The Intentional Impact of Images

A few things have been going through my head regularly as I’ve prepared my talk for TEDxOmaha. The Palm Springs desert from my time at TEDActive all those years ago. The Filter Bubble. Boaty Mc Boat Face. HBO’s Hard Knocks (gotta get in my reps!) All reference points for serious talk about images.

The point of the talk is to simplify and confine the meaning of what an image is so it can be easily grasped and acted upon. I think. What gets covered: graphic design, the issues of the day, doom scrolling, aspect ratios, an old map, choices, and GIFs.

The title is set: The Intentional Impact of Images

Coming up fast: Saturday, November 19th

In Person -or- Virtual

TEDx Omaha: Speakers 2022

I feel very fortunate to be amongst such a great group of people. Looking forward to November 19th!

  • Michael Ackerbauer – Business Transformation Leader partnering with organizational leaders to humanize their digital transformation, focusing on building high performing teams in dynamic times.

  • Dr. Pat Friman – Vice President of Behavioral Health at Boys Town and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, talking on the need for engage in compassion.

  • David Galant – Music Director of the Kanesville Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Music at Creighton University where he conducts the University Symphony Orchestra. The social emotional intelligence of orchestras.

  • Ralph Kellogg – Vice President for People Training at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, discussing the importance of people in organizational health and wellbeing.

  • Justin Kemerling – Independent graphic designer, working with community organizations in need of branding, graphic design and web design, on sharing the dialogue behind the design.

  • Dana Murray – Musician and Executive Director of North Omaha Music & Arts, and passionate advocate for education.

  • Ruth Murray – RN and BSN and consultant, focusing on using movement to solve physiological and psychological challenges.

  • Justin Romano – Child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at Creighton University, and cohost of the Podcast Millennial Mental Health Channel, taking about the mental health crisis we absorb through our eyes, cellphones.

  • Lee Running – Sculptor and artist, working with a range of medium engaging the viewers relationship with the natural world. Her sculptures, installations and drawings have been shown throughout the US, discussing the social interconnectedness of human and animals.

Ad Club

Last night I spoke to the Ad Club at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Shared my words of wisdom and such. Like this nugget: graphic design breaks it down and shouts it out loud. The message it shouts can be anything really. And I was asked some very fine questions by the students. Done virtually, because pandemic. But still, good times all around.

Zoom Students

Advice of a seasoned, somewhat jaded, yet still hopeful, independent graphic designer to a handful of senior design students (over ZOOM):

  • Work really, really, really hard in your 20s.

  • Someone is going to take advantage of your youth, whether ad agency or design studio or shitty job, might as well be you.

  • Learn how to write good emails.

  • It’s always messy, be okay with that.

  • It’s awesome being independent, only when you have really great collaborators.

  • Your portfolio is not very good. And it shouldn’t be.

  • Be brave, be bold, put yourself out there, because no one else will.

  • It’s on you at the end of the day, you’ll get used to it, and you’ll sleep just fine.

  • Figure out how to do the kind of work you want to do, then show that kind of work in your portfolio, which is how you get more of that kind of work.

  • There’s tracking time, writing proposals, doing taxes, yada yada yada.

  • Get as much feedback as you can.

  • Under promise, over deliver. Because the other way is a bummer for everyone involved.

  • Presenting your work to clients is what this is all about.

  • Learn how you work best, and then practice, practice, practice.

  • Don’t be afraid of not getting there, with enough hard work, maybe some blood, sweat, and tears, you’ll make it.

  • You’ll get better, and then you’ll need to decide what to do next.

  • Be nice to future students.

Spark Studio

I’ll be participating in an online webinar about the business of design with Spark, a group of independent graphic design business owners. They meet to enlighten each other on the business and creative issues that are relevant to design studios.

We will talk about the business practices behind his success, including how he works with other independent creative professionals and structures those relationships. We will also cover topics and challenges related to being a creative solopreneur. If you own a creative business and work on your own or with a small team, register for this event.

Virtual Meeting, New York, NY
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 @ 5pm Eastern

Why Images and Words Matter

A panel discussion on cultural competency and messaging with Joseanne Cudjoe, Ph.D., Anthony Carter, Keisha Dabrowski, and myself. Part of a Courageous Conversations Webinar Series with PRSA New Jersey.

Cultural Competency and Messaging
PRSA-NJ Webinar
Thursday, December 10, 2020 @ 12 PM ET
Zoom

IF... Effective communication occurs when the receiver comprehends the information or idea that the sender intends to convey,

AND... We know that different cultural and social identities can create barriers to effective communication,

THEN... We should always analyze the inclusiveness of our communications to ensure that our images and words do not cause harm or have a negative impact.