It’s been a few days since we came back from Barcelona, and I am happy that we had this opportunity to be a part of OFFF Barcelona 2023. Besides seeing what other people are working on career-wise, we could also spend time together, reflect on the conference, and share thoughts with each other.
One of the key takeaways from both Joshua Davis and Gavin Strange’s presentations is the importance of being adaptable and continually learning in the field of art and design. Both speakers emphasized the need to be flexible and open to something new as new technologies and design approaches emerge.
Joshua Davis, for example, spoke about the evolution of his own design practice, which began with static graphic design and has since evolved to incorporate interactive installations, motion graphics, and even code-driven generative design. He emphasized the importance of continually exploring new tools and techniques and being willing to collaborate with other designers and developers to create innovative work. He showed that creating great things takes time, even years.
I was really impressed to see that the music video of Phantogram band (Fall in Love) was created with his generative art because this was one of my favorite songs when I was around 15 and I would always think about how cool the animation was and didn’t even suspect about something like generative art.
Gavin Strange similarly emphasized the importance of being open to new experiences and learning opportunities, whether that means attending workshops or conferences, experimenting with new tools, or simply being willing to take on new challenges. He emphasized the importance of being curious and having a desire to learn, as these qualities are essential for staying up-to-date in the rapidly-evolving field of design. He talked a lot about how it is important to not be afraid to be bad at something at the start and just have fun with it because what matters most is the process itself. He also emphasized the importance of being true to yourself, without thinking about what others will think.
Also, I fell in love with his presentation style, mostly because he used a lot of gothic fonts, which are my favourite ones!
We also had the opportunity to visit a workshop by ZetaFonts, a type foundry from Florence. The workshop was a really fun and interesting experience and in the end, we created a Barcelona font from our sketches.
Ultimately, the takeaway for interaction design professionals from these presentations is that staying relevant and successful in this field requires a constant willingness to learn and adapt. Whether it means exploring new tools and techniques, collaborating with other designers, or simply staying curious and open-minded, the most successful designers will be those who are able to embrace change and continue growing and evolving over time.
Links:
https://joshuadavis.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsQjC5zVnt8
https://www.jam-factory.com
https://www.zetafonts.com
