SPRING INTO WORDS
Welcome to the Clubhouse early spring edition.
Why are we here? That's the first question we're asking, and we've got thousands of design manifestos to help try to answer it. (Or have a bit of fun along the way, at least.)
We're also thinking about rugged heroes called Jack, cult corporate merch and proper British holidays.
Come on in.
MANIFESTOS FOR DESIGN
Why do anything?
We're partial to a manifesto. Sure, they can seem pompous, but they remind everyone why you bother turning up to work every day, and what you're trying to do when you get there. We've written them for football teams, tech companies, insurance houses - we've even got a little one of our own.
So this huge collection of design manifestos was right up our street. In particular, we like Charles Eames' Advice For Students, Es Devlin’s Swap Cars For Trees and Immaculate Heart Art Studio’s Rules.
WHY ARE SO MANY ACTION HEROES CALLED JACK? (OR JAMES. OR JOHN.)
We've got a couple of thoughts
Jack Bauer. Jack Reacher. Jack Sparrow. John McClane. James Bond. Jack Wells. What is it about these names that lend themselves so easily to strong, rugged, heroic action hero types?
Obviously, we’ve got some theories. But make your own mind up.
Also in why-stuff-is-called-what-it-is-called: Why are dumbells called dumbells?
THE FALL OF AIRBNB
Disrupted progress
For years Airbnb was the disruptor brand to imitate. It made getting away cheaper, more interesting, more accessible. But then came the lettings agents, the price rises, housing shortages and the citywide bans – and the revolution seemed to stop being such a good deal. Is it time to disrupt the disruptor?
THE BEST MERCHANDISE FROM THE WORST PLACES
Theranos Gift card, anyone?
Companies like WeWork, Theranos and Enron don't just leave a wake of financial black holes and lost jobs: there's often some sweet corporate merch to be had, too.
IF WE WEREN'T WRITING YOUR COPY...
We'd definitely be big wave surf photographers
If there’s one thing scarier than paddling into 50ft shark-infested surf, it’s paddling into 50ft shark-infested surf with a massive camera around your neck. But that's what we'd be doing, if we weren't busy doing this.
AND FINALLY, FROM THE WRITING CLUB DESKS...
HOLIDAYS BY NATURE
A new tagline for Lovat Parks
Lovat Parks make the kind of brilliant family holidays we all grew up with: caravans, den-building, sea walks and the great British countryside. They’re also a bunch of thoroughly good eggs, becoming the first holiday park to be awarded B-Corp status.
We worked on a campaign for them last year and ended up creating their brand new company tagline: Holidays by Nature.
