Confessions of a Packaging Addict

Sometimes life gives us lessons sent in ridiculous packaging.
-Dar Williams

I love to shop. Whether it be a quick trip to the grocery store, or a massive trip to Mall of America, there's nothing quite like walking into a store and being greeted by everything that one can own if willing to part with the little pieces of paper held in one's pocket. My sisters trained me well when I was young, yet strangely my sisters' favorite stores were the ones that I would refuse to go into. No, not Sephora...second hand stores (insert dramatic sound of doom here). For as long as I can remember, every single time I was dragged into a Goodwill, Salvation Army, or some other poser, I would suddenly get a really bad stomach ache as well as a splitting headache. Obviously, it's all a psychological reaction, but I've only recently realized the cause for the crippling physical effects second hand stores have on me: awful design.

Think about it. Second hand stores are the epitome of design taboos. Florescent lighting, crowded aisles, grungy furniture, dirty floors, and the smell of cigarettes mixed with pet pee. While the purpose of this post isn't to diss second hand stores (since one can find some pretty incredible deals - Dior blazer for 50 cents? Yes please!), they have helped me realize that I am somewhat of a packaging and presentation addict. I like things to look nice, and appearance causes true physical reactions, at least for me.

One of my favorite websites is The DieLine, it's a blog that features the best of packaging design from all over the world. I will sit and digest the website for hours on end, and I always walk away feeling refreshed. As I was perusing The DieLine this evening, I stumbled across some packaging that literally took my breath away and raised my pulse to an almost orgasmic level (yep...I'm a design major!) Just look!

Isn't it blissful? This is design by recent OCAD University graduate, Joel Derksen for the company 8 Fruits and Vegetables - a company that caters to urban farmers and container gardeners. The '8' stands for infinity and is also the past tense of eat (ate). This packaging caught my eye because deep down at heart, a part of me is still an Iowa farm boy (really deep down....like....really really deep...). I have a passion for growing plants and then using them to create food, and this kit combines the two in an extremely classy way. From the custom branded spades and serving utensils, to the seed packets and napkin, everything oozes sophistication and deliciousness. The moment one opens up the box, it can be seen that the kit is to be used for every aspect of the food creation process - planting, growing, preparing, and enjoying with friends. Derksen presents a very well thought out product that not only pins his target market, but manages to go above and beyond in the area of design. The only thing I don't like about this product is that it's not real - this is merely a mock-up for a company that exists in Derksens ingenious mind. Fail.

8 certainly isn't something one would find in a second hand store, and it has me leaving with a smile on my face.
-Matthias

Resources:
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2011/2/18/student-spotlight-joel-derksen.html

 

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Redemption & Grace

My friend Jessica posted these thoughts on her blog yesterday. I asked her permission to reblog it on here as this speaks the exact same thing I've been pondering writing about for several weeks. Read, be encouraged, and check out Jessica's writings at http://kimiposts.blogspot.com
-Matthias

Dear Reflection,

You’re looking kinda red again. Running two miles at an overly zealous pace to get rid of excess emotion isn’t always the best plan. Well, maybe it was. You’re making me laugh right now at least. =)

But Jess, just so you know, it’s okay to stop sometimes. You don’t have to save the world. You don't have to fight the labels given to you—just be His. He is Savior & King. People can put any title they want on you (good and bad), but it does not change that your real identity is just Jesus.

Forget selfish pride. Look at you, reflection—I’m laughing again. You are pretty unlovely in any sense, and it is pretty easy for people to label the things they don’t understand. That’s okay!!! They are right—you ARE a sinner.

Just remember this—“and while you were yet dead in your sins, Christ died for your sins to demonstrate His love towards you.” (Romans 5:8)

Grace. It does not depend on what you can offer; it just stands. God’s grace says, “welcome home.” Enjoy His embrace.

So wrapped in an embrace like that, how can you do anything BUT choose to live fully? Oh.... I wish I could make you see HOW overwhelming the JOY and LOVE are. Where did we lose the ability to delight? (maybe that's why I like my roadtrip adventures =)

Therefore, I’m turning away from the mirror right now, and instead I’m writing to you readers for the rest of this post.

While I was out running, I started praying for each person reading this blog. Even though I’m kinda writing these posts to my reflection, I am hoping that people will see the truth of a beautiful Jesus reflecting through a broken Jessica.

I’ve written a lot about my struggle with feeling judged, but I know we all struggle with the fear of rejection, so here are some of the truths I was praying through for you, because they are things that have changed my life. ….and yes, I mean every word of this for every one of you who reads this.

You are accepted because you are loved unconditionally by Him.
You are accepted because He desires your heart.
You are accepted because He wants you to live the BEST of His plan (not good or better, but best)
You are accepted because life would not be as sweet without you.
You are accepted because grace covers ALL of your life and makes you whole.
You are accepted because you have an important story.
You are accepted because in His eyes you are of the highest worth.

Because you are accepted, you can still hold to Him even when others have walked away and the hurt doesn't make any sense.
Because you are accepted, you can live with great joy.
Because you are accepted, you can forgive and then continue to live as He intended.
Because you are accepted, you can walk without shame.
Because you are accepted, you can remain secure in your identity.
Because you are accepted, you can always know you have a safe refuge..
Because you are accepted, you can lose everything to find how sweet He is.

The truths of why you are accepted do not change. However, the second set of statements all have that conditional word in there: you “can”. It is a choice. Do you believe truth? If so, live.

You will find you have to come closer to the heart of God in order to experience the full power of these statements. Do you love Him in return? How much? What does it look like? even if it is little changes and little moments of delight...

For once… just live as His. Lay aside theology, tradition, and time-consuming debates for a moment. You were intended to know the fullness of the joy of His salvation. Live.

Grace to each of you. With sincere love, ~Jessica Kimi

Rule #6: As a sinner redeemed, lavishly extend the same grace & love you received without condition.

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