2010 IDSA NE conf...

Design Discussions general design discussion
1

I was just doing some snooping around and looking at where and when the next NE IDSA conference is going to be held and noticed that it is completely LAME. Not only is it being help in a city with no design firm, Union NJ, but it is being shared with another conference, the schedule has been drummed down and there are no studio visits. I go to the district conferences to meet students and aspiring designers, but I also go to network with other designers. From the looks of the schedule there is not much of that going on. Union is so close to NYC that they could have set up studio visits there. It is just a train ride away.

Also this used to be a weekend event, how do they expect me to pay the same price for a third less content! And another thing, why would I pay the price for an IDSA event when I am sharing it with an Art Director club. As all of you know I am all for Graphic design, but this is my one weekend to be an ID nerd and that’s what I want, ID!! I have defended IDSA on these boards, but they really are starting to drop the ball. Here is the link, it is a pretty shitty website so you have to scroll down through white space. http://www.idsa.org/absolutenm/templates/?a=5079&z=217

2

I’m not in IDSA and have interest in the conference (or NJ), but out of curiosity I followed your links. What is even crazier is the registration prices. I don’t get how they are having two conferences but they overlap. The two conferences are also different prices ???

IDSA membership (professional) $375
IDSA member conference prices $195 $245 $295 (early, regular late purchase)

ADCNY membership $225
ADCNY member conference prices (two days) $180.


Something doesn’t add up, unless I’m really misinderstanding and they are totally different conferences.

R

3

Yeah, Im not gonna lie, that is pretty bad. I cant believe they took a entire day off. Even though the last day is usualy nothing special, it is still nice to hang out/network with others in the field for longer. Although, I dont have it much better. As usual, the Mideast district doesnt even have a site up! Who knows whats in store for us. It really makes it difficult to clear my admission through corporate policies when I have NOTHING to give them about the event!

Yet again, way to go IDSA… :unamused:

4

Why is the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of New York involved? Maybe you are talking about a different ADCNY? (joking here)

I like that they are holding a joint conference. That’s a great idea. The art directors could bring some interesting new views on creativity and management that wouldn’t normally be presented widely in an ID setting. Kudos for that.

Now the bad…cutting it down to two days…ugh. Not only that, but the schedule seems pretty limp for those 2 days. It seems like 1/2 of the district conferences I attended in Boston and Philly, rather than 1/3. At least a few of the speakers pop out at me (Allan from C77).

Richard: The price is what it always is for IDSA members. The price differences isn’t too bad, but does seem quite strange…I think someone didn’t read a memo.

To conclude: I’m going to try to go to the national conference.

5

In defense of IDSA: it is very member driven. I know a former district pres. who finally gave it up because he was basically doing 100% of the work trying to market and organize the IDSA chapter and his own firm. Others would occasionally complain at meetings, then disappear again.

On the other hand, I recently spent an evening talking to the secretary and event organizer of the Quebec design association. I told them I would only re-join the organization if I saw a role I could play in bringing things together. I told them, call me and I’ll be at the next event organization meeting. I haven’t received an email or phone call.

6

What is realy sad here is that I live less than a half hour from Union and I don’t think I am going to go. I am going to try to make it to the National.

7

So it costs an additional $200-$300 each year to attend a regional conference (arguably one of the only perks / biggest reasons to join) for a membership that already costs $375 per year? (EDIT: also add the cost of the national conference to the overall yearly costs)

Don’t ask what IDSA can do for you, ask what you can do for IDSA… already after you’ve given them potentially tens thousands of dollars over your professional career ($500/year X 20 years). And then keep asking them if you can do anything else for them after that.

This money is not going to where it needs to be going, its just making a select few rich(er).

8

Just go to the parties, no need to register or pay a fee for those!

9

I think that might be the plan. Yo are you going to do another sketching session?

10

That dose sound lame. I have yet to see any info on the MidEast one, other then it’s date and being in Grand Rapids, Mi.


And I agree, the IDSA web site dose suck. And that IDSA has gotten whack, but if you do not like it change it. I am, I wanted to see more events locally so I got elected my chapters social chair.

11

And I agree, the IDSA web site dose suck. And that IDSA has gotten whack, but if you do not like it change it. I am, I wanted to see more events locally so I got elected my chapters social chair.

I agree and I have been one to stand up for that exact point, but this is bad. Creating an event at that does not attract proffesionals does nothing for the students.

12

Yeah the point of the Events is to get the students and the pros together, get them all stimulated ( :sunglasses: ), and then get inspired. I went to a really well put together con a few years ago in Kohler, Wi put on by Kohler it was nice, got a big turn out too.

The Lectures should be good for students, but I think that the two day format is really weak on paper. I’m guessing they felt it would be a commute con. with many of the people coming from within 50 miles and not getting a hotel room or only getting a room for one night. All the speakers are from NYC too I think, and unless some of the speakers are commanding really high hospitality’s (I think not too high) the price should be a hair lower.

Think that Chochinov guy is going to talk about his senior project from 95???

13

Simon: I’d love to hear a talk by Allan because Core has it’s hands in so many pots. They advertise, market, sponsor events, organize events, organize contests. I know Allan has had his hands in a lot of that. As someone without experience, but with an interest in, those domains, Allan’s talk will be interesting.

14

Please don’t get me wrong on that, it was mint as a friendly joke 100%. I’d like to hear what he has to say too. I just said it because we are on Core77. If this where on Product Design Forms it wouldn’t be funny to say what I said.

15

I have not been asked to, but I will be doing one for an event for the IDSA midwest that Simon_Four_Fingers is organizing.

16

I appreciate the thread here and thought I could jump in and clarify just a couple things…

These are two separate conferences with different programming, events and offerings. They will be running congruently and attendees will have access to some of the content from both conferences – but they are not one-in-the-same.

We have been asking our members if they want to talk to the greater design community or just ID and the feedback has shown a mix but that more opportunity to interact with designers of all disciplines is something that members would like. That is one of the driving factors to have a congruent conference. We are continually looking at ways to get the best of both worlds for all of you in the society, so your input and insight will not go unnoticed.

As far as pricing goes, the IDSA conference includes food, theirs does not, it also includes the closing party which theirs does not, so that’s why you are seeing different price points. Your feedback will help me better communicate the differences and value of the conference better.

I am really excited about the speaker line-up for this conference - try your best to come check it out.

17

Erik: It’s great to see something straight from the horses mouth. IDSA, amongst others, have come up on the boards often. Official or informed responses have been all too rare. I hope we see more of you in the future!

Thanks!

18

Erik,

I first would like to say thank you for taking the time to respond to our post. I also commend you guys for trying to expand the scope of ID and get students and professionals looking at other aspect of design. The price does not bother me as it is pretty cheap when it comes to a conference.

This issue I am having this year and a bit of last years conference is that the schedule looks really weak, and it has been paired down to two day. This used to be two jam pack days of lectures and networking events. Now it is fluff the first day (which is normal) a mediocre day the second day and nothing on Sunday. Here are a few things that I noticed:

1 Portfolio reviews. These used to be two days, this year they are only one and this time is on Friday. I myself as a professional love to meet students look at their portfolio and offer my advice. For that to be cut to only one day I think is really bad for the students. The best portfolio reviews I have done are on that last day and I fear with them on Friday many students will miss out as professionals trickle in Friday afternoon.

2.No studio visits and location. By having the conference in Union NJ you limit the participants in design related activities. I know it is being held at KEAN which has a very young ID department and this could bring great things to them, but the best part of holding the event in Boston, Philly, NYC, etc… is that there is a design network there and it attracts more professional. Also as a professional we go to this conference for two reasons, network with other designers, and mentor new designers. The studio visits are a big part of this. I am currently living in NJ and am in no way trying to put down the state, but our studios are scattered all over. Wouldn’t it had made more sense to do this in NYC? Just a thought.

3. Two days instead of three. I really don’t know what to say to this. It costs the same, but I am getting one less day. You did this last year in Boston and I felt very cheated. I want a Design weekend, not a design Saturday. Look at other districts they are still incorporating Sunday. What is the reasoning for cutting it out?

4. Schedule. Maybe it is because you have not put the names of the presenters in the schedule, but it looks a bit flat. What about the big elephant that will be in the room…lack of jobs? Where is the presentation on that? What about how design can help our economy? If we are going into other aspects of design, what about the role of private label or brand loyalty during these hard times? I just think there could be much better topics to talk about other than Crowd sourcing and others that are on the list. As mentioned before, it maybe that these topics are being covered I just can’t tell through the descriptions given in the schedule.

I hope this helps in seeing where we are coming from.

19

Thanks for all the great feedback. I am having a call this afternoon with the NE and will hopefully shed some more light on your questions and concerns tomorrow. Feel free to reach out to me any time at IDSA, erikh@idsa.org. I’m new to the organization but not new to the design community and really hope to bring some new creative solutions to IDSA.

20

1 Portfolio reviews. These used to be two days, this year they are only one and this time is on Friday. I myself as a professional love to meet students look at their portfolio and offer my advice. For that to be cut to only one day I think is really bad for the students. The best portfolio reviews I have done are on that last day and I fear with them on Friday many students will miss out as professionals trickle in Friday afternoon.

2.No studio visits and location. By having the conference in Union NJ you limit the participants in design related activities. I know it is being held at KEAN which has a very young ID department and this could bring great things to them, but the best part of holding the event in Boston, Philly, NYC, etc… is that there is a design network there and it attracts more professional. Also as a professional we go to this conference for two reasons, network with other designers, and mentor new designers. The studio visits are a big part of this. I am currently living in NJ and am in no way trying to put down the state, but our studios are scattered all over. Wouldn’t it had made more sense to do this in NYC? Just a thought.

  1. Two days instead of three. I really don’t know what to say to this. It costs the same, but I am getting one less day. You did this last year in Boston and I felt very cheated. I want a Design weekend, not a design Saturday. Look at other districts they are still incorporating Sunday. What is the reasoning for cutting it out?

  2. Schedule. Maybe it is because you have not put the names of the presenters in the schedule, but it looks a bit flat. What about the big elephant that will be in the room…lack of jobs? Where is the presentation on that? What about how design can help our economy? If we are going into other aspects of design, what about the role of private label or brand loyalty during these hard times? I just think there could be much better topics to talk about other than Crowd sourcing and others that are on the list. As mentioned before, it maybe that these topics are being covered I just can’t tell through the descriptions given in the schedule.

Hi there - I am Marco Perry, the NE District VP in charge of this years conference. I thank you for your feedback. Before setting up this conference, I tried to get as much input as possible from previous organizers, and the local chapters, and I will continue to try to improve the conference until the launch day. I will address your concerns one by one.

  1. Portfolio Reviews - There hasn’t been a good format for portfolio reviews yet, and we always try to make improvements. I don’t recall 2 days of portfolio reviews, but we maybe able to achieve it this year. Let me speak with review organizers.
    The main complaints to date have been about not enough attendance by professionals and students not getting an even amount of time. co-located the portfolio review with a wine/cheese networker with both conferences. This will make the traffic as much as national conference with diversified design professional group (graphics, ID, interaction, etc.) I also asked the moderators to more actively shuffle the pros around so every students gets their fair share of feedback.

2.Location and studio visits - The location was selected for many positive attributes (great campus, facilities, cost to attendees, etc.), but let me focus on its proximity to studios. Kean is really really close to Manhattan, just a couple stops on NJ Transit, Path trains or minutes by car. The gala will likely be relocated to a design studio in Manhattan (TBD). Additional studio visits are tough to get, since places are not as interested in opening their doors as you might think. In previous years, studio visits tend to be limited to places that hold events. Regardless, this is a good idea and I will see if I can get more offices to let us in.

  1. Two day vs Three - Past years events have started in the afternoon Friday (1/2 day) and ended in the morning on Sunday (1/2), for a total of 2 days. Sunday attendance has been really low since people like their weekends, need to travel back home and are shot after the Saturday party. What you are responding to is that our website is still building and lacking in up to date information. We will actually start at 9Am Friday, making for 2 fully packed days. I will work quickly to get all the info online as soon as I can, we are just waiting for speakers to commit to time slots before we post.

4.Again, the main problem here is that we are greatly lacking in up to date information on the website. We have a lot more to come and much has yet to be posted. The delay has been a mixture of things - speakers giving us their bios, headshots, summary of talks, and having them commit to time slots. That being said, we have recently been working real hard at solidifying the schedule and this will all be update the day we have what we need. Don’t despair, I am confident you will see a roster of speakers that rivals the national convention, especially if you consider all the speakers you can view from the Thinking Creatively conference.

Let me just say I appreciate the feedback, and I am confident that this conference will be one of the best conference is recent memory. The quality of the content, the dialog we will enable during the conference, the value of the 2 conferences for the price of one, additional networking events and more concrete benefits to students and professionals will all very very clear the day of the conference.
I was surprised by the negative comments and it makes it really clear to me that we are not doing a good job communicating the value we are trying to provide. We will have to work harder. If you find we changed your mind about the conference, please help spread the word.

Marco