Jan 23, 2010 by Derek Balmer
The recent devastation in Haiti triggered a global cooperative effort to aid people that were suffering and in need of help. Virtually every available medium was flooded with requests for donations. It seems that within a moments notice every television, radio station, computer monitor, and even mobile phone, was prompting you to help do something. One of the most prominent calls to action was the Red Cross SMS campaign: Text HAITI to 90999.
This particular campaign, as is any campaign on the 90999 short code, was made possible by the good folks over at mGive. I worked with the founders of mGive a couple years ago and helped design their logo and website, and remember the simple utility in what they were hoping to create: The easiest way to raise money for a cause. If you stop and think about it, it’s amazing that SMS donations are not more popular in the United States. Everyone has a mobile phone that requires some method of payment for monthly use. Everyone uses SMS to communicate and receive notifications and alerts. People are comfortable texting to short codes for acquiring mobile content to their handsets. Why not use SMS as a donation platform?
This is exactly what mGive has created, an SMS donation platform that enables qualified 501c3 Non-Profit Organizations with the ability to raise funds for their cause through text messaging. It’s unfortunate that it took a massive tragedy to bring the benefit of SMS donations to the lime light, but through the unified efforts of many people around the world; mobile donations generated more than $25,000,000 in support for Haiti. In a brave new world, it’s comforting to see that all this technology really can make the world a better place.
Jan 05, 2010 by Derek Balmer
On December 29, 2009, we welcomed our new son into the world. Technically, it was less of a welcome and more like a uterine blitz™. After lingering around six days past our expected due date, Breezy and I checked into the hospital at 11:15AM on Tuesday, December 29. Within 30 minutes of our arrival Breezy was in full blown labor! Everything was progressing so quickly there wasn’t time for an epidural or any pain meds, and our midwife was still 40 minutes away from the hospital. At 12:50PM our son, Chase Balmer, was born at a healthy 7 lbs 15 oz and with just about as much hair as his old man.
Feb 19, 2009 by Derek Balmer
Stepping out, taking a chance and trading stability for happiness. Not too long ago I had a comfortable job working for an awesome company. It was a dream job by many standards, and most of the time it never really felt like a job at all. It was just fun. After awhile things changed, the company grew up and most of the things I was passionate about withered away. I had an opportunity to start a new gig with a couple buddies, so I took a gamble and jumped ship to start something new.
The new venture started out as planned and it was everything I had hoped it would be. I was working with a lightweight team of ninjas, free to motor away on projects without the constraints of working within a large organization. We were driven, we believed in what we were doing and most of all, we were happy.
I’ll spare the details, but a few things beyond our control changed the focus of our company. We addressed the change head on and were optimistic with the new direction. Bit by bit everything we enjoyed began to slip away and we found ourselves in a very different situation altogether. As much as I tried to keep a brave face and convince myself I was happy, it just became more apparent to my friends and family that this just wasn’t the case.
Today I find myself making the same decision again. I know what makes me happy. I know I’ll be wasting my time if I don’t pursue it. This time I’m not jumping ship to start something new. I’m jumping ship to cut the distractions from what I’ve been doing my entire career: designing. So here’s to saying “fuck it” and taking another chance at being happy.
I’m going the way of the hired gun. Wish me luck.
If you see me selling fruit off I-70 in 6 months, please be kind and buy a bushel.
Feb 04, 2009 by Derek Balmer
Jason Wedekind of Genghis Kern is a kick ass Denver-based designer, that also runs his own letterpress shop. He printed these beautiful letterpress business cards for me and I couldn’t be happier with them. This was my first go with a letterpress and Jason was really helpful and educated me on the entire process. If you are in need of a letterpress, check out Genghis Kern at www.genghiskern.com.
