Your inspiration

Blank has written a posting that takes a look at the books and magazines that inspire us.

As we explore the heart and soul of design, I thought it would be helpful for everyone to take a peak at your library, your coffee table and what’s in your bathroom near the toilet. What I’d like to know is what books have/are giving you a glimpse into the heart and soul of design and why. Break them down into three categories:
~ In your library (books read in the past year)
~ Near the toilet (books you are currently reading)
~ On your coffee table (books you will be reading soon but have not started)

So I figured I’d list my books/magazines and then let each of you list your own in the comment section.
Library – The Hiding Place, The Chronicles of Narnia, A Grief Observed
Near the toilet – Jesus CEO: I’ve been working on this one for quite sometime. I read several sections, get inspired and then set it down for awhile.
The Coffee House Gospel: I’ve just started this one and haven’t made a whole lot of progress mainly due to the other reading near my toilet.
Relevant Magazine (May – June): A constant companion in my “office.” A great article this month on Moby and his faith.
Texas Monthly (May): Another constant companion in my “office.” A great article this month on Kelly Clarkston.
On the coffee table – I don’t really have a coffee table, but most of my mail and magazines end up on my table until their moved to “the office.” Right now I have a recent copy of American Photographer and a number of bills on the table.

Word It

Ok, I’m taking this from another website but I think it’s a great idea. See how creative you can be or how creative other folks can be. Here are the rules, follow them as closely as possible and then send in your submission. I’m excited to see what everyone comes up with. If you feel totally un-creative, that’s fine. Just send me an e-mail with the words you chose. I won’t laugh. I promise.

The word for May: Disciple

What exactly is this?
Word It is your opportunity to express in as many words, and as many other graphic elements as you need, what best describes each monthly topic.

Each month we will choose a specific topic, idea or theme. For example: the first theme was “disciple.” So you would go home, or do it at work, and find words, images, artwork, whatever that best describes what inspiration means to you. It could be anything: music, cats, chocolate, museum, love, laundry. Anything that reflects what disciple is to you. You can do whatever you want to it: vectorize it, photoshop it, scan it or build it and then send it to us.

What kind of file must be submitted?
It’s this simple:
› 5” by 5” (yes, that’s in inches). If points are your thing, then make it 360 x 360 points
› High resolution! 300 dpi please. If submitted at 72 dpi it will not be considered for possible publication
› Send a JPG, just remember to save it as hi-res. A Photoshop file (flattened) could also be accepted.
› CMYK files please. RGB is acceptable but frowned upon, the color might change for print reproduction, keep that in mind when breaking the rules.
› Please specify a URL (if you have one) for the image to point at. If you have no web site, the image will link to your e-mail address.
› No self-promotion please. Do not put your name, your business’ name, your tagline nor your URL in the image.
› If you’re clueless about everything above, e-mail wordit@one21media.com and we’ll tell you were you can send your submission via snail mail.

Copyright information
› By submitting, you grant 121 Media the right to reproduce your artwork on the site. We will give you credit, normally. If we decide to print this and make a nice coffee table book that will be the envy of all your friends, we might then contact you to get your official blessing. But don’t count on it. Our record keeping has been pretty bad up until this point.
› Also, and very important, please use original material, pay for your fonts, buy or create your images (no stripping off photos from a Google image search), don’t use anything that is copyrighted in its own way. We will come back to you if this the case.
› Common sense is all we ask for, we don’t want to get sued

› Disclaimer: 121 Media is not responsible for the views expressed by each individual entry and its author. Nor does it represent 121 Media’s own opinions. We have zero censorship (unless deemed completely unpublishable material). If you have a problem with somebody’s entry we ask you to contact the author.

Where do I submit the file?
To: wordit@one21media.com
Please include your name in the file’s name for easy identification.

Only current Word Its will be accepted. Meaning that past Word Its (from past months) will not be considered nor uploaded.

Anything else?
Yes:
› Be creative. And don’t worry, there are no clients around to tell you the type is too small.
› We highly reserve the right to not post what you send. Whether because it’s offensive, pointless or even lame.

One Idea is Better than Three

GarrettDimon.com has a great theory about presenting ideas to clients. I think he may be on to something. In his article, One Idea is Better than Three he wrote:

If you present clients with multiple ideas and expect them to choose one, invariably, the end result is muted and diluted as the message of the different ideas gets blended together. This is what happens when you approach the situation with an offering.
Instead of spending time creating 3 differnt comps, ideas, or concepts, take aim at that one that’s great and make it amazing. Blow them out of the water. Leave them speachless. That’s guiding.
It’s really about taking them where you feel and know they need to go. You may be a little off course and that is to be expected. Believe it or not, your clients are looking to you for answers, and they want to help you find those answers. They are looking to you for guidance to the best solution.

While I really haven’t purposely tried this, I know from past experiences that presenting one plan or design to someone and then letting them see why you’re passionate about it tends to get them on board with whatever your idea is.
When people see that you’re passionate about something they tend to want that same fire and passion in their own life.
I can’t recall who said it, but they were right, “Preach always, use words if necessary.”
If people see a passion in our lives about Christ or life or a silly computer game, they will want to be a part of it.
So be passionate and live hard and strong.
Let the grace of God shine throughout your life.

(Faith + Design) x Passion = Joy

I just read an article that truely inspired me. Why am I dependent on other people to make a living? What if I had the faith of a mustard seed and stepped out and really went forward with 121 Media. There are many opportunities that I would love to work on, given the time.
It’s the business and money side of it all that scares me.
Lord, grant me the peace to do Your will. Help me to move in the direction You want me to go. If You desire I stay at the newspaper, keep me there as long as You will. If not, show me the door.