brand building Archives

In the Space Between: Branding at the Edge of Knowing

Every act of branding is, at heart, an act of definition — a declaration of who we are, what we stand for, and how we wish to be understood. But there’s a paradox embedded in that work: to define is also, inevitably, to reduce. And in the rush to name, clarify, or codify, something vital […]

Jan 3 2026 by Nancy Lerner in Brandshrink

Occam’s Razor and the Art of Brand Clarity

At Otherwise, we’re drawn to ideas that hold power in their precision — frameworks that slice through the noise without losing the depth. One such idea, borrowed from the worlds of logic, theology, and philosophy, is Occam’s Razor. Often misquoted, often misunderstood, but always useful. A brief history of the blade The principle that would […]

Dec 15 2025 by Nancy Lerner in Brandshrink

Wonder as a Working Method

Robert Frost’s phrase—our place among the infinities—opens a door we’re still learning to walk through. It suggests not one infinity but many: the outward sprawl of galaxies and the inward expanse of human interiority; the infinitude of time and the infinitude of interpretations; the boundless network of relationships that make meaning possible. In brand-building, this […]

Aug 19 2025 by Nancy Lerner in Editorials

Metaphor as Our Sneak Path to Truth

Brand‑building is often framed as a linear exercise—logo, tagline, guidelines, launch—yet the lived experience of a brand is anything but linear. It is felt in heartbeats and muscle memory, in the quiet confidence of a good fit and the rush of belonging. To illuminate that multidimensional journey, we borrow from terrains that, at first glance, […]

Jul 23 2025 by Nancy Lerner in Editorials

Gotta Mint ‘Em All: Are POAPs the Future of Brand Engagement?

Can you recall the early days of Pokémon GO, when crazed players logged thousands of steps to catch the rarest characters? The game brilliantly capitalized on FOMO and the shared human desire to collect things — and in doing so, fostered a diverse, devoted community that is still active today. Could POAPs be the next […]

Apr 13 2022 by Madeline Rosemurgy in Metawise