A conference full of endorphins

In this expertise, we documented the process and results of the design conference “Designing Utopias - Gaze into time”. We wrote articles and developed visual elements for the magazine.

Main Idea of the Project

By documenting the conference, we aimed to capture and share the valuable insights, efforts, and design approach during the event. Articles provide an opportunity to extend the reach of the conference beyond its immediate attendees, allowing a wider audience, including new students to benefit from the knowledge generated.

Conferences play a crucial role in academia, as they provide a platform to showcase work and receive recognition for contributions. By documenting design utopias, it also highlights the achievements of the university, its students and faculty members.

Above all, it was also about having fun with the layouts, creating visual elements and writing.

Process of documentation

The process during the week of creating visual designs and writing articles was a well-structured and supportive environment that fostered both productivity and mental well-being.

Introduction to brain dump: The week began with a mental exercise called brain dump, which involved writing continuously without editing or using the backspace key. This exercise encouraged free-flowing thoughts and ideas without the burden of self-censorship. It helped in generating a stream of consciousness and capturing ideas in their raw form.

Meditation and light music: Each morning, Alberto, the lecturer, started the day with a meditation session. Meditation promoted relaxation, focus, and a calm state of mind, setting a positive and peaceful tone for the day's activities.

Schedule and timetable: To ensure organization and productivity, a schedule and timetable were provided. Having a clear plan and structure for the day helps in managing time effectively, setting goals, and ensuring progress. This allowed us to stay focused and on track, maximizing our productivity during the week.

Accessibility to the lecturer: Alberto's availability and willingness to offer help created a supportive environment where we felt comfortable seeking guidance whenever needed. This accessibility fostered a sense of collaboration, encouraged questions, and provided opportunities for clarification, enhancing the overall learning experience.

Inspiration from magazines: The presence of a table with magazines and spreads for inspiration added an extra layer of creativity to the process. Visual stimuli and examples from magazines sparked new ideas, ignite imagination, and served as references for design and content creation.

Article and Spreads

In my article, I wrote as an outside perspective. I had the unique opportunity to reflect on my personal experience of hearing about the conference as a first-semester student and then becoming an insider and a participant a year later. This allowed me to provide a fresh perspective and share my journey of curiosity and intrigue.

The process of working on the conference was a transformative experience for me. The initial anticipation and curiosity I had as an outsider turned into a sense of pride and belonging. Being part of the conference as a late comer, not only allowed me to witness the conference's inner workings but also gave me a platform to contribute my own ideas and insights.

Spread 1

I illustrated a drawing to visualise my experience as my article captures the journey of transitioning from an outsider hearing about the conference to becoming an active participant.

Spread 2

I had a fantastic time working on the layout of the texts and playing around with different visual and text elements. The best part was that I had complete freedom to experiment and be creative with my writing and design.

To convey the essence of the words in the text, I decided to incorporate one of my own illustrations. It was a rendering that symbolized how the conference and its design elements reminded me of Einstein's theory of relativity. The illustration is about being in outer space with everything new. Excitement and headspace of a strange land triggers certain joy and curiosity, exactly the feelings I felt when I kept hearing about the conference. This personal touch added a unique feeling of affinity to the process.

The design approach taken during the preparations of conference fascinated me. It allowed me to dive deep into my creative mind and explore innovative ways to present the content. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of finding the perfect balance between aesthetics and conveying the intended message effectively.