Helpful words

Systematized: A look at mountain bike naming systems

Naming architecture and systems are top of mind as I’m wrapping up a large, multifaceted naming architecture project and spinning up on another this spring. As I’ve been completing this work, I’ve discovered how little information is readily available on how to evaluate and approach naming architectures and systems. For clarity on how we think…

The Brand is the Company is the Product

There are many reasons for companies to seek help with naming. One issue that confounds a number of growing businesses who have yet to make a splash is how to name their brand, company, and products. Granted, at an early inflection point they may only have one product, which actually plays to their advantage. In…

The competition trap for creative agencies

The creative field is a crowded one. There are behemoths that handle everything in house and specialists that focus on tiny nooks and crannies. On this spectrum, A Hundred Monkeys occupies one of the smaller nooks. We focus on naming and occasionally write in slightly longer format. Over the years, we’ve won and lost projects…

You are here: Navigating a naming ecosystem

It’s been a while since most of us have been to a theme park, a music festival, a zoo, or even a museum. If my memory serves me, these environments come with maps and directories, so you can plan your experience accordingly and tell your friends to meet you at the churro stand at noon….

Once, Twice, Three Times Creative: How to enjoy an effective extra round of creative work

Creative endeavors can sometimes produce an environment where a client is curious to see as many options as possible. In the case of our naming business we call this a third round. For reference, we typically develop company and product names across two rounds—a third is rare, but sometimes helpful. We’ve built our naming process around…

Your brand is a stranger

How to think about branding in an age of skepticism Branding gets used and abused. Companies recognize the value branding can create in a way they didn’t five or ten years ago. This has led to it being misunderstood and misused by people looking for shortcuts and sure bets. In this post I’m going to…

A case for getting the good news before the bad

  • About: Naming

Creative feedback edition Being positive is a big ask these days. As human beings in 2021, we’ve entered an unspoken agreement to be refreshingly honest about the crappy state of things. It’s united us in our collective groans, sleepless nights, and bouts of laughing-so-we-don’t-cry. As part of this unspoken agreement, it feels like it’s no…

A look at naming in the world’s specialty marketplace

This year, more than ever, we’ve needed small businesses as much as they’ve needed us. They’ve been there on our long neighborhood walks, or when we needed the perfect, thoughtful gift at a difficult time. I’ve spent more time on Etsy this year than I’d like to admit, but as a professional namer, it has…

What we talk about when we talk about naming systems and naming architecture

When we talk about naming systems and naming architecture with clients and potential clients there is a decent amount of consensus on what those activities entail, though we’ve heard enough variability to the point where we wanted to share our definition of each exercise. It’s not like there’s an ISO 9000 standard for what makes…

In 2020, brands are treating their names like regrettable tattoos

We’ve seen a lot of change this year as brands, bands, and institutions have revised their language to be more inclusive. First and foremost: their names. Who knew it was so easy to not celebrate confederate generals? As namers here at A Hundred Monkeys, we’ve kept our eyes on these changes — taking note of the perceived solutions…

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