I recently read Mindstuck by Michael McQueen, and it’s a genuinely insightful take on why changing people’s minds is so hard. The big idea is simple but powerful, we’re far less driven by logic than we think, and far more shaped by identity, instinct, and emotion. Which means persuasion isn’t about winning arguments or presenting better facts, it’s about understanding people, building connection, and leading with empathy. In a time where conversations feel increasingly polarised, it’s a helpful reminder that people don’t change when they feel pushed, they change when they feel understood.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as the Logos (λόγος), the living expression of meaning itself. In a world filled with symbols, signals, and branding, we are constantly interpreting what things mean and what they point to. This piece explores how semiotics shapes the way we see the world, and why the cross stands as the most powerful symbol of all, not just something to recognise, but something to embody. At Vine, this invites us into a creative, visual way of living, where our lives become a reflection of the source we are connected to.

In the midst of a world that often feels fractured, there are quiet movements of hope unfolding. This is a story of reconciliation, creativity, and the power of thoughtful design to help bridge divides and carry a message of peace beyond borders.

There’s something about slowing down, turning pages, and really sitting with words that still feels like one of the best ways to engage deeply with an idea. In a world of instant everything, books invite us to pause, reflect, and be formed over time, not just informed in a moment.

Over the years, Vine has had the opportunity to design, typeset, and create illustration and photography for a wide range of books by Christian authors, from the Archbishop of New Zealand through to fiction writers and storytellers. Each one carries a heart to share something meaningful, to put good words into the world that help people think, grow, and connect with faith more deeply.

This is a small collection of some of those books. We hope they inspire you, and maybe even encourage you to pick one up and spend some time with it.

We’ve been working alongside The Loyal Workshop for over a decade now, and it’s a partnership that has become woven into our hearts and into Vine. I first met Paul and Sarah, the founders of Loyal, on one of my trips to Calcutta, and I remember being completely struck by the courage, creativity, and conviction behind what they had built.

What started as a first impression has grown into a long-standing friendship and shared journey. Joel, who many of you will recognise, is now part of our team at Vine while continuing his work with Loyal, a beautiful overlap that reflects just how closely connected our missions are. This is not just meaningful work, it is life-changing. We’d genuinely encourage you to support them by purchasing their products, each piece carries a story of dignity, restoration, and hope.

THELOYALWORKSHOP.COM

You can read more in the Freedom Business Alliance magazine, available to download here, or read the article below.

Most organisations are great at talking about what they do, but not what actually changes. This short piece explores a simple shift that can transform how you communicate, especially in fundraising. Inspired by a conversation with Sam from Christians Against Poverty (CAP), it looks at why impact matters more than activity, and how a few small changes in language can help people connect, care, and take action.

For a long time, I underestimated one of the most powerful tools in branding, the strapline. But over the years, I’ve come to see how a few well chosen words can bring clarity, capture heart, and help people instantly connect with a mission. It’s rarely something you land on alone though. The best straplines are shaped through conversation, collaboration, and a shared pursuit of clarity, not isolation.

I came across this article about 10 years ago and it really stuck with me, especially working in the charity space. A lot of what we do at Vine sits in this world, so it’s been a helpful lens over the years. It’s written by Paull Young, who led digital at Charity Water.

You can read the full article here:
paullyoung.medium.com/my-5-biggest-lessons-from-5-years-leading-digital-at-charity-water

www.charitywater.org

McLuhan’s idea that “the medium is the message” feels more relevant than ever in a world shaped by social media and AI. The tools we use don’t just carry content, they shape how we think, relate, and live, often without us noticing.

Over 20 years ago, early in my design career, I was handed a book that completely reshaped how I think about branding. The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier introduced a simple but powerful idea, that a brand isn’t what you say it is, it’s what people feel. Coming back to it now, in a world of AI tools and instant design, that idea feels more relevant than ever.

When it comes to communication that actually lands, not just gets seen but properly felt and remembered, there’s a simple little filter I keep coming back to, the 3 F’s, Facts, Feelings, and Fun.

On my first big OE many moons ago, I found myself travelling through Nepal. That’s where I met a great couple, Tim Frank and his wife Jutta. Tim was a mission worker from Germany, sent to work with International Nepal Fellowship (INF). But his role wasn’t the typical kind, he was their design and advertising guy. His job was to promote the work of INF and help raise awareness of their mission.

I still remember him saying, “God deserves the best advertising.”

Some stories start quietly, tucked away in places the world rarely notices, but carry a kind of beauty and impact that deserves to be seen. This is one of those stories, of resilience, creativity, and the way thoughtful design can help bring dignity, opportunity, and transformation to the margins.

This story is part of the Freedom Business Alliance magazine, which you can download in full to explore more stories like this