Former BCM/D staffers featured at Willow Creek children’s conference
By Shannon Baker, BCM/D National Conference
Todd Hampson, founder of Timbuktoons, an animation and design studio dedicated to discipling children and impacting culture through creative media, and Sean Copley, creative director for Timbuktoons, developed the artwork for the 2008 children’s conference, Conspire.
Hampson formerly served with the BCM/D as a contract graphic designer, through his company (founded in 2003); and Copley formerly served as communications consultant, web manager, design editor for BaptistLIFE and graphic designer for the BCM/D, where he helped develop the annual Mid-Atlantic Worship Expo and the Youth Performing and Visual Arts Camp.
Hampson and Copley remember when the Willow Creek Association came to Timbuktoons wanting to rebrand their Children’s Ministry Conference for 2008.
“They wanted a playful, tongue-in-cheek design that highlighted the positive aspects of the conference title and targeted adults who work with children’s ministries,” Hampson explained.
“Timbuktoons also provided help in research that led to the ‘Connect. Inspire. Conspire.’ combination of words,” added Copley, who previously believed the word conjured up negative connotations. But, his study of the etymology of the title—“con” means “with” and “spire” means “breath”—left the opposite impression and was reflected throughout all the materials.
The artwork that resulted was a red-spiral-notebook look and feel that allowed for fun doodles and creative ways to highlight the features and benefits of the conference. The project included an initial small brochure, a 12-page brochure, several ads, letterhead, a custom envelope and a reminder postcard. The artwork also was used to develop videos and the conference website.
“It was very humbling to walk into Willow Creek and see all our graphics and branding plastered all over the place,” Copley said.
Though they had been paid to do four different concepts, Copley and Hampson felt that the sketchbook/notebook concept paralleled their own journey in developing materials for such a large audience.
Prayers first, doodling of ideas next, then full development of sketches and drawings. It soon became apparent that God was in the details, not unlike their journey of faith in developing Timbuktoons.
What started as a meaningful way to disciple children using creative media has turned into a full-fledged ministry. Timbuktoons is on the radar of many children’s ministers across the nation, where people are tuning into the scripture-based cartoons and curriculum to use in their churches.
Both Hampson and Copley took big steps of faith to leave secure jobs to pursue the full-time focus on developing animated material for ministry.
“Timbuktoons are not just cartoons, but they teach scripture,” shared Hampson, pointing to its many offerings, including Scripture Shorts, cartoon object lessons that illustrate Bible verses for children to learn and love, in church and family editions; Noodles, about three spunky creatures who are sent on a weekly mission by their mentor and travel through outer, inner and cyber space as they learn about creation, God's love and God's plan in this all new pre-school adventure; countdowns; and TimbukTUNES music sets.
Timbuktoons also develops logos and collateral for various ministries. Hampson and Copley were ecstatic when given the opportunity to do so for the well-known Willow Creek Association. Not only did they develop materials, they taught two breakout sessions to a combined 550-plus people about branding and postmodern visual storytelling.
During the Conspire Conference, the duo offered a behind-the-scenes look at the branding process for the conference and taught ministers how to effectively communicate to their intended target audiences. They explored the thought process and core principles of effective branding and gave great tips on software and other resources.
“A brand is much more than a name or logo,” explained Copley, sharing ways for ministries to develop their particular brand. He suggested a formulaic approach.
One way to come up with a Brand idea is to create a “For-It’s-That” statement, he said.
“For” = Target Audience; “It’s”= (Ministry Goal/Definition); “That”= (Offered Product/Service/Feeling). He shared the example statement of a brand idea for the Conspire Conference: “For children’s ministry workers, it’s the best conference experience that provides diverse training, networking and inspiration for the entire team.”
Copley encouraged ministers to look for the uniqueness in their ministry for branding, but cautioned his listeners, “In branding, it’s easy to make promises, but you need to maintain integrity in who you are. Don’t make promises you cannot keep.”
In his session, Hampson explored story and message illustrations using the modern day parables: Cartoons. He taught visual storytelling techniques and tips for becoming media savvy.
He shared the power of visuals by explaining his daughter’s reaction to a picture of Jesus on the cross. “Why are they hurting him like that?” she had asked.
Hampson said that the purpose of visual media is not to do the work of teaching and relationship building for the teacher. “It can’t!” he reinforced. “It’s a teaser—a story-supporting hint of what’s to come or a reinforcement of what you just taught.”
He shared that effective visual communications rely on basic story structures in their premise: exposition, conflict and resolution.
“The story of creation, fall and redemption is the perfect example,” he said. “God’s story is all one big story that we live in.”
And that is exactly the story Timbuktoons takes time to illustrate so that children—and adults—can have a better understanding of God’s love for them.
For more information and to learn about upcoming products about evangelism and service, visit online at www.timbuktoons.com or www.timbuktoons.tv. For more information about the Conspire Conference, visit online at www.conspireconference.com.
