DECODE - May 23, 2024
READS
How to Create an Accessible Design System in 60 Days (Medium)
Accessibility was the backbone of ETS’s 2024 rebrand and website refresh. Code and Theory Lead Experience Designer of Accessibility & Design Systems Mike Mai shares how we partnered with ETS to create an accessible design system in just 60 days. Read the article.
Brands: Double Down On Your Story, Says Code and Theory’s Craig Kind (Medium)
"The tides of change are crashing against the banks of every brand; your story is the unshakeable rock the world demands," says Creative Director Craig Kind. He shares how brands and individuals can tap into their higher purpose. Read the Q&A.
Think AI Can Perceive Emotion? Think Again. (Wall Street Journal)
In 2019, Northeastern University psychology professor Lisa Feldman Barrett joined a study to determine if people’s emotional expressions are universal. In other words, does a smile or a scowl mean the same thing in every corner of the world? Her findings and other scientific evidence indicated that there are no universal expressions of emotions, which impacts how effective AI software trained on recognizing emotion can be. Read the article.
People Hated Apple’s ‘Crush!’ Ad. Here’s Why That Doesn’t Matter (PR Week)
Speaking of universal expressions, Apple’s “Crush!” ad was widely panned upon release the other week as the spot seemed to exacerbate creative workers’ anxiety over being replaced by AI. PR Week asked agency leaders how the backlash may impact Apple moving forward. Code and Theory Chief Creative Officer Craig Elimeliah shares why the ad sparks a valuable dialogue about AI: “This could be turned into an amazing opportunity to listen and hear what people are saying and talk about their future roadmap when it comes to AI and tech.” Read the article.
FAKE FACTS
ATTEND
Sport Beach at Cannes Lions International Festival
Sport Beach is SO BACK. Stagwell’s Sport Beach returns for its second season from June 17-20, 2024 — bringing together athletes, marketers and global leaders to explore the intersection of sport, creativity and culture. Sign up to join us there.
ANA Masters of B2B Marketing
AI advancements have brought opportunities and challenges for marketers. But one aspect is undeniable (and under-utilized): AI’s ability to anticipate customers’ needs. Code and Theory’s Michael Treff and Qualcomm’s Carmen True join the ANAs for a fireside chat at the ANA Masters of B2B Marketing Conference on June 12-14 in Naples, Florida. They’ll discuss how senior marketers and executives can harness the AI gold rush for strategic B2B business growth. RSVP today.