Do what you do and make the world better doing it

(Justin in Kenya with photographer Brian MacDonald)

I get compliments all the time on my blog. I wish they were all on the writing, but more times than not they are on design. This quickly leads to a discussion on how awesome the design firm that worked their magic here is.

If I had an ounce of artistic ability, if I could write instead of scrawl my name, if I could draw anything, I would beg for a job at Rule29. That’s about the highest compliment that I can dish out because, you know, I don’t want a real job. Every chance I’ve had to work with them has been loads of fun. If I had to have a boss, and, again I don’t really want one, I would want Justin Ahrens, the head dude at Rule29, to be it. If for no other reason than the way he wields a sword…

R29 Shorts: Sword Skillz from Rule29 on Vimeo.

For Justin and Rule29 life and work are one. What Justin believes in his life, he believes in his work. He uses his abilities and the talents of his staff to impact the world in the best way possible.

If you’ve ever looked at this blog and thought the design looked spiffy, you should meet Justin. His recent in-depth interview in Stated Magazine is a great way to do it.

Justin in Stated:

It’s a great day to be a designer when you talk to someone and they tell you that the work that we’ve done has helped them support a program that is saving kids’ lives. That’s pretty awesome. I used to joke around with the designers when a client did not like their design and I’d say, “It’s not like we’re saving lives.” And now, we have that opportunity. It’s a cool thing to be able to say.

Justin is Spiderman

When I address students I always encourage them to put their abilities to use for the greater good.

“With great power,” Uncle Ben told Peter in Spiderman, “comes great responsibility.” If you are a college graduate you are more educated than 94% of the rest of the world and that should come with some responsibility. Whatever your talent is there is someway that it can be put to use in your own community and around the world.

Justin is putting his superpowers to use. That said, I never want to see the dude in lycra.

 
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