Inspiration

Sometimes I get to work on a project that doesn't require me to stay as close to the InterVarsity brand as usual (ie: colors, choices of font, logo, etc.). I'm currently working on some designs for the Asian Pacific Islander Women's Leadership Conference which is sponsored by InterVarsity's Asian American Ministries, Epic Movement (Asian American branch of Cru), and Asian American Christian Fellowship. Since it is not an InterVarsity-only event, the look of the conference can have its own identity.

One requirement that had been given to me with this project is that the look should be visually inviting to women of South Asian and Southeast Asian descent. Typically Asian American designs can lean towards the more prevalent East Asian influence (using lots of red, for example). Another brainstorm was the image of an orchid - to symbolize thriving in hard places. (The conference theme is "Leadership over the Long Haul").

With those 2 ideas I've been working on some designs and I'm super excited about what I've been working on so far. I gathered some images of Southeast Asian fabrics which are full of vibrant colors, as well as intricate patterns using fairly simple shapes such as squares, diamonds, and triangles. It's been really fun to go a little outside my normal sphere of limitations and explore possibilities.

a screenshot of my computer monitor

Who are Asian American college students?

Asian American Ministries from AAM InterVarsity on Vimeo.

Check out this video about Asian American college students animated and edited by my colleague David Hui.

The narrator's voice might sound a little familiar to you too. ;)

Food that fills, fruit that lasts

AIV students preparing to serve free bubble tea - they served over 1500 students!

AIV students at North Campus barbecue where they gave out free burgers to 800 students

I recently designed a tshirt for AIV, the chapter I worked with at University of Michigan. The concept behind the design stems from two images of Christ in Scripture: Jesus, the Bread of Life, the source of true satisfaction, and Jesus, the Vine, from whom we bear fruit as we abide in him. Together the bread and grapes represent communion, a symbol of Christ's body and blood. It is only through Christ that we find "food that fills" and we bear "fruit that lasts".

It was fun to be able to participate in their New Student Outreach events in this way, even though I am no longer there. Continue to keep students and staff in your prayers during this season of meeting new students and introducing them to Jesus!

2,615

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I just designed this donor report which gets sent out to everyone who gives to InterVarsity. This edition is espcially interesting as it contains some data on this past year of our ministry. One of my favorites: 2,615 new believers this year! Praise God for all of those students and faculty who entered the kingdom!

Click on the image to see some of the ways God has been at work on campus thanks to you and all of our donors!

(Note - the annual report link is not yet live. if you go to the link shown on the report, you'll be directed to last year's report. I'll let you know when it's up! It will include much more information as well as some stories and videos about God's work through InterVarsity this past year.)

UPDATE: the Annual Report link on our website is now live! 

First Asian American Banner Printed

I designed a banner for Asian American chapters last year, and today I printed and trimmed the very first order! Special shout out and thank you to Christian Chin at University of Washington for ordering my banner design!

Change the university, and you change the world.

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Recently I created this infographic in honor of World Assembly. Isn't it quite amazing that only 13% of the world's college students are in North America? It certainly gives you perspective thinking about the 18 million students that InterVarsity is seeking to reach here in the US.

I'm so thankful that InterVarsity is part of International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, where we get to partner with over 150 other student ministries all over the world. It's great to work alongside thousands of staff and students who are seeking to proclaim Christ on university campuses everywhere. Pray that the nations would know Jesus Christ is Lord!

Compelling2011 - The Sign of Jonah

click here to go to website

Compelling is a training conference that happens in November and is hosted by the Michigan Division (all universities and colleges in the state of Michigan). For five years I have designed the look of the conference, including the flycard, website, and other materials like nametags and program. The website is now up if you want to check it out! Click on the link above. Below are images of the completed flycard!

front of flycard

The theme for this conference is "The Sign of Jonah". I know we have all seen countless Sunday school renditions of Jonah being swallowed by the whale. I tried hard to not go that route. I still reference that important aspect of Jonah's story using a fish tail, but I tried to make it less obvious, using darker shades and not making it the focal point.

back of flycard

The textures were created using a several different layers of images of clouds, waves and storms. I wanted the texture to look a little bit like a fairy tale or a children's storybook, which is also why I chose this serif font, that looks a little bit whimsical and unique. I also handwrote some of the words like "the sign of" "tracks" "speaker" and "registration".The wavy lines of text as well as grays and blues add to the feel of being in a storm on the water.

It'll be exciting for me this year because I am planning to attend the conference! Last year there was a record number of 600 students attending. It's been amazing to see how God has used this conference in hundreds of students lives for the past 5 years.