Published
January 24, 2025
When I started art college, my taste in film shifted dramatically. The popcorn cinema of Beverly Hills Cop, Indiana Jones, and Footloose faded into the background, replaced by cool arty directors. I wasn’t particularly drawn to Wim Wenders or Peter Greenaway, who we studied in film class, but I developed an instant love for David Lynch.
Eraserhead: a bit odd The Elephant Man: a bit scary Dune: a bit puzzling Blue Velvet: a bit sexy
And then Twin Peaks came along: a bit odd, a bit scary, a bit puzzling, and a bit sexy.
It quickly became an obsession. I threw myself into the world of Twin Peaks with watch parties featuring cherry pies, the soundtrack on repeat, and even attempts to speak backwards.
But I never got to the end, and I never discovered who killed Laura Palmer.
I don’t even know if it was ever revealed, and honestly, I don’t mind.
It wasn’t just because the VHS broke or it got taped over the second time I recorded it. I bought the box sets and restarted watching on Sky TV.
I just don’t think I wanted it to end.
Maybe I should start again. Find out who did it. Watch the reunion series. But perhaps some mysteries are better left unsolved. Maybe that’s what makes them magical.
I don’t believe David Lynch ever dabbled in advertising or branding—but imagine if he had. It would have been extraordinary. Nevertheless, as a source of creative inspiration, there’s so much we can learn from him.
The power of mystery: Don’t over-explain your brand. Leave room for discovery and interpretation. Mystery draws people in and creates deeper engagement.
Obsess over small details: The little things matter. Focus on your business's unique, memorable details. These can set you apart and give your audience something tangible to connect with.
You don’t have to be new to be innovative: Great brands evolve while preserving their core identity, balancing nostalgia with fresh ideas to remain relevant and timeless.
I’m sure whatever Lynch is creating now is even more odd, scary, puzzling, sexy, and most importantly, originally imaginative.
Enjoy your damn fine coffee.
Nigel
PS If you know who killed Laura Palmer, keep it yourself.
Listen to the Twin Peaks soundtrack by Angelo Badalamenti and be whisked away to a world of damn fine coffee, cherry pie, log ladies, red rooms, mysterious owls, pine forests, dancing dwarfs, doughnuts, tape recorders, one-armed men, and Laura Palmer’s diary.
