Performance metrics are an interesting science. In seemingly all work, there are a few select metrics that industries cater to, with the full knowledge that they don’t adequately address what they seek to measure (think of teacher ratings based on students’ learning). I came across this article the other day and was legitimately surprised that airlines still take pride in their on-time arrival rate. I guess I shouldn’t have been. As a frequent flyer I’ve come to expect something even better than on-time arrivals – early arrivals. Yes, airlines are so efficient and effective that they are arriving better than on-time now…they arrive early! Read the rest of the entry >

I think one of mankind’s most defining characteristics is our affinity for nostalgia. We tend to look back just as much as we look forward. We tell stories of days gone by and rifle through boxes of photographs – diligently captured moments for us more visually inclined types. We document and protect with the hope of preserving what is great about the moment at hand and the story it makes.

While enjoyable, this tendency has the potential for trouble. The potential to keep us from growing, to hinder our exploration, to mire us in the messiness of the past, and to keep us from ever winning another World Series.

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Many of us fell in love with paper at a very young age.

The infinite combinations of textures and colors combined with that fresh pulpy smell has conjured up many a glorious mountain of ideas that would eventually get each of us lost in a seas of paper. While our complimenting materials would vary; colored pencils, paint, pastels, pen and ink, scissors, glitter; it always began with the paper. The unending stream of projects those beautiful fibers inspired filled our parents’ homes, our bedroom walls, and inspired many a career where paper and its wonder could be present everyday.

It’s this kind of childhood wonder Neenah Paper has always conjured up for us. Getting new sample books and promotions always carries a little bit of magic with it, sparking ideas of what could be. So when we received an invitation to be transported back to this place of wonder and inspiration with a trip to the Neenah Paper Mill, we jumped at it. Read the rest of the entry >

As my year-long internship at R29 comes to a close, I realize how lucky I really am. Few people get to experience Rule29 in such an intimate way that I did on a day-to-day basis. I got schooled in mathematical layouts, juggled multiple projects, learned how to communicate with printers, worked with developers, upped my production chops, and refined my type skills.

I knew starting here that some things in school cannot be taught and could only be experienced, but some things can only be learned at R29:

- Carrying 7 coffees at once is truly an art form
- Frozen lakes are best for practicing your golf swing
- Tacos are an essential key to creativity
- Coloring books and crayons make production meetings awesome
- Pumpkin smashing is the new carving
- Dual Shake Weights are easiest when doing deep squats
- Biscuits, honey butter, and blackberry jam taste best at 8am
- Healthy work culture breeds creativity

If you’re still in school or just getting out, an internship will help you grow and better prepare yourself to make the plunge into the working world. Thanks R29 for showing me how to Make Creative Matter®!