As you know, I am a fan for thinking outside of the box, looking at ways to do things or use things differently. So, when I saw this ad by Toyota which was printed on actual banana leaves that were destined to be destroyed it piqued my interest.

Cool factor, up there, really up there. Green? That remains to be seen. It is hard to say what the costs involved were, were the leaves sprayed with chemicals to keep them green? Was more energy used to deliver because of the perishability? Screen printing isn't typically the most environmentally friendly process. And on and on, and on and on.

Weighing those factors is iffy at best. Arguments can be made in either direction, nonetheless, the ad, quite impressive,  and I applaud them for looking at a waste product differently, turning it into something of value, that takes really thinking outside of the box or paper in this case. Look around you, your clients, if they are creating products, are they byproducts that could be used in new and innovative ways? Can their product actually be used as the medium with which you communicate the message?  

Check out the larger version here 

So yesterday afternoon, as a former co-worker, Jeff, who is just finishing up his MFA at SCAD and I sat down for a malt beverage, he passed me his business card. I immediately notice something unusual about it, it was printed on of a portion of a Diet Coke box. The familiar silver coating on the back with a hint of a red k and an e. Writing his thesis on green design, it was completely appropriate. Something he is passionate about, translated into that standard 2" x 3.5" card. (or in my case, a bit smaller).

For years, designers have been looking for ways to make their cards stand out, sometimes pure gimmick others pure genius. For me, the genius comes when the card, earnestly reflects some aspect of who that person is. Jeff's did just that. He is a designer, but because of the reuse of materials, existing resources, and creativity of the card, I have a bit better insight into his passions. Obviously green, obviously creative.

So, I had started to think of other creative cards, and came across this site which features many, check them out and if you have any favorites that don't make this list, send them my way and we will create one of our own.

And remember, as you are working on that next business card, how can you find a way to show the person receiving the card a little bit more about you? Not just the company, your occupation, but who you are and what your passions are. 

Yes, I am a huge Harrison Ford fan, so when I saw this, I was intrigued. Indiana Jones (heck, a video of any man in this position) gets his chest hair waxed, has made for great comedy in the past few years.

I am in a mastermind group (reading Think and Grow Rich) and we have been vowing to focus this week on "why" and not the how of the things we wish to obtain....well, this left me asking the question, over and over again. I get the concept, but now he needs to walk around with a strange little patch of hair missing from his chest. And while this is impressive to get a star of his caliber to participate, I wonder who else would be up for the challenge?

While this is appealing on a number of levels, one, Indiana Jones shirtless, the other to see "manscaping" in action is progress. I love the expression on his face. For a slight moment there I feared for the life of the woman yielding the little waxing stick, but it was all for a good cause. Raising awareness of the destruction of rainforests and its impact here. The video on utube has received nearly 80,000 views and I am sure it is on a number of sites as well. 

What are your thoughts, worth the pain, or just painful?