I’m on my way home from the slums of Nairobi, Kenya after working on our second documentary film. I’m exhausted, and my head is continually spinning. To put it simply, as with every Africa trip so far, I will not be the same. I was hoping to post every day while there, but with limited web access and two great writers, Bob Davidson and author Kelsey Timmerman on the trip, I decided to simply photo blog (via Facebook) and spend the majority of my time trying to run the crew as best as possible and fully soak in the experience.

It’s hard to explain or express what an experience this trip to Africa has been. Filming a documentary in the slums is bound to change you, but I was not expecting this. I had been to Kibera (Africa’s 2nd largest slum) and Mathare (Nairobi’s oldest) before, but not up close and personal.

We spent seven straight days trying to get to know the slum residents, seeing what they see, walking, touching and smelling their environment. The location was different than our last documentary project (This is My Home), but sadly many of the same issues exist, all of which are simply not right. Dangerous living structures, no roads, unhealthy water, no sanitation, no waste removal, lack of education, no health care, crime, fear, HIV/AIDS, loss of hope, and the vulnerability of children to simply name a few. It was a rare day when you didn’t turn your face to cry for a few minutes.

The issues of the slums are so complex – government corruption, health concerns, religious culture, commerce, structural issues, etc… And the fact of the matter is that us Westerners tend to think we actually live in an Extreme Home Makeover world. If we build this, or fund that project, all things get fixed and fall in place. But that way of thinking is simply not accurate, and it inevitably continues to add to the issues. The reality is that we need to help battle the biggest monster of all: generations of slum residents with mindset that slum life and its living conditions are acceptable. But, hopelessness cannot be an option.

However, it was a feeling that continued to surface wherever we went. Mathare Valley (a section of the Mathare slum) is without question the worst place I have ever been. With a contaminated river, treacherous pathways, raw sewage, horrible living conditions, and water not safe to drink – it’s simply an awful place to try to survive.

I will be sharing more stories and details related to the slums leading up to our documentary premiere (this Fall); however, I will leave you with a few facts, thoughts, and stories from this week: Read the rest of the entry >

“Textbook” latin scientific names included, Rule29 was given the honor of curating and designing the latest installment of Rockport’s incredibly popular Best of Business Card Design series. It seems like we just started this project yesterday, but in reality, it was more like 14 months ago (but who’s counting). Regardless, it’s been a great honor to be chosen with the daunting responsibility of following up the great work that was done for the previous editions.

Personally, it was a great experience getting to really immerse myself in the publishing process. From organizing the entries coming in (no small task for our small team, mind you) to overseeing the final layout of the book, I was able to learn something from each step. Over time, I became rather attached to the product that we, as a team, were building.

Read the rest of the entry >

It’s finally here: the trailer from our first documentary film. We started this journey just about a year ago. This film, which was made for Life In Abundance and produced by Rule29 and MacDonald Productions, shares the stories and struggles of the street children of the Merkato Slums and shows what LIA is doing to bring hope to the approximately 50,000 children that live on the streets of Ethiopia’s capital. To purchase a copy of the film, go to the LIA store. All money that is raised goes to support the program and the continued work being done by Life In Abundance. For some of the behind the scene photos, check here.

Tell us what you think of the trailer, ask us any questions, or let us know if you want to host a screening.

It’s finally here, our little summer video project. Check out Rule29’s stop animation video highlighting the various ways we can help in your branding, print, advertising, packaging, web, video, social media and promotional needs. It took several thousand frames of love and care to bring this creative matter to you.

Sit back and enjoy this 2:49 video made just for your viewing pleasure. Tell us what you think; give us a shout and lets talk about how we can help tell your story.

To see our first stop animation video check out our original moving video.

Rule29’s collaborative poster effort with 36 point and friends for LIA was recently featured on the FPO blog, a division of under consideration. FPO describes themselves as “a blog dedicated to both the visual stimulus and the detailing of the development and production of printed matter: Annual reports, books, business cards, stationery suites, collateral materials, posters, packaging and anything else where ink meets substrate. A subject matter we know, love and understand.” To see some great printed work or to read about the poster project go to FPO here. Or to buy your own poster, click here. All proceeds benefit the programs directed by Life In Abundance in east Africa.