SKILL-BUILDING
WORKSHOPS
10 hands-on sessions led by masters of their craft will give you a deep dive into creative skills like branding, illustration, hand lettering, printing and more. Workshops are open only to conference attendees and have limited seating. They will sell out…Register today.
AM BLOCK
SAT 9AM - 12PM
#LETTERING
The Art of The Hand-Lettered Magazine Cover
Lauren Hom,
Designer & Lettering Artist
Learn how to create stunning hand lettering fit for a magazine cover in this three-hour workshop led by designer and lettering artist Lauren Hom. With over 20 hand-lettered magazine covers to her name, Lauren will guide you through designing a fully hand-lettered cover—what she lovingly calls the ‘Oops, All Lettering!’ style of editorial design. This workshop will teach you how to craft illustrative lettering that serves as key art and instantly grabs attention on the newsstand.
#ILLUSTRATION
Tiny Canvas, Big Impact: The Art of Illustrated Stamp Design
Clinton Campbell, Miné Day,
& Brad Hodgkiss, Partners at MUTI
Master the art of storytelling in a small format by designing your own set of vintage-inspired stamps in this hands-on, three-hour workshop led by the partners at South African illustration studio MUTI. Stamp design requires a keen understanding of composition, scale, and detail. This workshop will guide you through crafting impactful compositions, integrating basic hand lettering, applying authentic textures, and selecting a compelling color palette. Through thoughtful conceptualization and careful refinement, you’ll create miniature masterpieces that leave a
lasting impression.
#BRANDING
A Designers Guide to Crafting People-Centric Brands
Miro Laflaga & Ash Phillips,
Founders at Six Cinquième
Learn how to help brands make deeper connections with their customers. Join Miro and Ash in this hands-on workshop as they guide you through the designer’s role as a facilitator of creative insights. This session will equip you with strategies to foster brand advocacy, loyalty, and trust by designing authentic interactions that build meaningful and lasting relationships.
#BUSINESS
Punch Above Your Weight: How to Overdeliver as a Small Studio or Freelancer
Jesse Mackenzie & Hannah Smith,
Partners at Trust Design Shop
Great work isn’t about the size of your team—it’s about strategy. In this three-hour workshop, Hannah and Jesse share how their two-person studio consistently overdelivers. Learn how to turn client interviews into real strategy, invest in discovery and research before pen meets paper, and make every presentation count. Discover the power of great collaborators, how to divide and conquer efficiently, and when to expand your capabilities. Whether you’re a small team or a solo freelancer, this workshop will help you maximize impact and deliver work that punches above
its weight.
#PRINTING
Bad Printing Fundamentals: Embracing Imperfection in Letterpress
Amos Kennedy Jr.,
Printer, Book Artist & Papermaker
Perfection is overrated. In this unconventional letterpress workshop, Amos Kennedy Jr. challenges traditional notions of “good” printing by celebrating the raw, the unpolished, and the beautifully imperfect. Learn the art of embracing happy accidents, breaking the rules, and finding authenticity in the printing process. Through hands-on experimentation with wood type, ink, and pressure, you’ll discover that the best prints aren’t always the ones that come out perfect—they’re the ones that tell a story.
PM BLOCK
SAT 2 - 5PM
#LETTERING
Digital Lettering Effects: Adding Depth & Personality
Kyle Letendre,
Letterer, Illustrator & Type Designer
Letters are vessels for expression, and this three-hour workshop focuses on adding dynamic digital effects to your custom type. Led by Kyle Letendre, you’ll learn how to enhance letterforms with dimension, texture, shine, and personality. Pick up workflow tips to keep your designs editable and practical for real-world use. Stand out with striking letterforms perfect for editorial design, packaging, and branding.
#ILLUSTRATION
Illustrated Maps: Bringing Places to Life
Doug Fuchs,
Designer and Illustrator
in this three-hour workshop where you’ll choose a location and transform it into a stylized, illustrated map. Using Google Maps, Procreate, and Illustrator, you’ll simplify complex details, refine compositions, and create a compelling design that tells a story. Whether for editorial illustration, branding, or personal projects, this session will equip you with the tools to create maps that are both informative and beautiful.
#BRANDING
The Tangible Brand: What Lies Beyond the Logo
Elliott Snyder & Jesse Morrow,
Partners at Old Friend
Join Old Friend for this immersive three-hour workshop on creating a brand that feels both expansive and engaging. Jesse and Elliott will guide you through their entire branding process—from the initial client call to the final file export (or final_final_final, if you know what we mean). In this workshop, you’ll learn how to ask the right questions, conduct meaningful research, and explore creatively to not just make a logo but an entire identity ecosystem with plenty of room to play.
#CLIENTS
5-Star Experience: Turning Clients into Lifelong Advocates
James Martin,
The Ultimate Champion Of The Everyday Designer
Imagine your business as a boutique hotel—personal, unforgettable, and impossible to stop talking about. In this three-hour workshop, James will show you how to create a seamless client experience that builds trust, generates referrals, and fosters long-term partnerships. Learn the art of proactive communication, expectation management, and thoughtful client engagement to make your business the go-to destination for clients who return again and again.
#IDEATION
Create Outside the Box: Thinking Beyond Constraints
Meg Lewis,
Artist & Designer
Join Meg in this playful, three-hour workshop designed to break creative boundaries and unlock new possibilities in your work. Through a series of interactive exercises, you’ll tap into spontaneity, silence your inner critic, and explore new ways to approach creative challenges with confidence. Whether you feel stuck in a creative rut or want to refresh your approach, Meg’s workshop will leave you with a renewed sense of exploration
and excitement.
Get ready for three action-packed days filled with full-hearted presentations, insightful demos, hands-on workshops, and lively dinners alongside world-class creatives from around the globe. All times are listed in Pacific DaylightTime (PDT).
SCHEDULE
MAY 1-3, 2024
THURSDAY, MAY 1
9:00a
Registration + Coffee + Connect
10:30a
Conference Kickoff
11:00a
Presentation 1
12:00p
Lunch Break
6:30p
Dinner
Provided by Hammermill
FRIDAY, MAY 2
9:00a
Coffee + Connect
Presentation 2
1:30p
3:30p
30-Minute Break
4:00p
Presentation 3
10:00a
Presentation 5
Demo 1
2:30p
5:00p
Presentation 4
11:00a
Presentation 6
12:00p
Lunch Break
1:30p
Presentation 7
Demo 2
2:30p
30-Minute Break
3:30p
Presentation 8
4:00p
6:30p
Dinner
Presentation 9
5:00p
Provided by Phi
SATURDAY, MAY 3
9:00a - 12:00p
Workshops (AM BLOCK)
2-Hour Lunch Break
12:00p
Workshops (PM BLOCK)
2:00p - 5:00p
Farewell Hangs
6:30p