Today I am in San Francisco at the PSFK Conference, billed as a day of trends, inspiration and creativity. So far I am enjoying the content and discussions so much that I am going to avoid trying to frantically keep up with notes, Twitter and blog posts and let those better than I do the job, such as PSFK’s Lauren Isaacson, who is live-blogging and posting excellent summaries of the presentations and discussions.
One thing I will say is that as I sit here contemplating topics presented so far makes me think that interest in and even studying trends really isn’t something reserved for the marketing, advertising or brand planning elite. And its more than merely examining fads or fashion cycles. Rather what we’re discussing is a topic that everyone who cares about the future of humanity and the effects of technology and culture on our communities should study.
Oh, and one trend I’ve noticed among this crowd? There are an awful lot of people with UK accents here, such as the host of the conference and our old friend, Piers Fawkes. Hmmm…
While I’ll leave the note-taking to the super blogger Lauren, here is the agenda of the presentations:
8.30 Opening Remarks
PSFK founder Piers Fawkes welcomes the audience and introduces the agenda.
8.45 Trends-Should you care?
Ed Cotton (BSSP) explains why trends and inspiration matter – and how you can judge and use them.
9.15 San Francisco Snapshot
What makes the Bay Area tick? Colin Nagy (Attention) leads a discussion with passionate locals discuss what aspects of local culture inspire them the most. Panel includes Amit Gupta (Photojojo), Jeremy Townsend (Ghetto Gourmet), Kevin Allison (Financial Times) and Liz Dunn (funnyordie.com)
10.00 Shape The World
Chris Riley (Apple) explains how three Bay Area residents have shaped his world.
10.50 New Art
Since opening her online and offline art galleries, Jen Bekman (20×200) has witnessed (and encouraged) and new movement of artists, themes and styles. Bekman talks about the trends she sees in art and artists’ use of technology to connect with art-lovers and buyers.
11.20 Make It With Us
Ezra Cooperstein (Current TV) and Andrew Hoppin (NASA) describe how to shake up large bureaucratic industries (e.g.: aerospace and broadcast media) by turning customers into creators and collaborators.
12.00 Making Inspiration Matter
Gathering trends and ideas may be important but how do you take inspiration and create change? Gareth Kay (Modernista) leads a discussion with Eric Corey Freed (Organic Architect), Frank Striefler (Media Arts Lab) and Josh Morenstein (fuseprojects).
1.40 Thoughtful Change
Jean-Marie Shields (Starbucks) explains that the future will embrace brands that connect with consumers by converting ideas into Thoughtful Change.
2.10 Aligning Interests
When cynical people admit they’re idealistic you might be on to something; Publisher and Founding Editor Max Schorr shares his inspirations and learnings from the beginning of GOOD Magazine.
2.40 Look & Feel
Creative designer and inventor of Red, the award winning In Flight Entertainment system for Virgin America, speaks about innovation in the cabin worldwide.
3.40 Using It
How can companies and organizations leverage social media to enhance consumer dialog, evolve product offering and improve sales. Bootstrapping expert George Parker will lead a discussion with leading marketing innovators Adrian Ho (Zeus Jones), Mark Lewis (DDB), Lynn Casey (Team Noesis) and Rohit Bhargava (Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence).
4.20 When Words Are Not Enough
Using experience design to enhance communications: George Murphy (Modo-Group) and John Pollard (Microsoft) describe how environments and technology helped consumers connect with the brand.
4.50 Behave
Josh Handy & Nate Pence talk about how they design the method way, and how design and creative both mirror and shape the organization.