Future & Now

The Big Conversation: Wed Jan 18, 2012

Who to believe about SOPA and PIPA? Ben Huh or an old white guy?

Clearly Ben Huh and his great glasses. Seriously, the contrast between new and old, which is at the core of the debate behind SOPA and PIPA, is summed up in this still, captured from this debate last night on PBS. Watch it, listen, and you’ll see what this picture tells us: clearly Huh understands the Internet, the old white guy, he’s there to “protect the Internet” with “the rule of law” so that it benefits an old, stagnant industry that wants the world to be as it once was. Face it old white guy, you can’t win. The Internet is a monster. It can’t be stopped.

Current Work Current Obsession: Wed Jan 18, 2012

Want to understand what makes a great interface? Then watch this.

I’ve been a Mac Fanboy since 1984 (when I ran back from the kitchen to see what the hell was that commercial playing on the SuperBowl), but I have to say, Windows...Read more

Brands are Experiences: Tue Dec 20, 2011

Yeti gets it

As an interactive designer, I signup for plenty of spam emails to better understand what makes good and bad online marketing. With videos and features like this, Yeti is one of the...Read more

Killer Startups: Tue Jul 12, 2011

The Gamification of Your Daily Commute

This is very cool:

“Chromaroma takes your travel data and makes it into a game where every journey counts in a competition for the city! Play with friends or compete...Read more

The Big Conversation: Thu Apr 07, 2011

Hi. We’re looking to change. Mind if we wait for it over here?

People want to talk to Future & Now about change, which makes sense given that we help companies imagine and create the future. But talking about change and doing something about it...Read more

Brands are Experiences: Thu Mar 31, 2011

How to go from zero to one hundred

It’s simple. Be provocative. Throw sand in the face of established thinking. Be different, very different. Take a stand. Or risk being invisible.

So what does “different” mean. Of...Read more

Iconoclasts and Innovators: Sun Mar 13, 2011

Milton Glaser on the emergence of new from the context of the old

Milton Glaser, a giant in the world of graphic design, illustration, and creative thinking, talks at TED. Listen and learn.

Several ideas stand out for me. First, is the importance...Read more

Brands are Experiences: Thu Mar 10, 2011

MIT Media Lab Identity

The new visual identity of the MIT Media Lab advances brand identity from static shapes into a dynamic system that better fits the networked world. From the site of design & programming...Read more

The Future is here. Resistance is futile.

Future & Now is a strategy, design, and brand consultancy helping companies and entrepreneurs imagine and create the future.

Brands are Experiences: Mon Jul 19, 2010

The Move to Brand Experience

Every time I turn on the TV I’m reminded that traditional branding doesn’t stand a chance in a world connected by social media. The core problem, as I see it,...Read more

Iconoclasts and Innovators: Fri Mar 27, 2009

Dr. Stuart Brown & why play is vital, no matter your age

Adult life is serious business that demands no fooling around in order to survive and thrive. Play is for children, at least that’s what they tell us. Dr. Stuart Brown has...Read more

Iconoclasts and Innovators: Fri Feb 06, 2009

Connecting with fans & giving them a reason to buy: The Trent Reznor Case Study

Michael Masnick’s presentation, “Serving Your Fans - The Trent Reznor Case Study” is a great guide for anyone or any brand interested in connecting with fans and giving them many reasons...Read more

Iconoclasts and Innovators: Tue Feb 03, 2009

Thelonius Monk’s advice to saxophonist Steve Lacy (1960)

My favorite: A genius is the one most like himself.

Thanks to Eric Alba via SwissMiss

Brands are Experiences: Tue Jan 20, 2009