John Champion Vieira on the telephone, in a vintage studio portrait

Feel something.

Night manager on duty.

Creativity is subjective, even as commercial art. There's no proving why a logotype made you pick up that particular roll of tin foil off the shelf at Kroger. But, part of the job is to put some guardrails around the playground. We know about strategy, consumer insights and the Swiss grid, but writing copy can be a black box. As much as possible I try to peel back the process so it never feels purposeless.

The same goes for teams. There are endless approaches to management. Mine is empathetic, collaborative, adaptive and littered with, ‘you feel good?’s. There's no perfect process but the more people are part of it, the more successful we'll be.

Curious? Keep scrolling until you feel something.

Write copy that grabs attention and makes people feel something.

Writing is thinking:

This is Rhein II. It's a picture of a river. It is also the most expensive photo ever sold.

The image is beautiful. The story is unforgettable.

Visuals create an impression. Words add context, feeling and more meaning.

Copy won't always evoke an unforgettable feeling, but I have to try.

Rhein II by Andreas Gursky — a flat green riverbank under grey sky

Build and lead unified teams that work in flying formation.

Managing is culture.

When I build or lead a team, my job is to set the tone and culture—and then adjust as we go. Different people need different levels of support, so we keep our eyes on where we're headed and adapt along the way.

I chart the course and make sure everyone has what they need to reach it. Management isn't hugging curves in a sports car; it's more like steering a tall ship. We crest waves. We adjust to headwinds. We navigate by the stars.

When a team feels confident and supported, we become a crew. We can catch the current, build unstoppable momentum and make truly great creative work.

Kukeri dancers in shaggy costume, moving in formation

Feeding the feedback loop

Clients

5.11 Tactical, Abominable Labs, Adidas, AIGA, AT&T, Autodesk, Best Buy, Bissell, The Bouqs, Converse, Costco, Danner Boots, Dolce & Gabbana, Everbank, FIGS, Google, Graco, Heinz, Ikon Pass, Intel, Jordan Brand, Kroger, Leatherman, LEGO, Loot Crate, Luxottica, M-GO, Mammoth Mountain, MasterCraft, Mattel, Memorex, Moda Health, New Seasons, Nike, Nordica, Oakley, Port of Portland, Procter & Gamble, Reebok, REI, Rossignol, Samsung, Sharp, Sirius, State Farm, TDK, Technicolor, Teespring, ThredUp, Tillamook Country Smoker Jerky, TIDAL, Timberland, Travel Portland, Trulia, Uber Eats, Volkswagen, Wacom.

Old and current haunts

  • Ziba Design
  • Nemo Design
  • INDUSTRY

Speaking

  • 2017 PNSAA Spring Conference and Trade Show
  • SIA SnowShow Industry + Intelligence 2017
  • Design Week Portland - Portland Writers on Design: Urban Movement
  • State of Wonder - OPB - What Works in Your Town
  • Marketplace - NPR - Businesses Tap Podcasts to Hone Their Brands
  • Spaceman: A Podcast About Video Games and the Ways They Affect Our Lives

Projects & more fun

  • Martha Coston's Signal Flare
  • The Cosmic Tower of Reflection / loser.life
  • Everything in the NBA is a Tire or Dumpster Fire
  • danielcraigslist.org
  • The Literary Donald Book Club
  • Sparkle Afterlife