The Design + Marketing Summit 2024

As a designer, you know that your font choices can make or break the messages you’re trying to get across in your design work. And having a deeper understanding of how the human brain works will help you make more effective font choices. This session dives into the fascinating intersection of language, neuroscience, and typography, exploring how fonts act as a gateway to human experience of written language.

Topics include:

• Discover the magic of language and how it activates different regions of your brain, shaping emotions, memories, and understanding.
• Learn how font choices go beyond aesthetics, influencing how we perceive and engage with written words.
• Explore how typefaces can trigger specific feelings, from playful whimsy to authoritative trust, enhancing the impact of your message.
• See how fonts can visually guide the reader, creating a narrative flow and enriching the storytelling experience.

Unleash the potential of paper and packaging! This session dives into the world of innovative design, showcasing how everyday materials are being transformed into remarkable creations.

Prepare to be amazed by:

• Sustainable Solutions: Discover eco-friendly packaging that minimizes waste and maximizes impact.
• Interactive Experiences: Explore packaging that goes beyond containment, transforming into functional objects or playful surprises.
• Sensory Storytelling: Witness how today’s paper choices offer textures, finishes, and clever construction to elevate packaging into a captivating brand experience.
• Form Meets Function: See how brilliant design merges aesthetics with functionality, creating packaging that’s both beautiful and user-friendly.

Design can seem daunting at first, but fear not! Templates are your secret weapon to unlock the power of InDesign. This session is perfect for anyone who wants to understand InDesign better but feels overwhelmed by a blank canvas. By using templates as a stepping stone, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert and creating stunning designs in no time!

We’ll unveil:

• The Secrets Hidden within Templates: Learn how to dissect a template, understand its structure, and unlock the power of styles and parent pages.
• Hands-on Exploration: Get comfortable with the InDesign interface by rearranging elements, experimenting with fonts, and swapping images in a template.
• A Playground for Creativity: We’ll show you how to duplicate and modify templates to create your own unique designs—risk-free!
• Going Beyond the Template: Learn valuable resources like built-in tutorials and online courses to take your InDesign skills to the next level.

This session equips you with the tools to turn your client or boss into a design champion! Learn how to leverage the power of visuals to present your ideas with clarity, impact, and persuasion.

Topics include:

• Visual Storytelling: Go beyond words and use mockups, mood boards, and data visualizations to tell a compelling story about your design choices.
• Focus on Benefits: Align your design with the client’s goals and translate design features into clear benefits for their business.
• Anticipate Objections: Prepare variations and address potential concerns in advance, demonstrating your design thinking and flexibility.
• The Power of Presentation: Learn the art of presenting your designs, practice clear communication, and be ready to answer questions confidently.

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, know, or learn? This session equips you with the knowledge and tools to tackle any design challenge with confidence! We'll unveil the secrets to becoming a design pro, covering everything from efficient learning to seamless project management.

Topics include:

• Discover Effective Learning Strategies: Explore various methods to learn new design skills, from online courses and tutorials to community forums and self-directed exploration.
• Tame the Asset Chaos: Explore strategies for managing design assets — fonts, images, logos, and more — to ensure efficient access and maintain project consistency.
• Streamline Your Workflow: Discover productivity hacks and project management tools to keep your projects on track and deadlines met.
• Arm Yourself with the Right Tools: Uncover the industry-standard design tools you’ll need to excel, and explore alternative software options based on your specific design needs.
• Beyond the Basics: Learn about lesser-known tools that can enhance your workflow and add a creative edge to your projects.

Learning how to use your design tools is important, but even more important is learning how to see and how to think about design!

Over the past 50 years, world-renowned graphic designer Paula Scher has revolutionized our field with her bold, iconic, and often controversial work. Her designs, characterized by their vibrant colors, distinctive typography, and thought-provoking imagery, have become synonymous with cultural movements and social commentary.

Join Paula for this rare opportunity to see through her eyes as she describes some of her favorite projects and explains her decision process. After her presentation, you will be able to join her in a live, informal Q&A chat.

Scher believes that design should not be merely functional but should also engage and inspire audiences while standing the test of time. She emphasizes the importance of creating authentic and memorable designs that communicate a brand’s identity and message while resonating with consumers on an emotional level.

Color is everywhere, and it can be a powerful tool in your design and marketing arsenal. This session dives into the world of color theory, helping you unlock its potential to grab attention, influence emotions, and drive results.

You’ll learn to unleash the power of color:

• Psychology of Color: Explore how different colors evoke specific emotions and associations, allowing you to target your audience on a deeper level.
• Building Your Brand Identity: Discover how to choose a color palette that aligns with your brand personality and resonates with your target demographic.
• Color for Action: Understand how to use color strategically to guide user behavior and encourage conversions in your marketing materials.
• Beyond the Basics: Explore advanced color concepts like contrast, saturation, and cultural considerations for a well-rounded understanding of color in design.

Feeling stuck in a rut? Doubting your creative spark? This session reignites your passion and equips you with the tools to become a confident creative force.

Topics include:

• Overcoming the Fear Factor: Learn to identify and dismantle the roadblocks holding you back, such as fear of failure or self-doubt.
• Embrace the Imperfect: Discover the power of experimentation and iteration in the creative process. Learn to view “mistakes” as stepping stones to breakthrough ideas.
• Find Your Creative Flow: Explore strategies to cultivate a creative mindset and tap into a steady stream of inspiration.
• Building a Creative Toolkit: Learn valuable techniques and exercises to jump-start your creative process and generate fresh ideas consistently.
• Developing Your Creative Voice: Discover how to identify your unique creative strengths and express them with confidence.

Data is king, but raw numbers can be a snoozefest. This session ignites your marketing strategy by transforming data into captivating visuals that tell a clear, impactful story. Learn how to unlock hidden insights and make informed marketing decisions with the power of data visualization.

Topics include:

• See the Bigger Picture: Discover how data visualization helps you identify trends, patterns, and relationships within your marketing data, revealing valuable insights that might otherwise go unnoticed.
• Speak the Language of Your Audience: Learn how to choose the right charts, graphs, and visuals to effectively communicate complex information in a way that’s easy for anyone to understand.
• Data Storytelling: Unleash the power of data to tell a compelling story about your marketing performance, customer behavior, and campaign effectiveness.
• Boost Engagement and Impact: Learn how data visualization can grab attention, spark conversation, and make your marketing reports and presentations more engaging and impactful.
• Actionable Insights: Discover how to translate data visualizations into actionable insights that inform your marketing strategies and drive measurable results.

In today’s digital world, captivating visuals are essential for marketing success. This session dives deep into the art and science of marketing photography, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to create photos that grab attention, resonate with your audience, and drive results.

Topics include:

• The Core Principles: Master the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and exposure to create visually compelling photographs.
• Emotional Connection: Learn how to evoke positive emotions and tell a story through your images, building a deeper connection with your target audience.
• Brand Alignment: Discover how to choose photographs that visually represent your brand message and resonate with your specific demographic.
• Product in Action: Showcase your product or service in real-world scenarios, helping viewers envision themselves using it and experiencing its benefits.
• The Call to Action: Learn how to subtly encourage viewers to take the next step, like visiting a website or making a purchase.

Knowing how to work with motion is quickly becoming a must for any designer. Thankfully, it’s not as intimidating as you think! By the end of this session, you’ll be armed with a variety of user-friendly techniques for bringing designs to life through animation.

Topics include:

• Storytelling on Steroids: Learn how animation breathes life into your message, fostering emotional connections and brand loyalty.
• Real-World Inspiration: See animation in action with captivating case studies showcasing successful social media campaigns.
• Know Your Audience: Tailor your animation style and message to resonate with your specific target demographic.
• Snackable Stories: Learn how to optimize animation length for different platforms, keeping viewers engaged from Instagram Stories to YouTube.
• Calls to Action Made Easy: Integrate subtle CTAs to spark audience interaction and drive results.

Words are powerful, but design can speak volumes too! In this session, we’ll explore how to craft impactful stories using visual elements. Learn how to grab attention, evoke emotions, and guide viewers on a journey through strategic design choices.

Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or entrepreneur, this session will equip you to tell powerful stories and connect with your audience on a deeper level—all without uttering a single word.

Uncover secrets to:

• Hook viewers from the start with captivating visuals and emotional connections.
• Build a cohesive world with consistent style and a clear narrative flow.
• Let the details speak for themselves through symbolic elements and strategic use of white space.
• Create a call to action that leaves a lasting impression.