PHXDW – Unite
These things happened at the Ph0enix Design Week 2023 conference. Good things. Funny things. Creative things.
I drove to the conference feeling a little anxious, also hopeful
My friend Sheila said hi to me from the stage in Whitehall, with a microphone, I waved
Melissa said some things that made me feel truly appreciated
Bob and I shared some grouch-isms, laughed and caught up
I had an idea for a game, I sat outside for a bit to write all my ideas down
Rebekah gave me a hug and expressed interest in how I’d been
I learned I’m one of Amy’s “cousins”, we all are, which is cool
Nikita said: “people desire comfort, community and connection”, it’s true
I tripped in the hallway, I looked around to see if anyone noticed
Scott reminded us of the importance of “play”, so glad to hear him reinforce this
Kaitlyn smiled and we recalled other creative events we’d been at
I reconnected with my long-time creative friend Jen, we talked about in-house design
I met Jen’s colleague Shelby, we also talked about in-house design
A museum-goer asked me what the conference was about, I felt lucky to tell ‘em
At one point, I wondered where I’d be a year from now
I heard someone say to another “I’ve missed you, it’s been so long”
My buddy Bobby and I ended up having lunch and getting cosmic about art
Garren asked “What does success mean to you?” I think about that a lot
I decided to start meeting up with others once a week to co-work
On 10/7 at approximately 10:17am while eating a snack, I felt confident
While waiting for a session to start I thought about what serving others means
Always cool Justin won a prize, sometimes I think he coulda been the fourth Beastie Boy
At lunch one day I saw a bird fly off with a potato chip
I ate a turkey wrap that had mayo in it, which for me is a big deal
Chris talked about artists making the unseen be seen, I like that idea
On the second day of the conference I gave some zines away, giving felt good
I listened to Mack and thought more about community and working with good people
Saw a shy person trying to talk to someone new, I felt compassion
I made up my mind to care less about being validated by others
Safwat’s story and art exhibit moved me to tears, two times
Fellow designer and teacher Matt said I should come chat with his students
Chad thanked me for the Daft Punk screenprint I sent him, I’m grateful for music
Julie and I encouraged each other as fellow parents
I let go of some things to make room for new things
I thought about an AR event I hosted at Phx Art Museum in 01/23 and had new ideas
Adele gave a presentation about each of us being a treasure, it helped me
Carissa’s keynote got me to sing for the first time in years
My friend Brian and I laughed, we should hang out more
I decided I still really hate mayonnaise
Kathy got emotional, then I got emotional, again (See #30)
Bob won two “Best of” awards, so deserving that guy
I saw myself in a mirror and I looked… happy
Someone said to me: “Nooo, you’re not to old for TikTok”, that was… reassuring?
I was so proud of Yuxin winning a “Best of” award, such sincerity and humility
Seandean made me feel more assured
Steffan’s work inspired me as a fellow vector artist
I made some realistic goals for 2024
One of my goals = Collaborate on three projects with local creative / agency friends
This year I missed seein’ Will and Michelle and Jon and the Monomyth team…
I left the conference feeling excited about what I learned and the possibilities
If you read this far, thanks for reading. I made this list for me. Lists tend to be useful in my world. One day I’ll look back at this post and I know it will help me!
Be well.
–E
