Friday’s sessions were great. The hard part was figuring out when to eat and go see Memphis. Here are my thoughts from those I attended.
Adobe Breakfast Workshop: Exploring Creative Suite 4, Claudia McCue
What it was: The latest features in CS4 presented by one of Adobe’s evangelists. What I thought: It was nice to get the highlights presented to us by a pro, and better to get her email address for later!
In between sessions I browsed the AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers of 2008 exhibit, and the PostGig poster exhibit. What it was: the best-designed jackets and books, and some beautiful band posters from some of the best artists and designers in the country. What I thought: Would security notice if I walked out with these?
Affinity Session
Pricing Your Work, David C. Baker. What it was: A hard-nosed business consultant giving valuable tips on positioning, contracts, estimating and more. What I thought: I’m gad I have salaried job.
In the afternoon we skipped some of the conference to see Sun Studios, the Memphis Mecca where Elvis, Carl, Johnny and Jerry Lee recorded. The tour, by a guy named “Dave” might have been the best guided tour I’ve ever had!
General Session
Welcome and Introduction, Kurt Anderson
Command X: Season 2. What it was: Five students redesigned Cap’n Crunch. What I thought: Psychedelic type looks surprisingly good on a cereal box
The Design of Google, Marissa Meyer. What it was: An explanation of the minutia of Google’s semi-minimalist interface. What I thought: OK, but it needs better design.
Design and the Liberal Arts Education, Elizabeth Coleman. What it was: The Presidet of Bennington bemoans technical education and the timmidity of the tenure system. What I thought: These design profs had better not catch her alone on Beale Steet.
Winterhouse Awards for Design Writing and Citicism, Willam Drenttel
Makers and Thinkers, Stefan G. Bucher. What it was: A German makes monsters from ink and compressed air. What I thought: Very cool drawings.
Happy Hour in the Exhibits Area
Student Portfolio Review. What it was: dozens of design students presenting their work in “speed interviews.” What I thought: MTSU students looked really good.
Film Night: Typeface, directed by Justine Nagan
What it was: A film about a wood type museum. What I thought: This film makes me sad for letterpress.
We skipped the Design Observer party at the New Daisy Theater and stayed in on a rainy night.
