[UPDATE: This is for non-commercial use only etc.]
I just designed this poster for my buddies over at Microsoft [you know who you are]. If you work for Microsoft, free to download the high-res version by clicking on the image, and print it out etc [My regular licensing terms are here].
I’ve been told by Stormhoek that if the poster gets enough traction within Microsoft and its extended family, we’ll consider doing a signed, limited-edition lithograph of it as well. [UPDATE: The signed lithographs have arrived. Steve Clayton reports.]
[Portrait: click on image to enlarge etc.]
The headline works on a lot of different levels:
Microsoft telling its potential customers to change the world or go home.
Microsoft telling its employees to change the world or go home.
Microsoft employees telling their colleagues to change the world or go home.
Everybody else telling Microsoft to change the world or go home.
Everyone else telling their colleagues to change the world or go home.
And so forth.
Microsoft has seventy thousand-odd employees, a huge percentage them very determined to change the world, and often succeeding. And millions of customers with the same idea. Basically, Microsoft is in the world-changing business. If they ever lose that, they might as well all go home.
I chose the monster image simply because I always thought there is something wonderfully demonic about wanting to change the world. It can be a force for the good, of course, if used wisely. It’s certainly a very loaded part of the human condition, but I suppose that’s what makes it compelling.
Anyway, Redmond, I hope you like. Feel free to drop me a line, if you have any feedback. Thanks.
[UPDATE: 24th January 24, 2007:]
[VIDEO:] Microsoft’s Steve Clayton talks about the Blue Monster cartoon. My evil plan finally goes public! Rock on.
[Blue Monster video on YouTube.]
The Blue Monster was designed as a conversation starter. To paraphrase the ongoing dialogue between Steve and I:
For too long, Microsoft has allowed other people- the media, the competition and their detractors, especially- to tell their story on their behalf, instead of doing a better job of it themselves.
We firmly believe that Microsoft must start articulating their story better- what they do, why they do it, and why it matters- if they’re to remain happy and prosperous long-term.
If they can do this, well, we don’t expect people in their millions to magically start loving Microsoft overnight, but perhaps it might get people- including the people who work there- to start thinking differently. Small moves. Helping to improve Microsoft’s corporate culture was no small feat!
[Afterthought:] Granted, none of this is rocket science. But maybe that’s Microsoft’s main problem.
[Disclosure: gapingvoid is more evil than Microsoft. Just so you know.]
