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Kick Ass Design is the New Black

Yes, I freely admit it; there’s no denying it. After all I wrote it.
Kick Ass Design Is The New Black. I know, not the type of brand messaging you’re usually use to but, that’s who we are, that’s how we speak. My excuse? We’re passionate about design and we don’t care who knows it.

Did you see the new Six11Ink site by the guys over at we are pixel8? We think it kicks Ass!

we are pixel8, inc. is a design firm out of Hollywood, CA. and yes, technically speaking they’d be considered competitors but to us, they’re not the enemy; they’re great at what they do and they inspire us to do the same.

What if you offend some people?
The truth is I expect some people won’t get it but you see, while you’re visiting our site trying to see if we’re right for you, our site is checking you out, seeing if you’re right for us. If you were so offended by the term Kick Ass Design that you left the site never to return then we’re probably not right for each other – and that’s OK. On the other hand, maybe you thought to yourself “these guys seem fun and they don’t mind ruffling a few feathers to get a point across.” Judy did; and when she called us she asked us to bring some of that attitude to the 104 year old Orpheus Theatre.

Our goal isn’t to offend for the sake of offended but welcome to real world.

Nick Aitken
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

What’s your problem?

Recently a potential client stopped me in the middle of my presentation and asked, “What’s your problem solving strategy?” My immediate response was simple, “what’s your problem?”

“No problem”, she responded “but, how would you resolve any problem of ours”.

Apparently I misunderstood the question. She wasn’t looking for me to solve a problem but, rather any or all problems she may have. Now, the problem with that is, unlike  a couple of Nickleback songs, problems are unique. Sure, they may appear to be similar on the surface but, dig a little bit deeper and you’ll see the slight (or huge) nuances that differentiate one from another.

I apologized and told her the best I could do was listen. “That’s not really a strategy” she said.

“No, more of a philosophy, it’s just the way we do things I guess.”

After my presentation I left, thinking for sure  we wouldn’t be back for the second part of the proposal process. And I was right. Instead, when I got to my desk there was an email in my Inbox with the subject line: Listen to this. The email detailed an ongoing ‘problem’ she’d been having; no request for proposal, no follow-up meetings scheduled, just an outline.

Three days later, we started with her. So the next time you hear somebody say “hey buddy, what’s your problem,” listen up.

Nick Aitken
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

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thestudio@grayrock.ca | (888) 238-8535