Curiosity and Tools

A foundational element that leads to creativity is good ole curiosity. It is fairly self-explanatory and others write about this topic extensively, http://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-pathways-curiosity-hungry-mind-marilyn-price-mitchell

Ad agencies and creative groups acknowledge this role and often look for signs of this "curiosity" in new hires.

In addition to curiosity, another broad factor for creativity is learning new crafts and tool skills. Today's refreshing emphasis on tinkering with hand-tools, as found in the maker movement, steampunk and the DIY hacker push.... all of which is fueled by youtube videos ... is brilliant. I've always been jealous of the variety of tools the farm kids had access to, like welders, tractors and hydraulic machines and wood and metal shops.

The more we learn and immerse ourselves in new and fresh topics the more we are equipped to ponder and create.

Here is a photo of one of my kids creating electricity.

National Campaign?

In my stream of FaceBook Posts from my goofy friends I came across this hilarious photo. It touched my funny bone by its creativity and narrative. I find it zings the over emphasis on modern-america's perfect bodies... while countering it with the less-stress let-live lifestyle of some folks. I think a variation on this could be a national ad campaign... if it's not already.

Creativity according to A. Einstein

Not sure who to give credit to for this image, I've seen it
posted all over the internet and I like the message.

FlipStir™ Puzzle in Catalog!

It's always rewarding to see the toy that I invented in magazines, catalogs and websites, but this one was extra special. This magazine shown below, Rainbow Resource Center, Inc 2015 Christmas Catalog, is the catalog my wife and kids use to order fun crafts and toys. They found this page while simply shopping!! My kids then set it out on my dinner plate last night so I could see it and get my reaction, so fun.

The creative process has bursts of excitement but also lots of hard work. I'm deeply appreciative to Suchi Sairam who has worked so diligently over the last couple years to get exposure and market the toy through the toy industry. We are hoping others will continue to see the entertainment, educational and creativity of the FlipStir Puzzle family and sales will continue to grow and offset the investment.

Ergotron WorkFit-T: It’s So Simple!

Enlivenze LLC and Toy Patent

In-Tube Puzzle Toy Patent by Louis Hall

I began the patent work for my toy in 2009, and it was patented May 22, 2012, US8181961

This was like a Masters course in US patent process: I was the Inventor, patent attorney, project manager, technical writer and illustrator for my toy puzzle for both the provisional patent and the full utility patent, US8181961. In 2014 this toy invention became available as "FlipStir Puzzle" from Enlivenze.com. 

Patent Abstract: A self-contained three-dimensional puzzle game that has a plurality of free-floating individual puzzle pieces (6) enclosed within a transparent enclosure (8). Puzzle is solved by using a wand (1) to move the individual puzzle pieces and forming the three dimensional solution. Wand is comprised of a rod, which extends through a small hole (4) in the enclosure. One embodiment has the three-dimensional subject solution covered with image graphics (10) so that when the individual pieces are manipulated into the correct positions they bring about an overall composition.This experience was like a MBA in the USA patent process. Patent summary: A self-contained puzzle comprising a plurality of individual free-floating puzzle pieces contained within a transparent enclosure, a wand which is used to solve said puzzle by reaching through hole in said transparent enclosure and moving said individual free-floating puzzle pieces and forming the three dimensional solution.

Loaded Opportunist Photography?

When I saw this photo this last week I laughed out-loud. My thoughts went to the photographer and wondering if they immediately saw the shadow of his finger dancing on her upper lip like a mustache and then lined up the shot.... or if they were just photographing the event and later saw this crazy juxtaposition. The imagery is loaded with horrific historical reference, explosive current events, gender wars.... you name it. I still have a big smile looking at the pic.




Photo of Netanyahu Shadow Painting Merkel W/ Hitler Stache Goes Viral
Yesterday 11:03 AM by Jacob Kornbluh

During a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accidentally gave German Chancellor Angela Merkel a Hitler mustache, thanks to a confluence of light and shadow as he pointed his finger across the stage.The photo, captured by JPost photographer Marc Israel Sellem, went viral within minutes.

“This is THE picture that all #Israel is talking about right now,” i24 News’ Julien Bahloul tweeted.

New BBC article illustrates need for standing more at work

Here is an excellent new article from BBC about the benefits of standing more during work day, it is a nice dove-tail into our sit-stand WorkFit product launch for Apple. Here is a powerful quote... "If you stand for three hours a day for five days that's around 750 calories burnt. Over the course of a year it would add up to about 30,000 extra calories, or around 8 lb. of fat. "If you want to put that into activity levels," Dr Buckley says, "then that would be the equivalent of running about 10 marathons a year. Just by standing up three or four hours in your day at work."

It reminds me of the illustration I created for an earlier doc on the benefits of standing.

WorkFit designed for iMac and MacBook users

At Ergotron where I work, we just released our new WorkFits that are designed for iMac and MacBook users. These are significant product installments for the creative world, since they let us creative types work or create more naturally. Nobody likes being trapped sitting all day, not to mention the serious health concerns. As I've mentioned in other postings... being able to stand or sit while computing offers so much freedom and it translates into creative energy! See our video we shot in LA.


The products are aluminum construction and designed to seamlessly interface with the Macs. They clamp to the back of your desk or can be mounted through a grommet hole.

One person working on this project said, "People who think different can now work different." I agree!

Stand Up Desks for the Creative Professional

One of the top viewed posts I've written is the Standing Desks and WorkStations, from March of 2011. It lays out the benefits of escaping from being trapped in a chair all day, especially for a creative professional. As we all know standing all day is not good either. The solution: A work station that allows one to instantaneously sit or stand as you choose while remaining effectively engaged with your computer is ideal.

For full disclosure, I work for Ergotron which designs and makes sit-stand WorkFits.

We were ahead of our time, now the AMA , on June 18, 2013, announced it recommends the same.

Health Risks of Sitting
Today, the AMA adopted policy recognizing potential risks of prolonged sitting and encouraging employers, employees and others to make available alternatives to sitting, such as standing work stations and isometric balls. “Prolonged sitting, particularly in work settings, can cause health problems and encouraging workplaces to offer employees alternatives to sitting all day will help to create a healthier workforce,” said Dr. Harris.

Anyhow, I'm very excited and wanted to mention we are working on some great new WorkFit products that will directly impact the creative ad agency world. Stay tuned.

Avoid the Desk-Sentence Graphic

I can't take full credit for this image. The words "avoid the desk sentence" came from some blog we read many months back (not sure which one now); the image came from an info-graphic I created for my companies juststand.org website.  I combined the two elements for a possible t-shirt design. I'm testing it here as a web graphic. We hope it evokes a concern for one's health (in this sedentary modern technological culture).... and a desire to get more informed about the concerns of sitting too much.