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Creative Mornings is a community of creatives who meet one Friday morning a month in cities across the globe to connect, get inspired, and share creative knowledge while enjoying their morning coffee. Principal and Creative Director, Justin Ahrens,
Listen to how Mike Erwin, a decorated military veteran and psychologist, founded successful nonprofits serving veterans and youth.
Tanner Woodford wanted to create new opportunities for people to experience the power and impact of design. As Executive Director of the Design Museum of Chicago, learn how Tanner is working to preserve and showcase how design has shaped and is shaped by this great city.
Chris Harris (PCH) is a self-proclaimed son of the soil within the Bronzeville community, a historic neighborhood near the South Side of Chicago.
Experience the remarkable journey of Hugh Weber, a South Dakotan with a knack for forging connections and chasing dreams. From political pen pals to community leadership, his story inspires. Tune in to learn about his humble beginnings and unwavering dedication to making a difference.
This episode we talk about what Vernon's family and community did to help him get to where he is at, and what we can all do to live out our unique hero to make a difference.
My Cause, My Cleats is a wonderfully holistic display of leveraging the power of creative advertising to promote a worthy cause. See how a number of Rule29 clients have been represented in this campaign.
What if a side project changed everything? Meet Alyssa Low, whose bold, joyful work now lives on walls, in stadiums, and across Chicago.
What if the strongest brand didn’t shout, but whispered, “You’re enough”? In this episode of Design Of, we meet Katie Norregaard (Miss Katie Sings), whose gentle, authentic approach has made her a global voice in children’s music. From a box of rice as a drum to a viral anthem of resilience, Katie proves that empathy, representation, and quiet consistency can build something louder than any marketing campaign. Her story is a reminder for creatives, educators, and leaders alike: authenticity scales, and one kind, clear voice can change everything.
For over two decades, Rule29 has been a trusted partner to marketing leaders, brand teams, and purpose-driven organizations looking to grow with intention. And while the landscape has evolved—new tools, new channels, new challenges—our mission has remained the same: To Make Creative Matter®.
After 25 years of Making Creative Matter®, Rule29 is embarking on an exciting new chapter as part of the O’Neil family. Together, we’re combining decades of creative excellence with expanded resources to deliver bold ideas, innovative strategies, and purpose-driven solutions for your brand. Whether through impactful branding, storytelling, or flawless execution, our mission remains the same: to help your business stand out and connect in meaningful ways.
Rule29 was honored by The Manifest as one of Chicago's most-reviewed agencies. We're proud of our impact on clients, communities, and creativity. Join us in our commitment to storytelling, overcoming challenges, and exceeding expectations.
In today's culture, some figures like Nicolas Cage attract more attention for perceived failures than past successes. Yet, branding's power lies in perceptions. Despite divided opinions, understanding brand storytelling fosters connections beyond surface judgments. Nicolas Cage's brand reflects this complexity, illustrating the nuances of perception in branding dynamics.
In Kibera, one of the world’s largest slums, complex medical instructions and poor sanitation contribute to the spread of malaria. Partnering with Life in Abundance and graduate students from Kent State University, Rule29 set out to create simple, culturally relevant visual tools—leaflets, symptom cards, games, and campaigns—that could educate both children and adults. Designed with ethnographic research and local insight, these resources aim to improve understanding of malaria treatment and sanitation practices. What began as a student project has grown into a movement, proving that design can play a powerful role in building healthier communities.
Learn how Victor Saad disrupted traditional education, founding Experience Institute to pioneer personalized learning.
Kelsey Timmerman, NYT Bestselling author stopped by Rule29 to share his global experiences on our Design Of podcast.
The goal was simple: Have the creative community raise enough funding for 100 children to get clean water for life ($4,000) during the week of the conference. We designed our booth and produced it in partnership with founding sponsor, O’Neil
Justin presented at the University of Notre Dame on how wonder can be a transforming catalyst for you and your career to do more in your community and beyond. It was a great day in South Bend - Go
Rule29's Justin Ahrens talk "See Different. Do Different" was presented at the 2011 HOW Conference in Chicago, IL. The Talk Description: We all say we want to change the world—but where do we start? According to Rule29’sJustin Ahrens, it’s by doing,
Every issue of HOW features a designer's choice for their best work. In the May 2010 issue, Rule29 creative director Justin Ahrens was featured along with R29's first documentary for Life In Abundance. This work was a great experience aesthetically,
We are honored to be the recipient of the Greater Good ReDesign award that takes into account the social, cultural, interdisciplinary Conversations, and the people this project needs to happen and can impact.
Our creative director, Justin Ahrens, joined Su Mathews Hale of Lipponcott, and Ilene Sandler of Treat Street Studios as judges of AIGA St. Louis's Design Show 23. They chose the best of the best work from the creative community that included
Rule29's art director, Justin Ahrens, was asked to join 30 other designers to take part in a public installation of 30 posters about 30 characters (people and companies) that are a part of Chicago's design history—using 30 characters of an extended
Charles Adler is an incredible mash-up of experiences and interests. He’s an East Coast kid who grew up digging street art, skateboarding, break dancing, and all the forms of music that aligned with those interests: punk, hip-hop, and electronic.
Dive into the world of bourbon, discovering its intricate layers through engaging storytelling, stunning visuals, and expert insights.
What if the strongest brand didn’t shout, but whispered, “You’re enough”? In this episode of Design Of, we meet Katie Norregaard (Miss Katie Sings), whose gentle, authentic approach has made her a global voice in children’s music. From a box of rice as a drum to a viral anthem of resilience, Katie proves that empathy, representation, and quiet consistency can build something louder than any marketing campaign. Her story is a reminder for creatives, educators, and leaders alike: authenticity scales, and one kind, clear voice can change everything.
In this episode of Design Of, design leader Doug Powell shares how building IBM’s global design program and leading at AIGA shaped his belief that design thinking is a business advantage. We explore why downturns are the best time to invest in innovation, how human-centered design helps leaders align teams and strategy, and why creative problem-solvers will be at the center of the next wave of AI breakthroughs. This is a timely conversation for executives and brand leaders on making innovation a cultural habit, and why empathy, curiosity, and collaboration are the skills every organization needs to grow.
Join us on Design Of as we explore the power of storytelling with Rachel Marie-Crane Williams. A professor, artist, and advocate for education, Rachel shares her insights on empathy, connection, and the transformative potential of narrative.
AIGA brings design to the world and the world to designers through their latest initiative: a new professional certification program. As the design profession’s oldest and largest professional membership organization—with more than 70 chapters and
Dreams evolve, and mine led to a mission-driven business. At Rule29, we're committed to making a difference while serving our clients with integrity.
Justin was recently interviewed by Debbie Millman on her podcast, Design Matters. He spoke about how to stay passionate about your design work, including a charge for designers to use their skills for positive social change.
Julie Sims, a global marketing and communications leader and strategist, has had quite a career. Listen to her experience in leading MarCom functions, managing agency relationships, and developing strategic business plans.
In this episode of Design Of, writer and researcher Billy Oppenheimer shares how following curiosity, from ski towns and side jobs to working alongside Ryan Holiday, shaped his creative life and led to his upcoming book The Work Is the Win. We explore his disciplined note card system, the influence of mentors like Robert Greene, and how his popular Six at Six newsletter became a trusted source of insight for leaders and creatives. This is a powerful conversation about trusting the process, honoring your interests, and designing a meaningful life through intentional work.
Jerry Takigawa’s life and work explore one central theme: how we find meaning in complexity. In this episode of Design Of, Jerry shares how his identity as a third-generation Japanese American and his parents’ internment experience shaped his voice, values, and creative path. From his acclaimed photography to his book Grace in Uncertainty, Jerry invites us to embrace paradox, lead with empathy, and see the world, and ourselves, more clearly. A powerful conversation about legacy, resilience, and the quiet strength of thoughtful leadership.
Most businesses are only using five percent of the tech they’re paying for, but it’s not because they don’t care—it’s because they don’t know what they don’t know. In this episode, we explore what it really means to blend data and empathy, how to move beyond ‘just good enough,’ and why the best leaders are the ones who help first and sell later. Ali Schwanke’s story is a masterclass in turning curiosity into action—and proving that marketing, at its core, is about understanding people better than anyone else
Peter Aguero doesn’t just tell stories—he breaks them open. In this episode, the legendary Moth GrandSLAM champion shares the messy, beautiful truths behind some of his most unforgettable performances—and why the most powerful stories aren’t the polished ones, but the ones that make us feel seen.