DSVC Show

In leiu of a long rave or rant about the DSVC show (it was definitely more rave than rant) I've compiled a list to summarize my thoughts on this weekend's DSVC conference.

10 Things I think I think about the DSVC 5th Annual Student Conference:

In no particular order:

1. Dallas has an impressive and inspiring design community. I think this is probably true of many comparable markets though it was extremely refreshing to step into a different region and see design as they see it. Probably 90% of attendees were Texans.

2. It's possible to do work you love with people you admire. As pointed out by Christian Helms of The Decoder Ring who's had the opportunity to work with an impressive list of like-minded individuals, both for profit and for fun. This was a reoccurring theme. Design is really a co-op of sorts where ideas grow and develop infinitely better when they're shared and probed as a group.

3. It's important to stay inspired. Even in tough economic times or lulls in creativity, find something that keeps you going. Waste time creating, it will keep you sharp and aware of changing trends.

4. If you ask 100 questions you'll probably get 100 different answers. This speaks to the diversity of creatives. Fortunately those 100 answers are valuable answers. Even the stupid ones since they teach you what not to do.

5. Designers say fuck a lot. A LOT.

6. There's value in making an effort to learn someone's name. This was easily the most impressive thing about Jim Sherredan of Hatch Show Print. And if you know HSP you know they've done some impressive work. But Sherredan asked everyone that took the time to talk to him what their name was. Later I saw him mingling in the hallway and he remembered my name (and probably dozens of others).

7. There's always a little more that can be done to improve your work. As pointed out by 2 of the 5 judges. I took this to heart and feel I've been lazy with some of my projects - making them just good enough. We need to push ourselves to refine our own work until it is flawless.

8. If you're looking for something ask a local. Even the scary ones that hang out at liquor stores.

9. There's a difference between graphic design and design graphics. I'm still trying to figure this one out. Somehow Matt Owens of Volumeone and Athletics has made a career out of making design graphics. He's an artist with ridiculous design sensibility who's able to use his art as a problem solving tool. I want that. PS - Matt was a part of The Cost of War that many of us watched on Good Magazine.

and finally,

10. The student design community can be infinitely furthered by events like the DSVC student show. More things like this need to happen. And more students need to attend them. I spent a good part of the weekend feeling lucky for being there and I'm truly glad that Cat, Lauren, Jovan and Chris got to go too. But there was also a bit of me that wished there was some way to get everyone (all of you, class) to go. This is a learning experience that can't be taught in class but definitely furthers the concepts and ideas we've been discussing and will continue to address throughout the program.


Of course, a lot more happened then can be summarized in 10 bulleted points but I'm still digesting. More to come when time permits.