We are big TED and TEDx fans at Rule29. And we are excited to share Justin’s first TEDx talk – See Different, Do Different. As people who wonder, we are built to see the world differently than most. It’s one of our unique, innovative traits. We all say we want to be a part of changing the world, but how do you actually accomplish this? Watch his TEDx Naperville talk and the other great speakers too.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since our third annual hand turkey extravaganza ended with these great winners. The time is here once again, our friends, to charge up the tryptophan motivation and be a kid with some hand turkey works of art. Please check out our updated Show of Hands site, download the form, read the rules or check out the 2010 entries, and be among the first to enter the 4th annual Show of Hands competition. Remember outside of the sheer glory of being named champion, we enhance the sweet taste of victory with some  iTunes gifts to go with it.

PLEASE NOTE – part of your jury selection will be based on tweets, likes and comments. So enter early and enter often. Let everyone know about it and get some social networking love. Get your office into it, break out the crayons or oil pastels, make Grandma bust one out and your kids (oh yeah, we pick a kids winner too). Bottom line: Have some fun.

We are excited to see your tasty turkey creations, let’s get it rolling!

It’s always been a dream to write a book. Honestly, though, I haven’t had much to say until I asked myself this question: “How do I live a life that fuels my work and work in a way that fuels my life?” I’ve been speaking about this idea, trying to figure it out, and working through trial and error until I came up with a “process” (or at least an outlook) that my good friends at Wiley felt was good enough to publish. Life Kerning is all about making small steps to get closer to that elusive work-life balance.

I really enjoy business/help books that are friendly and approachable, so I tried to tackle this issue head-on in a relaxed, “I’ve been there” manner. I share some tips from great friends and observations from speaking to a variety of people about this subject. I really wanted to challenge the notion that positive change can come only through a complete system overhaul. So, the book provides quick strategies to fine-tune specific areas of your life and career.

Wiley gave Rule29 the opportunity to create the whole package as well – the cover, a clean typeset style, and fresh illustrations for each chapter. These illustrations were custom geometric-style shape drawings that were set on a textured background to set the stage for an engaging read (special thanks to Kara “The Cheech” for working so hard on those with me). We also extended the style to a fun and simple website, facebook tab, and a video.

My biggest hope is that readers find some peace of mind mixed with inspiration topped with a fresh outlook on some things that can be completely overwhelming at times. I made this for you.

I hope you consider getting the book either physically or in ebook form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books-A-Million. I look forward to your thoughts both good and bad; either way I hope you are awesome today.

Storytelling is one of the oldest art forms known to humanity. Whether it is the biblical narrative of Adam and Eve, the tragedy of Hamlet, or the animated series Toy Story, stories have shaped both people and culture since the beginning of time.

They inform us. They move us. They change us.

And as our team has traveled the world, meeting people anywhere from the Napa Valley wine country to the largest slums in Africa, we have realized that each of us share one thing in common. We all have a story. A story worth telling.

This is the basis not only for the Stories Matter Project (being introduced here), but in what we do. We tell stories through visual mediums. In fact, it’s so central to what we do, we want to become better at it. This collective is simply an avenue for us to experience the beauty and wonder of both humanity’s similarities and differences. We do this to learn, to share, and to be transformed… which is exactly what happened when we met Arkangelo.

Arkangelo is one of the 20,000 Sudanese refugee boys that were displaced during Sudan’s civil war that took place for the better part of the 80s and 90s (1983-2005) – otherwise known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan”. Although Arkangelo’s story is rooted in one of the most brutal civil wars of the modern era, it is his love and care for people than truly defines him. I could tell you the story, but invite you to experience it yourself – along with Wendi, our other featured story.

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Stories Matter is a joint venture between the Rule29 team and Wonderkind Studios. Special thanks to Michael Rostenbach and Susan Herda (Rule29) for illustration/animation help.

View more stories at www.storiesmatter.co . Have a story? Share it with us here. Maybe you can tell it with us.

Every Fall we collectively are bombarded with a mass of pink merchandise—at least more than usual. Some may not even recognize the significance, but ultimately many of our pink purchases go to a special cause. October is breast cancer awareness month—in honor of all the moms, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmothers, and cousins who have dealt with the disease. A portion of the sales from the pink goods often goes to breast cancer research, supporting research and events. (It should be noted that not all Pink Ribbon merchandise goes to support breast cancer research—sold with the intention that the buyer will use it to support the cause.)

Unlike many of the organizations selling everything from mugs to hats sporting the Pink hue, the American Cancer Society wants the public to Pink Differently—not just buying a shirt with a Pink Ribbon to be supportive, but doing more. Take that shirt and wear it to an ACS cancer walk, raising funds to go directly to cancer research. The Pink Differently campaign asks us to go beyond the barrage of products and do more to fight the war against cancer.

Pink Differently means better research, better treatment and year-round support. The American Cancer Society is unique in that it funds all cancers, not just breast cancer. They believe that by increasing the scope of their research, a cure may be discovered in less time—while trying to cure one type of cancer, a different cure may be revealed unexpectedly. This different approach is why the team at Rule29 were so excited to be a part of such a life-changing crusade. After working on their Illinois bi-annual report, newsletters, and other print materials, the ACS came to us to help get the word out about Pink Differently.

Across multiple channels—from a commercial to billboards, and CTA signs to newspaper ads—we helped develop the concept surrounding around (of all things) feet. The goal was to show the importance of walking in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer program with a strong sense of positivity and hope. A line of different sets of feet were the stars in the photo/video shoot (done in partnership with our friends at Wonderkind Studios), with the end result being a 30-second, stop-motion animation spot airing on the major Chicago television outlets (NBC, ABC, and WGN).

The feet, with the words “We Pink Differently” written across the bottoms grace a digital billboard, print ads, a splash page, and various transit signage around Chicagoland. Inspiring photography from various Making Strides events appears alongside the feet prominently displaying the faces of survivors and supporters.

Help us in the fight against cancer and Pink Differently this October. There are eight Making Strides events in Chicago and its suburbs, so find the one nearest to you and walk to show your support. For more information, including a list of walk locations, please visit MakingStridesIllinois.com or the American Cancer Society’s website.

If we’re social media friends, you’ve probably heard us talking about this for a few months now… Alongside partners Wonderkind Studios and Life in Abundance, we are (finally) premiering our second documentary, “This is My Normal.” It will be Thursday night, April 7th at the historical and prestigoius Arcada Theater in St. Charles, IL. The screening is open to the public with a suggested minimum donation of $15 for entry. In addition, there will be a Q & A immediately following the screening with the directors, producers, and crew.

So, what is the film about?

“This is My Normal” explores two primary questions: “What is poverty?” and “What is normal?” These questions are explored through the stories and imagery of the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. In particular, the film focuses on the people of the Mathare Valley – a section of the Mathare slums, often referred to as the “Forgotten Valley.”

The Mathare Valley is a place where the local water supply (the river) has become the slum’s waste system, trash system, and playground for the young. The Valley is dependent upon the water; however, it is the slum’s most dangerous asset – threatening both children and homes with its ability to rise with an untimely rain. While the homes, unemployment, and health concerns are an embodiment of the (global) poverty issues, it is the “mindset” that is the gravest of concerns.

Reality is… that unclean water, (incredibly) low wages, and poor health are simply “normal” to the slums. Unfortunately, this way of life has become acceptable, and “acceptable” is the greatest hurdle to overcome.

Ironically, the presence of countless NGOs and sporadic visits from the West are often a big piece of the problem. “This is My Normal” explores the abundance of “quick fixes” out there and how they simply contribute to what is acceptable and normal. A reality, when discovered, uncovers the utter complexity of poverty – how we ALL play a role in its perpetual nature.

Fortunately, there are many who understand this historical reality and its connection to the “great divide” between the rich and the poor. And their proposing something so simple, yet so drastic and complex: change the way people think – the way Kenyan’s see the world.

Although it’s harder work and a longer process, those that have participated in helping Africa rethink their “normal”, have experienced hope midst the despair. It s an idea. An idea with results. And an idea “worth spreading.”

Why?

In many ways, we have realized that poverty is a very complex issue and we are often left scratching our heads with what do. We simply want to start a conversation on these matters.

To join in the conversation, don’t forget to confirm your attendance via the “This is My Normal” event page and show up April 7th at 7pm at the Arcada Theater. The official film page can be found at: www.thisismynormal.com

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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:

- Approx 80% of the citizens of Nairobi live in some sort of slum dwelling.

+ Everyone likes to be called by name, no matter where you live.

- A local health worker visited a house to check in on a sick child. When entering the house she found the 6 year old making a meal for his siblings, because their mother was dead in the next room.

+ A child’s smile and joyous laugh is a beautiful thing.

- Many African families in the slums try to have more than one child due to the likelihood of one dying.

+ Taking time to hold, hug or touch a child’s hand can change their day…and yours.

- 1 meal a day is a good day, but the meal is typically the same thing over and over and over and over…

+ A life without dreams is not a life but an existence.

- During the rainy season people, mainly children, run the risk of being swept away due to inadequate infrastructure between the river and homes.

+ The poor are worth our time, prayers, and resources, and we need to SEE them.

- Without money for health care, parents often give their children local or herbal painkillers in order to help their child cope with the pain instead of getting adequate care. Usually the kids just get used to or live with whatever health issue they have, which in turn can be something that kills them.

I do not write these things for any other reason than that they are real in our world right now. And even for the most marginalized communities there is hope. NGO’s like Life In Abundance are working to help change the mindset of the poor communities they work with so they feel they are worth breathing the same air we do. They are worth joy. They are worth living a life as abundantly as possible. They believe, as do I, that a changed mind is key – a changed mind gives you the hope to dream again.

I hope you consider supporting the film, or simply watching when it’s ready to premiere this Fall. Even better yet, is there something you can do to help the poor in your neighborhood?

PS: I would like to thank the efforts of the entire team, especially those you may want to follow or read their blogs:

Brian MacDonald – Web, Twitter
Kelsey Timmerman – Blog, Twitter
Von Glitshka – Web, Twitter
Bob Davidson – Blog, Twitter
Life In Abundance – Blog, Twitter
Tony Narducci – Web

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.

Rule29 had the privilege of being on show 29 of the Reflex Blue show. This show was highlighted by not one guest but three guests: Rule29’s Justin Ahrens, Hallmark’s Christine Taylor and Creativille’s Steve Hartman, the show was about “Designing for the Greater Good” and topped off with a poster design soon to be ready for sale. All proceeds of the poster will go to the work Life in Abundance is doing in Northeast Africa.

The Reflex Blue is one of the nations leading design focused podcasts. The creators Nate Voss and Donovan Beery have a down to earth and engaging style that makes any subject interesting. For more on the show check out these comments.

If you enjoy design or fun podcasts download show 29, or any of the other shows – we think you will dig.

As always comment below – would love to hear your thoughts.