“One” Free Wallpaper

Get this free wallpaper from our good friend Brad Ruggles. This design was inspired by this, this and this. Lets keep designing for change!

The New and Improved Mike is Called Kyle

Yesterday was Mikes last day working with me. We played racquetball, I won 3-0! Rode bikes to get beer and ribs, and reminisced on all the good and bad time we have had. He is a great friend and will be missed by me, my family, and everyone at Jamison Advertising Group (they pay the bills). But all that being said, the blog now has Kyle. Get to know Kyle, cause you are now stuck with him.

Tell us about yourself?
I was born a preacher’s kid in Southern California. Became a missionary kid in Australia. Got married to my beautiful wife Megan in Northern California. I now reside in Fort Worth, Texas, but will be moving to Mesa, AZ in 6 weeks. God has blessed me over the last few years with the challenge of figuring out how to use the gifts he has given me to glorify Him. Luckily, he also blessed me with the opportunity to join up with Corey, and be a part of the Plow.

I like fish tacos, anything creative, and Dodger baseball. (not sure I want this in here, GO PADRES!)

How do you see graphic design working to Glorify God?
For me, it’s about making the heart and character of God relevant. We live in a visual culture, and far too often the church is in the back of the pack in this arena, unwilling to take risks to advance the kingdom of God. I think art and design can be a catalyst for change. It can help reach the unchurched and draw people close to God’s heart.

Jesus was the biggest radical of his day. People where drawn like flies to the message that he brought to earth. I believe that same radical message of love, hope, redemption and salvation is as powerful today as it was 2000 years ago. It’s our job to communicate this message to the people of our day.

What problems can occur from using design in the church?
I’m not a huge fan of “shock value.” I do like asking tough/unasked questions, but I think at times the church has succumbed to using any means necessary to draw people in, all the while underestimating the power of the gospel. If our only goal is increased attendance I fear people will still be left hungry for something more, God.

It’s our job as designers to check ourselves at the door and ask, “Am I doing this for them, or Him?”

Any last words?
I already miss you Mikey. I’ll do my best to fill your shoes.

Make it Human.

This UPS truck has a haphazardly affixed SAFETY sign hanging from the back. Think that’s unintentional? UPS does it on purpose. You notice it because a human being did it.

I love this concept. Taking a perfectly good object/design/building/product and adding a human element to it. Our natural reaction is to look closer, because we know a human hand has touched that. We know that something is out of the ordinary, and therefore is special. What a inexpensive way to get noticed. The church could use some of this, get rid of all that expensive printing and mailing and stick to simple.

Check out the rest of the article: Seth’s Blog

Now it’s time to say good-bye M-I-K-E-Y

Well team, I have some bitter sweet news. At the end of the week I, Mike, am changing jobs. I’ll be signing on as the director of web strategy at MarsHillChurch.org, a29.org, and theResurgence.com. It’s a very sad thing for me to stop working with Corey. We’ve worked side by side for the last couple years, and I am really going to miss it. I’m really excited to get started on a stack of new projects that I’ll be doing for this group of organizations.

As I leave, I just want to recommend Ministry Growers. Corey is one of the best and most thoughtful designers I’ve ever met. And with me leaving we’re pulling in another designer from the Jamison Advertising Group, Kyle, to start working with Churches. He’s roughly ten times more talented than I am—so don’t worry.

If you want to keep in touch, you can get all of my info at MikeyAnderson.com.

Good night, and good luck.

~Mike

(P.S. I always wanted to use Papyrus, the worst font in existence)

The Biggest Drawing In The World

This video is long, but pretty freakin’ cool.

From Sell Sell

The Biggest Drawing In The World is a project by Erik Nordenankar using a beefed up GPS device in a suitcase. The suitcase gets transported around the world by DHL according to instructions given by Nordenankar, and the resulting tracking line from the GPS system creates what is in effect a giant world-sized portrait. It all sounds very complicated, but the film brings it to life really well. Have a look at the website here. It’s a fun project. It’s also a great lesson in creating a bit of digital/web content that is interesting but also very relevant to a particular product or brand. Which isn’t always the case, but is good to see.

Creepy yet Cool

How to Resurrect a Fly - video powered by Metacafe

Our friends brother made this video, I never knew you could do this, but now I must try. Make sure you digg it, he is trying to raise money for a good cause, and xbox360.

Check out his site: occupant.wordpress.com

Ithaca Hours & The Church

Maybe I have been in a cave for the last 10 years, but Ithaca Hours is new to me. If that name means nothing to you either, here is the low-down.

Ithaca Hours is a local currency system that promotes local economic strength and community self-reliance in ways which will support economic and social justice, ecology, community participation and human aspirations in and around Ithaca, New York. Ithaca Hours help to keep money local, building the Ithaca economy.

I love this concept, and wonder if the church could adopt something like this. People giving of there talents to help those in need, and being rewarded by trades of service. Let me explain how I see this working.

1. Churches work with non-profits. They open up their volunteers and buildings.
2. Designers handle all marketing, free of charge.
3. Programmers handle all web programming, free of charge.
4. Printers handle all printing, at cost.
5. All involved record time and trade time in services.

I know this is imperfect, but to me this could become something great. It helps the Christian creative community network, and it encourages the creative community and churches to do good with the talents and resources God has given them. I would love to try something like this out on a small scale, for one project. If you are or know of a church, programmer, or printer wanting to help, contact me. And if you are interested in this idea, lets talk.

Check Your Mail

The Love Shirts have been mailed. If you ordered one keep your eyes peeled for one of these black and white striped envelopes. Now I live in the most northwest corner of the continental United States, so you Florida people may just have to wait. Thanks again for making this amazing!

Graphic-Exchange

Spend time in this site, you will be better for it.

We’re just Clever.

The term creative or innovative gets thrown out like candy these days at churches. We pride ourselves on how creative we are, but I have to say, I think clever is a better word. Rarely do we come up with something truly innovative, we tend to play off an existing idea. We come up with clever ways to use movies, clever ways to use popular songs, and clever ways to ride pop-culture movements. But to me those are not creative, they are just clever. Try and think of some creative ideas that the church can do to Glorify God, and impact communities. And add to this list of creative churches you know of, I could only think of 2.

Mars Hill Seattle: Ask Anything

LifeChurch: One Prayer