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

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?).

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.

I’ve had the privilege of representing the team from Rule29 at several HOW Design Conferences, but this past conference in Boston was really special. I was able to give a presentation on Wonder, a word and a state of being that has grown near and dear to me, thanks mainly to the many conversations I have had with our creative producer, Bob Davidson. At Rule29 we strive to not only make great strategic creative matter, but also to do our part in some way to leave this world better than how we find it. We can easily get caught up in the ways our world doesn’t work, but what’s the point in that? A key part of making creative matter is pursuing wonder through story, through how we see, and most importantly creating space for it whenever possible. Wonder is like a super fuel for the creative, and it’s vital for anyone who wants to see the AWE all around us.

I have received a few requests to share the quotes and our thoughts on elements of Wonder used during my presentation and I do that below.

Authenticity Cultivates Wonder

Think and Wonder, Wonder and Think – Dr. Seuss [ download pdf ]

Create Space for Wonder in Your Life

He Who Can No Longer Pause and Stand Rapt in Awe is as Good as Dead His Eyes are Closed – Albert Einstein [ download pdf ]

Elevate Everyday Beauty

It’s Not What You Look at That Matters, it’s What You See – Henry David Thoreau
[ download pdf ]

It was truly a pleasure to be at HOW, and I hope to speak again whenever they will have me. As I strive to explore the discipline of wonder, I’m excited to see where it will take me and the rest of the design monkeys at Rule29.

Other HOW highlights included creating a poster for Neenah Paper with a group of other brilliant creatives I respect, Life Kerning book signing and app giveaway, raising a pint at Cheers, singing in a Karaoke trio with Vonster and Stefan Mumaw, great conversations, and seeing some old friends and making some really incredible new ones.

Stay tuned for other wonder-filled things coming from Rule29 (in the near future), and maybe we will see each other in San Francisco for the next HOW conference. Oh, and don’t forget: Wonder is all around us… will you see it?

We have been meaning to follow up on our post from last year with JR’s follow up talk from this years TED. Sit back and be inspired by the way art can bring the world together.

Ever since it launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has been changing the way we view our universe. Views of nebulas and galaxies have sparked the imaginations of countless individuals. Classic images have sparked several “Top Images” lists. But did you know the telescope orbiting over 400 miles above our heads has taken over a million observations in its 22 year career?

As you can imagine, there are thousands of Hubble images that have yet to see the light of day. That’s where the ESA’s Hubble’s Hidden Treasures contest comes in. Through May 31, 2012, you can dig through the Legacy Archives and find what you believe is the nest best image from Hubble. There are plenty of tips and tricks to get the best out of the raw data stored in the archives.

Learn more about the contest here.

Even if you have no intention of entering the contest – I hope you take a moment to look through some of Hubble’s great discoveries. At the R29 headquarters, we often talk about the idea of wonder and what inspires that sense within each of us. I think it’s no secret that looking up toward the night sky is a continuous source of wonder for me. Despite the ocular limits that I am faced with – the Hubble telescope allows me to look out into space and be amazed by all that is out there.

I can’t be the only one that feels this way, yeah? What’s your favorite Hubble image? Mine has always been the Pillars of Creation.

And best of luck if you decide to enter the contest!

I’ll admit it…I’m a sucker for the end of the year. I love the concept of one thing ending and something fresh starting right around the corner. I make a list of things every year that I’m looking to change, be purposeful about, etc. And for the most part, I’m not too bad at following through on them. I think in life we all need to step out, make a change, pursue that dream, make a difference.

As most of you know, Rule29 tries to make some level of difference by being purposeful with our time and our impact – Africa, Story Telling, and  What Matters, to name a few. We strive to do our part and explore ways to pursue wonder and be aware. I hope, as a leader at Rule29 and a fellow creative, this is something that is not only making a difference outside our walls, but inside as well. To be transparent, though, in a lot of ways it’s easier to make changes at work. It’s just something we have built in to our day to day. But there are still some areas I feel I’m lacking…

For me, this is most evident in my family. I have four amazing kids and a wife that loves me for some weird reason. I want to make an impact in the world with them, so this year, as a family, we decided to do something together. A new friend of mine, Victor Saad, is starting a project called The Leapyear Project. It’s an initiative to get a group of people stepping out to make a difference. The concept of the Leapyear Project is simple: What risk will you take to change your life or the lives of others? What risk will you take to impact the world for the better or improve the community you live in? It encompasses an endless variety of forms, sizes, and concepts … it’s all up to you. Go to the site and check out the Risk page. This page really inspired my wife, Sarah, and I to try something together with our family.

We went to our four kids and talked to them about it. We asked them what they cared about in this world and what they wanted to help change. Next, we decided that, starting officially this  February of the Leapyear, we will each take two months and pick something all six of us can do to challenge, sacrifice, or push ourselves to take a risk and make a difference. Each family member has to research, set up, and choose two times this year what to do (with some help from Mom and Dad where necessary). The other months they will be doing what another member has chosen. We’ll then, as a family, document our experience and thoughts. So we have ages 39, 37, 11, 9, 7 and 6, all working together to accomplish positive change.

I will post now and then, and tweet with the #LYPROJECT hash tag, on what we are doing and how it is going because I think it will be incredibly interesting (At least I hope it will). So now I close with a question to you: What are you going to do to risk something this year? Don’t think that it has to be curing cancer (even though that would be awesome); it can take any shape or size. Maybe it’s just sitting with your grandma at the nursing home twice a month and having a conversation. Maybe it’s pursuing that crazy idea you keep putting off. Whatever it is, be purposeful and record your thoughts and what happens. I think you will be surprised at the outcome. What do you say? Let’s not make a resolution – let’s leap together for a year…. You in?

Not only did we decide to travel through Kibera that night, we chose to carry large film equipment, including a giant battery powered LED light (which I happened to be holding over my head). Standing out is an understatement. I’ll admit. My heart was beating fast. We moved fast through a number of alleys and streets and eventually came upon a path that led to the train tracks that ran through the slums. The tracks were elevated. As we walked along the tracks and began to head down the other side towards our friend’s home, I became captivated by the rooftops I now saw. They were painted. They were mesmerizing. They were art?

Not until I returned home and stumbled randomly upon this TED talk, did I realize this was the artwork of famed French artist JR. Not every photo seen above was still present, but enough “eyes” that caught my attention. In the midst of some of the most intense moments of my trip, I paused.

Is this not the hope of good art? To pause. To wonder.

JR’s ambitions are nothing short than changing the world through the art of beauty, juxtaposition, and the absurd. And for this… he has chosen to celebrate humanity via a familiar craft, in unlikely spaces, and with subjects that matter. But after listening to his story (that one TED Prize 2011), I think the bigger question is…

What will you/I use to change the world?