One of our current interns, Dawn Bjork, is a lover of all things green and fashion related. We wanted her to write about her recent experience designing ecofashion clothing for the ReVamped show in Chicago. We think her work and ideas are quite amazing; please read about her participation and insight below!

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Just recently I was involved in a green fashion show called ReVamped. EarthShare of Illinois sponsored the event, and it was an amazing night! For those of you that do not know about EarthShare of Illinois, it is a non-profit organization that participates in public and private sector workplace giving campaigns on behalf of its member organizations. I was pretty amazed that I had never known until a few months ago about ESIL, seeing that they contribute to places that I visit and read about all the time, like Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, National Wildlife Association, and more than 60 other organizations….they are pretty amazing.

The night was about celebrating and promoting the beauty of eco-conscious lifestyle practices. What was super amazing about the event was that it didn’t only promote some really cool fashion designers, it also awakened the guests to all sorts of green “things.” Eco-tools gave away some of the best make-up brushes that my eyelids have ever had swept across them, and they’re good for the earth! What I have found in my searches as I attempt to go as green as possible is a couple really cool sites that help show you the green life. EcoFashionWorld is a website that is the ultimate resource to all designers, brands, and stores in ecofashion. TreeHugger.com is also one of my favorites informing the world on eco-conscious practices. Along with them is Terracycle.net, which coincidentally supplied ReVamped with a gown made by designer Christina Liedtke that is being displayed at the Terracycle store in Times Square, made completely out of M&M wrappers (600 of them to be exact).

Although I was one of them, I must admit the designers’ concepts that were showcased were unbelievable. If we didn’t show that going green can be a fashion decision that stems to all angles of your life, I am not sure what would! Each designer spun their own story: Sarah Trutter made her pieces out of plastic garment bags, muslin and scrap fabric; while Sofia Vintage transformed vintage pieces into a new collection, bringing a completely new breath to old thrown out clothing. Ogi Merziers collection was also unbelievable. To construct one of her pieces, she collected empty chip bags and orchestrated a dress made from, well, someone’s garbage. I also went a completely different route and used old patchwork quilts and felted raw wool that came from one of the coolest animals on the planet, the alpaca. (On a side note, I was watching Jay Leno last night, and he had an alpaca on his show. The best part was that the alpaca master was speaking of how the alpaca could be a tremendous help in cleaning up the oil spill. He showed how the fibers soak up an enormous amount of the oil, and all that is needed is to shave the animals and soak it up. People may think I am crazy, but my love for the alpaca has now grown to an even higher level.) I also used cookie tins of old abandoned buttons that were forgotten and now have been given a new life.  Each one of us designers was inspired by and drew from the idea of bringing new life to what was garbage in someone else’s eyes.

Becoming green is definitely a trend right now; the question is whether or not it will be something that the world recognizes and realizes is life changing and could, if not done soon, be life threatening. This is one trend that in my book I hope is forecasted to last forever.

Are there any cool websites, designers, stores where you live that showcase the love for all things green? And don’t forget check out EarthShare of Illinois, become aware of their greatness for all that they do, and watch for next years’ ReVamped fashion show.

Do you need to take an umbrella today? Sometimes here at Rule29 all we care about in the weather report is if we need to take an umbrella with us in the morning. Luckily this site was made just for folks like us (iPhone app available too). Just type in your zip code, and Umbrella Today? will tell you if you will require one. You can even sign up get text message alerts for you on the days that you do need an umbrella!

So, do you need an umbrella today? Are rainy days even that bad? Do you like to sing or dance in the rain? Let us know in the comment section.

2002 was a challenging and exciting year. Challenging in the sense that the economy was shaky, and as a young firm we were going after it and trying to establish ourselves. We had added to our team and were exploring new types of work. We really dove into Flash and worked with several partners on creating Flash-based sites, instructional DVDs and games to promote products and services. (This was also the time everyone was trying to do those business card CDs…remember those?) We had a heavy book/publishing niche and worked on a lot of brand and identity projects. Between those two “specialties” we strove to create better and better work. Justin also became a board member of AIGA Chicago to help us be more engaged in the community. We continued to support Alice Cooper’s charities as our pro bono work, and Rule29 was looking forward to a great 2003, where big changes were just on the horizon.

Check out the 2002 samples here!

What were you doing in 2002?

You might be, without even knowing it…

Can apathy toward injustice hold a person as a captive, unable to make a difference? Or maybe it’s not the apathy, but the lack of information of how to truly help those facing harsh realities of poverty-stricken lands. Well, we’re about to find out.

Our good pal, author Kelsey Timmerman, has been taken hostage by his publisher, because of his indifference to injustice in Kenya. Since being “detained” to raise money to go serve in Africa, Kelsey has learned about Kibera, the largest slum south of the Sahara. Over 1 million people live on the outskirts of Nairobi in a slum where the average person lives without clean drinking water (read: mixed with sewage as there is only one latrine for every 100 people), without education (especially girls), and subject to gang tyranny, among other sad factors.

It’s time to do something.

Kelsey is hoping to raise enough money to partner with LIA, MacDonald Photography, and yours truly, to film a documentary about what can really change the situation: holistic community development through micro-enterprise. By giving people at the grass-roots level not only the dignity but also the practical necessity of having a stable, respected occupation, communities can change tremendously for the good of all. Together, we are hoping that this documentary will make the everyday American not only aware of the situation in African slums, but also of how to realistically help that situation change.

Want to escape apathy and help now? You can donate to the cause, learn more, help decide Kelsey’s fate by voting, or tweet this:
“Don’t be Held Hostage by Apathy! http://bit.ly/ae2XCA #apathyhostage”

Plus, all donors’ names will appear in the film credits. If you can’t wait for the release this fall, check out This is My Home, our first documentary about the street children of Ethiopia, and how LIA is working to bring hope into a desperate situation there.

Oh, and big props to our friends at Wiley and Relevant for helping us get the word out!

It’s that time of year once again…when we take a moment to reflect upon the most newsworthy events of the past 12 months. If you really want to go back down memory lane you can take a peek at our lists for 2007 and 2008 as well. So, in no particular order, here our top 29 of 2009:

1. Michael Jackson dies at 51. We’ll miss you, King of Pop

2. Tiger Woods wins another Major, coming within four of Jack. Later in the year, he loses sponsors and goes on hiatus when affairs are made public.

3. Facebook and Twitter continue their rise in popularity.

4. Notable people including Farah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Ed Kennedy, Danny Gans, Patrick Swaze, Walter Cronkite and Brittany Murphy pass away… just to name a few.

5. H1N1 (originally known as Swine Flu) breaks out worldwide

6. Balloon boy fools the nation

7. Somali Pirates terrorize the seas

8. Rule29 is published in four books including: The Graphic Eye and Caffeine for the Creative Team

9. Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States

10. The International Olympic Committee awards the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro

11. Rule29 believes that Books Matter

12. Bernie Madoff orchestrates the biggest Ponzi Scheme in history

13. Kanye West upstages Taylor Swift

14. Sarah Palin announced resignation as governor of Alaska

15. Oprah announced resignation from her syndicated talk show

16. Miracle on the Hudson

17. Steelers win the Superbowl and Yankees win the World Series (again)

18. Jon and Kate Gosselin file for divorce

19. Rampage at Fort Hood.

20. Salmonella outbreak from peanut butter

21. Octomom delivers eight babies in California

22. General Motors and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy

23. According to Jim, Deal or No Deal, King of the Hill, Prison Break and ER series finales

24. Conan O’Brien takes over for Leno on The Tonight Show

25. Healthcare overhaul introduced and debated, and debated…

26. Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in as the first Hispanic Chief Justice

27. Twilight New Moon fever sweeps the nation

28. Lady Gaga is weird

29. Rule29, MacDonald Productions and LIA debut their first documentary, This is My Home

What were your top moments of 2009?

Today we welcome the newest addition to the R29 family. Lauren Bert is our new intern, coming to us all the way from the Quad Cities. We welcomed Lauren, as we normally do, with a thorough interrogation to learn all about her.

How many cups of coffee can you carry at one time?
I have only carried 4 in the past, but something tells me that I’m gonna have to learn how to carry around 8 really soon. I’m dreaming big.

Where do you go to school?
I am a visual communication major at Northern Illinois University in beautiful DeKalb, and I have one year left.

Favorites:
Color? Green. I tend to gravitate towards all things green.
Activity? When I get free time, I really like to read or draw.
Food? I love Italian food. I often wish I had an Italian grandma who would cook me all sorts of good food. I also really love Mexican food.
Animal? The three-toed sloth. There is not a single animal that is as hilarious and interesting as the sloth.
Movie? Bull Durham is a favorite of mine because it combines baseball and humor, two of my favorite pastimes. On the completely opposite side of the spectrum, Wizard of Oz has been a favorite of mine since childhood.
Book? Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer

Worst pet peeves?
I don’t like when people crack their knuckles. I also don’t like feet. They are gross.

Haven’t you always wanted to star in R29 shorts?
Of course. How’d you know?

What started your interest in design?
When I was younger, I had a passion for drawing. As I grew older, I would see posters, books, etc. that I would find visually interesting and some things that I felt were not well designed, and it made me really want to create things that were not only visually interesting, but served a purpose and were meaningful.

If you could be any type of penguin, what type of penguin would you be and why?
There are different kinds of penguins? I think this is part of Craig’s evil plan to get me to check out allaboutpenguins.info. After some research, I would have to say the Galapagos penguin.

If you weren’t a designer, what occupation would you be doing?
I would have to say a physical therapist because I went to school for that for a couple years.

Any crazy piercings/tattoos?
No tattoos, too permanent for me. One piercing in each of my ears, and one in my nose. I guess that is as crazy as it gets.

Have any pets?
A cat at my parents home. I really wish I could have a dog, but I can’t right now. In a few years, I’ll probably have like five.

Please welcome the new intern to Rule29 with us and drop us a comment in the section below!

We love books here at Rule29 and believe that they matter. In addition to designing them, we’re avid readers. We’ve asked everyone in the office to identify their last-read book and include a short review of it.

Kerri: When You Are Engulfed in Flames, by David Sedaris. David Sedaris is hilarious in an awkwardly witty way. His stories are a collection of an inner dialog that is interested in just about everything going on around him. When You Are Engulfed in Flames partially focuses on his efforts to quit smoking…the other half of the book talks about everything from sadistic skeletons to pompous cab drivers.

I would recommend this book if you are need of some candy reading or just want to see the world slightly askew. He can be somewhat crass at times so read at your own risk.

The Shack, by William P. Young. The story is about a man who is struggling with his faith and with his family due to the horrific event of his daughter’s death. One day he receives a mysterious note from God inviting him to the place his daughter was murdered. He decides to go and so begins a beautifully complex story about how God can meet us in our darkest places and continually love us through our stubbornness and hurt.

Really enjoyed this creative look into what a relationship with God could look like. Well written though sometimes wordy in explanations of ideas, I thought that for the most part it was clear and incredibly engaging. The writer presents many bold theological ideas that whether you agree or disagree will definitely make you think. I would recommend it everyone.

Justin: Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies, by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff. This book is by two Forrester analysts with practical, data-based strategies for companies that want to harness the power of social technologies like blogs, social networks, and YouTube. Featuring 25 full case studies, a complete road map for social strategy, and data from around the world this book is a must read for anyone….on earth.

Craig: Downtown Owl: A Novel, by Chuck Klosterman. A shocking portrayal of a rural town in North Dakota that ends in both tragedy and blessing. Despite having a minimal plot, Klosterman is able to keep you entertained throughout the entire book with it’s interesting characters, rough rural life, and the changes the characters must make to adapt.

Kara: The Silver Chalice, by Thomas B. Costain and Peggy Noonan. A historical religious novel set in the time immediately after Jesus’ crucifixion. The main character is an artist named Basil who is sold into slavery as a child, and the story weaves his journey throughout Europe and the middle east as he strives to complete a once-in-a-lifetime sculpture while learning about the faith of actual historical characters. Costain’s research was thorough and is woven interestingly throughout the book.

Katrina: The Twilight Saga Collection, by Stephanie Meyer. It was a quick series to read through. I enjoyed them for the fact that if you’re looking for a light entertaining read to pass some time that’s what they’re there for. Some parts of the plot are very far-fetched, even for a series about vampires and other things of that nature. I would recommended that people don’t over think the series and just take it for what it is.

Sarah: The Shopaholic Series by Sophe Kinsella. These books follow the quirky antics of Becky Bloomwood. She is a woman who has made shopping an art form, but not necessarily good for her pocket book. She shops, falls in love, gets in trouble but most of all she makes you laugh! There are 5 books in the series and each one has the common thread of Becky and her unbelieveable ability the rationalize just about anything. These books won’t change your life but they will add some whimsy and laughter. Great vacation read!

Dan: World Wide Rave, by David Meerman Scott. I thought the book took a great look at real life examples of successful word of mouth, viral, (insert buzz word) advertising design and marketing campaigns. The key message is still the same though “create something valuable that people want to share and make it easy for them to do so.” How are you or your company creating value? Are you compelled to share? Time to start the next rave!

Tim. Autoblog.com. Provides me with about as much reading as I have time for. The site has a variety of automotive news and reviews… It’s like a newspaper in some ways, but all automotive (what?! weird). Especially with all of the drama pertaining to our domestic manufacturers of late, this blog keeps me knowledgeable and up-to-date on all the recent happenings. Not to mention, they provide coverage on all the major auto shows, review the latest cars, and provide some insight on the shake-ups in the ranks of the corporate side.

Susan: What To Expect When You’re Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel. As a mom-to-be, lately my reading list is consumed with books all about my little one and what to expect before he or she arrives. So, naturally, I chose to start with a book about just that. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff, is a textbook-like, easy read about pregnancy. I enjoyed reading about what my baby’s growth and development, and the tips provided are crucial. I find myself even referring back to certain sections regularly. The only downside…it will probably make you paranoid. Unfortunately, along with the good and exciting topics, it also covers everything (and I mean everything) that could possibly go wrong. That aside, I found What to Expect… very informative and would definitely recommend it to all people on the cusp of parenthood.

If you haven’t yet, check out how we make Books Matter™. And recommend us your favorite recently read book in the comment section below.

Over the past few months here at Rule29, we’ve been enjoying and studying up on new world of Augmented Reality. We shared our first interaction with Augmented Reality with you in February, which was a 3d smart grid complete with solar panels and wind turbines. Since then, Augmented Reality applications have been popping up like mad. Here’s a short list of some of our favorites that you can play with right now!

Living Sasquatch, allows you to create and watch a 3d Sasquatch and generate your very own movie clip of the elusive fella.

Boffswana’s little green monster, fulfills our desire of having a cute three eyed monster living on our desk.

Toyota iQ, brings Toyota’s compact car iQ to life, see it either racing down your desk or being disassembled so you can see all the intricate parts that comprise it.

Desktop Fireworks!, we had to use our ninja skills (Google) to translate this one properly, but once you print out the marker visit this site press the space bar for 3d fireworks action.

Join Starfleet Academy, allows trekkies to create a 3d video delivery system and check out out the trailer for the upcoming movie in 3d.

What’s your favorite use of this new technology? Do you think Augmented Reality is an effective way to create a buzz? Let us know in the comments section.

Here at Rule29 we like to cook and one of the perks of our new office is a full fledged kitchen. There’s nothing like whipping up a good healthy meal or snack throughout the day. A full tummy is a happy tummy. We do our best to keep the kitchen stocked.

A favorite snack around the office is fresh baked cookies. They make the office smell wonderful and are a truly delicious snack. A great cookie recipe that will make any dieter give up their celery is the Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies. (Can I get a triple “YUM!”?)

While homemade cookies are the way to go, it does tend to take up more of your precious and hard-to-come-by time. A much faster way is to purchase cookie dough. Then you can make cookies whenever you want! Or if you are sans an oven just wander downtown Geneva to Moveable Feast to pick up some Fudgey Brownies (a favorite of Oprah)

For more cooking fun check out the pics from last weeks Iron Chef Competition between Rule29, Grip Design, Faust Design, and Appleton. Video soon to come.

Got any tasty snacks you like to enjoy? Share the love! Let us know your favorites.

It’s always exciting to find out new things about friends. Whether it’s a new story or a hidden talents, it is fun to see people you’ve known for a long time in a new light. This was our experience last week when our good pal, J.J. Peterson from Life in Abundance flew in from Cali to discuss our upcoming trip to Africa for the LIA documentary. Amongst the planning and prep work we discovered that somewhere along the line in his fabulous life, J.J. danced in a Missy Elliot video with Missy Elliot. “Oh ya, me too. What?!” was pretty much our response. Little did we know we had quite the star in our midst! So for your Monday enjoyment, feel free to take a break and enjoy as our pal gets schooled by Miss Elliot herself! (He’s the guy in the DDR scene.) Watch at your own risk

Let us know of any other hidden celebrities out there.