Notes by Elan Miller https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/ Short notes on brand strategy, storytelling, point of view, and the cultural implications of AI. en-us Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 The AI Psyop No One is Talking About https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/the-ai-psyop/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/the-ai-psyop/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 AI & culture AI writing tools default to conflict and provocation. What happens when that tone starts shaping the way everyone communicates? Should founders build their brand around their personal taste? https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/founder-taste/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/founder-taste/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Founder POV A founder’s worldview can be ownable. Aesthetic preferences can be copied. Strong brands know the difference. If you can’t name the feeling, you don’t have a brand https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/name-the-feeling/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/name-the-feeling/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Brand strategy Memorable brands own one feeling and keep reinforcing it. The function still matters, but it works in service of the emotion. “Everything apps” kill word of mouth https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/everything-apps-kill-word-of-mouth/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/everything-apps-kill-word-of-mouth/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Positioning Word of mouth depends on a simple reason to use and recommend a product. Blurry meaning makes that reason disappear. Brand isn’t something you sell https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/brand-isnt-something-you-sell/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/brand-isnt-something-you-sell/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Studio philosophy A note about brand transformation, founder conviction, and the role of Off-Menu. The ingredients make the meal https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/ingredients-make-the-meal/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/ingredients-make-the-meal/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Creative process Why memorable brand strategy and design begin with better raw material. Logos are overrated https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/logos-are-overrated/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/logos-are-overrated/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Visual identity Why logos receive credit for meaning the rest of the brand created. The best taglines are philosophies https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/best-taglines-are-philosophies/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/best-taglines-are-philosophies/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Messaging Why the best brand taglines express a worldview and guide the company behind them. Lean startup is for product, not brand https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/lean-startup-is-for-product-not-brand/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/lean-startup-is-for-product-not-brand/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Startup branding Why startup brands need enough consistency for meaning and recognition to accumulate. The screenshot portfolio problem https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/screenshot-portfolio-problem/ https://www.elanmiller.com/writing/screenshot-portfolio-problem/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Design hiring Why polished screenshots reveal less about a designer than the thinking and messy decisions behind them.