"Thinking Creatively" Conference Celebrates

the World of Design

All ADCNJ members have something to look forward to: the seventh "Thinking Creatively" Design Conference, which is a two-day event featuring dozens of presentations that promote and celebrate the value of creative thinking in the workplace and beyond.

Held on Friday, April 16, 2010, and Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, this year's "Thinking Creatively" Conference is a special edition. The Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) will hold their annual, regional conference concurrently with the "Thinking Creatively" Conference.

That means that all "Thinking Creatively" attendees will gain access to IDSA presentations, as well as benefit from IDSA members who will attend the main-stage events, breakout sessions, and networking activities organized by The Design Center at Kean University and the ADCNJ. It also means a significant increase in attendees expected this year.

Of special note: A charette (which is a short, intensive working session to create a solution for a specific design problem) will be organized for professionals and students. Charettes are held for "sport," fun, and intellectual stimulation. Sponsored by The Gruskin Group (www.gruskingroup.com), prizes will be awarded to the winners of the charette.

Other highlights include the following offerings: Pantone is helping to support the networking event on Friday, and the Kean University Alumni Asociation is making arrangements for a Disney Imagineer to lead an event following the networking event. In addition, a panel discussion on the state of design will include reporters from Fast Company, Business Week, and Metropolis.

"As always, Thinking Creatively hosts and provides world-class speakers and presentations, fun, goodies, and intellectual refreshment," said Rose GOnnella, ADCNJ Board Member and Professor at Kean University who has taken a leadership role in orchestrating this conference. "We believe it's important to provide affordable access to a major event for design professionals and students that is on par with other world-class conferences. We want to deliver an interactive, thoughtfully rich, and professionally focused conference to inspire us all."

"This conference is an excellent opportunity for professional enrichment," added Robert Ryan, ADCNJ President of President of CMYK Printing. "Now in its seventh year, this event has developed a strong reputation for bringing together some of the best and brightest creative professionals in the world of design. THe ADCNJ is delighted to work with The Design Center at Kean University to make this conference a source of inspiration for creative professionals."

To learn more and register for this "Thinking Creatively" Conference, visit www.thinkingcreatively.org or www.adcnj.org or call 201-997-1212. Come and explore the world of design at the "Thinking Creatively" Design Conference!

Rejection Never Felt this Good

Project Never is a free awards competition created by graphic designers for graphic designers. Thousands of effective designs die each day – often for good reason. At the same time, successful designers and agencies generate many worthy ideas for each project or campaign, only one of which gets chosen for wider audiences. Project Never honors the most creative design concept that never reached production.

Anyone may submit, as long as the design concepts were developed between January 1, 2009 and February 19, 2010. Submissions must be projects, designs, or concepts that were proposed, but not mass-produced for an executed campaign. The deadline is February 19, 2010, for more information visit www.projectnever.com.

Designing Resolutions for 2010

The New Year is upon us and before the excitement wears off and routine sets in, why not take time to establish some design goals, as well as new and healthy habits. These should focus on expanding your abilities as a designer as well as an artist, while stretching and challenging your creative muscles. Now is the perfect time to establish good habits that will continue to enrich your life for the next few months. Here are a few ideas to help you get started down the creative path in 2010.

Learn a New Program. If you’ve been procrastinating now is the time to challenge yourself. You can take a class, read a tutorial or learn online. Make sure to set deadlines especially if you are learning the program on your own. This will help keep you on track.

Volunteer Your Time. Choose a not-for-profit organization that you would like to support and volunteer. Since the economy has not fully recovered many of these organizations, especially the smaller not-for-profits are struggling and grateful for any assistance.

Leave the Office. Finding the time to get away from the office may be difficult, but you need to take a break. Even if it’s for an hour go to a park, explore museums and neighborhoods or attend an event. Your “mini-vacation” will help elevate the creative mind as your senses are exposed to new environments. Don’t forget to bring a notebook and camera in case you’re struck with inspiration along the way.

Go Green. Figure out ways to reduce your imprint on the environment by going green. Simple things like walking to work, using a ceramic mug or metal utensils, or making your invoicing paperless will reduce your impact and help Mother Earth stay healthy.

What are your resolutions for the new year? Email me at ana@anapaularodrigues.com

Ana Paula Rodrigues is an Art Director at Nielsen Business Media and an ADCNJ Board Member.

© Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. 

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You are invited to come and explore the wide range of opportunities available to you through the Art Directors Club of New Jersey.

"What can the ADCNJ do for me?" That's a question that creative professionals who work and/or live in New Jersey ask themselves. And the ADCNJ is making it easy for you by bringing together individuals with a passion for the world of design and a sense of adventure for an evening of exploration- in what we're calling ADCNJ Nights.

ADCNJ leaders will introduce you to ADCNJ events, ADCNJ committees, current areas of interest, and most importantly, listen to any ideas you have for building a stronger organization. The brainstorming session generating ideas and specific topics for ADCNJ programs for the coming year will be the finale of this relaxed gathering.

As an added incentive to attend, each ADCNJ Night will be kicked off with one of a series of Shorts- a 30-minute presentation, demonstration, or discussion hosted by professionals in our field. Shorts will feature a wide range of topics, and give everyone the chance to learn something new, explore relevant topics, or perhaps just be wowed by some of the excellent work that is being produced in the world of design. For our first Shorts presentation, All-State Legal will showcase the fine art of engraving - regarded by many to be finest way to set ink to paper - detailing the extraordinary benefits it offers to designers.

And if that is still not enough to entice you out of a nice warm place on a frosty January night, we are showing our Tops too! Members will use tabletop space to display their stuff - bring your laptop / display boards / collateral materials / business cards. Reverse the process and bring a design dilemma or challenge - we'll find you a 'spot' of help!

We need everyone's participation to make ADCNJ Nights a success.

Our goal is to further the sense of community and camaraderie that the ADCNJ offers us, its members. But without each other, we can't do that. So what can the ADCNJ do for you? Let's find out together.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Kean Hall (Room 127) at Kean University
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083

Admission is free of charge for Members.
Guests by invitation only - contact ADCNJ for details, 201-997-1212 or email info@adcnj.org.

The 47th Annual Art Directors Club
of New Jersey Call for Entries

The most prestigious design competition in New Jersey is now accepting entries. All work created between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 is eligible. Download the entry form at www.adcnj.org, the deadline is February 12th 2010. Good luck!

2009 ADCNJ Rock Paper
Scissors Show