Featured Work

Instagrowth: Guidelines to Help Keep Instagram, Instagram.
04/20/12

Avid and often addicted Instagram users have had quite a month. First, the hashtag #iPhoneOnly became instantly obsolete in early April with the addition of millions of Android users to the photo sharing app. Then, last week, new members and old were shocked by news that social media giant Facebook had purchased the 13 person company for a jaw dropping $1B. For some, shock gave way to outrage and fear of the undoing of one of the purest and simplest forms of creative expression around.

We can be so over dramatic sometimes. Honestly, I welcome new users and the unique view of their lives and the world that Instagram makes possible. I don’t mind their likes and follows either … ahem … @robhutti. That said, I think it’s worth reaching out now to these new folks to help them, help us, keep Instagram classy. These are not so much rules, but guidelines to build a better Instagram community:

01. Level the Playing Field


One of my favorite aspects of Instagram may also be the reason for its success. The #iPhoneOnly mentality of core users has created a level playing field for photography. Even after the addition of other smart phones, most of us are walking around with basically the same technology in our pocket. Therefor, anyone from professionals to amateurs have the same capacity to take incredible photos. So put the fancy cameras away, and push yourself to see what can be done on your mobile device.

02. Fill the Freak’n Frame


This is my biggest pet peeve; make sure you fill the frame. Instagram’s use of the Kodak Instamatic’s square aspect ratio is intentional. Not only was this a conceptual and aesthetic choice, but also allows for a much cleaner and more usable UI. To me, deciding the composition of an image is more important than what filter, frame or depth of field is chosen. When you don’t fill the frame, you are throwing composition out the window.

03. Instagram Can Wait


Remember you can pull photos from your library in IG, so you don’t have to use the camera within the App for your captures. There are those who would tell you that Instagram is intended to be Instant. But, I think the best Instagram users are not so impulsive. Take your time, unless your photo is newsworthy or timely, it can wait. Take multiples, explore various compositions or over/under expose it. Feel free to try other filter apps or even typography apps. Then when you have a second to breath and really look through what you have, chose the best. Trust me your feed and followers will thank you.

04. Quality Over Quantity


On Instagram, all a buxom female needs is her camera and a mirror to send likes, among other things, through the roof. Though my 14 year-old self would kick me for saying it; I hate this. Am I jealous? Yep. But mostly frustrated for the amateur photographers I see everyday capturing smart, unique and unbelievable snippets of this beautiful world we live in. But there’s good news. Increasingly in the social space we see a shift from how many followers and likes we get, towards the quality/substance of those with whom we are connected. Instagram is a good example of this. Don’t feel pressured post every photo you take or follow everyone you know. Instagram for yourself. Like and comment on shots you really love and you will be amazed at the people you meet and the genuine support they return.

05. The Golden Rule


Do unto others, as you would have done unto you. If you are the type of person who likes to look at other people’s cats, then by all means take photos of your feline friend. But be mindful that Instagram is not just a generic photo sharing platform. What you post should be somewhat selective, creative and purposful. Capturing the same unvaried subject, especially if it’s your kitty, will likely yield resentment and not much else. Don’t get me wrong, consitency is good. Having a style is good. We all have our go-to shots that saturate our feeds; architecture, cars, round stuff and yes, even our breakfast. All Im asking is that you try to share unique perspectives with each shot, and let me save the mundane receptiveness for my own life.

A Second Opinion
Since my measly, yet appreciated, 230 followers don’t exactly grant me expert credentials, I have elicited the help of some of my favorite Instagramers for their advice on what works and what doesn’t. Following these folks may change your life, or at least bring a bit of beauty to your day. Here’ their advice:

@Dirka
Main thing CONSISTENCY. I’m most impressed when u can tell every pic was carefully shot/edited/chosen to post… instead of my feed just getting blizted with mediocre pics. Love seeing a personal side on occasion. Getting to know who Im following. Love honest, real, meaningful comments & replies. Shows that the person is not just a great photographer but a great person too.

@Trashhand
Do: Find the best users that you know will inspire you. Research apps. Develop a style and theme for your stream. Be consistent.

Don’t: Spam, ask for follows or likes. Don’t steal peoples work or post MySpace photos of yourself or your food. Don’t come off desperate.

@HerbertSchroer
Do: show interest in other peoples work, participate in contests, check who your favorite IGers are following, be inspired.

Don’t: spam, ask people to follow you, upload too many photos, post photos of yourself constantly, use heavy hdr effects.

@Curious2119
Not to let @HerbertSchroer do all the work but he said it perfectly. Oh and no cats!

@_F7
Use Snapseed and Filterstorm. Both cost some yet great apps to raise curves even on night shots.

@robinmay

Do: Engage your followers and the people you follow. Comment. Share. Interact. Have fun. Be sincere. Be yourself.

Don’t: DON’T think you need wild adventures for great photos. A small change in routine’s enough to open your eyes to beautiful pictures.

@elixir818
Do: Create a dialogue and get to know your community.

Don’t: Become a voyeur that only giggles at his/her own grams.

@chrisozer
Do: Always focus on basic photo skills while shooting – find good light, hold your camera very steady, think about composition.

Don’t: Don’t be aggressive with commenting in any way. Good photos speak for themselves.

@dankhole
Like the photos that appeal to you & follow the people who inspire you. Work on consistency & technique & people will notice you.

Agency Work

AT&T Education Solutions
12/20/13

Great photo shoot and concept came together here for an immersive walk through in AT&T’s ethernet services for their education customers. Technology is a mandatory for success in school districts around the country, and we wanted to relay how AT&T’s reliable services and network of possibilities facilitate eLearning in the classroom. Check it out.


World Class Medicine from MoBap
12/10/13

Missouri Baptist Medical Center, or MoBap as we like to call it, has had a long and successful relationship with RodgersTownsend. So in 2011, when it was clear that the MoBap web experience was not living up to the standards of excellence they demanded for patients and the community, they looked to us.

After a long discovery phase, extensive content audit and thorough wire-framing we had an intricate road map from which to create the UI. Where we landed not only pushed MoBap’s digital presence to a level on par with the reputation of their medical center, but ahead of most of their regional and national competition.


Major Creative and Design direction props to Sang Han and his entire team on this one, especially Monica O’Connor.


Loufest Rebrand
10/28/13

I’ve never had a design recieve so much praise and so many dissenters. At least not in a public way. Its a testament to how much St. Louis, especially the creative community, has embraced Loufest.

Loufest is two days of music, food and fun in Forest Park here in St. Louis. Acquired by C3 (of Lallapalooza and Austin City Limits fame) in 2013, they were looking for a bold new look without the nuances of a particular genre or lifestyle. In layman’s terms, they didn’t want a hipster logo or a strictly Rock’n Roll vibe. They were looking for something generic enough to appeal to a broad audience, but bold enough to make a statement and have staying power.

I’m not sure I accomplished it, but this is where we landed.

After the rebrand Loufest more than doubled their attendance and had their most successful year to date. Some might attribute that to a vastly improved line-up compliments of The National, Alabama Shakes, The Killers and others. But I think, deep down, we all know what really caused the surge.





ATT New Business
04/28/13

A responsive site for ATT that adapts to fit screen size and resolution through a seamless and fluid dev.


Smart Grid Technology from AT&T
04/27/13

This was a nice HTML5 parallax website we did for AT&T’s Smart Grid Solutions. The target here was high profile civic and private utility companies. Experts in building and maintaining the smart grid, but not experts in communicating between the various elements of the infrastructure. We gave them a step by step breakdown of AT&T’s services and how they would benefit the target, but did it in a way that told our story in a simple, seamless and scrollable way. Excuse that alliteration (and the Dev of this live site).



Fun work

Martin Luther King Tribute
06/1/10

I wanted to attempt this style  in February, and being Black History Month I chose the Rev. as my muse.

His face is made up of the words of his epic Lincoln Memorial “I have a dream…” speech.

Take a look. I am having it framed as I type.


Smoking Goat Branding
04/1/10

I like beer.

Beer high in flavor, alcohol and price. I brew at home, but wouldn’t consider myself very good at this point. I’m working on it.

We have friends in Louisiana who I would consider really good. I designed some branding for their forthcoming brewery down there.

The Smoking Goat will hopefully be amazing, especially if I get some good beer out of the deal.

Have a look. Then drink a beer and have a look again. Continue this process until the logo looks awesome.


New Poster
02/4/10

This is a poster I made for my buddy Dustin.

A classic quote from him as we drove by Effingham, IL’s infamous and huge cross.

I thought it would look good in his new apartment.


Sheltered Perceptions
01/6/10

I recently got the chance to work on a project for the Humane Society. Given the fact that every time I walk into an animal shelter I have to be talked down from taking home every animal in the place, I was happy to help in anyway I could.

With the majority of pet buying in the United States coming from breeders, mall pet shops and unfortunately mills, animal shelters (specifically the Humane Society) are left overflowing with pets that need loving homes. They are running into a perception problem however, and many misconceptions about shelter pets are accepted as fact, and often repeated as such.

To get past this, we decided to take the problem head on, and address the most common misconceptions individually.

Here is where we landed:

Humane Society - Misconceptions"Mutt"

Humane Society - Misconceptions - "Bark"


Lauren and Dan sit’n in a tree…
01/5/10

My good friend Lauren is getting married in July, and though I am extremely jealous of her fiance Dan (don’t tell my wife), I made their save the date cards.

I use VistaPrint to print these types of things. Though the quality suffers, and the rumor is that they are destroying local community printers nationwide, for the price they can’t be beat. Check them out next time you want to customize your own holiday card or invitation.

Here’s how Lauren’s STDs turned out: