AIGA design conference aims for playful work

From Ken Carbone’s inspirational and wacky toys and gadgets, to Debbie Millman’s creative leadership presentation. From Tim Biskup’s intense artwork to the San Diego chapters’s successful youth outreach. AIGA San Diego’s annual design conference “Play is hard work” ranged from truly inspired most of the time to fading to a couple of yawns.

Energy was kicked up with a stellar animated conference video by the San Dieog chapter. Ken Carbone’s (Carbone Smolan Agency, NY) wacky toys and gadgets was a light-hearted way to start the conference presentations.

Debbie Millman (Sterling Brands, NY) is a fantastic and inspired speaker. Check out her blog and weekly podcast: Design Matters. Dora Drimalas (Hybrid Design, CA), Kevin McConkey (gripdesign, IL), and Karen Salmansohn (NotSalmon.com, NY) were well-received by conference-goers.

The presentations by Kristin Hodgson (Rockport Publishers, MA) and Ann Willoughby (Willoughby Design Group, MO) fell a little flat on inspiration. Not so much play for people to walk step by step through a firm’s portfolio — no matter how fantastic it is — or discussing the the ins and outs of deciding what design books are published.

AIGA San Diego did a fantastic job with the delightfully conference branding, tasty food and beautiful space. Looking forward to next years!