McDonald Predelus

Massimo Zefferino, owner of the brand strategy and design agency zfactor and co-host of The Angry Designer podcast, joined the Society of the Sacred Pixel to discuss how the role of designers is evolving for the future in a live Zoom session this past weekend. In this clip, Massimo answers a question about the benefits of client retainers. full session: https://lnkd.in/eE7VpFUa zfactor: https://www.zfactor.com The Angry Designer: https://lnkd.in/eDA-_nJV Society of the Sacred Pixel: https://lnkd.in/eB5YPcQp #ClientRetention #CreativeBusinessStrategy #Retainers

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As we kick off the new year, the world of branding and packaging design is brimming with fresh energy and renewed focus. We believe 2026 will shape up to be a year where identity design grows richer, more nuanced, and more thoughtful. Whether it’s through the tactile allure of texture, the expressive power of custom typography, or the emotional grounding of earthy color palettes, brands have new tools to shape how they’re perceived and felt – turning a brand message into a brand feeling. The future of branding and packaging is tactile, expressive, and rooted in the world around us — and it’s only just beginning 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d6tqzzCC

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🪦 Bad planning kills more design systems than bad design. Camilo Saenz, Design Director at Publicis Groupe: "The biggest problems come when planning falls short—it's like building a deck of cards and realizing halfway through that one is missing." You can't discover the missing card halfway through and just work around it. The whole structure collapses. For design systems, the missing cards are usually 👇 - Clear ownership - Governance model - Defined scope - Contribution process These aren't things you add later. They're foundational. Most teams rush to build components because it feels productive. But without the planning layer, you're building a house of cards. Slow down. Plan thoroughly. Build confidently. 📥 Get insights from Camilo and other design leaders: https://lnkd.in/dwyY6nNT

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Coach is betting the hottest accessory for Spring 2026 is a tiny novel dangling from your purse. 📚 In a new global push from Forsman & Bodenfors, the lux and lifestyle brand has teamed up with Penguin Random House in the U.S. and independent publishers across APAC to release a line of fully readable miniature books designed as bag charms. The titles, selected for their themes of identity and self-expression, double as fashion statements and pocket-sized reads. The move reflects Gen Z’s renewed enthusiasm for reading, particularly stories that explore individuality and diverse perspectives. By translating those narratives into products, Coach connects its seasonal collection to a broader cultural conversation around who gets to tell their story and how those stories circulate. 👜 Read about the full “Explore Your Story” concept: https://lnkd.in/dEeb_FmN

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The advantage of being independent. Being an independently-owned design agency is an intentional decision that shapes how we think, how we partner, and what we’re able to build and accomplish. No parent company means no competing priorities. No shareholder pressure means decisions are made around impact, not optics. No legacy processes means we design the approach around what the work actually requires. Independence gives us focus. It gives our clients alignment. And it keeps the work honest. This is the first in a series on what independence makes possible. 1/5  #StrategicDesign #IndependentAgency #BrandAgency #AgencyNews

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Nicole T. , Principal Designer at TBG, spent the day with CEW, NielsenIQ, Pinterest, and Circana to see where the beauty industry is headed. Here is your 2026 survival guide: 🎨 Aesthetic: "The Opera Aesthetic" (Maximalism, burgundy, and pearls). 💙 Color of the Year: Cool Blue—think icy, sleek, and futuristic. 🤖 AI Strategy: Optimize for "GEO" (Generative Engine Optimization). Focus on Reddit and Byrdie to feed the LLMs. 💊 The GLP-1 Effect: High growth in hair loss products, body care, and mood-boosting fragrances. 📉 Pricing: Mass market is stable; Prestige is seeing price sensitivity. Be careful with those promotions! 📱 Social: YouTube Shorts "Stickers" are seeing 40% more clicks than standard formats. The "Sun Shower" economy means things are macro-economically stormy, but beauty remains the sunshine. ☀️ Which of these shifts is most surprising to you? Let’s discuss in the comments. #BeautyStrategy #MarketResearch #CEW #GenZTrends #SocialCommerce #TBG Principal Designer at TBG, spent the day with CEW, NielsenIQ, Pinterest and Circana to see where the beauty industry is headed. Here is your 2026 survival guide: 🎨 Aesthetic: "The Opera Aesthetic" (Maximalism, burgundy, and pearls). 💙 Color of the Year: Cool Blue—think icy, sleek, and futuristic. 🤖 AI Strategy: Optimize for "GEO" (Generative Engine Optimization). Focus on Reddit and Byrdie to feed the LLMs. 💊 The GLP-1 Effect: High growth in hair loss products, body care, and mood-boosting fragrances. 📉 Pricing: Mass market is stable; Prestige is seeing price sensitivity. Be careful with those promotions! 📱 Social: YouTube Shorts "Stickers" are seeing 40% more clicks than standard formats. The "Sun Shower" economy means things are macro-economically stormy, but beauty remains the sunshine. ☀️ Which of these shifts is most surprising to you? Let’s discuss in the comments. #BeautyStrategy #MarketResearch #CEW #GenZTrends #SocialCommerce #TBG #BeautyIndustry #2026Trends #OperaAesthetic #CoolBlue

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When a brand evolves, it’s not just about a new look—it’s about building on what works while creating space for what’s next. For SF Tools, we kept the “SF” to honor the equity of their Shrinkfast name, while developing a bold new naming system: → Fresh product names like 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦 → Legacy products with the Shrinkfast name, paired with numbers to signal power levels Visually, the system is all about strength, durability, and energy. By leveraging familiar brand elements like color, we built a creative foundation that could tell SF Tools’ next chapter with grit and precision. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 → Fire-breathing “Demon” mascot → Hex nut–inspired logo container → Carbon fiber–inspired patterns unifying every application Every detail was designed to signal heat, power, and performance. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗻 → Visual Identity → Mascot & System Design → Naming System

Droga5 has announced the appointment of Cristina Reina as its new Chief Creative Experience Officer for New York and the Americas, marking a significant step in the agency’s ambition to deepen how brands connect with consumers across an increasingly complex media landscape. The role is newly created, underscoring Droga5’s commitment to integrating creativity, experience, and technology more seamlessly across platforms and touchpoints. Reina joins Droga5 from Leo U.S., where she served as Chief Experience Officer following the high-profile merger of Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide. During her tenure, she was instrumental in shaping experience-led creative strategies that bridged brand storytelling, innovation, and customer-centric design. Her work consistently focused on ensuring that creative ideas were not only culturally relevant but also meaningful in people’s everyday lives. At Droga5, Reina will be tasked with evolving the agency’s approach to creative experience, bringing together brand strategy, design, technology, and craft to build ideas that consumers genuinely want to engage with. Her appointment reflects a broader industry shift toward experience-driven creativity, where brands are expected to deliver value beyond traditional advertising and into products, services, and interactions.

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Creative talent is powerful. But creative careers require structure. We’re excited to welcome Cherise Royal Johnson, Founder & Creative Director of ArtWK Collaborative, to The Creative Futures. With nearly two decades of experience in business development, brand strategy, and community building, Cherise has dedicated her work to helping artists turn their creative practice into sustainable companies. On April 11, she will lead a workshop: Pitch Practice + Maker Sprint A hands-on session designed to help creatives prepare for real opportunity at conferences and beyond. Participants will learn how to: • Present themselves as creative entrepreneurs • Network strategically at conferences • Speak about their work clearly and confidently • Pitch their creative practice for partnerships and clients • Build simple systems for post-conference follow-up This workshop combines practical tools, peer collaboration, and focused work time so creatives can walk away with real momentum. If you’re building a creative business, this session is for you. 📍 April 11 | The Creative Futures 🔗 thecreativefutures.com Be in the room. Big. Real. Future. #thecreativefutures #creativeeconomy #entrepreneurship #artists

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In today's competitive market, corporate gifting is much more than a polite gesture; it serves as a strategic lever for a brand. When designed thoughtfully and intentionally, gifting programs can build the brand architecture, embody values, and increase brand equity as a brand gesture.  This paper will explore how to design multi-tiered gifting lines in alignment with segmented gifting targets, occasions, and Dausto's brand architecture. . . #dausto #corporategifting #corporategifts #branding https://lnkd.in/gK5w4R37

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A successful campaign isn’t built on the shoot day—it’s built in the planning. At Everest Studios,every detail is considered: ✔️ Set design that complements the jewelry’s craftsmanship ✔️ Lighting that highlights each stone’s brilliance ✔️ Styling that aligns with the brand’s identity ✔️ A clear moodboard to keep vision and execution aligned For aspiring creators → This is where technical skills meet storytelling. The ability to merge creativity with precision is what elevates a jewelry campaign. For brands → Entering a shoot with a defined narrative, references, and mood direction ensures your final output connects with your audience and builds brand value.

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From cult followings to national shelves, two breakout brands reveal how creativity and community drive real scale. 🎯🥄 On this episode of Taste Radio, Ari Raz, CEO of The Coconut Cult, breaks down the brand’s nationwide Target launch of its Minis and how bold marketing moves — from NYFW pop-ups to grassroots community building — support long-term strategy. Starr Edwards, co-founder of Bitchin’ Sauce, shares how a farmers’ market almond dip expanded into nearly 20 flavors, new categories, and even a cookbook, while staying true to the brand’s identity. Link to listen in the first comment below 👇 #TasteRadio #CPG #NaturalProducts #FoodAndBeverage #BrandBuilding #RetailExpansion #Entrepreneurship

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6 Tips for Styling Your Modeling Portfolio Presentation | MapsStudio NYC Want your modeling portfolio to make an unforgettable impact? MapsStudio NYC reveals 6 pro styling tips to elevate your presentation—everything from layout consistency and clean backgrounds, to smart wardrobe choices and image sequencing. Implement them and watch your portfolio turn heads. 👉 Read full article: https://mapsstudio.nyc/ #MapsstudioNYC #ModelingPortfolio #PortfolioStyling #ModelingTips #PresentationDesign #ModelLife #VisualBranding #PortfolioAdvice #FashionModels #PhotographyPresentation

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In just 150 milliseconds, color shapes how we feel, long before a single word is read. So the question for brand managers and storytellers becomes: What are your colors saying before you say anything at all? Read our latest Thought Leadership from Associate Creative Director Ed Rivero and discover how the unseen shapes the unforgettable: https://lnkd.in/ejRpkPG7 #Purpose #Branding #HumanCentric #Leadership #DesignThinking #BCGBrightHouse

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Cottonelle is ready to Come Clean. 🧻 FCB Chicago has partnered with #Cottonelle on a new campaign that connects cleanliness with confidence. 85% of people don’t feel truly clean after wiping. Cottonelle is turning that insight into action with a bold new campaign linking cleanliness to confidence, and with CleaningRipples™, making it easier than ever. At the heart of the campaign are two witty new spots, Football and Algebra, which highlight how the right mindset (and the right clean) can change everything. More about the work here: https://lnkd.in/eCQDNqUU #ComeClean #Cottonelle #FCB #FCBChicago #NeverFinished

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In a world of endless options, clarity is a competitive advantage. Next week, our ECD Rachel Latkolik takes the stage at the Print Design Summit (March 9–13) to talk about something we believe deeply in: the power of restraint in packaging design. Too often, brands try to say everything on pack, and in doing so, dilute clarity and reduce impact. In her session, Rachel explores how packaging design requires confident restraint to create clear, high-impact packaging that builds trust with consumers. She reframes restraint as a strategic skill, not a design style, showing how thoughtful editing, hierarchy, and intention create work that feels credible and considered.. The Print Design Summit is five days of real projects, real decisions, and real lessons from people doing the work right now. If you’re in CPG, brand, or packaging, this one’s worth your time. You can sign up for free here: https://lnkd.in/gDQj8GDC

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