Hello, fellow pilgrim.
This newsletter is my excuse to explore the crossroads between Christianity and design.
And when I say ‘design’, I mean it in the broadest sense of the word.
That’s why, today, I’m picking out a video, a graphic and a building.
Let’s go!
Mr. Men x Christian spoken word
Joshua Luke Smith is great.
I first discovered him delivering the 24-7 Prayer ‘Vision’ (which remains, to this day, one of the most powerful statements of faith I’ve heard).
He also sets some serious beard goals.
Anyway, when you hear about Christian spoken word… Well, doesn’t your heart sink just a bit?
You probably have an idea of what it might be, and it’s probably not a particularly positive one.
No shame, because I’d have been in the same camp, before I got to know Joshua Luke Smith and others like him.
Turns out, there are some incredible artists doing remarkable things with the format.
I really like his video for ‘Mr. Slow’. Something about that boxy aspect ratio, that desaturated look… It’s all very retro and warm and, just, a good time.
The poem’s a corker, too.
That’s very pink
Blue and pink is really hard to get right.
Just take the Alpine F1 team’s effort to include a pink title sponsor in their blue livery. They’ve done a bit better this year, but it’s not been a natural fit.
It so easily all ends up looking like a Baskin-Robbins ad.
This is why I was so impressed by this graphic from the fine folks at YouVersion.
Their Bible App, which is installed on over 770 million unique devices (let that sink in), is excellent.
And I’m so happy to see exceptional design all through it, from user experience to daily Bible verse graphics like this.
Something for the journey
This Baptist church on one of my favourite streets in London. I love how the sans serif capitals of ‘RYE LANE CHAPEL’ mirror the datestone. And they light up after dark, joining a luminous chorus of pizza joints, pubs and late-night nail salons.
Stay safe out there. Big blessings.
— Sam Thorogood, Pilgrimage Design
(views expressed are all solely my own)