Design conference: An Event Apart
Designing a cohesive visual system for a high-end digital design and UX conference.
Project Overview
An Event Apart is a premier three-day conference focusing on digital design, UX, content, and code, offering deep insights into current trends and the future of the field.
The goal was to create a unified branding and visual system for the event, including print, web, and application assets.
Problem Statement
The challenge was to develop a branding system that effectively communicates the conference’s high-quality content while appealing to a diverse audience of design and technology professionals. Key considerations included:
1. Creating a distinct visual identity that stands out among competing conferences.
2. Ensuring consistency across various mediums, including posters, websites, and mobile apps.
3. Developing designs that are visually engaging yet functional and professional.
What we've done
The solution involved crafting a versatile visual language that:
1. Highlights the conference's innovative and forward-thinking ethos.
2. Employs modern, bold typography paired with structured and playful elements.
3. Provides a seamless user experience across digital and physical touchpoints.
Design Process
1. Creative Exploration
Developed five distinct design directions:
- Bold and Simple: Enlarged sans-serif typography for emphasis and clarity.
- Geometric Connections: Used lines and shapes to establish connectivity between elements.
- Playful and Vibrant: Contrasted tape-like graphics and vibrant colors against dark backgrounds.
- Structured Playfulness: Balanced playful color palettes with structured layouts.
- Retro and Bright: Emphasized bold colors and drop shadows for a nostalgic yet modern feel.
2. Prototyping
- Iterated designs for posters, postcards, websites, and applications.
- Focused on ensuring visual hierarchy and readability across all formats.
3. Iterative Testing
- Refined designs based on feedback from peers and mentors.
- Prioritized functionality for digital assets while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Final Designs
Posters and Print Materials
- Clean, eye-catching designs with bold typography and vibrant graphics.
- Posters featured key event highlights and schedules, ensuring quick comprehension.
- Postcards and direct mail used structured layouts to emphasize essential details.
Website and Mobile Application
- Website: A clear, intuitive layout for event schedules, speaker information, and registration.
- Application: User-friendly navigation with features like personalized schedules, reminders, and speaker bios.
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Creative Process
Crafting the platform focused on participant engagement:
- Mapping the Experience: Developed a user flow for attendees, from registration to post-event networking.
- Collaborative Ideation: Partnered with event organizers to brainstorm features like live chat and interactive schedules.
- Design Iterations: Tested several schedule layouts to ensure easy navigation and session access.
- Visual Appeal: Crafted a vibrant design using bold typography and engaging visuals to match the energy of the event.
Results
- Enhanced Event Visibility: The cohesive design system established a recognizable and professional brand identity for An Event Apart.
- Improved Attendee Experience: The intuitive website and app facilitated seamless navigation and engagement during the event.
- Unified Branding: A consistent visual language across all assets reinforced the conference’s reputation as a premier event in the design industry.
Conclusion
- A strong, flexible visual identity ensures consistency across multiple touchpoints, enhancing brand recognition.
- Balancing creativity with functionality is crucial, especially for professional audiences.
- Iterative feedback during the design process refines outcomes and ensures alignment with user expectations.
