The Font Detective

/in ,


Thomas Phinney

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

The Font Detective

Thursday, 10:15 am – 11:00 am

We all use fonts every day, but we rarely think how they place and date us. But fonts leave tell-tale clues, and those clues can unravel mysteries (or create new ones)! But here’s one person who is paying attention—a Sherlock Holmes of Typography: Thomas Phinney, Font Detective.

In this short adventure, Thomas opens our eyes to thinking about fonts in a different way, presenting his clues and fascinating conclusions from several of his cases:

  • the Case of the Concealed Credits (2017) (featuring Justin Timberlake and will.i.am!)
  • the Secret of the Special Sack (ca. 1870)
  • the Quarterback Conundrum (2009)
  • the Misleading Mortgage (2004)
  • and this year’s headline-grabbing case of a Canadian businessman and bogus, backdated trust documents. (Come up with the best snazzy nickname and win a prize!)

Of course, it’s not CreativePro Week without some “how to,” so Thomas will show you how to use his Adobe-patented (!) font ID approach, and handy online tools for font identification.


Back to Agenda

Designing Drool-Worthy Presentations

/in ,


Jole Simmons

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

Designing Drool-Worthy Presentations

Thursday, 10:15 am – 11:00 am

“I love dry, boring presentations!” said no one, ever.



So let’s change that! In this session, Jole will teach you how to take those average, mundane slides built to bore and transform them into slides that will keep your audience engaged, entertained and informed.

This session includes:

  • How to put the bullet points to bed and introduce you to cleaner ways to present your message without all that text.
  • How to create “showstopper slides” — the crowning jewel of every awesome presentation.
  • And most importantly, since time is money, how to do these things quickly and easily.

Back to Agenda

Managing Editorial Design Across Print and Digital

/in ,


Dian Holton

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

Managing Editorial Design Across Print and Digital

Thursday, 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Join Dian as she discusses what it’s like to provide visual solutions for AARP, a nonprofit that advocates for the 50+ demographic. (Spoiler alert: It’s not all about using a larger typeface!) From designing compelling layouts, working with award winning illustrators, and commissioning dynamic photographers, Dian will share some work highlights and challenges that go into servicing a demographic that is ‘empowered to choose how they live as they age.’

Hear about the latest digital newsletters she has launched, refreshed, and grown—in addition to AARP The Magazine, the largest circulation magazine in the country.

This session will include:

  • Art directing and creating visual solutions that start in print with the intent cross platform usage
  • Managing time, expectations, and resources within an every changing media environment.
  • Overseeing multiple digital newsletters with narrow audiences and challenging deadlines
  • Intentionally hiring diverse creatives

Back to Agenda

A Life in Presentation Design

/in ,


Mark Heaps

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

A Life in Presentation Design

Thursday, 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Mark Heaps has been working as a professional creative for his entire career. For more than the last decade his focus has leaned towards presentation media. During this session Mark will discuss his thoughts on having a career in this particular field of work, what is going on today, and where is it headed in the future. Together we’ll review a growing industry, it’s opportunities, and some of the trends that are driving it’s momentum to some of the highest offices in businesses today.


Back to Agenda

Make a Mobile App with InDesign and HTML

/in ,

Keith Gilbert

Keith Gilbert

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

Make a Mobile App with InDesign and HTML

Wednesday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Creating a mobile app can be expensive, usually requiring complex programming or a subscription to an app-building service.
Or, you can attend this session to learn how to build a complete content-rich mobile app yourself for less than $200! We will use InDesign, in5, and Adobe PhoneGap Build. This method works well for projects such as travel guides, “how-to” apps, or interactive annual reports. You will learn how to:
  • Identify if your project is a good fit for this type of workflow
  • Set up InDesign files with interactivity for mobile content creation
  • Export HTML output from InDesign using the in5 plug-in
  • Use Adobe PhoneGap Build (included with Creative Cloud) to build apps for iOS and Android that include your InDesign-built HTML content
  • Enroll as an Apple and Android developer and submit your app to App Stores

Back to Agenda

InDesign: Three Minutes Max

/in ,


David Blatner

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

InDesign: Three Minutes Max

Wednesday, 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm

Eight world-famous experts… Three minutes each… Only one winner! Watch as our presenters vie for the best 3-minute InDesign tip. One lucky audience member will win our grand prize!

This is one of the top-rated sessions at CreativePro Week. Don’t miss it!


Back to Agenda

Mastering PDF Commenting and Review with InDesign

/in ,


Conrad Chavez

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

Mastering PDF Commenting and Review with InDesign

Wednesday, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Adobe PDF is a natural format for doing document reviews, because it’s easy to read on many platforms and supports annotation tools. The Acrobat review workflow is even more flexible than ever with support for easier reviews online, on mobile devices, and now integrating InDesign itself. Compare different types of PDF review cycles, and learn how to take advantage of the latest reviewing features such as processing PDF comments in Adobe InDesign, and using Document Cloud online reviews.
  • Choose an appropriate commenting workflow
  • Understand the range of commenting tools
  • Run a Document Cloud online review
  • View PDF comments in InDesign
  • Tips for running a PDF review efficiently and effectively

Back to Agenda

Data Merge Zero to 60

/in ,


Colin Flashman

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

Data Merge Zero to 60

Wednesday, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Data Merge is InDesign’s built-in, go-to tool for creating direct mail campaigns, business cards, sequential stationery, and many other “data publishing” documents. Using techniques already present in InDesign, it is possible to take a regular “stencil” to another level and provide a truly unique experience for each recipient.

Topics include:

  • Best practices for preparing Data Merge projects
  • Harnessing InDesign’s features to make projects more dynamic
  • Advanced techniques such as changing colors or layouts during a merge
  • Scripts and other methods of adding data to a project

Back to Agenda

EPUB from InDesign: An Overview

/in ,


Guy van der Kolk

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

EPUB from InDesign: An Overview

Wednesday, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

You want to take your InDesign document (that you are so used to preparing for PDF) and turn it into an EPUB. Or perhaps your boss or customer is asking you if you can produce an EPUB. Don’t put off learning this important skill any longer! In this session we’ll be talking about the pro’s and cons of EPUB, so you can best advise your client or company. And we’ll also unleash our inner geek with a peak at the power of CSS.

Topics will include:

  • What is EPUB, and why should you build one?
  • What does and doesn’t work in EPUB
  • The pro’s and con’s of using InDesign as a vehicle for EPUB
  • How to set up your InDesign document for maximum success

Back to Agenda

Trends and Techniques for Print in 2019

/in ,


Doris Brown-McNally

ARCHIVE: This session was presented at CreativePro Week 2019 in Seattle.

Trends and Techniques for Print in 2019

Wednesday, 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm

Print has the power to deliver phenomenal results and visual impact. Join us as Doris Brown-McNally shows you how to use today’s newest print techniques to deliver unparalleled results. Bring your designs to life with coatings and varnishes that replicate the look and feel of any texture, create instant brand memorability, increase perceived value.
  • Making it personal: how customization and personalization makes all the difference
  • Effects matter
  • Designing with print in mind
  • Customer collaboration

Back to Agenda