I'll level with you, I've been a bit of a conference whore in 2017. All for good reasons as I mentioned in episode 49, conferences help you find your people. Another reason is to scope out conferences that I'd like to speak at one day as not all conferences are the same.
As I wrap up 2017, I just attended my final conference of the year in Austin, TX. The event was the first Pop-Up Crop Conference held by my good friend Matt Dawson of Studio Gray / Stay Gray Pony Boy along with his wife, Ariadne. I've talked about Crop Conference in Baton Rouge in the past and had Matt on to tell his story in episode 37. Pop-Up Crop is a different story as it was a one-day event filled with powerhouse creatives who either spoke or taught a workshop.
The lineup was stacked with speakers like Jason Craig, Lauren Dickens, Steve Wolf, Brian Steely and Aaron Draplin. I had a chance to speak on the Goodtype Panel with Brooke Robinson (Goodtype creator, Bobby Dixon and Drew Lakin. Industry Print Shop not only sponsored the conference and afterparty but taught a workshop as well.
Plenty of good times were had and I'm always one who wants to channel my reflections into a summary. I feel the best way to do that is to relay some takeaways you can apply to your creative practices.
Here were my top 3 that I think will resonate with you too as you finish your week strong.
Mind the Gaps - Jason Craig
Jason Craig is another friend of the podcast and his episode 43 visit has been a listener favorite. The way he weaves his stories and analogies together is legendary. He finds a way to punch you in the gut with his humor yet still drop a ton of jaw-dropping value.
The one that stood out the most when he talked about "Minding the Gaps." Throughout your life and especially in your creative career, you're going to have plenty of times when you get knocked on your ass. These are the low gaps between the moments when things couldn't be going better.
Without these gaps, it's hard to appreciate when things go right. Those shitty times in between the highlights are the moments who shape who you become.
So when things aren't working in your favor, mind the gaps and know that better times are ahead of you.
Approach Every Day With Intention - Tony Diaz
Next up was my brother Tony Diaz, who's the head honcho in charge of Industry Print Shop. Tony is legitimately one of the most generous souls I've ever met and has an incredible story. I'll be having him on the show sooner than later as you need to know what's he's doing for the creative community.
Before he led a screen printing workshop, he gave a brief talk and dropped a little nugget.
Tony talked about how approaches each day with intention. This has helped him scale Industry to one of the biggest print shops in the nation.
Approaching each day with intention means having a plan and being focused. It also means having some enthusiasm and being ready to attack that goal or vision.
I want to challenge you to think about how you're approaching your work each day.
Are you winging shit or attacking it with intention?
Break Borders Between Life & Work - Lauren Dickens
The final takeaway comes from the insanely talented designer, Lauren Dickens.
She dropped a smorgasbord of takeaways accompanied by some of the most polished designed slides I've ever seen. To be frank, I've never been more jealous of someone's slide deck.
Her talking points ranged from:
- The Power of Putting on Pants
- Be in Charge of Your Own Version of Success
- Your Work is a Wild Animal, Set it Free.
The one that caught my attention the most was "Break the Borders Between Life & Work." Basically stating that the things that make you unique make your work unique.
It parallels what Andy J. Miller preaches about finding yourself in your work on his Creative Pep Talk podcast.
So I ask you:
What are those things that are different about you that nobody else can replicate?
What are those weird quirks that make you you?
Those are the things that need to be showcased in your work and it's something I'm working on revealing more of as well.
Get Out of Your Bubble
I've talked about this in the past, but get outside of your little bubble. Attending conferences has easily been the one thing I can safely say has brought me the most opportunities.
The relationships you'll cultivate and the new skills you'll manifest will launch your creative career out of this stratosphere.
Pop-Up Crop was special and they have some big plans for the second one next year.
In the meantime, the full Crop is happening in Baton Rouge this April. The lineup just got released on CropBR.com and it's money.
I may or may not be teaching a workshop there too...
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