REAL COMMUNITY.
REAL CONNECTIONS.
REAL IMPACT.
Join us October 2–4 in NYC for three days designed to empower your creative work and career.
Workshops announced by August 1.
Built for designers, illustrators, hand letterers, storytellers, and commercial artists who care about craft, not clout.
Creative Works EAST is where serious creatives come together to be inspired, sharpen their skills, build relationships, and reconnect with the heart of their work.
We believe in mastery over mediocrity, collaboration over competition, and bold creativity that drives meaningful change. This isn’t about hype, hustle, or algorithms—it’s about doing the work, getting better, and building something that lasts.
You’ll leave with sharper skills, stronger relationships, clear direction, and a renewed sense of purpose for your creative life and career.
WHAT TO EXPECT
EYE-OPENING PRESENTATIONS
Hear from world-class designers, illustrators, and creative leaders who challenge assumptions, share hard-earned insights, and bring bold new ideas to life. These aren’t keynotes—they’re sparks for change, grounded in real work and lived experience.
INSIGHTFUL DEMOS
Explore new tools, techniques, and workflows from creatives and companies shaping the future of the industry. These demos go beyond product features and focus on how you can apply what you learn to make your work sharper, faster, and more impactful.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
Take time away from the crowd to go deeper with small-group sessions led by masters of their craft. Whether you’re refining your process, rethinking your practice, or learning something entirely new, you’ll walk away with skills you can use immediately.
MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
Some of the best moments happen in the margins—over coffee, lunch, or during nightly dinners and after-hours hangs. Whether you’re making new friends, connecting with peers, or having real conversations with event leaders, this is where relationships are built.
CURATED POP-UP MARKET
Discover prints, pins, zines, apparel, and beautifully made goods from some of the most inspiring makers in the country. Many vendors are exclusive to this event—come ready to support your peers and find something truly one-of-a-kind.
PRESENTERS & INSTRUCTORS
LEADERSHIP
We elevate our leaders not for their followings, but for the depth of their practice and the conviction behind their work. This is your chance to learn from creatives who’ve walked the walk—and are still pushing forward. Explore their work below and connect with them in person this fall!
Brad Hodgkiss,
Miné Day, &
Clinton Campbell
Presenters/Instructors
Cape Town, South Africa
SKILL-BUILDING
WORKSHOPS
These aren’t quick demos or surface-level talks. Our workshops are immersive, three-hour sessions limited to 30 attendees, led by experts who are serious about their craft. You’ll get one-on-one instruction, personalized feedback, and the space to go deep—so you walk away with new skills you can put to work right away.
AM BLOCK: SAT 10AM - 1PM
#BRANDING
Packaging Design: From Brief to Shelf
Abraham Lule, Designer & Hand-lettering Artist
Label design plays a crucial role in grabbing attention—whether it’s on a shelf or screen. In this focused, three-hour workshop, Abraham Lule will walk you through his packaging design process from concept to final product. Designed for type designers, illustrators, and graphic designers, this session explores structure, storytelling, and the role of typography and imagery in building effective, artful packaging.
#ILLUSTRATION
TINY CANVAS, BIG IMPACT: THE ART OF ILLUSTRATED STAMP DESIGN
Clinton Campbell, Miné Day, & Brad Hodgkiss, MUTI
Master the art of storytelling in a small format by designing your own set of vintage-inspired stamps in this hands-on, three-hour workshop led by the partners at South African illustration studio MUTI. Stamp design requires a keen understanding of composition, scale, and detail. This workshop will guide you through crafting impactful compositions, integrating basic hand lettering, applying authentic textures, and selecting a compelling color palette. Through thoughtful conceptualization and careful refinement, you’ll create miniature masterpieces that leave a lasting impression.
#LETTERING
Lettering Remix: Create Custom Letterforms from Everyday Inspiration
Ken Barber, Lettering Artist, Type Designer & Author
In this hands-on, info-packed, three-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to transform real-world inspiration—from neon signs to vintage packaging—into original hand-drawn lettering. Ken will teach you how to decode the visual systems behind found letterforms and remix them into fresh work for logos, wordmarks, personal projects, and more. You’ll sharpen your eye, expand your style, and bring new creative energy to your lettering practice.
#DIGITAL
Beyond the Template: Bridging Brand & Experience Design
Jules Cordova & Stephany Madi, Designers at Instrument
In a digital world flooded with sameness, creating distinctive brand experiences is more important than ever. Join Jules and Stephany for this three-hour workshop that unpacks how agency teams build impactful, branded web experiences—from discovery through launch. You’ll learn how to bring your own brand to life online through process, accessibility, content strategy, and best practices, using tools like Figma to design with confidence.
#PAPERCRAFT
How to Make Animated Cards
Kelli Anderson, Artist & Paper Engineer
In this hands-on, three-hour workshop, artist and paper engineer Kelli Anderson will show you how fold-based formats like the flexagon and waterfall card can bring content to life through movement and interactivity. You’ll explore the conceptual and mechanical potential of folded paper as a storytelling tool—creating narrative-driven pieces that are engaging, tactile, and unforgettable. No experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
PM BLOCK: SAT 3PM - 6PM
#BRANDING
Building Joyful Brand Worlds
Chelsea Goldwell, Partner & Creative Director at Zero Studios
Join Chelsea for this collaborative, three-hour workshop on creating vibrant brand worlds that spark joy and resonate deeply with audiences. You’ll explore how to extract a client’s vision, build a brand strategy, and translate that into design through thoughtful planning and moodboarding. You’ll walk away with tools to create brand systems that feel cohesive, fun, and full of life.
#ILLUSTRATION
From Single Image to Campaign Creator: Maximizing Your Illustration Impact
Chris DeLorenzo, Graphic Artist
Rather than focusing on one perfect image, this three-hour workshop will show you how to build illustration systems that scale. Chris will walk you through his process for turning one image into a full campaign—something that works across platforms and client needs while still feeling cohesive. You’ll bring an illustration to expand upon, or create something new in the session, and explore how to apply your style in unexpected, impactful ways.
#LETTERING
Fun Lettering for Fun Folks
Mary Kate McDevitt, Illustrator & Lettering Artist
In this three-hour workshop, Mary Kate will show you how to bring playfulness and personality into your hand lettering. You’ll focus on expressive letterforms, illustration integration, and composition techniques to transform basic type into dynamic lettering pieces that pop off the page. Perfect for anyone looking to loosen up and have more fun with their work.
#DIGITAL
Tending the Garden: Designing Web Systems That Grow
Chris Conley & Kegan Sovay, Head of Design & Digital at Thread
Websites are living systems—not static projects. In this three-hour workshop, Chris and Kegan will walk you through how Thread builds flexible digital systems that evolve with their clients’ needs. You’ll explore how to blend expressive design with systems thinking, align your team around patterns, and care for a site post-launch with tools and rituals that support long-term growth.
#STORYTELLING
Against Storytelling:
A Storytelling Workshop
Mark Kingsley, Founder/CCO at Malcontent & Author
Storytelling is everywhere in branding—but do we really know what it means? In this provocative, three-hour workshop, Mark Kingsley invites you to question and redefine the role of story in design and strategy. Through conversation and guided frameworks, you’ll explore multiple definitions of story, examine its relevance in branding, and learn how to use narrative with clarity and intention.
POP-UP MARKET
VENDORS
Discover limited-edition prints, apparel, pins, and uncommon goods by designers, illustrators, and makers from across the country. The market is free and open to the public—come support the community and find something truly one-of-a-kind. Interested in vending?
Send us a link to your shop.
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/641892e2d9fcc94323371065/07b363c5-cbf9-4fd0-ba1b-763839e79dcc/vendor-bianca.jpg?format=500w")
Interested in vending?
Send us a link to your shop.
OCTOBER 2-4, 2025
SCHEDULE
Get ready for three action-packed days filled with full-hearted presentations, insightful demos, hands-on workshops, and lively dinners alongside world-class creatives from around the globe. All times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
THURSDAY, OCT 2
9:00a
10:00a
Registration + Coffee + Connect
12:00p
Conference Kickoff
11:00a
1:30p
3:30p
4:00p
Presentation 1
6:30p
Lunch Break
Presentation 2
2:30p
Demo 1
30-Minute Break
5:00p
Presentation 3
Presentation 4
Dinner/Hangs*
FRIDAY, OCT 3
9:00a
10:00a
Coffee + Connect
12:00p
Presentation 5
11:00a
1:30p
3:30p
4:00p
Presentation 6
6:30p
Lunch Break
Presentation 7
2:30p
Demo 2
30-Minute Break
5:00p
Presentation 8
Presentation 9
Dinner/Hangs*
SATURDAY, OCT 4
9:00a
10:00a - 1:00p
Registration + Coffee+ Connect
3:00p - 6:00p
Workshops (AM BLOCK)
1:00p
6:30p
2-Hour Lunch Break
Workshops (PM BLOCK)
Farewell Hangs*
* Locations for meetups/dinners/hangs will be emailed to conference attendees.
EVENT VENUES & HOTEL
LOCATIONS
Our event venues are located at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, right off the G train line, making it easy to access from anywhere in the city. Be sure to secure your stay at our partner hotel for the best rates in the city.
PRESENTATIONS
WORKSHOPS
HOTEL
HOLIDAY INN: BROOKLYN DOWNTOWN
300 Schermerhorn Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Union group rate starting at $279/night.
Rate ends September 2, 2025
CREATIVE WORKS EAST '25
SPONSORS
A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting our community. Please take a moment to visit their websites and show your support. If you're interested in becoming a Creative Works sponsor, we'd love to hear from you. Don't hesitate to reach out and connect with us.
Interested in supporting Creative Works EAST?
Don’t hesitate to reach out.
COMMUNITY AT THE CORE.
Creative Works offers an intimate, welcoming, and ego-free conference experience designed to empower and connect. For over a decade, we’ve built a genuinely community-focused atmosphere that fosters new relationships and creative growth.
Share daily drinks and meals with fellow attendees and event leaders who are excited to be there—and to meet you.
FAQS
What is Creative Works Conference?
At its core, Creative Works is a hub for inspiration, connection, growth, and celebration, designed specifically for creative professionals and commercial artists. But it’s so much more than that. With eye-opening presentations, insightful demos, hands-on workshops, curated vendors, and meaningful connections, this event is whatever you need it to be: a confidence booster, a skill builder, a network expander, or even a career changer. The possibilities are endless—it’s up to you to make the most of it.
Who’s is it for?
Creative Works Conference is for any creative eager to sharpen their skills, build meaningful in-person relationships, and learn from some of the industry’s most talented and innovative thinkers. Whether you’re an artist looking to leverage your craft for commercial work or an experienced professional ready to elevate your career, this is your opportunity to grow and connect with fellow creatives from around the country. All you need is a willingness to learn, listen, and be fully present!
Why should I attend?
The conference isn’t just an event—it’s a catalyst for exponential growth in your creative work and career. By plugging into a community of like-minded professionals from across the country, you’ll gain invaluable connections, actionable insights from industry experts, and practical skills to propel your career forward. Growth within a community isn’t just incremental—it’s transformative. Need help convincing your boss? We’ve got the tools to make your case.
What is the cost to attend?
A conference pass is your first step and grants you access to the main-stage presentations, demos, and networking opportunities. Make sure to take advantage of early-bird, nonprofit student, educator and team discounts.
Workshops: Launching by August 1, workshops are $149 per 3-hour block, with two blocks available to choose from. These are an additional purchase and offer hands-on, in-depth learning with industry leaders.
Partner Passes: If you’re traveling with your significant other, partner passes are available. These passes provide access to nightly dinners and the after party, ensuring a shared experience without requiring a full conference pass.
Student & Faculty Program: If you’re a college or university and need deeper discounts, we offer a special program to reduce ticket costs for students and faculty while providing recognition for your school at our event.
If you have any questions or need additional information, don’t hesitate to reach out: josh@creativeworks.co.
Can I present or instruct at a future event?
Our conference values diverse perspectives and experiences, and we’re always looking for dynamic speakers and workshop leaders. To be considered, you must have attended the conference or be recommended by someone who has previously presented or instructed at one of our events. If you’re interested, please submit your information through our contact form, and we’ll keep it on file for future opportunities.
Where should I stay?
We recommend staying in the neighborhoods surrounding Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, which is conveniently located on the G train line. Our friends at Holiday Inn are offering a special group rate starting at $279/night for conference attendees. Book your room today to secure this discounted rate! Available until September 2, 2025.
What’s the refund policy?
We understand that plans can change. Refunds are available for tickets canceled at least 30 days prior to the event. After that, tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another attendee. If you have any questions, email josh@creativeworks.co, and we’ll be happy to assist.
Do you have a code of conduct?
Yes, we take our community’s safety and well-being seriously. Our code of conduct ensures a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone—attendees, speakers, vendors, and staff. We expect all participants to adhere to this policy, which you can review here.
How can I support your event?
There are many ways to support Creative Works EAST and help empower our community:
Sponsorships: If you’re an organization or individual interested in supporting the event, reach out to explore opportunities to help make this experience unforgettable. More than logos on stuff, we focus on custom opportunities that make an impact while also achieving your organizations goals.
Partnerships: If you’re interested in a longer-term partnership, we’d love to collaborate on providing our community with the tools and resources they need to stay inspired and thrive for years to come.
Spread the word: Share our event with your networks to help us reach more creatives who can benefit from the experience.
We can’t do this alone. Your support is invaluable in helping us grow our impact and create opportunities for creatives to connect, learn, and thrive. For more details or to get involved, email josh@creativeworks.co.
THIS ISN’T ABOUT FAME, FOLLOWERS, OR FAST MONEY.
It’s About Craft, Conviction, and Building a Career That Lasts.