🐶 Animal Art Direction 🥹
ditch the models grab the dog...
GM everyone hope you’re all having an amazing week. As I mentioned in the other day’s newsletter, next week is going to be GIFT WEEK. I’ll be putting together a comprehensive holiday gift guide for veryyyyy specific niches. Think: what gift should I get my bodega guy? I have a few in mind but feel free to email me with any specific situations you need help curating a gift for— jake@jb.studio
Here’s some news I found interesting—
NYT: Startups are running out of cash. This article outlines how some of tech’s favorite ‘unicorns’ are turning into zombies. As interest rates raise, capital becomes more expensive, and investors are looking for returns. 2024 is going to be filled with a lot of M&A activity and a lot of bankruptcy. I am headed to my favorite startup zombie later today… WeWork!
The homie’s over at Minted dropped their first full menswear collection. Super excited to see the brand progress! Also ready to run this weekend.
Krispy Kreme just launched in Paris and they cannot get enough. I find this story to be so wholesome. Krispy Kreme really is one of life’s greatest joys. I have had Paris-fever lately after seeing the rise of this viral TikTok sound of a french girl doing ASMR-style VO. Need to go in 2024…
Okay onto the topic of today’s newsletter: Animal Art Direction. I am seeing more brands use animals for their photoshoots and content, sometimes ditching human models all together. The key here is the juxtaposition between adorable animals and product made for humans. Let’s jump into some of my fav examples—
Coperni’s Kittens
Coperni has been using these kittens on its Instagram, across both photos and video. I love the tiny props like the mini clothing line or the martini glasses filled w milk. So adorable.
SSENSE 20th Anniversary Dog
SSENSE recently used this handsome fellow to model their 20th anniversary hat. The backwards hat… this dog has rizz.
Gucci
This is for a dog accessory so it doesn’t really count but I’d be remised not to include it! He’s so happy wearing Gucci!
Cartier
Dogs and cats are easy picks… how about throwing the lizard next to the watch.
Aime Leon Dore
While the animals have been the stars of the previous examples, I do think they work well as an accessory too! Love the above example from ALD, and here is a bonus reference to a 1990 J. Crew ad.
Stella McCartney
I nearly forgot about KJ topless on this majestic steed for Stella McCartney. She is a known horse-girl so this tracks.
Ferragamo
Look at this little guy. This bag is his home!
Why This Works
Since the dawn of the internet, one thing has been consistently able to attract attention: adorable animals. These brands are getting strategic about what elements to add to their product shots to catch attention. The whimsical juxtaposition of a dog wearing a baseball hat, a lizard on a Cartier watch, or a kitten on a Coperni seems to be a sure fire way to stop the scroll and keep audiences engaged. According to Rachel Karten the Coperni posts performed 650% better than their usual.
For more animal art direction, Elizabeth Goodspeed has curated an incredible Are.na board.
Until Tomorrow
That’s all for today. Hope you all have an amazing day. Going to leave you with a splitscreen—
💼 Left: What I look like today. 🌴 Right: Where I should be.
About Jake
Jake Bell is a content marketing strategist based in NYC. He specializes in branding, art direction, creative strategy, content creation, and making things cool.
To get in touch visit www.jb.studio
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Like fit pics and pictures of chairs? Visit his Instagram.