Announced Sep. 24, 2018 by Armin No Comments on 2018 Brand New Conference: Photos, Tweets, and Videos
Here is this year’s breakdown of the 16 sessions of the 2018 Brand New Conference that took place this past September 13 – 14 in New York, NY, and which was awesome. (If you are looking at this in an RSS reader head on over to the real thing, too much heavy formatting). This is a very long post with a photo of each speaker, very brief summaries, collected tweets from the audience, and a preview of their video/session, so give it a good time to load. A few other things worth bullet-pointing:
- Videos for purchase are now available.
- A lot more photos from the event have been posted in this Flickr album.
- Additional videos from the conference not included in this post: Day one opening remarks and BNConf identity presentation / Day one closing summary / Day two Brand New summary / Day two closing summary.
- Registration is now open for the 2019 Brand New Conference — our ten-year anniversary! — in Las Vegas, NV, on October 17 – 18.
- Next week I will post this year’s identity materials. Just have to photograph them and retouch the photos.
That’s it. Enjoy the post. There is a lot of great content from all the speakers.
Photos by Kara Smarsh.
Christopher Doyle / Christopher Doyle & Co. / Sydney, Australia
Summary
An entertaining glimpse at his approach to generating ideas and developing identities (including his own).
Tweets and Instagrams
Terrific talk by @CD_and_Co reminding us that writing is design – “language gives us access to parts of the head and heart that graphics can’t” and also that you might want to be suspicious of a relaxed looking designer #bnconf pic.twitter.com/HpChvWYrUB
— Ingrid (@ikbremner) September 13, 2018
"Design is an idea.
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 13, 2018
Design is powerful.
Design is about other people."
Chris Doyle talks about what design is, what is isn't, and always have a level of unease, anxiousness, between knowing exactly what you're doing, and not knowing at all.
— @CD_and_Co at #BNConf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/y5nkNpsWA6
‘Language opens the door for people who don’t have access to design.’ – @CD_and_Co doing our job for us again.
— Reed Words (@reedwords) September 13, 2018
(Wonderful talk, Chris. Wouldn’t want to try to follow that!) #bnconf
#bnconf Designers can’t write” but… pic.twitter.com/aVupIzKfMM
— Cecilia Cortes-Earle (@ceciliacortesea) September 13, 2018
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Annie Atkins / Annie Atkins / Dublin, Ireland
Summary
A rare look at the process of making graphic props and fake brands for movies like Bridge of Spies and Grand Budapest Hotel.
Tweets and Instagrams
Is there anything less inspiring than a new Illustrator document? Get off your computer and look around. @AnnieAtkins #bnconf
— Brandon Jameson (@pbjameson) September 13, 2018
The kind of design work that you shouldn't notice@AnnieAtkins at #bnconf @bnconf spoke about designing the props for Isle of Dogs, Grand Budapest Hotel, Boxtrolls, more…
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 13, 2018
and how the assemblage of design pieces always have real reference to the world around us pic.twitter.com/MZynGlIAzh
The glorious @AnnieAtkins work being shown at the @bncconf is simply outstanding! And the Grand Budapest Hotel logo is perfect. ❤️❤️❤️ #bnconf
— debbie millman (@debbiemillman) September 13, 2018
Have you ever noticed how many graphic props there are in a Wes Anderson's movie? Who design those fake brands? Check the marvellous works by @AnnieAtkins ? @bnconf #bnconf pic.twitter.com/eZILyNUC3N
— Fabrizio Soldano (@fabsoldano) September 13, 2018
Gotta say, Grand Budapest is the best we Anderson film. What a treat to peak behind the prop curtain with @AnnieAtkins #bnconf
— Never gonna be good enough for your parents, am I (@mrmperry) September 13, 2018
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Kit Hinrichs / Studio Hinrichs / San Francisco, CA
Summary
A handful of case studies from a career spanning over 55 years and many design disciplines.
Tweets and Instagrams
@StudioHinrichs thanks for the metphor of typography being the mortar of graphic design. Truly, without it, our buildings of color, texture, theme and space would crumble in the wind. @bnconf #bnconf
— Kevin Puckett (@dandybranding) September 15, 2018
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Sue Murphy / Wieden+Kennedy / Portland, OR
Summary
A breakdown of three approaches to developing brands that are similar in both design firms and ad agencies.
Tweets and Instagrams
Transitioning back and forth between branding agencies and ad agencies, @howsueisnow of @WiedenKennedy talks about the importance of evolving brands over time …
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 13, 2018
"Designers who know a brand can spread their wings" #bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/Xz9TdQpOJe
“Designers who know a brand can spread their wings.” – Sue Murphy @wiedenkennedy #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 13, 2018
“Idea is king. It’s not just the idea for the sake of an idea. It’s a solution to a problem.” Sue Murphy @wiedenkennedy #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 13, 2018
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James Greenfield / Koto / London, UK
Summary
A thoughtful, three-part sports analogy looking at Koto’s team, tactics, and game through three case studies.
Tweets and Instagrams
Some serious knowledge-dropping by @gradiate of @studiokoto
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 13, 2018
The values and beliefs you hold yourself to
The importance of team
The absence of a design hero
The difference between personality and character
The process and what it takes
and lots more.#bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/VkBwJXaOAJ
"We’re a bit too obsessed with the pixels being perfect but we need to work on the storytelling more." James Greenfield @studiokoto #bnconf
— Emily Ciccariello (@eaciccariello) September 13, 2018
Best brands do not have room for egos. #bnconf pic.twitter.com/OfDBDVqB3K
— Cecilia Cortes-Earle (@ceciliacortesea) September 13, 2018
“The work means nothing unless it sees the world. Unless it goes out into the world and moves people, it means nothing.” James Greenfield @studiokoto #bnconf
— Emily Ciccariello (@eaciccariello) September 13, 2018
“It’s the personality that attracts you initially but the character is what makes you stay.” – James Greenfield @studiokoto #bnconf
— Emily Ciccariello (@eaciccariello) September 13, 2018
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Mirko Ilić / Mirko Ilić Corp. / New York, NY
Summary
A cautionary presentation on the symbols used by Neo-Nazis and white supremacists who have moved beyond Swastikas.
Tweets and Instagrams
Mirko Ilić talks about the importance of visual literacy of understanding nazi symbols and the dangers of not recognizing them. #bnconf #mirkoilic #mirkoliliccorp #graphicdesign #symbols @MirkoIlicCorp pic.twitter.com/Ojnh1BSlld
— Jan Šabach (@codeswitchtweet) September 14, 2018
What responsibility do designers (and ppl attuned to the power of symbols and logos) have in recognizing and calling out symbols of hate? –@MirkoIlicCorp #bnconf pic.twitter.com/c6KISEteuQ
— tgreenspoon (@tgreenspoon) September 13, 2018
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Katie Levy and Mike McVicar / Gander Inc. / Brooklyn, NY
Summary
A quick timeline of Gander’s growth and some examples of their commitment to helping the underdogs tell their stories.
Tweets and Instagrams
A good filter for choosing clients, by @ganderers.
— Reed Words (@reedwords) September 13, 2018
Lots of lovely stuff, guys. Based on your own filter, we’d love to work with you ? #BNConf pic.twitter.com/MndtoS5SOM
“We wanted to know what it would be like to make work on our own terms for people that we believed in.” – @ganderers #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 13, 2018
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Deva Pardue / The Wing / New York, NY
Summary
An overview of the evolution of the identity for The Wing, a growing network of women-only co-working spaces.
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Laura Forde / The New York Times / New York, NY
Summary
A very rare look inside The New York Times branding and how its internal design culture has transformed in recent years.
Tweets and Instagrams
Such a treat getting an inside look at an organization like the @nytimes … @lauraforde shared how she tackled the daunting task of auditing the brand and the evolution its gone through over the past couple years#bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/ftZehGt17k
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 13, 2018
Major nerd out with Laura Forde of the @nytimes #bnconf pic.twitter.com/OkX1foMAMM
— Carl Fox (@carlfoxiv) September 13, 2018
"The #truth is hard"@Lauraforde @nytimes #BNConf @bnconf
— Miriam Ahmed PhD (@Miryumdotcom) September 13, 2018
Fantastic talk by NYT’s @lauraforde on improving and aligning brand creative. Super inspiring to see the outcome. #bnconf
— Katie Marren (@Katie_Marren) September 13, 2018
“Design can transform company culture.” – @lauraforde #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 13, 2018
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Scott Dadich / Godfrey Dadich Partners / San Francisco, CA
Summary
A thoughtful overview of Dadich’s approaches to design, from applying rigorous control to willfully doing it wrong.
Tweets and Instagrams
Wrong theory solutions break widely accepted conventions and may be deeply uncomfortable, but remain highly functional and could lead to a breakthrough. @sdadich #bnconf
— Brandon Jameson (@pbjameson) September 13, 2018
Design doesn’t just make things beautiful, it makes them work – @sdadich #bnconf pic.twitter.com/Esaswb1jje
— tgreenspoon (@tgreenspoon) September 13, 2018
Really enjoyed the talk from @sdadich, and the way he wove in stories of the Wright Brothers, Radiohead, and Degas to illustrate his philosophy on “Wrong Design”#bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/7V1JdLvLYf
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 13, 2018
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Leland Maschmeyer / Chobani / New York, NY
Summary
A captivating take on how design is akin to slaying dragons and how this wisdom was applied to redesigning Chobani.
Tweets and Instagrams
Sitting at my desk eating @Chobani listening to @leemaschmeyer tell the story of the brand's amazing redesign. Not a bad way to start the day. #bnconf
— Emily Ciccariello (@eaciccariello) September 14, 2018
The story of the @Chobani redesign, told as a fairytale: “We want in-house to be a geyser of creativity” @leemaschmeyer #bnconf #design #logo pic.twitter.com/OMwMnxDGxl
— Pippa Bradberry (@PippaBradberry) September 14, 2018
“It’s about creativity and making it live and flourish wildly, everywhere.” @leemaschmeyer @chobani #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
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Ivan Vasin and Ivan Velichko / Shuka Design / Moscow, Russia
Summary
A brief glimpse at design in Russia and a trio of case studies showcasing Shuka’s insightful approach and wild imagination.
Tweets and Instagrams
Chess, sex, and horseriding … @shukadesign have brought extremely thoughtful design to a few industries that don't typically see it.
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 14, 2018
Remarkable work here: https://t.co/621VBPgOAY#bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/pLja0FZOxl
“Every element in an identity needs to be like a loaded gun in a Chekhov play. Which as you know, always goes off.” @shukadesign on finding their own design voice in post-Soviet Russia #bnconf
— Nina Stössinger (@ninastoessinger) September 14, 2018
"Identity should include meaning, opportunities for telling stories, poetry, and prompt a reaction." – @shukagram #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
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Dr Natasha Grand / INSTID / London, UK
Summary
A detailed breakdown of the specialty of destination branding and how INSTID applied it to three obscure cities.
Tweets and Instagrams
“When people say unique, I know they have no idea what they’re talking about.” Dr. Natasha Grand @instid #bnconf #personality
— Lydia Stutzman (@TheLydiary) September 14, 2018
"How can you be honest in the Digital Age?" Inspiring speech by dr. Natasha Grand @INSTID #bnconf pic.twitter.com/SKkJX5otmO
— Fabrizio Soldano (@fabsoldano) September 14, 2018
“We look for underlying values & qualities that unite people, and we portray that with our work.” — Dr. Natasha Grand #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
“Do your own thing, thoroughly, quietly, and grow from it.” Dr. Natasha Grand @INSTID, #bnconf
— Lydia Stutzman (@TheLydiary) September 14, 2018
Identity is about understanding what you are, *accepting* what you are, not seeking something else … doing your own thing
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 14, 2018
— Natasha Grand of @INSTID on place branding#bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/6XMXu3lpr8
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Alice Ann Wilson / Brand Studio CAA-GBG / Los Angeles, CA
Summary
A behind-the-scenes look at how lifestyle and personality brands are created, managed, and extended across categories.
Tweets and Instagrams
“Brands are values in motion” Aliceann Wilson, @brandstudio_la #bnconf
— Lydia Stutzman (@TheLydiary) September 14, 2018
“The brand you build needs to be expressive and intuitive.” — AliceAnn Wilson #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
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Neil Blumenthal / Warby Parker / New York, NY
Summary
An inspiring introduction to the Warby Parker brand and its commitment to employees, customers, and society. “
Tweets and Instagrams
I wish I needed glasses so I could get a pair from @WarbyParker. Great talk from @NeilBlumenthal on their quirky + thoughtful brand. #bnconf
— Chloë Miller (@chloeameliam) September 14, 2018
"You can positively mask lack of capital investment with creative investment." — @NeilBlumenthal #bnconf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
“Magic happens when you bring together people from different design disciplines.” — @NeilBlumenthal #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
“Brands can build relationship with their customers just like people build relationship, through vulnerability” @NeilBlumenthal @WarbyParker #brilliant #bnconf pic.twitter.com/v3EHCfJbFE
— Emily Cohen (@EmilyRuthCohen) September 14, 2018
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Chris Campbell & Lauren Cascio / Interbrand and Microsoft / New York, NY
Summary
A detailed look at developing the identity for a product and industry without much precedent and charting a path for it.
Tweets and Instagrams
RT MUDEO: “We simplify workflows to extend human abilities”
— Siddharth Jain (@sidjain783) September 14, 2018
lcascio of Microsoft and Chris Campbell of Interbrand discuss the brand strategy and design for Mixed Reality at Work, a division advancing technologies for frontline workers#bnconf bnconf pic.twitter.com/5OZWCr7e8l
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Spencer Charles & Kelly Thorn / Charles&Thorn / Brooklyn, NY
Summary
An encouraging tale of how to shift the type of work and clients you do after getting pigeonholed for one approach.
Tweets and Instagrams
"Sometimes you finish a project and it gets killed but sometimes you finish a project and you find out that it was seized at the border by the Food and Drug Administration. You never know." — @charlesandthorn #bnconf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
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Jesse Reed & Hamish Smyth / Order / Brooklyn, NY
Summary
A reasonable argument for designers to design their own typefaces for clients and define more unique voices for them.
Tweets and Instagrams
“Typography is the biggest weapon you have, as typefaces convey the voice of your brand.” – @order #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
Everyone’s doing it… commissioning their own corporate typeface.
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 14, 2018
Partly for the cost savings on font licensing, partly to portray their tone of voice through typography@youngstownjesse and @hamishsmyth of @order highlight a few examples of their own#bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/YqKqw4iiPJ
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Jon Contino / Contino Studio / New York, NY
Summary
A wildly entertaining (and richly profane) tale of being weird and staying weird while doing work for a broad range of clients.
Tweets and Instagrams
“Be an artist, be creative as a person, not just when you get home from the boring job.” – @joncontino #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
“Push the client as far as you can, then scale it back a bit.” – @joncontino #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
“The goal is to look up and see that it’s not all clouds, sometimes it’s birdshit, too. But if you keep your mouth shut you might get a little further sometimes.” -A @joncontino Fable, @bnconf #bnconf
— Lydia Stutzman (@TheLydiary) September 14, 2018
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Jessica Hische / Jessica Hische / San Francisco, CA
Summary
A convincing case for sharing knowledge with clients and peers and a showcase of Hische’s meticulous logo restoration process.
Tweets and Instagrams
“Sharing knowledge leads to a life with a purpose.” – @jessicahische #BNConf
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) September 14, 2018
Closing out the show, @jessicahische talks about evolutionary branding
— Kenny Isidoro (@MUDEO) September 14, 2018
Refinements, refreshes, restorations of logos to their original intent
and how sharing your knowledge with others will lead to better clients, better work, and a life with purpose #bnconf @bnconf pic.twitter.com/je6YRiEu8e
An updated logotype should look like it just came back from a nice weekend at the spa–not bad plastic surgery. @jessicahische #bnconf
— Brandon Jameson (@pbjameson) September 14, 2018
“The path of least resistance leads to a very crowded place” and finding what makes you stand out in that crowd @jessicahische #bnconf
— Brandon Jameson (@pbjameson) September 14, 2018
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Thanks New York!
Armin and Bryony’s summary
As usual, this is the highlight of our year. We love doing this conference and the energy from each event fuels the hard work that goes into the next one. This year the event went as smooth as possible but it has probably been one of the most demanding in terms of the upfront work we put in — Bryony’s hundreds of hours casting concrete — as well as the week leading up to it — us driving thousands of pounds from Indiana to New York and stressing about bad weather that could derail the registration process and sponsor area outside. Equal parts luck and preparedness, things worked out and most everyone seemed please so we are delighted to have managed one more year! Many thanks again to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees and web streamers for being part of #BNConf. And hopefully will see as many of you as possible for our ten-year anniversary in Las Vegas on October 17 – 18 in Las Vegas, NV.
Tweets and Instagrams
So why was #BNConf such a heavy affair? Their conference materials were literal concrete – the lanyard, program, and paperweight were 100% crafted outta cold hard stone. Goodbye to #NewYork; the #concretejungle! pic.twitter.com/CTmf1VST5T
— Trampoline (@trampolinebrand) September 18, 2018
Thank you @ArminVit and @Bryonygp for another superb @bnconf. Runs like clockwork, great speakers, warm welcome. Brilliant.
— Mike Reed (@mikebreed) September 15, 2018
And thank you @CD_and_Co, @MikeRigby, @chrismaclean200 and Robbi for this morning’s headful of wet cement. Fantastic to see you all. #BNConf
Some big brands on display here at #BNCONF. Not many buzzwords though – such a great show. ?????? pic.twitter.com/3TiHOvsLh9
— Trampoline (@trampolinebrand) September 13, 2018
Loving #BNConf so far! The speakers were fantastic this morning. @bnconf @ucllc pic.twitter.com/C0LEtBxioD
— Kevin Greene (@KevinGreene) September 13, 2018
#BNConf The first conference lanyard I will keep. Though it’s made of concrete. pic.twitter.com/BtfSABJrVS
— INSTID (@INSTID) September 13, 2018
1,112 covers + 1,342 badges + 939 cubes all by @ArminVit & @Bryonygp ?♥️ you guys are amazing! @bnconf #bnconf pic.twitter.com/SwIfDsnoXR
— Fabrizio Soldano (@fabsoldano) September 13, 2018
This is all just delightful. #bnconf
— Never gonna be good enough for your parents, am I (@mrmperry) September 13, 2018
I love when things start/run on time. I applaud the @bnconf for being so efficient with the timing today and yesterday. #efficiency #bnconf #allthingsbranding
— Kari Daffron (@KariDaffron) September 14, 2018
First-ever concrete lanyard – don’t try this at home (unless you want to spend 6 months pouring concrete!) #bnconf #backintribeca #nyc #brandnewconference pic.twitter.com/ddsmv7AmtZ
— tgreenspoon (@tgreenspoon) September 13, 2018
Tote bag jokes aside, the Brand New Conference was a 2-day goldmine: amazing speakers, insight on design, branding, and careers…all crafted by the incredible @ArminVit and @Bryonygp. The amount of work they put into #BNConf is unbelievable. See you in Las Vegas next year!
— Nikita (@npgraphicdesign) September 15, 2018
Words were a huge theme of #BNConf yesterday. Loved @CD_and_Co‘s line about clients’ response to copy: ‘Language opens the door for those who don’t have access to design’.
— Reed Words (@reedwords) September 14, 2018
Great to hear so much enthusiasm for language. All very encouraging. Looking forward to today!
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