Tutorial: Quit Being So Lazy
EDITOR'S NOTE: Chris Edington (or Puddle Pirate for you fellow Coasties) is one of SLANT's talented graphic designers. He wishes to drop some knowledge on you now.
You know, that feeling you get when you’re in bed and you’re just “skipping the gym” today, or perhaps “taking out the trash” can wait until tomorrow? Well, I’ll share a little theory I’ve been using the last few years that helped me do many things I would’ve otherwise found difficult.
Creativity: Nature vs. Nurture
EDITOR'S NOTE: Chris Edington (or Puddle Pirate for you fellow Coasties) is one of SLANT's talented graphic designers. He wishes to drop some knowledge on you now.
As a designer, creativity must be a powerful weapon in your arsenal. But how does one simply “learn” to be creative? A lot of people think it’s something you’re born with. I kick rocks at that theory...
Entrepreneurialism At Its Finest
Working Like A Dog
Google, Amazon, Build-a-Bear Headquarters, Clif Bar, Ben and Jerrys Headquarters, SLANT. What do all of these companies have in common? The fact that they allow dogs in the office...
THE DRAMA!
Last night's Super Bowl was chock full of drama. From the Harbaugh brothers, Beyoncé's booté, power outages, some football here and there, and of course, the ads.
This year's lineup of ads were ripe with all the usuals: sexual overtones, comedic conflict, and baby jokes. Here's what impressed us, made us chuckle and made us want to hurl.
Seriously Impressed: Oreo's Instant Ad
Not only do we loves us some Oreos, but their marketing team deserves mad props for their nearly instant ad that appeared on Twitter just minutes after the power went out in the superdome. Since then, it's been retweeted tens of thousands of times.
According to Buzzfeed, Oreo's agency setup a command center at their offices during the game...and had Oreo brand executives there to approve decisions on the fly. Brilliant.
SuperBowl 2012 - Didja Notice?
Unless you live under a rock, you've probably seen all the bloviating about how this year's SuperBowl ads were all about animal adorableness (dogs, most notably). However, alongside all that mamalian paegentry there were some other common elements that were a little more subtle. Take a look at some of the other things we noticed – did you?
1. Shazam. 
It seemed that about every other commercial included a Shazam tag. We even saw a Bud Lite ad asking viewers to Shazam the halftime show to receive a Madonna/LMFAO download. Truly magcial technology, but is SuperBowl really the right place to showcase it? We don't know about you, but it was pretty hard to get a clear Shazam scan at our SuperBowl party with all the chatter (and Tom Brady fawning) going on in the room. This release from the mobile app company citing "millions" of viewers engaged is a bit vague, which may signal the engagement was not as high as expected.
2. BestBuy's jab at Alec Baldwin.
Remember that time Alec Baldwin got kicked off an American Airlines flight for playing Words With Friends instead of turning off his device? Only a few of us caught the slight jab at Alec in this year's BestBuy ad featuring the inventors of all the addictive apps we use every day.
3. Adriana Lima. 
What, like we weren't going to post a picture of her?The only time it was completely quiet during our SuperBowl party was during the Teleflora ad featuring Victoria's Secret bombshell Adriana Lima (yes, floral delivery was what this commercial was selling). Did you notice Adriana made an appearance in this Kia ad as well? We sure did.
SLANTASTIC Holiday Gift Guide 2011 - Part 2
For the Aspiring New Year's Resolution Keeper
Give your favorite over-achiever something to help make their New Year's Resolution a whole lot easier. The Philips ActionFit line of sports headphones are made with sweat-proof and washable materials so even the ickiest of workouts won't ruin their great sound. And with a wide range of features from Bluetooth to in-line microphone, you're sure to find the perfect pair. www.philips.com/headphones
Then pair those fancy headphones with the ActionFit iPhone app so they can monitor, track and share their workouts (and make you feel lazy in the process). ActionFit app is available here on the iTunes store.
For the Little Lady on Your List
A favorite among the Shiloh and Suri set, Penelope Peapod dolls are a timeless classic that stay trendy even after jeggings become SO last season. The Penelope Peapod doll comes with her own little basket that goes from playtime bassinet to perfect little purse quicker than you can say "Fairy Princess". With ten patterns to choose from, the Penelope Peapod doll is the perfect accessory for your little fashionista. www.penelopepeapod.com
For the Serious Athlete (or, let's be honest: the serious hangover)
What do you get the serious athlete who has everything under the sun related to fitness? Simple...the gift of proper rehydration. Developed by a Charleston ER Doctor, BANa drink is like an IV in a bottle, offering quick rehydration after a long workout. Pick up a case and meet them at the finish line with a donut in hand and you'll be sure to win them over. BANa is also a great choice for those more socially- than physically-active peeps on your list who are sporting hangovers more than running shorts. www.banadrink.com
SLANTASTIC Holiday Gift Guide 2011 - Part 1
For the Beer Snob
FACT: Beer tastes better when you can open the bottle with one hand. Lucky for you, there's Kebo, the one-handed bottle opener. Fresh from the inventor's workshop, this unique gift is perfect to bring to a party or to stick in a stocking. Kebo, created by Charleston architect Rush Dixon, was inspired by a vintage 1930's opener and perfected through months of experimentation (and more than a few 6 packs). This beautifully designed stainless steel bar tool comes in a retro-styled tin designed by Rush and your favorite elves at SLANT. $24.99 www.rush3studio.com
For your Co-worker who's a Lowcountry Noob
Giving the gift of food without breaking the bank can go one of two ways: 1) bake a loaf of something or 2) hand out a Subway gift card. Either way, you're going to get some fake smiles and a generic "uh..thanks."
Avoid the awkwardness with a gift certificate to one of Charleston's little-known dining secrets: 24 North Market. Tucked away inside the Art Institute, 24 North Market (who's logo was designed by SLANT's very own Connor Lock, a graduate from the Art Institute) is the culinary school's dining room. For only $11, diners can enjoy a fabulous 3-course meal, complete with a delightful signature beverage (of the non-adult variety). A 24 North gift certificate is a great (and affordable) choice for a co-worker who is new to the area. And, hey, you could always sweet talk them to invite you along. www.facebook.com/24NorthMarket
For the App-oholic
This is the best kind of gift - it's of the FREE variety. Do you have a loved one who suffers from chronic Dead Battery Anxiety (DBA)? You know the kind - the otherwise wonderful person who you've seen crawling on the floor of a bar to look for an outlet? Then this app is for them - BatterySense by Philips Consumer Lifestyle (and designed by SLANT) is a free app that recommends what settings to adjust to achieve more battery life while on the go. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/batterysense-by-philips-consumer/id426068946?mt=8
SLANT U, Class of 2011
*Not a real collegeAlbert Einstein once said "Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” This inspired us to take a brief pause from our 90-mile-an-hour pace to give some proper make-out time to our favorite girl: SLANT.
We shut down the office early on a Thursday afternoon and hit the road to Greenville for our first ever "SLANT University." We gathered at our new Greenville offices in the NEXT Innovation Center for a day of learning and collaborating (and some drinking) with each other on what makes SLANT....uh....SLANTASTIC.
Chief Brand Architect Christopher Cecil led the SLANT team through an analysis of the philosophy and principles behind our work, business model, and our relationship with clients. We then had a refresher course on how to present SLANT's brand and voice and what it means to be a SLANT employee. And then we ate