- When I suggest that a designer
attend the next design conference
or a local design event, I'm often met
with the excuse "I'm busy."
When I dig deeper, it turns out
to be about the unknown or shyness.
I won't know anyone, I don't have groovy designer clothes.
I won't know what to say.
Of course, my answer is, "And?"
My first event was a lecture for AIGA Los Angeles.
I was 18 and terrified.
It turned out I knew some of the other atendees
who introduced me to their friends,
and the ball started rolling.
And I had the wrong clothes, I still do.
I don't have all black outfits,
and am often he only one in something colorful.
But so what?
A very famous designer told me early on,
always wear the brightest thing in the room.
Here's the thing about design events.
First, depending on your location,
there are probably several a year.
Some of the speakers will be inspiring,
some you'll disagree with, but they all make you think.
Design conferences happen annually.
There are two large national conferences.
The AIGA annual conference, and the HOW conference.
There are also many smaller conferences
which can feel a little more intimate.
Each offers something different,
but are equally valuable.
They move around to different markets
so you have a chance to visit
somewhere you might not go on your own.
The most common negative I hear
is that there is too much to do.
Conferences have main-stage speakers
and many more intimate sessions,
covering a huge range of issues
from designers talking about their work,
to current business practices.
There are trade fairs with exhibits from most
of the major players in the industry,
from Adobe to Mohawk Paper.
It's a good place to get caught up
on the most recent developments
in technology and materials.
You won't be able to do everything,
and shouldn't try.
It's important to sleep once in a while.
Take plenty of business cards and hand them out liberally.
Collect as many as you can.
When you get home, enter them all into the address book
and connect with them on LinkedIn.
You never know when you may need advice
to find a good photographer in Omaha,
or a local printer in Miami.
I also take my notebook and make sketches,
write down a great quote, or make a notation
of something to check later.
There is so much information flooding in
that I'll forget that great idea
60 seconds after I had one.
Other people use a phone to shoot
as much as they can.
I've seen designer's careers jump-started
by a collection of images they shot at a conference.
Design events and conferences are good for you.
They keep you in touch with the community
and up-to-date with the current issues.
They inspire and create new ways of working.
Fortunately, unlike other things that are good for you,
like flax or avoiding sugar, they're fun.