Grey Eyed Creative

The HOW Design Conference 2009 in Austin, TX. Where do I begin?

It all began with an issue of HOW Magazine that had a sweet insert advertising this year’s HOW Conference. Austin, TX. My birthplace. So I thought to myself, “Hm, that would be great to go to. Meet many other designers, network my tail off, attend useful lectures and sessions on everything design, and add even more fire to my passion for graphic design.”

So I brushed it aside and put it on the “wishful thinking” shelf. I did post the insert up on my wall though. As the months went by, I’d see it up there, research the conference a bit more online, check out pricing, and then set it aside. A few things came together fortunately, and after realizing as a student, the pricing would be cut in half, I couldn’t turn this opportunity down. With the conference changing locations every year, having it so accessible to me in Austin was too good to pass up.

I arrived in Austin Tuesday, the 23rd of June. I stayed until Saturday the 27th. It was sincerely the best thing I could have done. Here are some of the highlights from my first HOW Design Conference!

TUESDAY - June 23rd
The Bats on Congress: The day I got there, I was fortunate enough to meet up with some nice ladies who I tagged along with to eat at Iron Works, followed by taking an 8 dollar boat ride to watch the bats emerge from the Congress bridge. Magical. Of course I left my camera in the car.

Transformers II - Midnight Showing Got to hang out with my cousin Victor and watch some epic Transformers kickin some A!

Wednesday - June 24th
Early Morning Graphic Design Studio Tours: Visiting a handful of design studios around Austin was great. Ranch Road had free Sweet Leaf Iced Tea. Graphic Granola were sweethearts.

Frog Design blew me away, and Fd2S was located in a sweet warehouse.

USA defeat SPAIN in Confederations Cup Semi-Final
Stepped into a bar on 6th St. to watch this historic win!
http://tr.im/r5SD

HOW Design Adventure: Part II is on its way. In it I’ll be highlighting a few of my favorite sessions, speakers, and design topics. And yes, maybe a little Michael Jackson.

Were you at the HOW Design Conference this year? What did you think of it? Have you been to any conference that benefited your line of work? Let me know. I would love to hear about it.

Big day for me. I got my very first business cards in today!

I used a 16pt stock which I couldn’t find very easily. I printed with 4over.com. They were speedy, accurate, and easy to deal with. They do require an account approval. But the prices are excellent. I went with a matte/dull finish which I was happy with. Most business cards tend to have that UV coating that reflects too much. I definitely am a matte kind of guy.

Pretty exciting. I’ve always wanted to be able to talk design with someone and be able to follow up with a business card to reinforce my interest and love for this art. I’ve come to realize that especially in this business, networking plays an important role. A conversation with an old friend about your work and business card in their hands can generate job opportunities for you in the future. Maybe their boss is looking for a designer they can trust or a family member is looking to get work done. If you make the right impression, you’ll be the first person they think of. And if they’ve kept your business card, then the circle of life is complete.

Well maybe the circle of design.

These came out better than I had hoped. Would love to hear your thoughts and critiques.

After years of working on my own personal website/online portfolio, I think I’ve finally achieved something I want to stick with and am proud of. Grey Eyed Creative will function as my figurehead through which I can start to show my work to anybody and everybody in a
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