Here’s to Collaboration
I was sent a link to this amazing video/ad produced by Honda to promote their hybrid sedan, the Insight.
The video itself is clever and fun, but what really struck me was how the close collaboration between Honda and Vimeo resulted in an extraordinary experience. I was reminded through this that two are always better than one when it comes to our creative endeavors.
With this narcissistic age of “me” upon us, it’s even more imperative to take a cue from our creator, and exist in community. So I challenge us all today to not create alone! Team up, mash-up, partner up, collaborate—doesn’t matter what you call it, just do something creative with someone else and share with the world.
Sermon’s over. Here’s the link to the video! http://vimeo.com/4281939
(Sorry for no embed, must be viewed on the Vimeo site for full effect.)
Filed under other, video | Comments (2)How Do You See Life?
This ad is a wonderful example of how I tend to see life. I look for what I want to look for, and I ignore what I want to ignore. Just look at this ad, what we see as happy, is grotesque when turned upside down. This is no different then my daily life. Without a guide I have no idea what I am looking at, what seems good is really bad. But with God I can learn what is pure and right. Just read Romans 12: 2.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
We cannot look to the media, and that means Fox news just as much as CNN, for how we should live. We cannot look to politicians, and that means both Red and Blue, for what laws we need to pass. And we cannot even look to our own heart, because it can deceive us. What we need is the word of God. That will transform us, that will allow us to see what is truly good and acceptable and perfect.
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to be about President Obama. So please to not use this as an opportunity to either praise or tear him down. Instead do what the bible says later in Romans, and in 1 Timothy.
Artwork found at Coloribus.
Filed under other | Comment (0)When Inspiration Leaves
From time to time, well it happens more often than not, inspiration will just leave me. A project will come up and I can think of nothing to do for it. I end up staring at my screen for hours hoping for something to pop into my mind, but it rarely does. So what do I do, I try and jump start my creativity.
Check out websites.
Here are a few sites that I will immediately go to for some inspiration. That does not mean you go there to steal ideas, just be inspired! Graphic Exchange, VLU, Flickr, AdHunt and Inspiredology are just a few.
Play some games.
Video games have always been a great way for me to relax. Sometimes I just need to stop what I am doing and play some dumb online games. Kongregate is the biz-omb for quick online games!
Read, the old fashion way.
Reading is another way for me to get out of my funk. Magazines are filed with wonderful articles, layouts and ads. I also have a library of old readers digest books, going through those are wonderful. The colors, typography and layout and amazing. Also, check out the bible. God’s word is filled with stories that can inspire anyone.
Go outside.
Sometimes just stopping what I am doing and going outside is all I need. To feel the rain, snow, wind or sun on your skin can recharge you. Nature is the most beautiful work of art there is.
What do you do?
These are just a few things I do, but what do you do? Help me out because I can feel that today is one of those blah days.
Filed under other | Comment (1)Your Attitude is Crap
I love watching marketing guys, their arrogance is mind blowing to me. Everyone is an expert, and they all love to show it. In the church we look to them often for advise, but here is one guy I would like you to stay away from. Why? Because his attitude, not business card, is crap.
Humility needs to be a quaility we are known for more than our marketing. Remember that no matter how amazing you are at what you do, it is still a gift from God.
Filed under other | Comments (3)Tutorial: Repeat With Style
There is not much to this design, but by adding a simple repeat it now becomes a modern piece of art. I will show you the most simple way to do it. It is as easy as hitting one button.
Step 1: Open Illustrator
This only works for Illustrator, so all you Freehand people will have to chill. Open up a new document, and choose what shape you would like to use. For this design I used the circle.
Step 2: The Magic Button
Here is all you have to do boys and girls, when you draw your shape hold down the “~” key. If you don’t know where it is look next to your “1″ on the top number bar. That is it. It will repeat the shape at the speed you move your cursor. You can also hold down shift like I did for the CD cover above to keep the shapes in a straight line.
Step 3: Time To Experiment
This really is a fun element to play with. You can make some amazing shapes, and some cool patterns. I have included some samples that I did in about 30 seconds. Have fun!
Not Gone, Just Tired
For the past couple months Kyle and I have been hit hard. Our company has taken a tremendous hit with the economy, and we have had pay cuts looming over our heads. Being a husband and a father makes this stress turn into panic, the uncertainty is sometimes harder that the actual impact. But I thank God that I have him in times that this. I am not gone for good, I am just tired for now.
Preparing for the race.
Paul talks about running the race for the prize at the end. I feel like the past two months have been training for me. I know I have failed in some, but I also know I have grown too. Through these trials God has also brought us blessing. Our work for the Plow has tripled in the last couple months, and we have been able to partner with some amazing churches. We have been blessed by that.
Our failures bring strength.
God has also allowed us to learn patience, humility and servitude. With increase of workload, sometimes our relationships can become strained. I have neglected this blog and the readers, and I am sorry for that. I have neglected some of my lower clients, and I am sorry for that as well. We are servants to God and each other, and I have been reminded of that wonderful truth. I praise God for allowing me to fail so that I might turn back to him.
Now the race begins.
I found this video below from the Wooster Collective by James Jarvis and was amazed by the simplicity and power of it. The race we run is not always easy. We come across trails and pitfalls, but we know we will finish. We are never gone, just sometimes tired—and God has the strength for us.
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