...tions! on Regent.edu

I have been doing most of the flash/graphic work for regent.edu these days. These are my 3 most recent designs—appreciation, accreditation and congratulations!

GeTransportation | Postive Train Control

This site is the place to find a complete overview on GE Transportation's Positive Train Control and the most up-to-date information on the initiative in the United States.

My first message board so I am very proud of this!

geptc.com | www.positivetraincontrol.com

Urgent Need

Sex, Lies and Photoshop :: David Airey

With so much falsehood in fashion advertising, just how much are we affecting the minds of the younger generation? Magazines, billboards and other print media push an unattainable fantasy world upon us. So when laws are being considered to have publications clearly label ‘Photoshopped’ images, personally, I’m all for that.

Image source

French public health officials want to combat eating disorders by having magazines say to what extent their photos have been retouched.

“These days, altered images are ubiquitous; the fairytale world threatens to engulf our own. The illusion is more complete, too — with digital technology it’s harder to see the smoothing. Stalin would have drooled at the possibilities.”
More here on David Byrne’s Journal.

The New York Times has featured a short video (less than 5 minutes long) explaining why magazines should be more transparent (video produced by Jesse Epstein of Wet Dreams and False Images).

I’ve previously mentioned the topic, with the twisted reality of fashion advertising, and it’s one I believe should be given a lot more attention.

Here’s a related video that clearly outlines the ‘Photoshop effect’. Visit YouTube

Further discussion on image retouching

• The Photoshop effect
  “…whenever one of my videos begins to do well on YouTube, the commentators berate me over my weight.”
• Women who say no to Photoshopping
  “Retouching. Photoshopping. It’s everywhere. Want to be considered beautiful? You must have no pores, no wrinkles, no moles, NO PERSONALITY.”
• Has photo retouching gone too far?
  “Remember Jessica Rabbit? I wanted her va va voom figure, long red hair and white skin as a girl, but I knew she was a cartoon. There was no illusion of reality. Is what we are seeing in print these days any more real than Jessica Rabbit?”
• Kim Kardashian Photoshop controversy
  “So what? I have a little cellulite… just because I am on the cover of a magazine doesn’t mean I’m perfect.”
• Striving for perfection is dangerous
  “If we are never exposed to the imperfections of celebrities, how can they possibly serve as healthy, responsible role models?”

Your thoughts

Should magazines disclose to what extent their images have been retouched, or should we carry on as we are?

I don’t agree with those who blame the media for every teenage girl with an eating disorder, but there should at least be some accountability for fueling the fire.

Some people want to ban retouching entirely, but any form of media censorship isn’t good in my opinion. I’d like to see a high profile fashion magazine publish an issue without any retouching at all. Now there’s a publicity generator, and it would go some way to dissolving the myth of fairytale beauty.

Focus April: Family & Ministry Centers

The newest Children's HopeChest Newsletter is finished. Couldn't you just fall in love with the young gentleman on this cover. Lost in the thought... Do You See Me?

Programs for older orphans change the course of a young life – and impact families and communities for years to come. Consider a gift to support Family or Ministry Center programs through Children's HopeChest. Go to www.hopechest.org.

Photography By:
Stephen Allaby, Joe Photo, Korvan Funk and Simon Scionka
Copy/Editor:
Moira Allaby

Extraordinary Woman Website Design

Children's HopeChest - Global Orphan Outreach

A new brand identity for Children's HopeChest, a global orphan outreach ministry, located in Colorado Springs, CO. As a client of mine for 2 years now, they came to me looking for something that reached across the masculine and feminine lines, was professional and clean.

Clients Comments: "This newsletter is fantastic! Great job. I just got off the phone with a major donor and supporter. He raved about the new look and feel, and content of the last newsletter. He said he loved how you told the story of what other people were doing so they can do it too."

Each newsletter features a particular focus—February: Discipleship & Education, March: Sponsorship. It is the hope that people will connect emotionally to these children in need, ending in a sponsorship of an orphaned child.

They currently have 2000 children waiting for sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, you can go to www.hopechest.org.

Photography By:
Stephen Allaby, Sarah Clark, Korvan Funk and Simon Scionka
Copy/Editor:
Moira Allaby