READYSETGO! is underway for Firstfruits Creative (see here), and if you've seen the packages that we are offering for the year, identity and promotion, are two terms that are connected and extremely important in our campaign.

In brand strategy and in overall advertising-- classification is necessary.  Client and designer alike must know-- this is exactly what we're doing and THIS is exactly why we're doing it.  This is where the relationship between identity and promotion shines.  

A great brand strategy begins with clear identity, and ends with clear promotion.  Have you ever seen an awesome looking flier promoting an interesting event... but you have NO clue what the organizers are all about or what they stand for...? It's a bad look.  Good promo is nothing without an identity, visually or verbally... there is no foundational message sent to the consumer.  And of course, promotion is necessary to the process, because without it... vital information regarding a client's ongoing operations won't be distributed.  The identity will be presented, but still, fall flat.

So FFC, we classify our full line of graphic design & consulting services, 23 in all, by what they accomplish.  Either they help the client build a stronger identity, OR they promote an initiative, event or activity, effectively complimenting the identity.  For example, a business card is meant provide an identity, while a poster promotes or sells.   So "I&P", as we like to call it-- they go together like peanut butter & jelly, Lucy & Ricky, or even yes dare we say, faith and works. This is what Firstfruits Creative is all about--utilizing the concept of I&P, along with vision-digging-- to create a comprehensive brand strategy for our clients.

FIF.

"I see your truuuuuue colors, shining through...."

Okay, she doesn't, but FAITH is FRESH does.  Don't let your colorblindness stop you.

Check out Miguel Neiva's Color Identifying System for Colorblind People.  Seriously, it's pretty cool.

FIF.

No, it's not real.  Alllll CG (as in computer-generated).  Go ahead and pick up your jaw. :)

Two things to note. 1. This is art AND science. 2. God the creator creates people who create stuff like THIS. This is just a small duplication of what He does ALL the time.

All around, props are justly due.

FIF.

(Ps. Vid info: The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.)

...And need (to procrastinate) a quick break from 2010?  Check out this hilarious game from Heavy.com featuring some of last year's most famous newsmakers.

FIF.

Presenting The City...

In the six months that Firstfruits Creative has been on Twitter, I have been blessed to develop some awesome relationships with people from all over the world, just like me -- young, ambitious and ready to put in work for the Creator.  But connecting with this group of students from the University of Houston... they are SO passionate about spreading the Gospel in whatever ways possible--on the street, on campus or on the Web.  Driven by the Great Commission, through their church's youth ministry, they are taking their "City" to the world, and I'm so happy that FFC can expose them to our audience.  Also, it was even more of a blessing to design their site's header and as God expands them (which I'm sure He will), FFC hopes to collab with The City @ Good Hope even more!

Wanna check out The City? Visit them at www.thecitygoodhope.wordpress.com or @thecitygoodhope on Twitter.

I like pretty tees.

I REALLY like pretty tees with a message.

But pretty tees with a message that ALSO helps eradicate human trafficking, as well as the homeless and hungry because the company that makes them is inspired by Matthew 25:37-40??

That's just altogether AWESOME. I present to you OVERLOOKED.

Find out more about OVERLOOKED--their causes and their apparel on their website!

What were you THINKING???

:)

Okay, we know that it's alll about the music.  It is.  But sometimes...as gospel music lovers, we keep our standards pretty low visually.  We let the foolish, the mundane, or the boring album cover just sliiiide by, because we're used to it. 

This HAS to stop.  Our eyes deserve better.  Here's five that made the cut:

1. DOROTHY NORWOOD: Shake the Devil Off (1995). What's more scary--the flames in the background or Dorothy's mouth open like that??  And she kinda looks like she IS on fire.  This is too much.

2. RICKY DILLARD & NEW G: Unplugged...The Way Church Used To Be (2004). Now let's be clear, there are some classics on this album.  But seriously, is it really not enough to have your face AND your name on the CD one time?  Is it necessary to have your name AGAIN in big, shadowed block letters?!  Maybe we didn't get it the first time.

3. VICKIE WINANS: Share The Laughter (1999). Is that a COOGI sweater?? Now this was a comedy album...yes, Vickie Winans made a comedy album. We see this as a combo of #1 (scary mouth) and #2 (unnecessary repetition).  Self-explanatory.

4. HEZEKIAH WALKER & THE LOVE FELLOWSHIP CRUSADE CHOIR: Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College (1996). Now THIS is a classic album for so many reasons--the music and it was Bishop Heze's first album, apparent by the suit jacket that matches the array of colors in the tenors' jackets.  Did someone sew that up for him?  And his facial expression/finger pointing couldn't get more cheesy.  What tops this album cover off?  The reflection of the choir.... we HAD to see them upside down, too!

5. THE CLARK SISTERS: You Brought The Sunshine (1981).  We had to do it.  If you REALLY know gospel music, this cover is very familiar to you--those flowy dresses, the starry background, and the classic 80s typography.  (And if you don't know gospel music, that's okay too. :) We don't discriminate.)  Were we the only ones who thought their dresses kinda looked liked lingerie?  It's pretty, but a little overdone...

And that's it!  Now it's your turn-- tell us what horrible album covers you've seen in gospel music, past or present!

And visit FIVE GOOD!!

In the world of mp3s and iTunes, experimental/artistic album covers are an antiquity.  But for most music lovers, there are classic album covers out there that have inspired us to buy, or discouraged us from even listening to it on the radio.

Just like any other musical genre, gospel music's culture is reflected upon its artists' album art.  You see the flashy suits, outrageous facial expressions, or a 200-member choir all in one frame.  The level of sound aesthetics is... pretty low, in comparison to gospel's secular counterparts.  However, that very fact speaks to the foundation of gospel music--it's about the MUSIC, the anointing, the inspiration--not how pretty or handsome the person on the album cover is.

Sometimes album covers are designed, and a clear thought process is evident.  Someone thought about composition, color, the personality of the artist.  These are the nice surprises found in the gospel section of the record store.  Here's five:

1. BEBE & CECE WINANS: Lord Lift Us Up (1984).  Yeah, the planes are kinda corny, right?  But when you think of gospel royalty like these, it makes a lot of sense--most of their music is so bubbly and inspiring.  Seriously, look at their faces. :)  This album cover was their first, and as cheesy as it was--it fit them perfectly.

2. KIRK FRANKLIN: The Fight of My Life (2007). "Ya Boy" has had some interesting album covers (check out Whatcha' Lookin 4), but this one is a FIF favorite.  The scene, the use of the colors, the storytelling, and the simple fact that it looks NOTHING like the typical gospel album cover-- all add to why Kirk made the list.

3. COMMISSIONED: Irreplaceable Love (1996). This is the album cover that prompted this post.  It's so cool and simple.  And if you've ever listened Irreplaceable Love, you know that the cover matches the sound--four men waiting to take you on a journey to discover/ remember God's love.

4. TRAMAINE HAWKINS: Live (1990).  You see her face?  Can you imagine her voice?  Yes, she REALLY sounds like THAT.  Everything about this cover is true to Tramaine, one of the greatest (female) gospel vocalists of ALL time.  Do you see those big, puffy shoulders, the big hair?  She was (is) a diva, a living legend.  Do you see the typography?  It's kinda trendy for 1990, because she was.

5. DARYL COLEY: He's Right on Time, Live from Los Angeles (1990...again).  He could glow in the dark. :)  But it's perfect.  This combo of typography and colors--the luster of the man's suit (LOL)--says that he was on top of the gospel world at this time. 

So you tell the FIF, what are your favorite gospel album covers??  Share with us your memories.  OR do you know of any current artists with great album art?  Let us know!

Onto the NOT-SO-GOOD.... :)