DAC Design

As a designer I’m constantly looking for new examples of creative inspirations. It’s always inspiring and impressive to find someone who is able to be resourceful with the materials they have.

Though it’s a few years old, here is an example of a creative film maker/animator who goes no further than their own desktop to conjure up the animated short Animator Vs. Animation 2 , the second installment of a three part mini series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTPpbHueNJ4

I’d love to hear some of the places you go for creative inspiration. Here are a few of mine.

Smashing Magazine – http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Abduzeedo – http://abduzeedo.com/tags/inspiration

Ads of the World – http://adsoftheworld.com/

Creative Pro – http://www.creativepro.com/

Church Media Design – http://churchmediadesign.tv/

Lifechurch TV – http://www.lifechurch.tv/

It’s always a blessing to have creative people to enter your life. Here’s some of those who’ve been an inspiration to me. Check these folk out.

Art, Animation, and Design:

Zach Williams, Venveo – Graphic and Web Design; he came out of the womb designing  -  http://venveo.com

Thomas Davis-  2D and 3D animator, Pixar’s got nothing on this guy (well, except for a corporation) -  http://3doftom.com

Emily Posner-  Graphic and Web Design; she really knows how to tap into artistic side of design – http://emilyposner.com

Brian Beavers: Graphic and Web Design – He also writes, the guy is a one-man creative shop -  http://beaversdesign.com

Anne Kerns -  Graphic Designer, Design Consultant; I learned more about design in 1 semester from her than in my entire college career -  http://annelikesred.com

Photography:

Danny Jackson Photography – also an incredibly talented designer – http://dannyjacksonphotography.com/

Carey Fruth Photography- her photography always has a moving story or purposeful message behind it – http://careyfruthphotography.com

Martha and Jamie Photography –  the best married photography/musician duo around– http://www.facebook.com/marthajamesphoto

Music:

Deep River -  Great folk, easy listening music, melodic ecstasy – http://deeprivermusic.com

The Love Light – fun pop/rock; you can help but dance  – http://www.myspace.com/thelovelightva

Ashton Burzio-  acoustic driven inspiring worship – http://bit.ly/cHs8D6

Jukebox Chronicles – the most bamf cover band this side of the Mississippi – http://myspace.com/jukeboxchronicles

The Independent – These guys can throw DOWN – http://myspace.com/theindependentva 

Communications, God, Life:

Charlie Whitlow – Pastor, Inspirer, don’t know where I’d be without this guy – http://charliewhitlow.com

Brian Ayers – Designer, Communicator, Inspirer, the man breathes wisdom – http://brianayers.net

Eliza Croitoru – Communicator, Inspirer, such insightful thoughts and posts on life – http://elizacroitoru.wordpress.com/

Ryan Spilhaus; Communicator, Blog Developer, and oversees one of the most dynamic Church internet campuses  – http://ryanspilhaus.com/

Nathan Gamble – The man is on a mission, and falls in multiple categories (youth pastor, designer, the list goes on) – http://twitter.com/nathangamble

Which of your friends are inspiring you? 

Recently I went on vacation to Virginia Beach with my good friends Nathan and Bryan. As we wondered around Lynnhaven Mall waiting for our movie to start (yes, we went to the movies while at the beach), I wandered in a store called c28.

As I stood in the music section looking through the CD’s I was approached by a nice young sales lady, who, like any good retail worker, asked me if I needed any help. I kindly responded, “no, I’m just looking around”. She then proceeded with “Have you ever been to one of our stores before?” I responded “no” and even though I had never been in one of the stores before, I knew what was coming next. She then proceeded with her “warning” (which made me laugh) to me that c28 is no normal clothing store, but rather a Christian clothing store founded on the Bible verse Colossians 2:8. We continued to talk a little bit more in light friendly conversation, and once again ended the conversation like any good retail worker “if there’s anything you need help with, let me know!”

I stuck around a little bit longer, listened to some music, tried on some skinny jeans (kidding…I would look foolish), and began to walk out. As I waved goodbye to the sales associate, the next thing that came out of her mouth caught me off guard. She asked me “before you leave, is there anything I can pray about for you?” I had to have had the dumbest look on my face. I was caught completely off guard. In my head, my immediate response was to say “no…that’s awkward” and scurry out, but then thought, “well I could always use some prayer.”

As I tried to think of something I deemed appropriate for a complete stranger to pray about for me, I revealed to her my deepest darkest secrets…not really. After a solid 2-3 minute prayer, I thanked her and walked out of c28 encouraged, refreshed…and convicted.

I then began to think about how I struggle with asking my closest friends what I could pray about for them and here I am having a complete stranger pray for a very important area in my life. Granted, it’s probably protocol for them to ask that as people walk out, her sincere nature displayed only pure intentions. If a stranger is willing to risk the potential awkwardness of asking another stranger if they could pray for them, then why couldn’t I do the same, ESPECIALLY with my close friends? It’s not just limited to prayer though. The same motive can be put behind doing a kind gesture for a stranger, or friend, especially for those who you know could use it. 

BT Dub – check out c28, they’re pretty awesome! - http://www.c28.com/

So I have a blog now…

So it looks a little bland right now but, one step at a time…

I’ve toyed with the idea of starting a blog for some time now, and after finally working up the courage to write, and actually make time for it, I’m ready to put it into motion. Finding a niche for a blog can be a bit of a challenge, so instead of narrowing it down to one subject-matter, I figured it would be easier if I made this blog a giant mind-dump for the things I’m passionate about: God, design, creativeness, music, repeat; some serious posts, some light-hearted, and my sorry attempt to be funny (seriously, some of this stuff will just be random/weird).

Hopefully the sporadic nature of this blog won’t be a turn-off to viewers but we’ll see. Then again, I’m not assuming anyone is really all that excited about reading about what I have to say in the first place, so if you’re feeling generous, or pity for me, go ahead and leave a post! Thanks, and happy reading.