Haft2Know

When it comes to naming colours for the marketplace research has shown that some names will be more likely to appeal to consumers than others. Professors Barbara E. Kahn of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Elizabeth G. Miller of Boston College believe buyers are more likely to react positively to either unexpected or ambiguous names.

'Fire Engine Red' for example is no longer a surprise to anyone, so wouldn't make a successful name now - not unlike the use of cliche phrases, which after a while don't mean anything due to their overuse. Duly, if a colour is too off the mark without any sort of rationale at all - say Sassafrass Yellow - buyers are less likely to be intrigued by the joke. There's nothing to "get" - no right answer, hence no emotional investment.

Kahn and Miller also believe a specific but unexpected name will be more successful. The name Michelin Guide Green would give a buyer pause, but speak to a specific consumer. Once that consumer gets the tie, there's a very good chance he or she feels invested enough to become a customer.

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Crayola wants to see how well you know this generation's colour names. Try it here.

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In 2005, seven friends in the United States launched an organization called RockCorps which they billed as a new kind of way to give back. Volunteers gave four hours of their time and in turn were rewarded with a ticket to an annual concert. Tickets could not be purchased, only earned. Then in 2008, RockCorps joined forces with UK communications giants Orange and Sony Ericsson to bring the organization to the UK where it has since blossomed into a multi-level, multi-media organization with 450 non-profit partners in the US and Europe. Giving four hours to any one of them will earn the volunteer a ticket to any one of several shows throughout the year. The site is pretty impressive and reminds you what the term 'social media' really means.

Orange RockCorps link is here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're hankering for a margarita lately, it must be because Cinco de Mayo is approaching. The day celebrates May 5, 1862 when, armed with pitchforks and clubs the people of Puebla, Mexico fought off the invasion of Napoleon III's French forces. (Imagine Mexico owned by the French.) The day has since come to symbolize the triumph of all North American people over foreign occupation.

Every year there are a number of ways to celebrate the date no matter where you are. A skydiving school in Vancouver celebrates with an annual group jump; in Malta they have a Cinco de Mayo Beer Festival; and numerous cities throughout the U.S. celebrate the day with a festival in the park. However it's celebrated, observation of the date is never meant to glorify the military battle itself, but rather the spirit of independence and respective national pride.

So Feliz Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Here's a selection of Texas Margarita recipes to help you celebrate.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One more bit of interest for anyone who wishes to try his or her hand at naming. The City of Toronto and online magazine Torontoist.com have just announced a competition to name a new park currently under construction. Sherbourne Park is currently and temporarily named after the street that runs along beside it. Due to open this summer, the park will become an integral part of the city's new waterfront and will signify a new dawn for an area long in need of some colour and some love.

We're pushing for 'Haft2Know Gardens'.

Here's the link and the chance to put your mark on the city of Toronto.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For those considering relocation to another city, Expatistan.com uses user-generated stats to display how costly somewhere is to live, in relation to somewhere else. Users enter various prices for health, living, entertainment costs etc. These range from a beer, to toilet paper, to the cost of leasing a car. Prices then get averaged out over a number of entries and answers are revealed - and done so a little colourfully we might add.

It might feel a little good - or not so - to see what your friends are paying for living elsewhere. Find out here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

She may call much of what she does still-life, but New York photographer Helena V. de Vengoechea has a very special way of portraying human presence - so special in fact that she doesn't even need people in her images to do so. Her commercial portfolio is vibrant and it's playful, and yet never overshadows the brand of what she's photographing. Check out her artistic series she calls 'Discreet Messages' - from which the image above is taken - a collection portraying lovely little visual details that are probably overlooked in day-to-day life.

Helena's beautiful images can be seen here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In light of government and corporate spending scandals that have come to light recently, we think we may have found a site that's been used by a few fat cats to disguise their scotch-soaked lunches as work-related expenses. NYC steakhouse Maloney & Porcelli presents ExpenseASteak.com. Enter the amount you paid for your "business lunch" and the receipt generator does the rest, creating imaginary expenses for office supplies, business books and lunch food you supposedly ate at your desk because you're far too busy to step out for lunch. You're that dedicated.

This site's for big fat liars.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Something we've seen online recently is this little gadget that will "read" colour to its blind user. Pass the sensor over a garment or item and a specific sound assigned to that colour will play aloud. While it won't help convey what "blue" is to someone who's been blind since birth, it certainly forwards the work that will eventually give sight to those without it.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When it comes to naming colours for the marketplace research has shown that some names will be more likely to appeal to consumers than others. Professors Barbara E. Kahn of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Elizabeth G. Miller of Boston College believe buyers are more likely to react positively to either unexpected or ambiguous names.

'Fire Engine Red' for example is no longer a surprise to anyone, so wouldn't make a successful name now - not unlike the use of cliche phrases, which after a while don't mean anything due to their overuse. Duly, if a colour is too off the mark without any sort of rationale at all - say Sassafrass Yellow - buyers are less likely to be intrigued by the joke. There's nothing to "get" - no right answer, hence no emotional investment.

Kahn and Miller also believe a specific but unexpected name will be more successful. The name Michelin Guide Green would give a buyer pause, but speak to a specific consumer. Once that consumer gets the tie, there's a very good chance he or she feels invested enough to become a customer.

--

Crayola wants to see how well you know this generation's colour names. Try it here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In 2005, seven friends in the United States launched an organization called RockCorps which they billed as a new kind of way to give back. Volunteers gave four hours of their time and in turn were rewarded with a ticket to an annual concert. Tickets could not be purchased, only earned. Then in 2008, RockCorps joined forces with UK communications giants Orange and Sony Ericsson to bring the organization to the UK where it has since blossomed into a multi-level, multi-media organization with 450 non-profit partners in the US and Europe. Giving four hours to any one of them will earn the volunteer a ticket to any one of several shows throughout the year. The site is pretty impressive and reminds you what the term 'social media' really means.

Orange RockCorps link is here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're hankering for a margarita lately, it must be because Cinco de Mayo is approaching. The day celebrates May 5, 1862 when, armed with pitchforks and clubs the people of Puebla, Mexico fought off the invasion of Napoleon III's French forces. (Imagine Mexico owned by the French.) The day has since come to symbolize the triumph of all North American people over foreign occupation.

Every year there are a number of ways to celebrate the date no matter where you are. A skydiving school in Vancouver celebrates with an annual group jump; in Malta they have a Cinco de Mayo Beer Festival; and numerous cities throughout the U.S. celebrate the day with a festival in the park. However it's celebrated, observation of the date is never meant to glorify the military battle itself, but rather the spirit of independence and respective national pride.

So Feliz Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Here's a selection of Texas Margarita recipes to help you celebrate.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One more bit of interest for anyone who wishes to try his or her hand at naming. The City of Toronto and online magazine Torontoist.com have just announced a competition to name a new park currently under construction. Sherbourne Park is currently and temporarily named after the street that runs along beside it. Due to open this summer, the park will become an integral part of the city's new waterfront and will signify a new dawn for an area long in need of some colour and some love.

We're pushing for 'Haft2Know Gardens'.

Here's the link and the chance to put your mark on the city of Toronto.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For those considering relocation to another city, Expatistan.com uses user-generated stats to display how costly somewhere is to live, in relation to somewhere else. Users enter various prices for health, living, entertainment costs etc. These range from a beer, to toilet paper, to the cost of leasing a car. Prices then get averaged out over a number of entries and answers are revealed - and done so a little colourfully we might add.

It might feel a little good - or not so - to see what your friends are paying for living elsewhere. Find out here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

She may call much of what she does still-life, but New York photographer Helena V. de Vengoechea has a very special way of portraying human presence - so special in fact that she doesn't even need people in her images to do so. Her commercial portfolio is vibrant and it's playful, and yet never overshadows the brand of what she's photographing. Check out her artistic series she calls 'Discreet Messages' - from which the image above is taken - a collection portraying lovely little visual details that are probably overlooked in day-to-day life.

Helena's beautiful images can be seen here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In light of government and corporate spending scandals that have come to light recently, we think we may have found a site that's been used by a few fat cats to disguise their scotch-soaked lunches as work-related expenses. NYC steakhouse Maloney & Porcelli presents ExpenseASteak.com. Enter the amount you paid for your "business lunch" and the receipt generator does the rest, creating imaginary expenses for office supplies, business books and lunch food you supposedly ate at your desk because you're far too busy to step out for lunch. You're that dedicated.

This site's for big fat liars.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)