Websites

Worldbranddesign.com – This website is awesome for those of us in the branding world. It’s a really great community that showcases the latest trends in packaging and some of the best designs out there in branding.

Pinterest.com – You might think that Pinterest is just for DIYers or people looking for fashion inspiration, but you can get some great design inspiration here as well. I sometimes like to create some initial mood boards here when I start working on a project to help me get some ideas rolling.

Medium.com – I recently discovered this site and I think it’s genius. You can find articles and insights from just about anyone on just about any topic. I think it’s great because it’s not so curated, anyone can write and post an article/opinion piece so you’re seeing a lot of different voices and perspectives. 

Books

Logo Modernism – A bible of logos from the 1940s-1980s; I think it’s awesome to see so many different styles from different countries all in one place. I always keep my copy of this in my office for whenever I feel stuck and I want to skim through some of the greats.

Made By James – Like Logo Modernism, this book gives some great inspiration for logo development. I love that he shows his whole creative process from sketch to finalization, which is a really helpful tool for more junior designers.

Atomic Habits – This is an amazing book for anyone looking to change anything in their lives. It’s all about how everything we do is based on tiny habits, and if we can commit to making smaller, less intimidating changes they can add up to something big.

90s Movies
I picked these three movies because they were all visually groundbreaking and shook the industry.

The Matrix – The first time I saw The Matrix I thought it was insane. They were doing things, visually and conceptually, that had never been done before. Movies like this can really open your mind up to new possibilities.

Jurassic Park – When this movie came out it was really the first time we saw CGI on a grand scale. It was the first time we really saw super realistic CGI; the accurate way they showcased the dinosaurs was groundbreaking and really set the bar high for visual effects for movies moving forward.

Toy Story – Not too long after Jurassic Park came out, here comes Disney and Pixar with Toy Story: the first movie that was completely done with CGI. I think this movie was an inspiration for a lot of creative folks and showed brands how CGI could be used not just to make realistic models, but also to create inspiring stories with emotion. 

90s Tech & Innovations

Sony Playstation – When the Sony PlayStation hit the scene, it shook up the world of gaming. It’s more than just a video game console for me – it’s a must-have. I’ve always enjoyed gaming, and the PlayStation made it even more exciting. But beyond my passion for gaming, the PlayStation has also served as a bridge between my daughter and me. Thanks to its appeal to all ages, we can always find games we both enjoy, making it a wonderful way to bond.

MP3 player – I’ve had an MP3 player since the very first iterations. In fact, I recently found my old iPods and it took me on a major nostalgic trip down memory lane. In general, you’ll never find me working without music playing in the background. Whether it’s to get me pumped up or mellowed out.

Adobe Photoshop – THE master tool for creatives. I remember when I first started my career I had to physically piece together pieces of creative to make one master comp so when Photoshop came out it was the timesaver of a lifetime.

90s Commercials

“Wassup” from Budweiser – The “Wassup” commercial from Budweiser monumentally stands out when reflecting upon some of the most iconic TV ads. The commercial was effective because it not only sold a product, but it influenced a linguistic trend. I mean, who hasn’t used “wassup” at least one time in their lives?

“The Budweiser Frogs” – Budweiser has not only etched a mark in the advertising industry with unforgettable catchphrases but also by presenting some of the most unique and funny characters that I’ve seen on TV – case in point, “The Budweiser Frogs”. More than just another advertising campaign, these frogs leaped into our hearts and became a huge part of our culture.

Coca-Cola: “Holidays Are Coming” – Coca-Cola’s heartwarming “Holidays Are Coming” ads capture the magic of Christmas by presenting Santa Claus, the ultimate symbol of the season, as the brand’s star ambassador. This timeless campaign has become a beloved holiday staple spanning generations.