Art Directors Club of NJ Blog

"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!