Well – it’s finally here! CREATIVEMIX is happening this week! There’s just a few spots left so grab your conference pass before it’s too late. Speaking of the 11th hour… here’s a quick update for you:
Jeff Harrison has hog-tied Ian Grais and shipped him to Mexico in a barrel full of Skittles candy. He’s claimed the Rethink (Agency) spot on the roster and is the lead-off keynote presenter at CREATIVEMIX 2011. His clients have included Solo Mobile, Dose, The Canadian Press, Coast Capital Savings, The Contemporary Art Gallery, Bootlegger, Opus Hotel and Alliance Atlantis. Jeff’s work in print, identity, packaging and branded retail environments has been featured internationally in design periodicals and award shows such as Communication Arts, AR100, London International Awards, Ad and Design Club, Applied Arts, New York Festivals, Print Magazine, How Magazine, I.D., Creativity, Graphis and The One Show. In 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy award.
By the way – The Grow Project has been added to the CREATIVE EX. This public art project situated on the periphery of the Olympic Village in South East False Creek, Vancouver. Presented by Other Sights – a non-profit society dedicated to challenging perceptions, encouraging discourse and promoting individual perspectives about shared social spaces.
Bruce’s architectural and urban design work has been recognized globally (because he’s a big deal), particularly for the Governor General’s and World Architecture Festival winning design of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos (because it’s awesome). He has extensive experience in institutional, social services, residential, retail and First Nations projects (we’re okay with a little bragging) with work ranging widely from wastewater treatment plants (yuk) to cafes (yum).
FYI – Next week we’ll start talkin’ up our exhibitors so stay tuned! And if you dig the fact that we’re promoting the conference without the use of posters or printing of any kind… please help us spread the word by emailing your friends and co-workers (or “like” and “tweet” us) – thanks!
I don’t know how to put this… but… they’re kind of a big deal.
Everyone in Vancouver knows that Thursday is when the Georgia Straight comes out. It’s a staple in coffee shops and offices, it’s the go-to rag for left-leaning rants, arts reviews, who’s hot, and the goods on music, events, and other local on-goings. The cover of the latest issue features chef David Robertson (Dirty Apron Cooking School) and it suddenly struck me… in the last few months three CREATIVEMIX alumnists (keynote speakers from either our 2009 or 2010 conferences) have be on the cover of The Straight! Steven Cox (Cause+Affect) and Dan Mangan (New Album – Oh Fortune) make up the rest of this cover boy trio.
I think that’s pretty damn cool.
I don’t really have a point here. I simply wanted to mention that our keynote speakers, both past and present, are top-dogs in Vancouver and we’re very proud, and honoured to have such a great roster of local talent who are willing to share their insights on creativity and collaboration. Each year our speaking team delivers the goods and I’m really excited about this upcoming conference! I hope you are too!
Hey – I wonder which of our 2011 speakers will end-up on an upcoming cover of The Straight?
CREATIVEMIX is proud to present its 2011 speaker roster. This year’s invited speakers are an amazing blend of successful and talented creative professionals who can deliver the goods. They’re an accomplished bunch and we’re confident that you’ll be inspired and challenged by these Vancouver-based artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs:
Hiro Kanagawa (TV/Film/Theatre)
His IMDB page is longer than… well, it’s really long! X-Files! Smallville! And don’t even get us started on his stage work.
TJ Galda (Digital Arts)
His work at Electronic Arts doesn’t even begin to convey his skills and passions; he’s got his fingers in a whole bunch of pies.
Ian Grais (Marketing and Advertising)
Ranked the number one art director and the number one co-creative director in the country for the past decade. Geesh.
Graeme Berglund (Art and Design)
Talented, renowned, and the dude that we all know and love from The Cheaper Show. He’s infected with collaboration-itus.
Mara Gottler (Costume Design and Fashion)
The consummate pro. Designed “The Tempest” with Robert Lepage. Has her own clothing line. Coolio!
Dave Delnea (Commercial Photography)
One creative SOB! An advertising photographer and creative collaboration advocate who lands the coolest gigs.
Ben Kadel (Social Psychology)
Our secret weapon. He helps creatives do important work (AKA find their sweet spot) and avoid being misunderstood or a martyr.
Animal (Muppet and Musician)
Just kidding, we’ll announce the eighth presenter shortly.
These keynote speakers will share their thoughts on creativity and collaboration. They’ll provide tangible insights into how you can grow your creative potential. This is not a show-n-tell event, they’ve been charged with the mandate of helping you in your effort to be creative and productive within the context of community.
This one-day conference is a professional development event that focuses exclusively on creativity, collaboration, and community. It’s industry agnostic and it’s the most exciting conference in Vancouver for emerging and established professionals, artists, and small businesses that embrace the task of doing creative work.
Conference Update
We’ll be announcing a few more things over the next few weeks (eighth keynote presentation, live music line-up, featured exhibitors, and more). Online registration is available and due to the fact that we’re expecting a sell-out you’ll want to purchase your tickets sooner than later (seriously).
We’re preparing for the third annual CREATIVEMIX and I can say that, without a doubt, November 3rd will be the best conference yet!
I really can’t believe we’re in our third year – that’s a big deal as far as I’m concerned. It speaks to the passion we have in this beautiful city for idea-making and idea-sharing. It’s an amazing thing to see artists and creative workers pursue professional development outside of their craft and industry. The idea that creativity and collaboration bring us together, and that we can learn from each other, is a very special thing.
With the Call for Submissions going public today it very much feels like the official kick-off but this Fall’s event has been in the works for months and our team is starting to get really excited!
First off, for those that are eager to hear about our speaker line-up… our eight keynote presenters will be announced later this month. Why the wait you ask? Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret: we only invite one speaker per industry and it’s a very collaborative process; oh, and we’re very picky – and we don’t rush it. We’re close to finalizing our roster so sit tight. If you’ve attended before you know that I’m not blowing smoke – we deliver, or should I say, our speakers deliver. Moving on.
Secondly, I want to highlight a very important change to CREATIVEMIX – it’s one that you probably won’t notice but it’s made a huge difference to those of us involved. The team behind the conference is the same but with one very special difference – the event is now proudly produced through the innovative and dynamic theatre company Boca del Lupo. Eileen Rothe and I are still the producers but we now work even more closely with Jay Dodge, Sherry J. Yoon, Carey Dodge, and Kenji Maeda. We’re honoured to have such a deep connection to such an amazing group of talented, passionate, and hardworking people.
Thirdly, we’re taking another big step in the effort to make this a very eco-friendly event. As you may already know – we don’t use name badges or have schwag bags, printed tickets, or have a program guide or use single-serving/plastic anything. We serve local, organic food (and beverages) and we don’t make event apparel or put our logo on stuff. And for this year’s conference – we’re not even making posters. No printing. None at all. Our promotional campaign will be 100% digital. We’ve got some groovy stuff in the works which you’ll see in a couple weeks or so. So, if you dig this – then be a pal, and share CREATIVEMIX with your social networks and you’ll be helping to say “NO” to event-crap.
This is the second CREATIVE TALK VIDEO from 2009. There were 11 keynote speakers at CREATIVEMIX last year this was the talk that got it all going. Enjoy and share!-Corwin Hiebert
David Aiken (AKA The Checkerboard Guy) is a comedy juggler who’s passion for being on stage has lead him to come up with creative ways to ensure that being on stage happens on a regular basis. In his CREATIVEMIX 2009 talk David spoke on Finding Convergency When Juggling Creative Ideas.
Be it in the designing and building of his shows to his pursuit of performance opportunities in various markets (everything from street performances to working with Symphony Orchestras) to how he promotes himself to these markets, creative thinking is at the heart of identifying the challenges involved and coming up with innovative solutions. So clearly we had to give this guy a mic; besides, anyone who’s been able to make a living as a juggler for 28 years must be doing something right.
One of the great things about his keynote presentation is that he kicked-off the inaugural conference. His energy and insights were a perfect fit to launch the event and to get everyone engaged with what we wanted to accomplish. You can learn more about The Checkerboard Guy at: checkerhead.com
The cat is out of the bag! Our web media partner Vancouver Is Awesome has made the first big announcement regarding our amazing keynote speaker lineup. They’re a ticket sales partner too (an affiliate) so when you click-through from their site and register on Eventbrite you’ll automatically be giving them some financial lovin’. We love VIA – don’t you! Be sure to love back and comment, tweet, and help spread the word in all forms.
This is the first of many CREATIVE TALKS. There were 11 keynote speakers at CREATIVEMIX ’09 and we’ll be sharing many of those presentations over the next few months. Enjoy and share!-Corwin Hiebert
David duChemin is a world and humanitarian photographer, best-selling author, and international workshop leader. David uses his powers for good and not for evil. David is a lover of the creative process; his CREATIVE TALK at CREATIVEMIX ’09 was about Creativity within Constraint – unpacking why we’re more productive and ultimately more creative when we have deadlines and boundaries on our work.
Though his examples come from a photography workflow he leaves his craft at the door in favor of taking on creativity at large. Regardless of trade or role everyone will be able to take away something learned, inspiration, and you may even envision collaborating with a photographer in a new way.
CREATIVEMIX speaker Kelly Deck is presenting this weekend at the Interior Design Show West (IDSwest) – Western Canada’s annual premiere residential design show. Kelly will take the stage at 12:15pm on Sunday. IDSwest is a great event featuring 200 exhibitors showcasing quality products and services to an audience of industry professionals, architects, designers, consumers and media. Learn more at IDSwest.com
I realize Dirty Apron Cooking School was just mentioned in the July Mashup post but we’ve received word this morning that they’re opening up the school this Saturday (August 8, 2009) for a sneak peek so we’re spreading the word. From 2-5pm be sure to swing by for the open house. It’s at 540 Beatty Street (between Dunsmir & West Pender, one building North of Chambar Restaurant) to check-out the store, the school, and meet the gang behind it all… especially chef David Robertson. Eileen and I will be there; hope you will too.
Okay, don’t shoot me. I know it’s been awhile since my last post but I’ll make it up to you as this post is called the July Mashup as it features a number of bits (and bobs) that you’ll find groovy, cool, and creative gosh darnit.
The scoop is this: Jamble makes it super easy to whip-up wicked music mashups making you sound like a pro-DJ. Seriously – it’s really fun! At the launch party Eileen and I test drove Jamble and had an absolute riot! I stunk, Eileen’s got the skills though. If it wasn’t for the big 200-watt speakers I think I could have gotten the hang of it but I was way to self conscious. I was having the hardest time “spinning” The Pussycat Dolls and David Bowie without getting side tracked by Vanilla Ice (you know the song I’m talkin’ about) and my Gr.8 homeboy M.C. Hammer. Anywho – get the app – it’s crazy fun.
Next in line, in case you missed it, David duChemin’s new book Within the Frame is selling like crazy! His second book: Vision Mongers is set to come out this Fall. David’s wildly popular Pixelated Image Blog is a great addition to your RSS feed if you haven’t done so already.
If you’re a foodie, or an “eatie” then you’ll want to check-out The Dirty Apron Cooking School. The school opens August 12, 2009 and will be a premier culinary facility accessable to the average person. Here’s a little taste of what to expect:
The Dirty Apron Cooking School is Vancouver’s most exciting culinary playground.
It’s a place for amateur cooks, the curious and professionals alike to learn, explore, and unleash their inner chef.
It’s a joint venture between Karri and Nico Schuermans and former Chambar Sous-Chef David Robertson.
Two styles of classes are offered: hands-on and demonstration.
The demonstration classes are guided over two hours offering students a chance to watch, follow along, and then taste the results with the chef.
Both classes will be followed by a group dinner in the cooking school’s private dining room.
Some creative peeps of ours get a serious shout-out. Eoin Finn, Insiya Rasiwala, Karen Robertson, Judy Chambers, Saul Brown, Joan deVerteuil, and Jodi Carter gave rockin’ leadership and creative energy to the 7th annual Camp Moomba Yogathon & Blissfest. Eileen and I proudly produce Canada’s largest outdoor yoga event with these amazing people all in the name of raising awareness and support for the Western Canadian Pediatric AIDS Society. Oh… and big blessings to our charity main-man Luke Balson (Exec. Director).
Our friends (and fellow creative mixers) Stephen and Jane Cox are cookin’ up Volume #7 of Pecha Kucha Night Vancouver. The skinny is that they’re aiming for late August or early September. So keep an eye on the site for the details.
Be sure to swing by the Jennifer Kostuik Gallery July 27 — August 9 to see Concepts to Draw Upon (drawings by Laura Bell, Aron Hill, Marianne Lovink, Jennifer Stead, and Reece Terris). This amazing gallery is in Yaletown (on Homer Street, between Helmecken and Nelson). The exhibition offers a fresh look at birds, microscopic organisms and large scale forests. Of special interest is a collection of Terris’s architectural renderings of scaled apartments from the decade of the 1960s to the year 2000. It’s a great space and continually has great exhibits. A must see.
CREATIVEMIX speaker, and Vancouver’s very own, David duChemin has released his first book and let’s just say that WTF is an appropriate response to its success. Yeah – the shortname ranks high on the provocative list but that’s not what’s getting everyone’s attention. Within the Frame: A Journey of Photographic Vision is a powerful book that has a lot to say about the how-to of photography which is only the beginning. David has delivered an epic book that goes deep into the why. He inspires the pro (and the not-s0-pro) to find and express their vision photographically, specifically where people, places, and culture are concerned. PeachPit released the book just a couple weeks ago and the response has tripped the WTF radar when it comes to sales. Though still in the infancy stage of landing on shelves online sales at Amazon.com are through the roof.
The popularity of David’s blog PixelatedImage and his fast-growing Twitter community has propelled staggering feedback and book sales. Follow him for just a few days and you’ll see that he’s clearly an exceptional writer, skilled communicator, lover of the craft, and coach for all kinds of “creatives”.
WTF is striking a chord in amateur and professional photographers alike and is connecting with people in a way that is setting itself up as a must-read for anyone who has ever looked through the lens of a camera. So, the skinny is: it’s a damn good book and David’s casual, impassioned voice comes through whether he’s talking about shutter speed or having tea in Cairo. You’ll want to buy a couple books, one to keep and one to give as a gift. Seriously.
Jeff Harrison has hog-tied Ian Grais and shipped him to Mexico in a barrel full of Skittles candy. He’s claimed the Rethink (Agency) spot on the roster and is the lead-off keynote presenter at CREATIVEMIX 2011. His clients have included Solo Mobile, Dose, The Canadian Press, Coast Capital Savings, The Contemporary Art Gallery, Bootlegger, Opus Hotel and Alliance Atlantis. Jeff’s work in print, identity, packaging and branded retail environments has been featured internationally in design periodicals and award shows such as Communication Arts, AR100, London International Awards, Ad and Design Club, Applied Arts, New York Festivals, Print Magazine, How Magazine, I.D., Creativity, Graphis and The One Show. In 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy award.
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