BASIC/DEPT®@basicagency

A global branding and design agency.

 San Diego, CA
basicagency.com/
Joined June 2009
We're doing it live on stage. Webflow 2024. Go BTS of the Docusign rebrand with our own Laura Tron (@elwhit), SVP of Clients and Carla Weis (@carlaweishale) , Docusign, Head of Brand & Creative. Register!
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What do Roblox, Gucci, and AI have in common? They're all shaping the future of shopping. And we're nominated to speak at SXSW about it. Vote for three of our own by August 18th to see them on stage. TALK #1 Marc Weinreich, Copy Lead & Noah Jackson, Sr Strategist Gen Alpha: Who they are and how brands can prepare panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/15… TALK #2 Laura Tron, SVP of Clients Fashion and retail in the age of AI panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/15…
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@madebygoogle with @Google ✌️ Websites and Mobile Sites - Best Mobile User Interface vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV… Websites and Mobile Sites - Best Practices vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV…
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@Cowboybike 🤠 Websites and Mobile Sites - Best Visual Design - Function vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV… Websites and Mobile Sites - Best Mobile User Interface vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV…
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Jeff Koons: Moon Phases with @PaceGallery 🌖 Websites and Mobile Sites - Best User Interface vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV…
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Tony Blair Institute for Global Change with @InstituteGC 🌎 Websites and Mobile Sites - Best Responsive/Adaptive Design for Mobile vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV…
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@WHOOP 💪 Websites and Mobile Sites - Best Responsive/Adaptive Design for Mobile vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV…
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B/D® Jams 🎧 Websites and Mobile Sites - Best User Experience vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV… Websites and Mobile Sites - Best User Interface vote.webbyawards.com/PublicV…
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The next step in women's running shoes. An excerpt from our recent work with @lululemon for Further, a multi-year research and development effort to find out how far female runners can go when they're given the resources and product innovation typically reserved for men. Last week, ultrarunner Camille Herron (@runcamille) broke the men's 6-day distance world record and a slew of other world records in this very shoe.
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The internet belongs to all of us, but so many digital design decisions leave out the disability community. As part of our own (very-much-in-progress) journey into inclusive design, we wrote some essays about how we can all approach accessibility with more empathy – and creativity. basicagency.com/thinking/app…
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Scott created over 200 sculptures in a society that once assumed she couldn’t create anything. She grew into a confident, internationally recognized artist—all while challenging beliefs about whose lives can be enriched by art and whose art can enrich the world.
In an art studio, Judith Scott and her twin Joyce smile while Judith works on one of her sculptures Image Source: TheAtlantic.com

ALT In an art studio, Judith Scott and her twin Joyce smile while Judith works on one of her sculptures Image Source: TheAtlantic.com

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Scott was largely mute and never gave interviews, so it’s hard to know the meaning of her work in her own words. But each invites its own interpretation; one piece, for example, is largely believed to be twins reaching for each other.
One of Judith Scott’s sculptures wrapped in thread, resembling twins embracing each other Image Source: FrankeJames.com

ALT One of Judith Scott’s sculptures wrapped in thread, resembling twins embracing each other Image Source: FrankeJames.com

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She wasn’t too interested in the classes—until a workshop with textile artist Sylvia Seventy. There, she fell in love with crafting sculptures by wrapping fabric around everyday objects.
One of Judith Scott’s sculptures, with colorful threads wrapped around an object to become an abstract shape that resembles a bird Image Source: Art21.org

ALT One of Judith Scott’s sculptures, with colorful threads wrapped around an object to become an abstract shape that resembles a bird Image Source: Art21.org

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● Judith Scott (1943 - 2005) Judith Scott transformed found objects into intricate cocoon-like sculptures that connected her to herself and the world in ways that words never could.
Judith Scott sits at a desk with her hand resting over a soda can. Two pieces of decorative thread run across the top of the photo Image Source: Art21.org

ALT Judith Scott sits at a desk with her hand resting over a soda can. Two pieces of decorative thread run across the top of the photo Image Source: Art21.org

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Today, Kahlo is largely regarded as one of the best painters in the history of Mexico. She created bizarre works that reflected a profoundly human experience shaped by disability. In her own words, “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”
One of Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, with a bird on her shoulder and plants in the background. A textured swipe of blue paint covers part of her face Image Source: Delightful Communications

ALT One of Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, with a bird on her shoulder and plants in the background. A textured swipe of blue paint covers part of her face Image Source: Delightful Communications

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Kahlo entwined her art with her relationship to her body. She painted over 50 self-portraits because she spent so much time alone, often painting as she recovered from injuries, surgeries and miscarriages. She even transformed her assistive devices into pieces of art.
A Frida Kahlo painting with two versions of Kahlo. One version of her sits upright in a flowing red dress, holding a pink orthopedic corset and a sign that translates to “Tree of Hope, Remain Strong." The other version of her lies on her side and faces away, showing bleeding incisions on her back Image Source: FridaKahlo.org

ALT A Frida Kahlo painting with two versions of Kahlo. One version of her sits upright in a flowing red dress, holding a pink orthopedic corset and a sign that translates to “Tree of Hope, Remain Strong." The other version of her lies on her side and faces away, showing bleeding incisions on her back Image Source: FridaKahlo.org

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● Frida Kahlo (1907 - 1954) The legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was renowned for her bold self-portraits, political activism and love affairs with men and women. She was also a disabled woman—a piece of her identity that strongly influenced her work throughout her life.
A beautiful headshot of Frida Kahlo, with her face partially hidden by a decorative swipe of paint and the whole image bathed in a red filter Image Source: FridaKahlo.org

ALT A beautiful headshot of Frida Kahlo, with her face partially hidden by a decorative swipe of paint and the whole image bathed in a red filter Image Source: FridaKahlo.org

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In a world still heavy with “so many silences to be broken,” Lorde’s legacy implores us all to share our most vulnerable thoughts. Only then can we set each other—and ourselves—free.
Audre Lorde stands boldly in front of words from her work, which slant upwards in a handwritten font Image Source: www.womenshistory.org

ALT Audre Lorde stands boldly in front of words from her work, which slant upwards in a handwritten font Image Source: www.womenshistory.org

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Lorde’s words came from a burning need to speak up. About the erasure of Black women’s intellectual labor. About the usefulness of rage against injustice. About the power of the erotic.
A collage of Audre Lorde’s face stacked on a red, green, and blue background with a column of text from her poem “Power” Image Source: Getty: Shutterstock

ALT A collage of Audre Lorde’s face stacked on a red, green, and blue background with a column of text from her poem “Power” Image Source: Getty: Shutterstock

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● Audre Lorde (1934 - 1992) Audre Lorde, self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” brought every piece of herself to every word she wrote.
Audre Lorde smiles beneath words from her work in a handwritten font Image Source: Audre Lorde, Berlin, 1984.©️Dagmar Schultz; From Dagmar Schultz, Audre Lorde, The Berlin Years 1984 to 1992, 2012

ALT Audre Lorde smiles beneath words from her work in a handwritten font Image Source: Audre Lorde, Berlin, 1984.©️Dagmar Schultz; From Dagmar Schultz, Audre Lorde, The Berlin Years 1984 to 1992, 2012

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We're taking it back to the days of Beanie Babies and boom boxes—but better. Our Copywriter Krista Harder and Creative Director Jake Welsh share how brands can win hearts by playing with the past. glossy.co/sponsored/brands-l…
A blurred close-up of a child riding a bike through a field. Text says, "BASIC/DEPT" and "Glossy.co", and the title of the article: "Leaning into Gen Z's Desire for Nostalgia"

ALT A blurred close-up of a child riding a bike through a field. Text says, "BASIC/DEPT" and "Glossy.co", and the title of the article: "Leaning into Gen Z's Desire for Nostalgia"
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Last call to hear our CCO Steven Denekas and Strategy Director Alexis Stepanek chat about the future of AI in ecommerce for DEPT® Commerce Week. Come hang to learn how you can build more dynamic, personalized experiences than ever before. Register: deptagency.com/event/the-fut…
A mysterious black and white illustration of two hands with three floating tarot cards. Text says, "The Mystery of Commerce Revealed" and "Register Now". The talk will be held on September 27, 2023.

ALT A mysterious black and white illustration of two hands with three floating tarot cards. Text says, "The Mystery of Commerce Revealed" and "Register Now". The talk will be held on September 27, 2023.
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A/017. The next generation doesn't want to drive. Or own a car. Our Copy Lead Marc Weinreich predicts that all roads lead to auto brands that think beyond the hardware. basicagency.com/thinking/the…
Close-up of the side mirror of a baby blue car sparkling in the sun

ALT Close-up of the side mirror of a baby blue car sparkling in the sun
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AI is creating a new age of ecommerce. For DEPT® Commerce Week, our CCO Steven Denekas and Strategy Director Alexis Stepanek are chatting about how brands can use AI to create meaningful shopping experiences in ways our industry has never seen. Register: deptagency.com/event/the-fut…
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The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (@InstituteGC) helps political leaders bring big ideas to life. So we helped them bring their online platform into a new era–where policy is for everyone. Read the case study: basicagency.com/case-studies…
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Luxury brands, don’t fear goblincore and indie sleaze. Or building weird bridges between weird niches. Or becoming more authentically you, to help your consumers become more authentically them. Gen Z’s not afraid to evolve the beauty game. glossy.co/sponsored/luxury-f…
At golden hour, a person in a striped skirt and checkered Converses walks into the distance. Text says, “Glossy.co”

ALT At golden hour, a person in a striped skirt and checkered Converses walks into the distance. Text says, “Glossy.co”
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A panel on how brands can break the rules and embrace friction to stand out in an optimized sea of sameness 🌊 panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/14…
An orange background with text that says, "Unfair Advantage: Building Brand Through CX with lululemon, Just Eat Takeaway, and BASIC/DEPT"

ALT An orange background with text that says, "Unfair Advantage: Building Brand Through CX with lululemon, Just Eat Takeaway, and BASIC/DEPT"

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A deep dive into Gen Z’s uniquely symbiotic relationship with culture ✨ panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/14…
A pink background with text that says, "How Gen Z is Shaping Culture and Commerce" with "Zahara Chaudhry, Senior Strategist and JP Burcks, Design Lead at BASIC/DEPT"

ALT A pink background with text that says, "How Gen Z is Shaping Culture and Commerce" with "Zahara Chaudhry, Senior Strategist and JP Burcks, Design Lead at BASIC/DEPT"

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A journey that started with a weekly-ish playlist sharing ritual and evolved into a digital jukebox for the world to explore 🎙️ panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/14…
A tan background with text that says, "Building a Culture of Sound" with "JP Burcks and Mia Patrevito, Design Leads at BASIC/DEPT"

ALT A tan background with text that says, "Building a Culture of Sound" with "JP Burcks and Mia Patrevito, Design Leads at BASIC/DEPT"

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Ponderings and performances from a record label building a more equal future for musicians with disabilities 🎵 panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/14…
A green background with text that says, "Just Call Me By My Name" with "Ken Trush, Co-Founder of Daniel's Music Foundation and Steve Denekas, CCO at BASIC/DEPT"

ALT A green background with text that says, "Just Call Me By My Name" with "Ken Trush, Co-Founder of Daniel's Music Foundation and Steve Denekas, CCO at BASIC/DEPT"

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A call to embrace accessibility as a creative opportunity – not just a checklist ✅ panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/14…
A blue background with text that says, "Designers, We Need to Step Up Our Accessibility Game" with "Daniel's Music Foundation and BASIC/DEPT"

ALT A blue background with text that says, "Designers, We Need to Step Up Our Accessibility Game" with "Daniel's Music Foundation and BASIC/DEPT"

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We’ve got lots of thoughts on culture and creativity, and we’d love to share them with you. Cast some votes for our SXSW speakers if you want to hang! 🤞👇
A tan background with text that says, "BASIC/DEPT at SXSW 2024"

ALT A tan background with text that says, "BASIC/DEPT at SXSW 2024"

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A photo of a monitor from a photography set showing a preview of a women standing centered on a walkway with framing and meta data.

ALT A photo of a monitor from a photography set showing a preview of a women standing centered on a walkway with framing and meta data.
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Our work for The Prisoner Wine Company's first ever lifestyle campaign showed figments of the brand's imagination — a moonlit fever dream flipping daytime leisure upside down. Read the case study: basicagency.com/case-studies…
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Me: "cool prototype, can I see how you built it?" Drew: 🤸‍♂️✨
A figma design covered in prototype lines.

ALT A figma design covered in prototype lines.

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Real ones know, this job is hard. So we’re taking a summer break to refill the cups of the people who pour so much into our work. See you on July 10. ✌️🌞
A women's shadow from the sun casts onto a garage door of her holding a tote bag over her shoulder Photo by Michael Baca

ALT A women's shadow from the sun casts onto a garage door of her holding a tote bag over her shoulder Photo by Michael Baca
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After the release of her anthology, Jackie Shane was the subject of numerous documentaries and gave interviews that shed light on her life and career. Her stage presence and her music is credited as shaping the sound of Toronto’s R&B scene.
Jackie Shane sings into a microphone with her eyes closed Image Source: Numero Group

ALT Jackie Shane sings into a microphone with her eyes closed Image Source: Numero Group

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Jackie’s 1967 live album was reissued in 2015, making the shortlist for the Polaris Music Prize Heritage Award. And in 2017, after much deliberation, she agreed to release an anthology of her work titled Any Other Way. This anthology went on to win Jackie her first Grammy.
Jackie Shane poses confidently on stage with a hat angled down over her right eye Image Source: Numero Group

ALT Jackie Shane poses confidently on stage with a hat angled down over her right eye Image Source: Numero Group

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But in 1971, Jackie ended her short career to move back to the States to care for her mother. For nearly 50 years, Jackie lived a life of anonymity. Until 2015.
Jackie Shane poses elegantly in a white dress in front of a car Image Source: Numero Group

ALT Jackie Shane poses elegantly in a white dress in front of a car Image Source: Numero Group

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Jackie electrified audiences at sold-out nightclub shows, released singles, and sang alongside the powerhouse likes of Etta James and Jackie Wilson. Her music dominated the Toronto music scene.
Headshot of Jackie Shane in a sparkly top and beautiful makeup. The photograph says, “The Fabulous Jackie Shane” Image Source: Numero Group

ALT Headshot of Jackie Shane in a sparkly top and beautiful makeup. The photograph says, “The Fabulous Jackie Shane” Image Source: Numero Group

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Jackie shined as a singer in her childhood church’s gospel choir. But the oppressive southern Jim Crow laws sent her searching for a home outside of the United States. She found that in Toronto, where her star truly shone.
Jackie Shane sings into a microphone next to a trombone player Image Source: Numero Group

ALT Jackie Shane sings into a microphone next to a trombone player Image Source: Numero Group

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Jackie Shane was born in Nashville in 1940 as a biological male. By 13, she realized that wasn’t who she was, and identified from then on as a girl. At a time when society only accepted cisgender and heteronorms, she found support from her mother and those around her.
Headshot of Jackie Shane in a sleek black dress Image Source: Numero Group

ALT Headshot of Jackie Shane in a sleek black dress Image Source: Numero Group

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● Jackie Shane (1940 - 2019) “Most people are planted in someone else’s soil, which means they’re a carbon copy. I say to them: Uproot yourself. Get into your own soil. You may be surprised who you really are.” - Jackie Shane
Jackie Shane wears a sparkly top with gorgeous makeup and looks into the distance Image Source: Jeff Goode/Toronto Star, via Getty Images via New York Times

ALT Jackie Shane wears a sparkly top with gorgeous makeup and looks into the distance Image Source: Jeff Goode/Toronto Star, via Getty Images via New York Times

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Though Amar Bose passed in 2013, Bose Corporation continues his mission to constantly pioneer technology that makes the sounds of our lives that much sweeter to hear.
Wearing a suit and tie, Amar Bose smiles and looks to the left Image Source: Steven Senne, File/AP

ALT Wearing a suit and tie, Amar Bose smiles and looks to the left Image Source: Steven Senne, File/AP

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In 1964, Amar Bose founded the Bose Corporation. His work transcended the audio field, reaching new innovations in a variety of industries. His research and technology can be felt everywhere, from Bose headphones to concert arenas and even luxury car suspension systems.
Wearing a suit and tie, Amar Bose sits at a desk and holds a pen Image Source: Bose Corporation

ALT Wearing a suit and tie, Amar Bose sits at a desk and holds a pen Image Source: Bose Corporation

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His research was based on his realization that 80% of concert hall music reflected off of walls, ceilings and surfaces before reaching the listener. Bose’s invention of noise-cancelling headphones were so effective they were contracted for use by military and commercial pilots.
Amar Bose tinkers with a piece of equipment Image Source: Bose Corporation

ALT Amar Bose tinkers with a piece of equipment Image Source: Bose Corporation

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By the time Amar Bose was 18, he had shown a gift for engineering and ingenuity, ultimately enrolling at MIT in 1947. After studying at MIT and while serving as a professor there, Bose invented a new type of stereo system based on psychoacoustics— the perception of sound.
Side profile of Amar Bose engaged in a conversation Image Source: Bose Corporation

ALT Side profile of Amar Bose engaged in a conversation Image Source: Bose Corporation

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Bose was born in Philadelphia in 1929 and his father, Noni Bose, was a physics student at Calcutta University in India, as well as a Bengali freedom fighter. After an arrest for his opposition to British rule, Noni escaped and fled to the US, where he married and settled down.
As a child, Amar Bose stands with his father and mother Image Source: MIT/Bose Fellows

ALT As a child, Amar Bose stands with his father and mother Image Source: MIT/Bose Fellows

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● Amar Bose (1929-2013) Amar Bose pioneered the acoustic engineering that gave us noise-reducing headphones and realism in our sound systems. He is the founder of the audio brand that became a household name today, Bose.
Amar Bose looks thoughtfully into the distance with his chin resting on his hand Image Source: Chitose Suzuki/AP

ALT Amar Bose looks thoughtfully into the distance with his chin resting on his hand Image Source: Chitose Suzuki/AP

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Miranda’s push for diversity in theater both on and offstage and his reverence for telling gripping stories about themes like immigration have opened musical theater to a whole new generation of artists eager to mix different influences to create something totally new.
Lin-Manuel Miranda smiles in a suit with a bowtie Image Source: Owen Kolasinski/BFA/REX/Shutterstock

ALT Lin-Manuel Miranda smiles in a suit with a bowtie Image Source: Owen Kolasinski/BFA/REX/Shutterstock

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