Kristin Heather Design

Re: Being the Appendix

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:04:05 -0500

The was written by my husband as a response to a blog posted by my sister found here: http://oodlesandoodles.tumblr.com/post/363611264/being-the-appendix

Dear Appendix, quite a thought provoking post.
God created us. And he said it was good. God made us in his image, so when we create we are reflecting something innately good about how he made us. We can make music without putting “Jesus!” on every line, we can make fashion without stamping WWJD all over it and still God calls this GOOD! God of course is not utilitarian. His entire creation is painted with things that seem to serve no other purpose than that they are just beautiful. A world where everyone wears burlap and lives in concrete blocks would be truly awful.
So all of our work, all of our originality, all of our creation points to God as the creator of all things. God let’s us have a huge range of expression. Some people would think “Christian fashion” is like denim jumpers or making choir robes, but that’s really doing a disservice to what God created us to be. The Bible is not simplistic in some kind of moralistic Ozzie and Harriet kind of way. It shows a world that is broken that God wants to redeem, and we can do the same thing. Imagine if the Bible was released today. Many religious people would be shouting that this is PORNOGRAPHIC FILTH! Song of Solomon?! David tagging Bathsheba then having her husband knocked off?! But the bible tells the story of creation, fall, and redemption. And the fall is ugly and messy. So when we create art we don’t have to whitewash it and make it all religious and fruity— the Bible certainly doesn’t. The difference is that our brokenness doesn’t END there, it’s part of a larger story of God redeeming and restoring all things.
There is a really sweet (and actually really short book) that I have, but this blog post actually gives a great summary of the book, worth checkout out: http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2007/10/05/a-review-of-creation-regained-biblical-basics-for-a-reformational-worldview-by-albert-wolter/
But in terms of thinking about fashion more specifically, a few things I might ask myself:
Does the clothing I create only draw attention to myself? To the wearers? Do I only design or wear this clothing to draw attention to myself?
Do I create in a ecologically friendly way? Do I care for God’s creation by creating fashion that minimizes waste? For instance, if I use an animal for fur do I just discard the rest of the body or find good use for it? Can I use recycled materials in new ways?
Does my clothing bring honor or shame to the person who is wearing it? When someone views this piece of clothing does it objectify the person or portray them as God does?
Does the manufacturing process respect the people actually creating the clothing?
How do I go about creating clothing? Can I do it in community with other people? I’m reminded of knitting circles, it’s almost a lost art, but what a great way of building community — how can my work encourage others?
If you are poor you can’t usually afford nice clothing— and it has an impact on how you view yourself. How can I help clothe people in a way that gives them dignity?
Oh, also a few examples off the top of my head that are cool: 1. Tom’s Shoes, I’m sure you’re familiar.2. Blessed Nest. Their website is linked off this page: http://www.faithandwork.org/past_winners_page1768.php 3. Jedidiah Clothing. The designers are believers and they do really thoughtful work: http://www.jedidiahusa.com/

I don't know how to feel about this

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:42:30 -0500

“Yesterday, Mozilla launched Firefox 3.6, which — among more frivolous features — supports WOFF (Web Open Font Format), the downloadable webfont format supported by most major font vendors.”

This means that rather than having to restrict web design to a handful of fonts, the door is open to more creativity. (And for those without this new version, the font is replaced with a system font). The terrifying side of this little coin is the fact that soon, when clients request Comic Sans or Papyrus for their website, I can no longer say “Sorry, that’s just not possible”. The pessimist in me is frightened that more bad than good will come of this.

Read more here. Download Firefox 3.6 here.

I’m being told that this video is completely computer...

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:09:25 -0500

I’m being told that this video is completely computer generated. I just don’t believe it. How can this be??

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Delicate Sophistication

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:10:29 -0500

I appreciate many design styles and try to keep an open mind to all artistic aesthetics, but there is one common denominator to sites that just make me gasp aloud. Tiny, delicate details. Some sites that I keep coming back to:

Mutt Ink. The site design is just lovely - but look at those illustrations. Notice the tiny type. The delicate borders, the almost-not-there water color marks. Can’t. Stop. Staring.

100 Layer Cake. A huge inspiration for my wedding, this site is also a huge inspiration to my design. Notice the pattern that lines both sides of the site. Could it be any more dainty? And the dots around the header - they didn’t have to add that touch, but they did. I love it.

Squared Eye Design. Possibly my favorite site ever, the grid composition on this site is just superb. The waves, the adorable whale illustration, and the sweet side navigation detail all make this site irresistible! Interesting tidbit: SED made the RUF website.

Ali Felski. This girl has dainty details down pat. Did you notice the flickering stars or the just-barely-visible pattern in the sky? I want to be like Ali when I grow up.

Design Blog Roll

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:01:47 -0500

I was recently asked about what design blogs I read for inspiration. Below is my complete design blog list exported from Google Reader. In case this seems a little overwhelming, I’ve added a note next to certain ones worth special attention. I’m always very interested in suggestions on new reading material, so if you see something that you can’t believe I’m missing out on, please let me know!

(title unknown)
Abduzeedo - design inspiration and tutorials - I consider this a “must-read”, though there are so many posts each day (and because many are sexually explicit), I tend to keep an eye out just for the “sites of the week”, “logos A-Z”, tutorials, and any free downloads like fonts or textures or whatever.
CSS Mania - Also a must read, this site is the most-visited gallery of great websites from all over the world. If you want to keep up with what is new in web design, this is the best way to get the biggest bang for your buck. They post something like 30 new designs each day.
CSS Websites
David Airey » graphic designer, logo designer - really good critiques of other peoples’ design and some interesting articles.
Design*Sponge
Dzine Blog
freshly{blended}
Hello!Lucky
Just Creative Design - Super creative, talented guy out in Australia. Writes some interesting articles, but the money is in his own portfolio.
Logo Design Love
Logo Designer Blog
Oh Joy!
paper+cup
parcel post
perfectbound
Psdtuts+ - Amazing photoshop tutorials
The FontShop FontFeed
Vectips

New Work

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:24:09 -0500

A few tiny sneak peaks into some exciting new work that I just can’t wait to share. Full portfolio reveals in the days to come!

Pink and Blue

Tue, 05 May 2009 02:25:29 -0400

A few months ago I purchased these shoes at Target for possibly the best 19.99 I’ve ever spent. They are the most amazing shade of hot-raspbery-pink-red deliciousness. In fact, it’s highly debated over what color to call them at all.*

I’m afraid that since that day, this color has taken over my imaginiation - spilling out into decorating my bathroom, recreational painting, and more importantly, the design for the soon-to-be-released Blue Mother Tupelo CD Heaven and Earth.

Here’s a Sneak Peak!

This low-quality jpg still doesn’t really do the color justice. I cannot wait to see where this color pops up in my work and in the world.

And just so you know, Blue Mother Tupelo’s CD is releasing on May 8th, with a CD Release show that night at the Shed in Maryville, TN at 7pm.

I myself wont be at that show, but I will (hopefully) be there on May 10th when they play Lightning 100’s Nashville Sunday Night show at Third and Lindsley. It’s going to rock, and I can’t wait.

*Target calls them “Coral” to which I will strongly disagree. Coral is like the color of salmon. These puppies are definitely hot raspberry.

Compost Blogpost

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:03:39 -0400

Speaking of growing things, composting combines my obsession with efficiency with our command to cultivate the earth. I think it could have been more aptly named 22 things you maybe just haven’t thought about composting before, but this article title is much more catchy.

Image props to DNAMichaud

What’s this blog all about?

Begonia's Smiles

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:57:15 -0400

I’ve never been one to be interested in plants, which I owe in part to my selfish nature. Caring for something other than yourself only comes through humility, I’m afraid - so it’s been a long time coming. Recently though, I’ve become addicted to taking care of my plants. I’ll even “let them out” like a dog or cat, if I feel like they haven’t gotten enough sun for the day. After my blue bonnets died a month or so ago, like a 5 year old who’se just lost a pet, I decided I needed a replacement. And preferably another burst of color to enliven the dungeon in which I live.

Enter, the begonias.

While my pot will probably end up coming from Big Lots, I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t spring for a hand made clay pot this weekend at the Walden Artisan Market.

Also In love with this earthenware pot by madebysamantha. Handmande and available for purchase on Etsy.

Stephie always does an amaing job with glazes. Maybe I’ll comission a begonia pot.

Or, maybe this is my chance to learn to throw clay on my own! If I do, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8

Christian Pop-culture: The Problem

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0400

This post is in response to a previous post entitled Why It Matters: Part 1

There was a movement (perhaps it still exists) among Christian youth groups urging young christians to burn their “secular” CD’s. (What does that even mean?!) I remember finding myself unwillingly at such gatherings. Of course, I also remember feeling very smug that I didn’t have any secular CD’s to burn! Out of this environment, I grew an uncertainty about my relationship to popular culture, an “us vs them” mentality, as well as a large amount of guilt if I ever did enjoy listening to heathen music. I believed that a Christian framework didn’t have room for anything that wasn’t made by a Christian about Christianity, for Christians.

The problem with this approach from “Reflecting Theologically on Popular Culture as Meaningful: The Role of Sin, Grace, and General Revelation” by Theodore A. Turnau, III:

First of all, “Such an approach to sin localizes the problem as something “out there,” something we can control if only we are careful enough.” As a result, Christians have retreating instead of engaging. And, Turnau says, “we are probably only setting up more socially acceptable idolatries that will be harder to detect and repent of.” (Remember how self-righteous I was for not having “secular” music!)

He goes on to discuss the controvercial idea of Common Grace*, and looks to scripture as his support. In Acts 14,

“Yet he [God] has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14: 17). One could argue that God shows common grace only in nature and that culture is somehow excluded from the influence of common grace, but does God only use “natural things” as good gifts to people? The addition of “crop” (cultivated plant-life) certainly seems to add a cultural element to the natural gifts. That cultural element is amplified in Isaiah 28:23-29 where Isaiah discusses the details of wise farming technique. He concludes that all of it is “from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.” [22] Does Isaiah mean to say that this applied only to the covenant community? Did not Gentiles know how to farm too? Or does God bless even those who ignore and curse him and bless such people in and through culture?”

… Is it therefore so far-fetched to count popular culture as one of those things that God uses to “fill your hearts with joy” à la Acts I4? It certainly does function this way for many outside (and inside) the body of Christ. We need to see popular culture not simply as bad but as good gifts from God. These gifts have surely been twisted by sin, but they are good gifts nonetheless for which we should even give thanks.

So, that means that if Ryan Adams sings a line that resonates so deeply that it moves my soul, or if Slum Dog Millionaire stirs and excites me, or if a cellist in a bomb crater brings me to tears, it’s actually a gift from God - because all truth is God’s truth… And all beauty is God’s beauty. And God out of his wisdom is using even the gifts of those who reject him to reveal his creativity, love, and devotion.

I have more to say on why I’m moved by these things in light of the Gospel, but that will have to wait until another day.

What then shall we do? Accept all of popular Culture with open arms? Stay tuned til tomorrow for Christian Pop-culture: The Solution.

*Common Grace, not to be confused with saving Grace, is common in the sense that it is bestowed on anyone regardless of faith, and is Grace because it is unmerited favor from God. For a deeper look into Common Grace as it applies to Popular Culture, I highly recommend listening to recording talks by Kevin Twit or downloading his papers here.

Huh? What’s this blog all about?

Why It Matters : Part 1

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0400

Sara Groves recently gave a free concert at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. It quickly became apparent that she has spent a lot of time thinking about the Gospel* and the arts, and why Christians should care about it.

The most remarkable thing she said was in introduction to her song Why It Matters. Actually, Chris Rice has described it better than I ever could:

“Sara continued to introduce the song with the story of Vedran Smailovic, a cellist with the Sarajevo String Quartet. In 1992, in the middle of the war in that country, Smailovic witnessed a bomb attack that took the lives of 22 of his neighbors standing in a breadline at a bakery. In protest of the chaos, hatred, killing, and stupidity of war, the cellist immediately brought out his cello, sat in a chair in the middle of the crater, and filled the air with beautiful music for 22 days (one day for each person killed on that spot).

As Sara told this story every night, she emphasized the importance of BEAUTY as a protest in the face of all that is wrong in the world. While bombs were still exploding and sniper fire rang through the street, a lone cellist risked his own life, and protested the ugliness by holding up beauty in its face.

The ideal still matters, even when reality does not reflect it. Love conquers hate. Light pushes back dark. Beauty matters
…

Beauty reminds us in the midst of the ugliness, that there is something more. Something higher. Something better. That the world wasn’t meant to be this way. That there is hope.

Beauty matters.”

So, one of the things that Beauty does is remind us of hope in the middle of despair and brokenness. I know that every time I think of this story, tears well up in my eyes and a ball forms in my throat. This isn’t just a result of Endorphins. Though we live in a cursed world, God, out of his grace, allows us to experience moments of beauty to experience a taste of the way things used to be… and will one day be again.

This poses a question in my mind. On the unfounded assumption that Smailovic isn’t a Christian, I wonder if this “Pushing back the darkness” is limited to the work that Christians do, or if unbelievers are part of this too. More on this soon!

Until then, download Why It Matters by Sara Groves, or just read the lyrics (She said that “Statue in the Park” fit better than “Cellist in the middle of the Bomb Crater”):

Sit with me and tell me once again
Of the story that’s been told us
Of the power that will hold us
Of the beauty, of the beauty
Why it matters

Speak to me until I understand
Why our thinking and creating
Why our efforts of narrating
About the beauty, of the beauty
And why it matters

Like the statue in the park
Of this war torn town
And it’s protest of the darkness
And the chaos all around
With its beauty, how it matters
How it matters

Show me the love that never fails
The compassion and attention
Midst confusion and dissention
Like small ramparts for the soul
How it matters

Like a single cup of water
How it matters

*As many of the readers of this blog may be confused by the use of this word, an explanation is order. What the Gospel is: The good news that though perfectly holy, God made a way to save unholy people. He actually died in order to secure relationship with his people and to one day make everything broken become untrue. What it isn’t: Good people looking down on people who aren’t. The truth is, if you believe in the Gospel, you believe that you’re so wicked that God had to die. But you’re so loved and valued by him, that he did!

*Painting by Cy Twombly, his 2008 work, “The Rose (IV),” from his current exhibition The Rose at the Gagosian Gallery in London.

What’s the deal with this blog?

Beautiful, Functional Design

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:40:00 -0400

Love this Umbrella that stands on its own by Hironao Tsuboi. I’m completely obsessed with efficiency and doing more with less - especially when it is done in a beautiful and remarkable way. Sadly, I also am prone to lose umbrellas like it’s my job.

God, the ultimate designer, actually created something out of … nothing. And, he wrote himself into everything - creating beautiful, functional things. Even me. And out of his goodness, he allows us to be a part of having dominion* over the creation and being like him by creating and designing using what he has given us.

Another design by Hironao is this super cool glass with a flower-shaped base. Cold drinks will leave beautiful precipitation on their (hopefully) coasters. I suppose if you were going to have a water mark left on your coffee table, this one is the best kind to have?

This reminds me of a question. Why beauty? What is its purpose beyond just “I like it”. I think the answer to this question has many answers. I plan to give one of them tomorrow in a post entitled Why It Matters. Stay tuned!

Thanks to DesignFynder for information on Hironao Tsuboi!

*Dominion (Genesis 1:26) is not the same as Domination. Dominion is actually loving the creation, taming it, and making it more like the way it was meant to be. More on this later.

What’s up with this blog?

And That's What It's All About

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:51:00 -0400

I’ve had a break through.

I’ve been trying to figure out what this blog is going to be about. Sure, it’s about design. “New work, inspiration, and other tidbits of art, crafts, and design” in fact. Rest assured that it will continue to be about that. The thing is, I’m interested in it being more.

There is a long-held belief that in order for art to be “Christian”, it must have Jesus in it, probably on a cross or performing a miracle. At the very least it needs to have some sheep or doves. And it should probably be happy.

While this misunderstanding is being broken down daily, I want to be a part of it. I believe that the Gospel* speaks to all areas of life, and that in all areas of life are echoes of eden**. This includes design. This includes music, and poetry, and studio art.

What does that mean? Well, that’s what I plan to explore here on these pages. This will be as much as anything an experiment. A conversation. A few of you have spent a lot more time thinking about this stuff than I have, and I look forward to hearing from you. Guest blogs and interviews will be major part of this blog and if you think I get something wrong, let me know! I am in no way imagining that I have it all figured out.

If you call yourself a Christian, I hope that you’ll be inspired and encouraged by what you read. And if you don’t, I hope to be part of breaking down a few prejudices you may have regarding Christians and the arts.

*As many of the readers of this blog may be confused by the use of this word, an explanation is order. What the Gospel is: The good news that though perfectly holy, God made a way to save unholy people. He actually died and rose again in order to secure relationship with his people and to one day make everything broken become untrue. What it isn’t: Good people looking down on people who aren’t. The truth is, if you believe in the Gospel, you believe that you’re so wicked that God had to die. But you’re so loved and valued by him, that he did!

**Not to be confused with the 2002 love ballad by the one and only Steven Curtis Chapman.

Free Frist

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:10:00 -0400

Admission is free at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts today. Thanks Nashvillest!

Digital Painting

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:07:00 -0400

For Christmas I received a Wacom Bamboo tablet. Terrible logo, but really awesome products. The bamboo allows to you draw with a pen on a tablet - simulating on the screen what you’re writing with your hand. It sounds pretty simple, but where it gets interesting is in its pressure sensors. When you press harder, it acts as it would if you pressed harder with your pencil or brush. The value is darker, the stroke wider. The result is pretty incredible - the drawing on the right is one of my first attempts. Im only beginning to explore the possibilities of integrating this amazing tool into design.

Oh, and it makes it wayyy too easy to play Draw My Thing.

Watch this video by Kyle Lambert

Or peruse these 50 Amazing Digital Painting Portraits compiled by Abduzeedo.

Do you have a Bamboo? How has it changed the way that you design?

Welcome!

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:03:00 -0400

Welcome to the blog at Kristinheather.com!

I’ll be posting new work, things that inspire me, and other tidbits of art, crafts, and design.

I love to hear from you, so leave a comment or email me at kristinheather@gmail.com!