Tag Archive for: design

Walsworth Sponsored Breakfast Session: Lessons from the Prepress Trenches

This session is sponsored by Walsworth

Properly setting up your document is crucial; however, there are instances where prepress intervention may be necessary. In this session, you will learn about the adjustments that can be made and the limitations that may arise. Additionally, you will discover how to prevent some of the most frequent mistakes, thereby avoiding potentially costly alteration charges.

 

Creative Wow!

Come see and/or share amazing software demos from around the world! CreativeWow is an informal and fun lunchtime event where designers and developers can connect and find ways to make magic.*

Designers: Do you enjoy finding ways to become more efficient and productive? Do you like seeing amazing technology? Bring your lunch and see what cool things the devs have been up to!

Developers: Do you have a software challenge that you’ve been working on in your spare time? Or some feature, tool, or service that you’ve developed that is just so cool you have to share it? Come show it at the CreativeWow! event. The rules are simple: You have 5 minutes to fire up and demo your stuff in front of an audience of your peers. To sign up, contact David.

*Author and futurist Arthur C. Clark once wrote, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”

Paper Party: Let’s Get Tactile!

Paper is as distinctive as fonts—each type of paper has its own “voice” and personality. And yet, the only way to truly understand paper and printing is to feel it with your own hands. In the old days there were plenty of opportunities for design professionals to experience a wide variety of paper stocks, so they could make good decisions when it came to print. Of course, that’s very rare today.

So, we’re throwing a paper party! Join internationally renowned paper expert Sabine Lenz from PaperSpecs as she leads a fun and educational experience like no other.

Topics include:

  • Understanding paper terminology
  • Why choosing the right stock for your project matters
  • How a printed piece can make or break your sale
  • Why print means “Quality” (and how not to mess it up)

Design for Minds: The Neuroscience of Impact

Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about transforming how information is processed and retained. By understanding the neuroscience behind perception, designers can create work that not only captures attention but also enhances learning and memory. This session will equip your team with the knowledge to optimize cognitive load, apply neuropsychological principles, and design with the brain’s natural learning patterns in mind.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Master cognitive load optimization for maximum audience retention
  • Apply neuropsychology principles to create unforgettable experiences
  • Design with the brain’s natural learning patterns to ensure lasting impact

Closing Session

It’s time to bring this five-day CreativePro extravaganza to a close. Join us for one last opportunity to catch a tip, win a prize, and learn what’s next on the horizon.

A Curious Commitment: Building Habits That Foster Creativity, Learning, and Success

For many of us, CreativePro Week is a peak experience, where we are inspired to connect and learn more than any other time of the year. But after you get home, it’s what you do with the next 51 weeks that will determine your level of success.

How do you overcome feelings of constant busyness, distraction, and exhaustion to stay focused on growing yourself? How do you make learning a habit, to consistently build and add useful skills, and use your time to accomplish meaningful long-term goals?

Learn how to carry the spark of CreativePro Week with you the whole year long!

Hands-On Creativity and Design

As designers, our software skills are a huge advantage, making it easy for us to branch out into new creative realms, but—only if we’re willing to put down our mouse now and then. After all, studies show that creating with our hands is as good for the brain as it is for the soul!

In this session, Khara Plicanic shares what’s possible when you mix Adobe know-how with analog play, some glue, and an endless amount of curiosity.

You’ll (re)discover:

  • Easy ideas for adding more hands-on creativity to your life
  • Resources for ongoing exploration and experimentation
  • Delightful ways analog elements can enhance your digital projects

Word Craft

You may not have “copywriter” in your job title, but that doesn’t mean you can’t craft your words more effectively. Sharpen some fundamentals, and you’ll be able to put them to good use—whether you’re captioning social media posts, writing emails and landing pages, or building compelling marketing messages.

In this session, you’ll discover how to:

  • Speak to the most important person of all: your reader
  • Use the magic power of… honesty
  • Streamline and turbocharge your text
  • Unflubbify your writing

Making it Fun: Lessons from a Career in Creativity

Join Michael Flarup for an inspiring journey through the highs and lows of a career in creativity. Drawing on more than two decades as a designer, iconist, author, and game developer, Michael reveals how playful exploration, intentional work, and an unyielding pursuit of joy can help you find success and creative fulfillment. You’ll learn how to tap into your passions and embrace experimentation while learning from mistakes. Sharing candid stories along with practical strategies, Michael will have you rethinking what it means to be “successful” while helping you focus on what truly matters: having fun while making meaningful work.

Don’t miss this opportunity to:

  • Discover how to use your passions to fuel a fulfilling career
  • Learn the secret weapon that will make you be able to take on any project
  • Embrace the unexpected and find joy in the iterative, imperfect process of creation
  • Walk away with actionable ideas to reignite your curiosity and stay motivated

Designing for Print

Far from being dead, print is a tactile, immersive medium that demands a different approach than screen design. Chris Carls walks you through the key principles, tools, and techniques for elevating your designs of everything from brochures and business cards to large-format posters and packaging.

We’ll cover everything from color theory and resolution to prepress preparation, and you’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls—such as like color shifts or poor-quality images—that can ruin an otherwise great design. You’ll also learn tips for working efficiently with print vendors, understanding file types, and using industry-standard tools to get the most out of your design software.

Topics include:

  • Understand color modes and color profiles for accurate print output
  • Learn the critical difference between RGB vs. CMYK and how to work in each for the best results
  • Set up your files properly for bleed, trim, and safe areas to avoid costly mistakes
  • Gain insight into working with typefaces and images to ensure they print at their best
  • Learn to communicate with your print vendors and ensure your designs are translated perfectly to paper