To help create space for some wonder during this holiday season, please accept this gift of Christmas music from Rule29 and our friends Sleeping at Last.

We hope your Christmas is Wonder-full!

[Download Here]

In the time that you read this sentence, numerous little “moments” will have occurred. You’ve chosen to read the words across a screen. Someone around you has chosen something else. A few seconds later, you’ll move on to another moment in time. The craziest part all?

8 billion people just experienced the same thing. The same moment that is.

But what have you allowed to occupy these moments? What do they represent? What story do they tell?

As many of you have figured out, we have recently been exploring the nature of wonder. And it is with the following piece (produced by the creative team at Everynone) that we realize that this mysterious subject isn’t bound by time. In fact, by stripping the “other” moments away we realize that the mundane has more intrigue and meaning than you would expect.

Take the next 4 minutes and experience the beauty (and sound) of humanity in its abbreviates states. And maybe more importantly, take the moments after to see a little differently.

via rednow

Last week, Rule29 had the opportunity to attend AIGA’s Gain: Design for Social Value Conference in San Francisco.

Being surrounded by some of today’s best design thinkers working to truly change the world was inspiring to say the least. Change can happen in third-world countries across the globe, or it can happen across the street from the office. A major theme throughout the conference was that design thinkers are uniquely equipped to find solutions for social and humanitarian issues.

Some presentations that inspired us most were about Project H from Emily Pilloton, about the intersection of social and business value from Robert Fabricant, and about creativity being capital by Ravi Naidoo.

Justin had the privilege of presenting the value of experiencing wonder in our everyday world. Justin’s perspective was that the key to creating social value is not being an “above average” person. The key is to take the time; to create the space – to SEE your fellow human beings. Experiencing the wonder of everyday life and beauty and tension is the only true catalyst for lasting change.

So, designers, create a moment in your everyday to see the wonder of what’s around you. Whether you are an army of designers or an army of one, you have the power to be the change.

Here are some highlights in image form:

^ Universal design brief from Susana Rodriguez de Tembleque

^ A wonder-full sketch from @fabtweet 

^ Justin takes the stage

^ Feeling like you’re average doesn’t matter

^ Four qualities to embrace

During the summer I often find myself traveling from my apartment to my hometown. Most of the time the drive consists of podcasts, punk music and cornfields for two straight hours, but this last trip I had an interesting experience, a personal realization.

I have a routine every trip I take back home. I stop at the same gas station, fill up my tank, and purchase two lottery tickets (you know, the dollar scratch-offs you get for your 18th birthday and Christmas).

My lottery ticket rules are as follows; I spend two dollars on the cheapest scratch-offs I can find and dispense them from the first two buttons I glance at. I like to think that luck chooses those who ask.

This past trip started like any other. I purchased the tickets, stuffed them into my pocket, paid for my gas and drink, then exited the store.

After settling into my car, I scratched off the first ticket. To no surprise it was a dud. I reached into my pocket for a second chance, but to my disbelief the lottery ticket wasn’t there.

Thoughts began to race in my mind while I walked back into the gas station. Did I really just lose my winning ticket of $500 a week for life? After a triple pass-over around the lottery machine, the store floor, and even asking the attendant on duty, I went back to my car empty handed.

Driving off disappointed, I pulled onto the highway perplexed. Where did my ticket go? I could only imagine it in the shirt pocket of a trucker, cackling to himself down the interstate. But after a few minutes of running the scenario through my mind, I burst out laughing. Did I really just freak out over a dollar scratch-off ticket?

Then it hit me; I don’t play in hopes of making money, but I do it out of curiosity. Maybe one dollar could change my life. I could have a nice financial padding until I graduate and go on a cross-country vacation. But this last experience threw me for a loop and instead bought me some self reflection.

How often is the hope of a scratch and win life changing event the ultimate motivation for your curiosity? Don’t wait for the wakeup call, everyday is a brand new “ticket” that we have the chance to explore and experience. I know this simple little moment gave me a good reminder of what matters most, and it will be playing in my head the next time I put two dollars into the machine (a guy can dream, right?).

Thanks to our own Bob Davidson (Creative Producer/friend/hummus-lover), we at Rule29 have been recently captivated by the extraordinary concept of wonder. So much, in fact, that our own Justin Ahrens used it as the foundation for his latest HOW presentation in Boston. Bob’s interest and knowledge of wonder runs deep, eventually leading him to create an online community with wonder as its focus. rednow began as a response to the constant media abundance we all face on a daily basis. Opposed to just another review site for the latest in film, music, art and design, those involved in rednow wanted a place to feel, to think… to wonder.

This past week, we launched the latest iteration of the online creative collective. Along with an updated logo, the refreshed rednow site features a new look, structure, and opportunity for discovery with advanced filtering capabilities. The heart of the site is the matrix – a visual representation of all rednow posts. Here, users can search, filter and explore  that which has caused the rednow staff to pause and wonder – all the sounds, images and stories that have made an impact.

Users now have the opportunity to sign in using their existing social media accounts, allowing for a greater level of sharing and involvement. The new “Experienced” feature creates a sense of customization; just click the button on any post to indicate whether you’ve seen or heard the subject. When logged in, filtering by these films/songs/etc. is as simple as clicking a toggle button on or off.

With so much to wonder about, we were thrilled to be a part of rednow’s makeover. To experience the art of wonder yourself, check out the site here.