We at BOTH like to think that design and branding are very wide concepts.

We think for example that branding is all about communicating about yourself in an honest way to win the heart of a client. And communication is a wide concept.

Now, getting to the heart of clients can include printed or digital visual elements. Classic corporate communications revolve around this. We have a message, we give it a form, and publish it. You read and understand. In many cases it’s enough.

But, if one broadens the horizon a bit, what if we mixed the classic communication concept a bit, and involved the “target group” in winning his or her heart? This is something we like to see in area branding. And something we played around a bit in for example the Kauniainen planting. We bet hundreds of planters from Kauniainen feel a  bit better about their city after it.

The line between design and art is very thin.

Area branding is usually about communicating something They have done for You. Then you dig it or don’t.

Now, what if one actually could take part in developing the area, really could take part in it? Would it not make it much more meaningful to you? Could it really get into your heart, not because you dig the message, but because you yourself have actually been developing the very dream of it? This is a new way of thinking about branding and wefind it interesting.

And back to 1.0 communications where companies tell you they are good, now what if they really were good?

With thoughts like this we’ve been developing a digital concept with our dear buddies from Avaja Open, the open communications experts.

We are happy and proud to be soon launching a service, where just about anyone can publish and develop their dreams together with the public and private sector. You dream. Your friends help. A company helps. The city official helps. All benefit. In our first pilot Finnoo the Joukkoenkeli (Crowdangel.us) will be used for urban planning.

Please see the Joukkoenkeli site for additional info (only in Finnish for the time being!).

You can also follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Joukkoenkeli

We’ll keep you posted.