We are still buzzing from the incredible moments at the 2023 Creative Works Conference! Your participation made this event unforgettable, and we can’t thank you enough for being a part of it. Your energy and creativity were infectious, and we’re thrilled about what’s to come. Stay tuned for the recap and more exciting updates!
SPEAKERS & INSTRUCTORS
LINEUP
Our presenters and workshop instructors are top leaders in their respective fields, bringing a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. Don't miss your chance to connect with these amazing creatives in person this fall. Follow and check out their work below!
SKILL BUILDING
WORKSHOPS
Ten hands-on sessions led by masters of their craft will give you a deep dive into creative skills like branding, illustration, hand-lettering, product design, storytelling and more. Workshops are open only to conference attendees and have limited seating. Presented by Dribbble Academy.
FRIDAY @ 9AM
— CHOOSE ONE PER DAY —
#HANDLETTERING
THE ART OF BLOCK LETTERING
Mary Kate McDevitt, Illustrator & Lettering Artist
Join Mary Kate for this engaging 3-hour workshop that will unleash your creativity in the world of block lettering. Discover the joy of incorporating this unique style into your projects as you explore exercises and valuable tips. Unlike traditional lettering, block lettering is all about embracing fun, freedom, and a touch of quirkiness. Using the power of negative space, you'll learn to carve out captivating letterforms with just a pencil. No computers needed—this workshop is a hands-on analog experience that will ignite your artistic flair.
#BRANDING
CREATE TIMELESS BRAND MARKS
Allan Peters, Peters Design Company
Unlock the secrets of lasting brand marks in this exclusive workshop led by Allan, the author of Logos That Last. Delve into the principles that define timeless logos and learn a proven logo creation process that will fuel your creativity. Discover the art of generating a plethora of ideas in a short span of time, using strategies that balance uniqueness, simplicity, and memorability. Join us to gain invaluable insights and elevate your brand mark design skills to new heights.
#ILLUSTRATION
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Kelly Thorn and Brett Stenson, Young Jerks
Embark on a captivating journey of storytelling, design, and illustration with Kelly Thorn and Brett Stenson from Young Jerks. This creative warm-up exercise is designed to inspire improvisational thinking. We'll start with a wackadoo mad lib that we'll complete together, and from there, it's up to you to draw what you feel inspired to create. Perhaps you'll sketch a wizard cradling a colossal cherry tree made of wood or design a logo for a cherry wood shop called Wiz's Cherry Time. The destiny of your artistic expression is in your hands!
#PRODUCTDESIGN
INTRO TO FIGMA
Katie Cooper, Sr. Product Designer at Forge Studio
Discover the power of Figma, a versatile design tool for crafting exceptional products, websites, and marketing materials. In this comprehensive workshop, we'll delve into the fundamentals of Figma, covering best practices for creating components, managing files, and facilitating seamless hand-offs. Dive deeper into mastering auto-layout and explore component properties to enhance your design efficiency. Uncover invaluable tips and tricks that will transform you into a Figma guru.
#STORYTELLING
UNLEASH YOUR INNER STORYTELLER
Brian McDonald, Filmmaker, Consultant & Author
Ever yearned to weave enchanting tales like the stories you've admired? Don't miss this golden opportunity to participate in a riveting 3-hour storytelling workshop with Brian McDonald, an acclaimed author, filmmaker, and story expert. Unlock the secrets of captivating narratives as you learn essential techniques and gain valuable insights from a master storyteller. Embrace the power of storytelling and let your imagination soar to new heights.
SATURDAY @ 9AM
— CHOOSE ONE PER DAY —
#HANDLETTERING
FOUNDATIONS OF LETTERING
Ken Barber, Lettering Artist, Type Designer & Author
Join Ken for this immersive 3-hour and information-packed workshop, where you'll delve into the key factors that contribute to a successful letter-making practice. Through hands-on activities, you'll learn how to effectively draw, customize, and arrange letterforms in engaging compositions that can be applied across various contexts. This workshop is perfect for enthusiastic graphic artists, illustrators, letterers, and font designers of all skill levels, eager to enhance their lettering prowess.
#BRANDING
CHAOS & DISCIPLINE
Taamrat Amaize & Nick Ace, COLLINS
Prepare to break free from the confines of ordinary thinking in this thought-provoking workshop. Through immersive exercises and interactive discussions, we'll explore the exhilarating potential of embracing the unexpected. Experience how spontaneity and surprise can become catalysts for fresh ideas, unearthing a sense of wonder within you. Discover the transformative power of stepping into a realm where imagination thrives, forging connections that transcend preconceived notions. Join us on this captivating journey into a whole new world of possibilities.
#ILLUSTRATION
ILLUSTRATE THE MUTI WAY: A GUIDE TO EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
Join Clint, Miné, and Brad from MUTI as they guide you through the journey of creating epic artwork for your clients. From translating the brief to conceptualization to execution, gain invaluable tips and insights while collaborating with seasoned illustrators. Benefit from the wealth of experience these industry experts bring to the table. One lucky winner will unlock the prestigious title of MUTI Employee of the Month in this unique and exciting workshop!
#PRODUCTDESIGN
BUILD AT SCALE WITH DESIGN SYSTEMS
Are you tired of repetitive design work? Learn to streamline your design process, foster clarity, and maintain consistency across projects by building a design system in Figma. In this hands-on workshop, you'll explore the essentials of creating a design system, empowering you to save time and effort. Discover how a well-structured system enhances collaboration and improves the quality of your work. Join us to revolutionize your approach to scalable product design.
Jesse Showalter, Designer & Educator
Workshops Presented by
The Dribbble Academy is a 24 week mentorship course to build the foundational skills, portfolio and career coaching to transition into a career in digital product design with confidence. Learn from product design pros like Jesse Showalter, Dan Mall and Helen Tran. Learn more: dribbble.com/learn
POP-UP
MARKET
The Creative Works Pop-Up Market brings designers, makers, manufacturers, and brands from all over the country to one place. And we open the whole thing up to the public. Join us Saturday, September 30 at the Ghost River Brewing Co. tap room on Beale Street from 10-6pm.
ARLES, FRANCE
BROOKLYN, NY
ATLANTA, GA
BROOKLYN, NY
KNOXVILLE, TN
WATER VALLEY, MS
LOUISVILLE, KY
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
MEMPHIS, TN
SEATTLE, WA
WESTFIELD, IN
DENVER, CO
MEMPHIS, TN
DENVER, CO
MEMPHIS, TN
MADISON, WI
CHATTANOOGA, TN
NEW YORK, NY
SEATTLE, WA
KNOXVILLE, TN
MEMPHIS, TN
MEMPHIS, TN
MEMPHIS, TN
NEW YORK, NY
2023 CREATIVE WORKS CONFERENCE
SPONSORS
Putting on a conference of this scale requires a lot of support, and we're fortunate to have the backing of some amazing companies, groups, and organizations. We want to extend a huge thank you to all of them for their help and belief in our mission. Please take a moment to check out their websites and show them some love. If you're interested in supporting Creative Works, we'd love to hear from you. Please don't hesitate to reach out and drop us a note.
Creative Works is more than a conference. It is a community for those who believe in the importance of creative work—and creative people. We are a home for those who seek to impact the world by mastering the tools of change through design and storytelling.