THANK YOU SEATTLE!

We are overwhelmed with gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us for our first-ever Creative Works WEST event. Your energy, creativity, and passion made this experience truly unforgettable. Check out our event recap video photo galleries below. These memories are not only a celebration of what we’ve achieved together but also an inspiration for what’s next…Stay tuned!

VIDEO RECAP

PHOTO GALLERIES

SPEAKERS & INSTRUCTORS

LINEUP

Our presenters and workshop instructors are masters of their craft, each with a unique perspective and body of work that’s bound to ignite your creative spirit. Get ready to connect with these outstanding individuals in person this spring. Don't forget to explore their work - follow the links below!


Paula Scher

Partner at Pentagram

Nikkolas Smith

ARTivist, Artist, Designer, Author, and Illustrator

Jessica Hische

Lettering Artist & Author

Ryan & Don Clark

Invisible Creature

André Hueston Mack

Designer, Entrepreneur & Author

Ken Barber

Lettering Artist, Type Designer & Author

Nishat Akhtar

Chief Creative Officer at Instrument

Clinton Campbell,
Miné Day &
Brad Hodgskiss

Partners at MUTI

Amos Kennedy Jr.

Printer, Book Artist & Papermaker

Brian McDonald

Filmmaker, Story Consultant and Author

Quique Ollervides

Designer, Illustrator & Letterer

Dan Kuhlken &
Nathan Goldman

DKNG

Allan Peters

Peters Design Company

Kim Sutherland &
Fritz Mesenbrink

Official Manufacturing Co. (OMFGCO)

Cymone Wilder

Senior Art Director & Lettering Artist

Marian Bantjes

Designer, Typographer, Writer & Illustrator

Annika Hansteen-Izora

Writer, Product Designer & Creative Director

Josh Kenyon

Owner & Creative Director at Jolby

August Heffner

Executive Creative Director at Instrument

Arietta Tetreault

Associate Creative Director at Instrument

Jessica Cottone

Associate Creative Director at Instrument

Suvani Dave

Senior Designer at Instrument

Winnie Westergard

Photographer, Artist & Educator

Bradley Taylor

Artist, Printmaker & Educator

Michael Ellsworth

Co-Founder, Principal at Civilization

Josh Horton

Founder, Organizer at Creative Works

EYE-OPENING

PRESENTATIONS

These distinguished visionaries will captivate you with heartfelt presentations, infused with conviction. They offer profound insights into the impact of thoughtful design and generously share lessons learned on their inspiring creative journey.

I'm Not Done Yet: A talk
about Aging in Design

Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagram


Artivism: The Power of Art to Change the World

Nikkolas Smith, ARTivist, Artist, Designer, Author, and Illustrator


Crafting the Life You Want

Jessica Hische, Lettering Artist & Author


Get Over Yourself: Letting
Go of Ego Without Losing
Your Soul

Ryan & Don Clark, Invisible Creature


How The Lemonade Is Made: It Ain't an L if You Learned a Lesson from It.

André Hueston Mack, Designer, Entrepreneur & Author


Play as Practice: The importance of play in the creative process

Nishat Akhtar, Chief Creative Officer at Instrument


The Art of Building a
Creative Studio

Clinton Campbell, Miné Day & Brad Hodgskiss, MUTI


The Mexican Güey: Design beyond the Fiesta, Siesta
and Luchadores

Quique Ollervides, Designer, Illustrator & Letterer


Chasing Dreams, Not Dollars: The Power of Letting Conviction Lead Your Career

Allan Peters, Peters Design Company


AMID THE AI JOURNEY: Hype,
fear and joy in text-to-image generation

Marian Bantjes, Designer, Typographer, Writer & Illustrator


Time is Water: Embracing
Non-Linearity in your
Creative Practice

Annika Hansteen-Izora, Writer, Product Designer & Creative Director


CONFRONTING OBSTACLES: Recounting a battle with cancer & how creativity
saved me

Josh Kenyon, Owner & Creative Director at Jolby


Catalogue - A Panel Discussion on
What defines great design

Michael Ellsworth, Co-Founder, Principal at Civilization

SKILL-BUILDING

WORKSHOPS

Twelve hands-on sessions led by masters of their craft will give you a deep dive into creative skills like branding, illustration, hand-lettering, product design, storytelling and more. Workshops are open only to conference attendees and have limited seating. Signup today.

FRIDAY @ 9AM

— CHOOSE ONE PER DAY —

#HANDLETTERING

SCRAPPY LETTERING & TEXTURE

Cymone Wilder, Art Director & Lettering Artist

Dive into the world of lettering and texture with a scrappy twist in this engaging 3-hour workshop led by Cymone. Say goodbye to elaborate tools and embrace a hands-on, tactical approach to create impactful lettering without the frills. Discover the art of building letters from basic shapes and infusing your work with texture and emotion using the most affordable, straightforward (and occasionally quirky) techniques. Learn how to unleash your lettering in the most resourceful and playful manner possible.

Learn More

#BRANDING

CREATE TIMELESS BRAND MARKS

Allan Peters, Peters Design Company

Unlock the secrets of lasting brand marks in this exclusive workshop led by Allan, the author of Logos That Last. Delve into the principles that define timeless logos and learn a proven logo creation process that will fuel your creativity. Discover the art of generating a plethora of ideas in a short span of time, using strategies that balance uniqueness, simplicity, and memorability. Join us to gain invaluable insights and elevate your brand mark design skills to new heights.

Learn More

#ILLUSTRATION

ILLUSTRATE THE MUTI WAY: A GUIDE TO EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION

Join Clint, Miné, and Brad from MUTI as they guide you through the journey of creating epic artwork for your clients. From translating the brief to conceptualization to execution, gain invaluable tips and insights while collaborating with seasoned illustrators. Benefit from the wealth of experience these industry experts bring to the table. One lucky winner will unlock the prestigious title of MUTI Employee of the Month in this unique and exciting workshop!

Learn More

#PRODUCTDESIGN

DESIGN SYSTEMS & BRAND STORIES

Challenge the conventional notion that product designers must choose between crafting seamless systems (UX/UI) or telling compelling brand narratives. What if you could harness the power of both? Join August and Arietta to explore how to merge the strengths of experience design and brand design to create a harmonious and impactful approach. And discover the potential of wielding these powerful skills not just for clients, but also for your personal and community-driven projects.

Learn More

#PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY & LIGHTING TECHNIQUES FOR PORTFOLIO & WEB

Winnie Westergard, Photographer, Artist & Educator

Use your smartphone camera to unleash the impact of your website as we delve into making impeccable photo documentation of your 2D and 3D work. Explore a range of simple yet effective lighting techniques, along with invaluable tips and tricks both during the shoot and in post-production to bring out the best in your images. Understand the nuances of what distinguishes a successful image and gain insights into various portfolio options, learning how to impeccably present your work.

Learn More

#LETTERPRESS

PRINT WORTHY

Amos Kennedy Jr., Printer, Book Artist & Papermaker

Immerse yourself in the art of letterpress with the esteemed Amos Kennedy Jr. In this exclusive 3-hour workshop, Amos will provide a captivating introduction to the art and equipment, sharing insights into his unique process and convictions about the craft. Witness the meticulous setup of the type bed and experience the magic of printing firsthand. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of letterpress, guided by one of the most revered printers and activists of our time.

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SATURDAY @ 9AM

— CHOOSE ONE PER DAY —

#HANDLETTERING

FLOURISHED SCRIPT LETTERING

Ken Barber, Lettering Artist, Type Designer & Author

Join Ken for this 3-hour workshop packed with techniques for drawing captivating flourishes to elevate logotypes, packaging, and publications. Delve into the art of formal script, exploring ornamental linework inspired by models from the 18th to the 21st century. Learn stroke construction basics, entry/exit points for embellished letters, and skill-building exercises for fluid movement and spatial balance. Discover how to combine strokes for intricate compositions, addressing vital elements like volume, proportion, and shading.

Learn More

#BRANDING

BRAND CONCEPTS & FRAMEWORKS

Kim Sutherland & Fritz Mesenbrink, Official Manufacturing Co. (OMFGCO)

Collaborate with Kim and Fritz in this dynamic, hands-on session to craft a brand concept and framework for a Seattle non-profit in need of a rebrand. We’ll begin with a case study of a recent OMFGCO project, showcasing their process from beginning to end. Then, we’ll dive into research and explore how to shape a robust brand framework and concept. These strategic early-stage phases not only help to get your client on-board but establish essential guardrails for whole-team alignment in building a brand. Oh, and it will be fun too, we promise!

Learn More

#ILLUSTRATION

DESIGN & PRODUCE YOUR OWN ENAMEL PIN

Learn the intricacies of DKNG’s design and illustration process from concept development to final file preparation, gaining insights into file setup and essential considerations for pin manufacturing. Delve into the nuances of production, including upfront costs and pricing strategies for both retail and wholesale scenarios. Whether you're a novice or seasoned designer, this workshop is your gateway to transforming concepts into tangible, wearable art.

Learn More

#PRODUCTDESIGN

DESIGN SYSTEM REMIX

Uncover the art of transforming seemingly rigid design systems into dynamic, adaptable ecosystems in this 3-hour, hands-on workshop led by Jessica and Suvani. Learn the secrets of maintaining creative control while drawing inspiration from the unexpected and delve into the process of evolving brands for digital experiences to resonate with diverse audiences and varied environments.

Learn More

#STORYTELLING

UNLEASH YOUR INNER STORYTELLER

Brian McDonald, Filmmaker, Consultant & Author

Ever yearned to weave enchanting tales like the stories you've admired? Don't miss this golden opportunity to participate in a riveting 3-hour storytelling workshop with Brian McDonald, an acclaimed author, filmmaker, and story expert. Unlock the secrets of captivating narratives as you learn essential techniques and gain valuable insights from a master storyteller. Embrace the power of storytelling and let your imagination soar to new heights.

Learn More

#LETTERPRESS

MONOPRINT & STENCIL

Bradley Taylor, Artist, Printmaker & Educator

Discover the captivating art of monoprint, a unique process involving the application of ink to a plexiglass plate using either a brush or a breyer. Gain hands-on instruction on creating diverse textures and effects within the ink, which are then meticulously transferred onto paper through a press. Explore the use of stencils to produce sharp and graphic images, either using available stencils or creating your own for a truly personalized touch.

Learn More

The Creative Works Pop-Up Market brings designers, makers, and brands from all over the country to one place. And we open the whole thing up to the public. Join us Friday & Saturday (April 26 & 27) at the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center from 10 - 6pm. Interested in vending? Send us a link to your shop.

MARKET

CREATIVE WORKS POP-UP


MAPLE VALLEY, WA

LOS ANGELES, CA

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

DETROIT, MI

LATIN AMERICA

SEATTLE, WA

ORLANDO, FL

SEATTLE, WA

BROOKLYN, NY

DENVER, CO

MEMPHIS, TN

KANSAS CITY, MO

LOUISVILLE, KY

BREMERTON, WA

PORTLAND, OR

SEATTLE, WA

PORTLAND, OR

SEATTLE, WA

VANCOUVER, BC

CHICAGO, IL

PORTLAND, OR

SEATTLE, WA

PORTLAND, OR

NEW YORK, NY

OAKLAND, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

SEATTLE , WA

AMERICAN POSTER INSTITUTE

FLATSTOCK 94

We’ve teamed up with the American Poster Institute (API) to bring you FLATSTOCK 94! Join us Friday & Saturday (April 26 & 27) at the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center from 10 - 6pm to see and shop prints from poster artists from all across the globe. Flatstock is open to the public.


Factory 43

Seattle, WA

Rebo

Houston + Austin, TX

BOSS CONSTRUCTION

Nashville, TN

Birdwatchers Studio

Philadelphia, PA

Lil Tuffy

San Francisco, CA

Giov.be

LiÈge, Belgium

Samaritan Press

Olympia, WA

POWERSLIDE DESIGN CO.

SEATTLE, WA

Jayes Caitlin

Portland, OR

Barry Blankenship

Bremerton, WA

Furturtle Show Prints

Midvale, UT

CREATIVE WORKS CONFERENCE WEST

SPONSORS

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors for their unwavering belief in our mission. Please take a moment to visit their websites and show your support. If you're interested in becoming a Creative Works sponsor, we'd love to hear from you. Don't hesitate to reach out and connect with us.


Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reach out to us.

HEART-FILLED

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from remarkable individuals within the Creative Works community who've turned inspiration into action. Their stories reflect the transformative power of creativity, collaboration, and dedication. Got your own story of impact? We'd love to share it!


Allie Mounce & Clare Freeman

Pretty Useful Co.

Memphis, TN

Bianca Negron

Bianca's Design Shop

New York, NY

Chris Porter

Partner & Creative Director at Baby Grand

Memphis, TN

Bump Galletta

Commercial Artist & Illustrator

Lakeland, FL

Zach McNair

All Manner of Us

Austin, TX


Have a story of impact? We’d love to share it!

Relive the 2023 Creative Works Conference experience