ANDY DRAGT » Video

Rick DeVos Introduces ArtPrize to the World

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:08:52 +0000

Thanks to forward thinking by Rick DeVos and backing from the Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, metro Grand Rapids today has become the site of an international competition for the world’s largest art prize. DeVos gives his reasons for putting Grand Rapids on center stage.

And what can I say? Sometimes things just work out. Because of another small project that I was given the opportunity to work on for ArtPrize, I was also allowed to shoot an interview with Rick prior to the big announcement. And, let me just say for the record that I think Rick and his team have come up with something truly special:

Commute Bike Shop

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:43:48 +0000

A conversation with Daniel Koert, owner of Commute Bike Shop in Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

PedalGR – Grand Rapids, MI

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:20:45 +0000

Ride along with the crew of PedalGR on a recent bi-weekly wednesday night ride.

Renatus On The Hill

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:52:22 +0000

Inspired by condo conversions of stately structures done in Europe and major cities such as Boston and New York, Kevin Moore is breathing new life into a landmark Gothic-styled church near the Medical Mile of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ten Years of Sanctuary Folk Art

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:20:28 +0000

Reb Roberts recounts his experiences as He and Carmel celebrate 10 years at 140 S Division Avenue.

ElevatorUp – Zeeland, MI

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:00:47 +0000

Elevator Up is a really cool company located in Zeeland, MI. I noticed their work through a mutual twitter friend and thought they would make an excellent story for Rapid Growth Media. Here’s a quote from their website:

Elevator Up focuses on small to medium size businesses that are developing, maintaining and growing web applications. We work best when working directly with you and your team. Nothing beats a well-rounded team that starts and ends together.

let’s go. march. – Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:09:25 +0000

So, I’ve stayed pretty close to my core competencies in this journey as a freelancer. I don’t know motion graphics all that well, I don’t own a green screen, oh and I’m not a screenwriter. So I try to be honest and not take on projects that would expect these things out of me. That being said, I have for some time been interested in learning a few tricks in After Effects. One of the techniques that most interests me is the use of photoshop layers to create a sort of “3d picture effect” from still images. Well, I finally decided to give it a go this month on a project for the Downtown Alliance and the response has been very positive. I’d love to here what you think:

Corez Wine Bar

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:41:41 +0000

Yet another new establishment in the East Hills neighborhood filled with awesomeness! This is also the first project that I used my new DIY dolly on, check it out:

35 Oakes – The Future Forum Apartments

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:19:00 +0000

Another great structure that has sat vacant and abandoned in the heart of Grand Rapids for decades. This building is right around the corner from the Van Andel Arena, the Hopcat and all the rest of Ionia Ave coolness:

Redeveloping the Flat Iron Building

Andy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:57:17 +0000

It’s hard for me to believe, but the upper floors of these buildings have been abandoned for a half a century. Thanks to the crew at Locus Development, they’re coming back: