Monday June 12, 2006

Midwest Express

We're heading over to the shores of Lake Michigan for the next week-plus as I visit Neocon in Chicago and spend the rest of my time this week working from Milwaukee.

One subtle plus to Milwaukee: deep inhale -- yes, you can still sniff the hops and the mash wafting from Miller, Sprecher and Lakefront Brewery as you make your way around town. Most of Milwaukee's big brewing labels have left town, but you nose won't know, as craft breweries have popped up throughout the city...it'll feel just like home back in Portland, Oregon.

While I'm on the subject of smell, Chicago too has its own distinct odor, and it's not half-bad, either: chocolate. Stroll out of any building in the River North area and catch your free whiffs as a nearby chocolate factory (bonus points to anyone who can name the company) cranks out the sweet stuff.

It's funny how smells force certain memories upon us. Clearly Chicago and Miwaukee have left an impression on me. (I'll leave New Orleans out of the mix, with all due respect.) Smell is the strongest sense associated with memory, they say, and I'll go for that. And today's lesson, kids, is to capitalize on that if you're in the business of being in business. Here's a link to a Fast Company article on sensory branding to get your nose thinking...

Two more quick hits before I catch that plane east:

--- Honk if you can hear this: apparently students have found (and are using) ringtones that adults can't hear.

--- Design like you give a damn: The IDSA has kicked off its Business and Design Catalyst awards, which focuses on the impact of thoughtful design on the bottom line.

All for now. See you somewhere along the shores of Lake Michigan.

( Jun 12 2006, 09:18:43 AM PDT ) Permalink