Igor

Igor’s latest naming job, “Skin Flik”, launched today!

Posted on by igor

Why the name Skin Flik? Because they are skins that change color with a flick of your finger across their surface. There was a second reason…but memory fades…

Happily, they use no power whatsoever from your portable device. It’s true. Highly reflective LCD technology.

Why no “c” in Flik? We dropped the “c” to pull it away from the time-honored “Skin Flick” and create a unique brand name. Visually it was done for balance; to make both words 4 letters and get the ki-ik bookend thing happening between the two words. And of course to make it findable instantly on Google and not be blissfully buried beneath reels of “Skin Flicks”.

Currently available for iPod Touch, coming soon for iPhone. Check out all the designs at the Improv Electronics site.

Color us impressed

Posted on by igor

Today’s New York Times article on naming is unusual in that it actually contains useful tips & rules for naming anything:

  • Look for a name that paints a picture
  • Make an emotional connection
  • Go for stopping power. If a name can get people to pause and think for a moment – that’s as good as it gets.
  • Ignore “negative” connotations

We Call It Brown, They Call It “Weekend in the Country”

In pursuit of emotional connections, some paint companies have swept aside even basic rules, including the one that said to avoid negative connotations.

Martha Stewart offers Darkening Sky and Tempest. Benjamin Moore has Stormy Sky. Pantone has Turbulence and Tornado.

“These names might be disturbing to some,” said Lee Eiseman, executive director of Pantone. “But these are things that exist in nature.”

And then there is Dead Salmon, a taupe-like color from Farrow & Ball, the English paint company. Sarah Cole, the company’s marketing director, explained that the word “dead” in Britain means matte. Has the company considered dropping the “dead” for its American audience? No, Ms. Cole said. “It’s fun, and people pick up on it.” (The company also offers Arsenic.)

Read the full article here.