Vacation challenge: be completely offline

Tomorrow Darma goes on Holidyas. We’ll, that’s not really true, because we’ll dedicate a couple of days to work in Hotel Villaró project in Barcelona, but most of the time, we’ll try to enjoy and have fun. I was reading a really interesting article in Amalio Rey’s blog (in spanish) about how important is to disconnect completely during holidays. I confess  that while reading, I felt kind of  giddy and started to look for excuses to avoid the tips Amalio gives us. Luckily, in Blog.[cumClavis] I found the words I was looking for.

While Amalio finds that is essencial to disconnect during holidays, Manel from CumClavis defends the idea of feeling free to do what we want in every moment. I’m more for Manel’s advice but it’s true that Amalio’s answer is totally right: What usually an alcoholic feels like? (in all their shades, including the “workaholic”) keep drinking the same brew. So maybe to keep on hooked on our addictions couldn’t be good… Anyway I suspect that trying to put aside our virtual life during holidays is, at least for me, more stressful than staying stuck to it!

Amalio defends the need to disconnect and relax. To rest  is a human necessity  and to disconnect is a must to renew and refresh our knowledge and creativity. I couldn’t agree more, but when I do this and I need to go back to work after a few days, I can’t avoid the vertigo, I feel depressed and even I’m little bit lost in front the computer, I lost the rythm and I feel less productive. So, as Manel says, it’s not bad to keep connected to our daily life: check e mails, take a look to the social networks, read and write blogs,… I have the feeling you can’t not “erase” who you are, and we can’t deny that we are more and more “homus digitalis” with human-technology relations.

So, who’s right? Amalio or CumClavis? I promiss myself to try to be as analogical as possible during the holdyas, but I’m already worried about the WIFI connexion in the airport… I think I’m not going to be able to keep myself  clen and sober….

Anyway, we wish you all a great end of August and, if not sooner, see you in September!

Fonts:

– ¿Desconectar?

– Amalio Rey. Elogio a la desconexión.

– Vacaciones y sobre-exposición digital.

– Apaguen los móviles y apaguen campamento (Elogio a la desconexión)

The (almost creepy) power of the color in our purchase decisions.

Though there are many factors that influence how and what consumers buy, color is one of the most powerful weapons to persuade people. When launching new products it’s important to consider that consumers place visual appearance and color above other factors such as sound, smell and texture.

Whether you’re a consumer or if you work for “the dark side”, after reading this post, your visit to the retail store will never be the same.

85% of the shoppers place color as a primary reason for why the buy a particular product. Other factors as smell or texture are insignificant. It’s also very important to take care about brand color, using the corporative chromatic range increase brand recognition by 80%. Did you know that brand recognition is directly connected with customer confidence?

Pychology of color is used in design to empower the message. It’s true that cultures understand colors in different ways, but generally, colors arouse the same feelings. Here a basic diagram:

Color also attracts different typology of customers and changes shopper behauvior. Red, orange, black or royal blue are more pregnant for impulsive shoppers. These colors are able to “speed” the buying decision, that’s why are used in outlets, fast food or clearance sales.

Tradicional buyers sympathize with pastel tones (rose, sky blue, pink, aquamarine, lavender, peach…) and mostly are used in clothing stores, boutiques, etc. These color shades slow down and calm the shoppers, making them feel more comfortable in the store.

The navy blue, teal and, in general, all the “cold” colors suit the shoppers on a budget, inspire confidence and loyalty, so they’re used in banks and shopping malls.

But is color the only difference between a consumer purchasing an identical item at one retail shop over the other? Definitelly not, the power of the words, or the evironment of a store, the behavior of the employers, etc. make some brands more customer friendly than others.