Who doesn't like Peeping?

This is our newest creation at church. I think it's cute, we'll see what happens with it as far as people liking it and connecting the concept which is "a new message series on...well read the card. We've also created a simple business card size teazer that has a peep on the front and full pink back with white letters that say "you've been peeped" and our website. If anyone is wondering what its like to work at a church, well, with my peeps it's supercalafragelisticexpealadotious plus some. I never dislike coming into work and God has paired me up with some awesome people. PTL. Okay enough babling, here it is!

Eyes Wide Open

Recent Influences: 1.Networking. I set a goal of meeting at least one person each way on the flight home and back to (e.coast) home because although there are almost limitless ways of interacting with eachother via the internet and all its goodies, I really think we lack in interacting with strangers. I know we were always told not to talk to them but I'm one for braking that rule. I fulfilled the goal and met two very interesting men. A jewish man and a salesman of a family owned business. Conclusion, people are sooo interesting and you never know who you might meet. 2. Media media media. Magazines have now become one of my textbooks to knowledge of media. One of the graphic books i'm reading opened an opportunity to subscribe to Wired Magazine,opening my eyes to what other people are talking about. Accompanied with the internet equals a great start to becoming well rounded. Check out this awesome website I learned of from my media savvy friend sarah, www.iamsecond.com. It's a great idea of an idea i'm tracking on as far as testimonials. Come to find out this awesome website took 9years from concept to upload. Another great website I always check is flickr specifically the group Church Marketing Lab which stems from the website churchmarketingsucks.com
Check out the links and i'd love to hear what's influencing your creativity!

More Time in the City

One thing I always love about going into the city is the people. One day I want to go to the city just to people watch and take pictures. Here is a shot I took of a man in the subway. Now that I look back at it He reminds me of my grandfather. I remember things about it him like how he smoked, used to comb my brothers hair all the time and had this distinctive voice. I love the subway! There are people everywhere and no one really talks to each other. I took another shot of a little boy. He obviously knew I was taking the picture and was saying something in spanish that I didn't understand so i said, "what does that mean" and he got really shy and nuzzled into his fathers shoulder.My other photo is dear to my heart because its my parents house in Michigan. It's an interesting shot. I'm still deciding if I like it. Not a clear shot of the house but it could take a more abstract approach.
You may notice one is black and white and the other sepia. I actually prefer these styles of photos because they bring out more of the character and emotion into the photo instead of being distracted by the colors. In my view, they enhance the picture. Not to say that color doesn't enhance a photo, it does but it may depend on the photo.

Graphics for anything

So, I'm furthering my graphics abilities and now applying them to newsletters. After my mom asked me to put together a newsletter template for her I started thinking, "I'm not even sure I would know where to start". Well duh! Where I always start, thinking about who or what i'm trying to portray. So, in this case putting my moms character and love for teaching into a design. Easy right? yeah, pretty easy. Color? well she's bright and a little pozazzy. Format? Simple but nothing too bland. Visually appealing because she's definitely not boring. Shapes are a definitate because well, it's school and lets face it a little bit of scrapbooking never hurt anyone. Also keeping in mind the flow. It does have a picture on the left so the reader may be directionally stimulated to read the feature article that was done by a few students in the class. Then you may move to the right and read the "welcome" updates. As far as the header, there isn't really a logo and the font should be simple with a little funk. Voila. My first attempt at a wonderful newsletter.

Limitless Creativity

This graphic was created to brand what was previously known as "art day". We first went through a list of words that would inspire creativity from the congregation of people. Not just creativity and art as in painting, sketching, or doodling but creating ANYTHING that was inspired by God in and through us and taking action by designing/creating. The best word to describe this was "Arise".
Some people think "Oh, i'm not creative" or "I can't draw or paint". What a false statement. Each person IS creative in their own talent. Just as a baker is as creative as a painter or sculpter or a writer as creative as an architect.
So, this graphic takes the city or people and lets the creativity "arise" out of them. Kind of like an outpouring or growth of imagination rising out, taking all different directions. Be creative, be inspired, be yourself.

My First Kit & Kaboodle

This project is one of my pride & joys. Possibly because its my first project that encompasses a series of graphics that were all tied together including the new design of the inside of the bulletin. For those of you who have seen the inside of a bulletin may feel unmoved about it and that was my aim to change. Church doesn't have to be typical or boring. My goal is and was to show that God is creative and it doesn't have to stop at the threshold of church. Typical bulletins are often left to right, column based, and a bit shall I say boring. Well, I say, lets spice it up. My ultimate goal is to show that God is living, active, fun, and creative, and he can show that through talents he's given us, ultimately He is my inspiration.

So, as you dissect my work please feel free to give me advice and/or what you may have done differently. Constructive criticism is always welcome to help me become a better artist and designer, a lifetime aspiration.

Taking Note:

My ideas aren't always going to be the best

Input from others is KEY to a great design so its not all stagnate ideas from me

Design with balance in mind

Never go without a logo

My Photographer Side

Designing isn't my only interest. Getting certain angles and some stretching towards the odd side are what I shoot towards the most. I love a good challenge and photography is just enough of a challenge that while persuing it I am still enjoying it. I'm not afraid of lying on the ground and shooting the camera to get a certain angle, even though I may look foolish. I've found that capturing the perfect angle or pose is crucial to a good shot and takes practice.

What better place to take some pictures than New York City and Central Park. One of the funnest times I've ever shot and having company with a couple of friends. Hopefully I will take more time as life slows down to work on my photography.