Justin Dauer

Design is Connection Made Manifest

What is design, if not 'connection' made manifest? Given the state of the world over the past few years, with designers navigating the global pandemic, mass layoffs, hybrid / remote work, and a struggling economy, connection is at is apex of relevance. The connection of us to one another, us to our work, and our work to those who engage with it. Be it a concert venue poster, a website, or an app icon, design is solving the problem of engaging people—agnostic of their circumstances—to connect and convey an experience. When we’re in touch with our values, focus on craft evolution over tool loyalty, and create in an environment of support and inclusion: ‘connection’ is the result. Via the power of storytelling with actionable methods, Justin Dauer will show us how to get there. In this talk, you’ll learn how to: - Identify and prioritize our values to leverage in our design practice—for the betterment of the connection of us to one another, us to our design, and our design to those who engage with it. - Create in an environment supportive of our growth and evolution as designers—that respects us as unique individuals with diverse perspectives. - Design in a tool agnostic capacity, focusing on evolution of approach, strategic thinking, and overall craft—letting the medium of creation be whatever drives the most effective process, and the highest quality outcome.