Villing Creative Articles
Concept to Completion - Making 2D Photographs Appear 3D
Brad Rosier (April 20, 2012)
Our video producer discusses what it takes to make still photographs come alive by using digital trickery and lots of creative imagination.
3 Keys to Turning Marketing into Storytelling
Andy Fuller (December 9, 2011)
What I remember most about the holidays is storytelling. I find it ironic, then, that the art of storytelling in marketing campaigns seems to be lost this time of year.
Transparency with a Purpose: Solid Marketing Tactics at Root of Miracle Whip's 'Love/Hate' Campaign
Scott Tingwald (June 30, 2011)
What happens when a company seeks and embraces negative feedback just as much as positive reinforcement from consumers?
A Simple Message Told as an Epic Saga in One Minute
Brad Rosier (January 21, 2011)
The power of motion graphics is that animators and designers can build worlds that don't exist in reality to tell powerful and engaging visual stories.
You Talking to Me? Allstate's "Mayhem" Takes Familiar Product to New Audience
Andy Fuller (January 10, 2011)
More than just incredibly good creative work, the Allstate Mayhem campaign shows the company is shifting its target to a younger audience.
Thoughtful Design: If It Matters in Print, It Matters in Motion
Brad Rosier (August 20, 2010)
These days, the tools needed to create motion graphics are accessible to practically everyone. This is both good and bad.
It's the Thought That Counts: Marketing in a World of iPhone Movie Studios
Brad Rosier (July 9, 2010)
The newest iPhone has arrived, and it's fitting an entire movie studio in your back pocket. Using this slick piece of tech that's barely bigger than a credit card, you can shoot, edit, score and even export HD video.
The Democratization of Digital Cinematography: Why Low Budget No Longer Means Low Quality
Brad Rosier (June 16, 2010)
Consumer video has come a long way in the last thirty years. This is great news for low-budget video geeks and companies who are looking for ways to cut advertising costs.
Copywriters in the Digital Age: Essential or Essentially Extinct?
Thom Villing (June 11, 2010)
In an era of short attention spans, high visual imagery, bullet points, scannable text and steadily declining use of traditional media, are copywriters about to become extinct?
What Peter Jackson Taught Me About Digital Set Design
Brad Rosier (May 14, 2010)
The "Lord of the Rings" movies are full of digital locations and creatures that obviously don’t exist. Learn how you can use similar techniques to take your TV commercials to the next level.
I May Be Married to Technology, but I Sometimes Cheat With a #2 Pencil
Brad Rosier (April 16, 2010)
Is it just me, or do some of the best ideas come when you shut down your high-tech computer and start thinking with a simple pencil and paper?
Feel the Burn: No Critical Pain, No Creative Gain.
Brad Rosier (January 22, 2010)
Any designer or illustrator will tell you that criticism and revisions are not fun. Regardless of how in love we are with our masterpieces, however, nearly every design can be improved - often, a lot.
Concept to Completion - Creating a Kinetic Typography TV Commercial
Brad Rosier (December 4, 2009)
Brad Rosier explains the process of putting together a TV spot using kinetic typography.
The Demise of Arrested Development and How it Relates to Long Tail Marketing and Niche Demand for Higher Quality
Brad Rosier (October 19, 2009)
Arrested Development died because it couldn't find its audience. However, recent developments make it easier for entertainment and marketing professionals to connect with valuable niches online.
When Did Creativity Become a Commodity?
Thom Villing (August 10, 2009)
As the marketing services industry has changed due to media fragmentation and technological advances, my one solace has been that there would always be a market for ideas. Now I'm not so sure.
Concept to Completion - Behind the Scenes on a Motion Graphics TV Commercial: Part 2
Brad Rosier (June 26, 2009)
In the last article I explained the preproduction and production process in creating a motion graphics TV spot for McDonald’s. Now let’s talk about what I consider the really fun stuff: postproduction.
Concept to Completion - Behind the Scenes on a Motion Graphics TV Commercial: Part 1
Brad Rosier (June 22, 2009)
In this article and the next I’ll be taking you behind the scenes on a motion graphics-driven commercial that we recently created for McDonald’s.
Making Words Look Better!
Mathew Siecker (April 13, 2009)
Words words words. We all use words. Now there's a way to pull all of these words together and make something worth looking at.
The Day After Tomorrow: E Ink and the Blurring Line Between Video and Print
Brad Rosier (December 18, 2008)
A couple of months back, my wife and I were visiting our local Borders bookstore. Normally, I don't pay attention to Esquire magazine, but on this occasion I couldn't help reaching for it with trembling hands.
Free Wallpaper Wednesday
(December 3, 2008)
Seasons Greetings from Villing and Company! Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone but there's still time to take advantage of something we like to call "Free Wallpaper Wednesday!"
Improve Your View
Thom Villing (September 30, 2008)
As a service to our professional community and our various partners and interested guests, Villing & Company has introduced a new selection of desktop wallpaper designs.
iStock Legos or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Cheap Photography: Part 2
Brad Rosier (September 22, 2008)
In part two, Brad Rosier shares examples of composite designs that make good use of cheap, online stock photography websites.
iStock Legos or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Cheap Photography: Part 1
Brad Rosier (September 12, 2008)
Recently, there's been an explosion of cheap, online stock photography websites. For graphic designers, this has been both a blessing and a curse.
Tell a Good Story and Your Marketing Will Live Happily Ever After.
Kent Kauffman (September 17, 2007)
As marketers in this modern day world, I believe it's still very important to tell a story to help sell the products and services we represent.