Studio Sessions
As a pre-Conference warmup, we coordinate a series of Thursday morning workshops at leading creative companies all over New York City. Accommodating 25 to 50 people apiece, our studio sessions will introduce you to the inner-workings (and inner-spaces) of idea execution, and allow you to connect with other attendees in an intimate group setting before we all gather at the Times Center after lunch.
IDEO
IDEO New York /// 28 Mercer Street 2nd Floor
Thu 5/3 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)
Introduction to the Human-Centered Design Process
Visit IDEO's New York studio for an interactive introduction to human-centered design. After breaking attendees out into teams, two senior discipline leads, Joe Gerber and Erin Henkel, will lead the group through a creative, prototyping design challenge. Through the exercise, attendees will gain an appreciation of the importance of embracing design constraints and developing an empathic understanding of your audience.
About IDEO
IDEO is a global innovation and design consulting firm that uses a human-centered, design-based approach to help organizations in the business, government, education, healthcare, and social sectors innovate and grow. The New York studio is located in the heart of Soho and is home to more than 40 talented IDEOers across a wide range of creative disciplines as well as one very well-worn foosball table.
About IDEO
IDEO is a global innovation and design consulting firm that uses a human-centered, design-based approach to help organizations in the business, government, education, healthcare, and social sectors innovate and grow. The New York studio is located in the heart of Soho and is home to more than 40 talented IDEOers across a wide range of creative disciplines as well as one very well-worn foosball table.
R/GA
R/GA New York /// 350 West 39th Street
Thu 5/3 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)
Brainstorming Technology First
Successful digital experiences require seamless integration between a clear idea and solid execution. So why do we wait until the end to figure out the execution part? Drawing on his experience with Facebook and Thomson Reuters, Will Turnage, R/GA's VP of Technology & Invention, will share his process for brainstorming and prototyping digital products (e.g. social, mobile, etc) with an eye toward technical execution. He'll tap attendees to develop initial concepts, and demonstrate how an implementation-first approach leads to the best end product.
About R/GA
Founded in 1977 by President and CEO, Bob Greenberg, R/GA is a full-service agency that transforms the way people interact with brands. Our commitment to design, technology, strategy, and innovation has defined R/GA's continuing legacy as an iconoclast in the world of communications and marketing.
About Will Turnage
Will Turnage, VP of Technology & Invention, is responsible for global technical product innovation and digital experimentation at R/GA. With an emphasis on making and building, he works with global clients and R/GA's deep roster of in-house talent to build great products.
About R/GA
Founded in 1977 by President and CEO, Bob Greenberg, R/GA is a full-service agency that transforms the way people interact with brands. Our commitment to design, technology, strategy, and innovation has defined R/GA's continuing legacy as an iconoclast in the world of communications and marketing.
About Will Turnage
Will Turnage, VP of Technology & Invention, is responsible for global technical product innovation and digital experimentation at R/GA. With an emphasis on making and building, he works with global clients and R/GA's deep roster of in-house talent to build great products.
Union Square Ventures
Union Square Ventures /// 915 Broadway 19th Floor
Thu 5/3 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)
The Economics of Networks & What That Means For Your Internet Start-Up
Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Reddit are different than General Motors or Apple; Internet services do not create products or services in the same way that industrial enterprises do. They create environments within which their users create all the value. In that sense, they behave more like governments than companies. Led by USV partner Brad Burnham, this lecture and Q&A session will explore how the economics of networks impact your start-up, including key decisions like when or if to raise money, how to introduce new services, and how to generate revenue.
About Union Square Ventures
Union Square Ventures is a venture capital firm based in New York City, whose partners include Brad Burnham, Fred Wilson, Albert Wenger, John Buttrick, and Andy Weissman. USV's portfolio companies create services that have the potential to fundamentally transform important markets. The firm manages $650,000,000 across four funds. Investments include Etsy, Foursquare, Twitter, Skillshare, Kickstarter, Soundcloud, DISQUS, Tumblr, Boxee, and Zynga, among many others.
About Union Square Ventures
Union Square Ventures is a venture capital firm based in New York City, whose partners include Brad Burnham, Fred Wilson, Albert Wenger, John Buttrick, and Andy Weissman. USV's portfolio companies create services that have the potential to fundamentally transform important markets. The firm manages $650,000,000 across four funds. Investments include Etsy, Foursquare, Twitter, Skillshare, Kickstarter, Soundcloud, DISQUS, Tumblr, Boxee, and Zynga, among many others.
Red Antler
Grind /// 419 Park Ave South 2nd Floor
Thu 5/3 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)
Branding Your Start-up Business
Learn the ins and outs of branding a company with Red Antler, in this special session hosted at the Grind co-working space. Join founding partners JB Osborne and Emily Heyward in positioning a (fake) new business for launch. The group will work through a naming process, followed by building a strategic brand vision, and establishing core insights and mission. Finally, the session will explore visual brand identity development by creating "mood boards" that bring the brand vision to life.
About Red Antler
Red Antler is a branding & design consultancy specializing in startups and new ventures. Working with clients such as One Kings Lane, Tasting Table, and StumbleUpon, Red Antler partners with new businesses on strategic positioning, naming, brand identity design, user experience, and web design. Red Antler has served as a long-term strategic partner of Behance, consulting on product development and positioning.
About Grind
Grind is a unique members-only workspace and community dedicated to taking all of the frustrations of working the old way and pulverizing them to a dust so fine it actually oils the wheels of the machine.
About Red Antler
Red Antler is a branding & design consultancy specializing in startups and new ventures. Working with clients such as One Kings Lane, Tasting Table, and StumbleUpon, Red Antler partners with new businesses on strategic positioning, naming, brand identity design, user experience, and web design. Red Antler has served as a long-term strategic partner of Behance, consulting on product development and positioning.
About Grind
Grind is a unique members-only workspace and community dedicated to taking all of the frustrations of working the old way and pulverizing them to a dust so fine it actually oils the wheels of the machine.
