide to Using Flickr (Things I learned the hard way)
  Another excellent case-study/how-to kind of post about using Flickr as a marketing tool as well as a place to showcase interesting photography. This time using hotels as an example. But lots of lessons for anyone who has compelling photography as part of their offering.
  (tags: marketing socialmedia flickr travel smallbusiness hotel-marketing)
• Using Flickr to showcase your establishment | Twitter for Restaurants
  Great specific article on how a restaurant can use Flickr for marketing as well as serve the photography community.
  (tags: flickr marketing smallbusiness socialmedia)
• How to Market on Flickr | Small Business Search Marketing
  Article on using Flickr with your product photos. Some good dos and don'ts - which I very much appreciate. There is still a lot of keyword stuffing on Flickr which drives me crazy.
  (tags: flickr photo-sharing marketing smallbusiness socialmedia howto)
• Using Flickr to Socialize Your Products | Practical eCommerce
  Basic overview of some ideas for small business on how to use Flickr (or any social photo tool).
  (tags: marketing socialmedia flickr smallbusiness community)