R.I.P – Ozzy Osbourne. Metal hero and Brummie legend

Some of my best thinking and brief cracking is done in places like this pictured. Also some of that big life thinking. I'm sure you know the stuff. Away from the chair, the noise of the junk socials, and on foot. Sometimes in silence. Often with music. More so with something inspiring.

The reason most people don’t do anything about the problem, is often because there’s no such thing as a simple change that solves or fixes. All change has a price or comes at a cost. And we're certainly not just talking about financial here, but in time, effort, feelings, emotion or stability for instance.

Sometimes what’s being asked is just too much. However, sometimes what we stand to gain if it does come off far outweighs the investment or risk. We can learn the most from our biggest mistakes. Ain't that truth!

I read this quote whilst looking for some inspiration. It’s just so bloody perfect.

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”

Quote by Heraclitus // A Greek philosopher / born in 544 bc

On a personal and professional level… Modern life can be tough at times. Trying to maintain your personal identity, beliefs and values can be one hell of a task.

Here’s the cover and a few selected screens from a Kaspersky report I designed for the team at SAPIO Research, London — early 2022.

It’s been out in the wild for a while now. A fascinating project to work on — tackling the issue of digital stalking in relationships for one of the world’s best-known cybersecurity brands.

We adapted the report into 7 languages, making sure all that set-up time went the distance globally.

Poetry and writing down where I am and how I feel have been salvation through some tough times and also to accompany the joy of feeling for the good. I’ve kind of seen this take over my art works in some ways over the past 10 years as found the words often flowed easier in the mind when the heart was connected, and they almost needed to be set free or choke me at times. But I know my best pieces of work either Art or poem go together and combine to be a great deal more, as if they need each other to really see a full picture, even if that’s in an abstract way.

Just a thought...I met a really sound guy called *Jez Collins of Birmingham Music Archive on a trip around old and historically infamous music venues in Birmingham last year. Did you know... Where The Sex Pistols played? Also where Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin practised small gigs in our city? And even where The Police played by the back of Grand Central Station...and magically the Police turned up as he told the story! It was a fascinating insight and a trip down memory lane – we have so many untold and beautiful stories around us. Especially where music takes centre stage in our city. Music is kind of the backing track to our own lives.Anyways. I had this idea for his brand. You know me – I'm rarely not thinking. Creatives are creatives right!

I'm a great believer that the modern creative needs to be versatile, but life has taught me through experience that it's essential to have a few strings to our bow. To allow the thinking to be proved.

DESIGN and CREATIVE BOOKS

This will be the first for sale A1 giclée I've produced of my personal art.

It was a real moment to finally see it at the scale I'd always intended, other than a small jpeg on a website trying to show the concept to someone who might see the value in it. It cost me, but I backed myself! And I haven't done that quite as much as I should have at times.

R.I.P 🐕 Lola Price 2012-2025 🖤 My best, most loyal shadow. Gone, but always with me. But wish you were here.

Bravery comes in many forms.

I say... It's time we changed this as people. Take the power back and embrace genuine – and it starts with us! I work for a better age than the current, where the world embraces authenticity. And that should go for all individuals, brands and organisations too. We are all heavily responsible for our output. Real – It's the only way to do this if a brand genuinely wants to communicate and be understood by their audiences. Operating with truth in everything we do is winning and it cuts through the bulls*it. Be anything – but be yourself.
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creative. design. thinking.

Shouted a few of my work colleagues breakfast this morning...

I've conquered some great ideas, campaign concepts, strap lines and creative on foot with the natural world allowing me the freedom to think clearly. There's a simple pleasure and beauty in that I never take for granted.

Please consider making those walks part of your week. Your head, your heart and your body will appreciate it, and also maybe your clients.

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creative. design. thinking.

I'm genuinely dismayed at the lack of art in what we do anymore. And how so many creatives, writers and designers are pushed into dead-end thinking and lesser ideas to please an insatiable master of numbers, likes and impressions. Not all of us wanted to be mathematicians, scientists or analysts. Nor was this what we shinned in. Some of us hoped to change hearts & minds for the better, with words, stories, insight and visual of how we saw the world, how we saw people, nature and the reasons for living and even our place in it all... And beyond. True outside the box thinking.

Yes, I can see the benefit of your numbers, your data, your analysis, and your many tick boxes, in their own context. But it shouldn't be the only thing that matters. Societies ever expanding lust (according to your latest poll, probably) for this often self important data driven agenda pushing pulp, kills some lovely ideas, and ideas that could really resonate and be brought to life.

I ain't stupid. I still respect you for what you can add I see the value. I just want you to see the value in what we bring too – everything in its place. But I ••••••• hate you for what you've taken away from our world and industry. I still fight it, but I often feel the creative process is now lost to zeros and ones or words controlled like a form of dictatorial control and our subservience, following a spreadsheet so we can fit in with search engines and algorithms. We need to see the art again, as we're a wash with average communications, stories, content, even advertising and editorial that aims to please everyone and often it's pleasing no-one (real).

CREATIVE PEOPLE – It's time we embraced what we CAN do again. To take stock of a moment and express it in words, in paint, ink or pixel to highlight or celebrate a thought or a feeling. To share being a soul with other souls. We wanted to write about love, connection, hopes, dreams, fears and all the things that make us tap into our senses and feel more human, so do that. There are still many who will appreciate it. Sure, we will have to sell things along the way, convey difficult, important and divisive subject matter and content, but we can make a difference in so many ways that cannot be shown on a graph. However we did it, we seemed to care far more about the art of it all. We can do it again.

This is possibly one of the busiest logo devices I've ever created.
But it's also one of the most important for what it stands for.
Very proud I could add my weight to this. Just a small part of the campaign but allowed me to then go on and shape the whole picture...

5T0P FOR A M1NUTE – STAND IN THEIR MEMORY.

I'm so bloody lucky to work in an industry that feels like it's second nature.
Wherever I go I'm inspired to think, to feel, and to reflect.

This adds to a better creative director. The experience is everything 🙌

Had a few conversations with friends and clients of late and there's a theme of people feeling they are often not enough...

Like they are doing poorly in a multitude of things i.e work / life / personal scenarios whilst others are apparently flying and as the term they use 'smashing it'! Don't be fooled by all you read. We live in an age of showoffs, ego and tonnes of bullsh*t quite frankly. It's really sad, but it will pass.

It's a choice. You don't have to subscribe to it. The opposite in fact.

For your mental health and wellbeing maybe do your brain a favour and turn the noise off if it's toxic for your thought patterns. Social media has become both a blessing and a horrible curse. Read between the lines ;)

My takeaway for what it's worth is simply this... If you are truly applying yourself and making a difference in whatever way (big or small), even if not on anyone else's radar (and it makes you happy) then be proud.

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creative. design. thinking.

justinrobertprice.com