God Cares About Skillful Design~ Guest Post

Today's post was written by my dear friend Kayla, who is the awesome and talented graphic designer behind Kayla Phillips Design. She has generously donated several prints from her One Hundred Verses Project towards the Beautiful Giveaway that I have running this week.  Kayla recently opened an Etsy Shop, is one of my collaborators for [un]common workbasket, she blogs at Ceasing to Strive, and  she designed the most stellar invitations for my upcoming birthday party.  I'm so excited to share her thoughts with you today as part of my Why Make Beautiful Things Series!

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Edith Schaeffer, the wife of the famous philosopher and missionary writes in her book Hidden Art:

“It is not a waste of man's time to be creative. It is not a waste to pursue artistic or scientific pursuits in creativity, because that is what man was made to be able to do.  He was made in the image of a Creator, and given the capacity to create.”

Yes, we believe in God as our Creator and we know that we are made in his image and can reflect his creative attribute. We understand that he fixed the stars in the sky and fashioned the lilies in the field.

But somehow, we overlook billboards and brochures.

We slap together Power Points like nobody’s business.

Oh, it’s just another sign-up sheet, we say.

Yes, God is the Creator. And we are creative.

Yet, there’s a disconnect.

Why waste time making beautiful invitations that will be only thrown away?

GOD CARES ABOUT SKILLFUL DESIGN.

In Exodus 35 and 36 the Israelites are constructing the tabernacle as God instructs them.

“Skill or skillful” in regards to craftsmanship or design is used at least nine times (I’m not as gifted at counting). Not to mention, God set apart certain people to do this work. He gave them the talent.

Good design, skillful design is not thrown together haphazardly.

This building was not thrown together, it was thought out, planned, methodical, orderly.

And since God cares about design and craftsmanship, I want to too.

And because he has given me talent I want to use it to serve him. 

I’m not a designer, how do I care? you might ask. 

Well, the next time your asked to put together a flyer for a  Bible study or children’s event, find someone who is already skilled in this area. 

Or better yet, give it a stab yourself. You were made in God’s image.

There are places all over Pinterest that talk about combining fonts or offer quick hints about laying text out.

While I know I’m a bit bent towards the world being a more beautiful place because I am graphic designer, I’m thankful that God cares so much about it too. He cared about it first.

So go. Do design skillfully to the praise and glory of God. 

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Kayla's post is part of my Why Make Beautiful Things week:
-Read my thoughts on the seven reasons why making things beautiful matters here.
-Visit my Granny's Closet post to see pictures of the beautiful and fun vintage dresses (which used to belong to my Granny!) that I have been wearing this spring.
-Go read Emily's thoughts on hospitality, beauty, and home through the lens of being a military wife in her guest post Love is the Beauty of the Soul
-Read Steph's post about printing and displaying family photos in Simple Beauty in a Picture
-AND make sure you go enter my special giveaway with seven beautiful items that I know you are going to love from Kayla Phillips Design, Steph Zimmerman Photography, and [un]common workbasket.  You don't want to miss it!