THANK YOU SEATTLE!
We are overwhelmed with gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us for our first-ever Creative Works WEST event. Your energy, creativity, and passion made this experience truly unforgettable. Check out our event recap video photo galleries below. These memories are not only a celebration of what we’ve achieved together but also an inspiration for what’s next…Stay tuned!
SPEAKERS & INSTRUCTORS
LINEUP
Our presenters and workshop instructors are masters of their craft, each with a unique perspective and body of work that’s bound to ignite your creative spirit. Get ready to connect with these outstanding individuals in person this spring. Don't forget to explore their work - follow the links below!
EYE-OPENING
PRESENTATIONS
These distinguished visionaries will captivate you with heartfelt presentations, infused with conviction. They offer profound insights into the impact of thoughtful design and generously share lessons learned on their inspiring creative journey.
I'm Not Done Yet: A talk
about Aging in Design
Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagram
Artivism: The Power of Art to Change the World
Nikkolas Smith, ARTivist, Artist, Designer, Author, and Illustrator
Crafting the Life You Want
Jessica Hische, Lettering Artist & Author
Get Over Yourself: Letting
Go of Ego Without Losing
Your Soul
Ryan & Don Clark, Invisible Creature
How The Lemonade Is Made: It Ain't an L if You Learned a Lesson from It.
André Hueston Mack, Designer, Entrepreneur & Author
Play as Practice: The importance of play in the creative process
Nishat Akhtar, Chief Creative Officer at Instrument
The Art of Building a
Creative Studio
Clinton Campbell, Miné Day & Brad Hodgskiss, MUTI
The Mexican Güey: Design beyond the Fiesta, Siesta
and Luchadores
Quique Ollervides, Designer, Illustrator & Letterer
Chasing Dreams, Not Dollars: The Power of Letting Conviction Lead Your Career
Allan Peters, Peters Design Company
AMID THE AI JOURNEY: Hype,
fear and joy in text-to-image generation
Marian Bantjes, Designer, Typographer, Writer & Illustrator
Time is Water: Embracing
Non-Linearity in your
Creative Practice
Annika Hansteen-Izora, Writer, Product Designer & Creative Director
CONFRONTING OBSTACLES: Recounting a battle with cancer & how creativity
saved me
Josh Kenyon, Owner & Creative Director at Jolby
Catalogue - A Panel Discussion on
What defines great design
Michael Ellsworth, Co-Founder, Principal at Civilization
SKILL-BUILDING
WORKSHOPS
Twelve 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. Signup today.
FRIDAY @ 9AM
— CHOOSE ONE PER DAY —
#HANDLETTERING
SCRAPPY LETTERING & TEXTURE
Cymone Wilder, Art Director & Lettering Artist
Dive into the world of lettering and texture with a scrappy twist in this engaging 3-hour workshop led by Cymone. Say goodbye to elaborate tools and embrace a hands-on, tactical approach to create impactful lettering without the frills. Discover the art of building letters from basic shapes and infusing your work with texture and emotion using the most affordable, straightforward (and occasionally quirky) techniques. Learn how to unleash your lettering in the most resourceful and playful manner possible.
#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
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
DESIGN SYSTEMS & BRAND STORIES
August Heffner & Arietta Tetreault, Instrument
Challenge the conventional notion that product designers must choose between crafting seamless systems (UX/UI) or telling compelling brand narratives. What if you could harness the power of both? Join August and Arietta to explore how to merge the strengths of experience design and brand design to create a harmonious and impactful approach. And discover the potential of wielding these powerful skills not just for clients, but also for your personal and community-driven projects.
#PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY & LIGHTING TECHNIQUES FOR PORTFOLIO & WEB
Winnie Westergard, Photographer, Artist & Educator
Use your smartphone camera to unleash the impact of your website as we delve into making impeccable photo documentation of your 2D and 3D work. Explore a range of simple yet effective lighting techniques, along with invaluable tips and tricks both during the shoot and in post-production to bring out the best in your images. Understand the nuances of what distinguishes a successful image and gain insights into various portfolio options, learning how to impeccably present your work.
#LETTERPRESS
PRINT WORTHY
Amos Kennedy Jr., Printer, Book Artist & Papermaker
Immerse yourself in the art of letterpress with the esteemed Amos Kennedy Jr. In this exclusive 3-hour workshop, Amos will provide a captivating introduction to the art and equipment, sharing insights into his unique process and convictions about the craft. Witness the meticulous setup of the type bed and experience the magic of printing firsthand. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of letterpress, guided by one of the most revered printers and activists of our time.
SATURDAY @ 9AM
— CHOOSE ONE PER DAY —
#HANDLETTERING
FLOURISHED SCRIPT LETTERING
Ken Barber, Lettering Artist, Type Designer & Author
Join Ken for this 3-hour workshop packed with techniques for drawing captivating flourishes to elevate logotypes, packaging, and publications. Delve into the art of formal script, exploring ornamental linework inspired by models from the 18th to the 21st century. Learn stroke construction basics, entry/exit points for embellished letters, and skill-building exercises for fluid movement and spatial balance. Discover how to combine strokes for intricate compositions, addressing vital elements like volume, proportion, and shading.
#BRANDING
BRAND CONCEPTS & FRAMEWORKS
Kim Sutherland & Fritz Mesenbrink, Official Manufacturing Co. (OMFGCO)
Collaborate with Kim and Fritz in this dynamic, hands-on session to craft a brand concept and framework for a Seattle non-profit in need of a rebrand. We’ll begin with a case study of a recent OMFGCO project, showcasing their process from beginning to end. Then, we’ll dive into research and explore how to shape a robust brand framework and concept. These strategic early-stage phases not only help to get your client on-board but establish essential guardrails for whole-team alignment in building a brand. Oh, and it will be fun too, we promise!
#ILLUSTRATION
DESIGN & PRODUCE YOUR OWN ENAMEL PIN
Learn the intricacies of DKNG’s design and illustration process from concept development to final file preparation, gaining insights into file setup and essential considerations for pin manufacturing. Delve into the nuances of production, including upfront costs and pricing strategies for both retail and wholesale scenarios. Whether you're a novice or seasoned designer, this workshop is your gateway to transforming concepts into tangible, wearable art.
#PRODUCTDESIGN
DESIGN SYSTEM REMIX
Jessica Cottone & Suvani Dave, Instrument
Uncover the art of transforming seemingly rigid design systems into dynamic, adaptable ecosystems in this 3-hour, hands-on workshop led by Jessica and Suvani. Learn the secrets of maintaining creative control while drawing inspiration from the unexpected and delve into the process of evolving brands for digital experiences to resonate with diverse audiences and varied environments.
#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.
#LETTERPRESS
MONOPRINT & STENCIL
Bradley Taylor, Artist, Printmaker & Educator
Discover the captivating art of monoprint, a unique process involving the application of ink to a plexiglass plate using either a brush or a breyer. Gain hands-on instruction on creating diverse textures and effects within the ink, which are then meticulously transferred onto paper through a press. Explore the use of stencils to produce sharp and graphic images, either using available stencils or creating your own for a truly personalized touch.
The Creative Works Pop-Up Market brings designers, makers, and brands from all over the country to one place. And we open the whole thing up to the public. Join us Friday & Saturday (April 26 & 27) at the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center from 10 - 6pm. Interested in vending? Send us a link to your shop.
MARKET
CREATIVE WORKS POP-UP
MAPLE VALLEY, WA
LOS ANGELES, CA
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
DETROIT, MI
LATIN AMERICA
SEATTLE, WA
ORLANDO, FL
SEATTLE, WA
BROOKLYN, NY
DENVER, CO
MEMPHIS, TN
KANSAS CITY, MO
LOUISVILLE, KY
BREMERTON, WA
PORTLAND, OR
SEATTLE, WA
PORTLAND, OR
SEATTLE, WA
VANCOUVER, BC
CHICAGO, IL
PORTLAND, OR
SEATTLE, WA
PORTLAND, OR
NEW YORK, NY
OAKLAND, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA
SEATTLE , WA
AMERICAN POSTER INSTITUTE
FLATSTOCK 94
We’ve teamed up with the American Poster Institute (API) to bring you FLATSTOCK 94! Join us Friday & Saturday (April 26 & 27) at the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center from 10 - 6pm to see and shop prints from poster artists from all across the globe. Flatstock is open to the public.
Factory 43
Seattle, WA
Rebo
Houston + Austin, TX
BOSS CONSTRUCTION
Nashville, TN
Birdwatchers Studio
Philadelphia, PA
Lil Tuffy
San Francisco, CA
Giov.be
LiÈge, Belgium
Samaritan Press
Olympia, WA
POWERSLIDE DESIGN CO.
SEATTLE, WA
Jayes Caitlin
Portland, OR
Barry Blankenship
Bremerton, WA
Furturtle Show Prints
Midvale, UT
CREATIVE WORKS CONFERENCE WEST
SPONSORS
A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors for their unwavering belief in our mission. 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 becoming a sponsor?
Reach out to us.