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

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

Sure, digital is great, but in many situations, print is far more effective! Join us as we explore when and why print excels, as well as how best to take advantage of new (and old!) print techniques for phenomenal results and maximum visual impact.

Topics include:

• Why print results in measurably better returns than onscreen experiences
• Bringing your designs to life with coatings and varnishes that replicate the look and feel of any texture
• Building instant brand recognition
• Increasing perceived value through haptic response
• How digital presses can create amazing analog experiences

Designers have struggled with 3D tools for decades, but Adobe has some new (and currently free!) tools that make building and using 3D art not just much easier… but even fun! Stop trying to “make it pop” with old style drop shadows and start bringing your art to life with real 3D objects that you can place into any Photoshop or Illustrator document (and then use for print, social media, interactive, and more).

Topics include:

• Getting started with the mind-blowing Project Neo
• How Substance 3D Viewer seamlessly integrates into Photoshop
• Fast ideation and concept visualization
• Bringing your 3D objects into Illustrator

Visuals aren’t about making things pretty—they’re about communicating ideas quickly, clearly, and effectively. And they’re your secret weapon for telling stories that people connect with. The right visuals help your audience see themselves in your message through an emotional connection or a clear call to action. It’s time to stop letting your visuals sit there and look nice—let’s turn them into superheroes that fight for clarity and drive action.

You’ll learn how to:

• Use visuals to cut through the clutter
• Avoid vague content
• Deliver and reinforce the right message with impact