An Illustrated Overview of the 2-Day Event
Today I have a breakdown of the 16 sessions of the 2016 Brand Nieuwe Conference that took place this past June 20 – 21 in Amsterdam, and which was awesome. (If you are looking at this in an RSS reader head on over to the real thing, too much heavy formatting). This is a very long post with a photo of each speaker, very brief summaries from me and my partner in crime, collected tweets from the audience, and a preview of their video/session, so give it a good time to load. A few other things worth bullet-pointing:
• Videos for purchase are now available (with revised pricing across the years, including releasing the 2010 and 2011 videos for free).
• A lot more photos from the event have been posted in this Flickr album.
• Additional videos from the conference not included in this post: Day one opening remarks and BNConfAMS identity presentation / Day one closing summary / Day two opening remarks and Brand New summary (European edition!) / Day two closing summary.
• In a few days I will post this year's identity materials. Just have to photograph them.
That's it. Enjoy the post. There is a lot of great content from all the speakers.
Photos by Armando Ello.
Michael Johnson / johnson banks / London, UK
Armin's summary
A look at the branding process focusing on the gap between the strategy and design phases, illustrated through some of johnson banks' own work.
Bryony's summary
Michael demonstrated how by ditching the fucking branding mumbo jumbo and asking simple questions great solutions will be found. For simple questions will place you in the right place to find the right answers. Start in the wrong place and you will end up trying to solve the wrong problems. He suggests approaching branding through 5.5 steps: do the Research; develop your strategy and narrative; design; implement; and, finally, engage and revive. Thus bridging, or translating, what we define with what we create.
Tweets
Michael Johnson onstage #BNConfAms pic.twitter.com/Rc7HVpHMB0
— Ric Gindap (@ricgindap) June 20, 2016
Excited to read about the 5.5 steps in @johnsonbanks book coming soon #theartoftranslation #branding #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/V8MqbYhRt5
— Nanna Sverrild (@nannasverrild) June 20, 2016
niallokelly Great talk by johnsonbanks to kick off #BNConfAMS; these essential questions help cut through #branding confusion ...
— Pocket Vacations (@PocketVacations) June 20, 2016
Ask the right questions. Strategy and narrative boils down to: Why are we here? - Michael Johnson @johnsonbanks at #BNConfAMS
— Deepa Paul (@currystrumpet) June 20, 2016
Michael Johnson first speaker at #BNconf in 2010 is our firsts speaker at the first #bnconfams
A photo posted by Brand New Conference (@bnconf) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 12:31am PDT
Yada yada brand yada more brand. Classic brand strategy lingo not getting a lot of love this morning #bnconfams
A photo posted by Sidsel Godshaw Møller (@silent_d) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 12:46am PDT
The six brand questions to ask a client #BNConfAMS
A photo posted by Brand New Conference (@bnconf) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 12:46am PDT
Fascinating story by Michael @johnsonbanks about the (current) open process of rebranding @mozilla. https://t.co/X4pbkztslN #BNConfAMS
— Reed Words (@reedwords) June 20, 2016
Michael Johnson speaks about bridging the gap between brand strategy and design. #BNConfAMS #brand #design #strategy pic.twitter.com/s9HB8QgIx2
— Helena Jakoube (@helenajakoube) June 20, 2016
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Ben Bos / Formatie2 / Heemstede, Netherlands
Armin's summary
A historic overview of the relationship between architecture and design and how that led to the birth of corporate identity in the Netherlands.
Bryony's summary
Through a historical review of Dutch influences and influencers Ben showed us how architecture and design began to separate more and more, and how designers gave birth to the notion of corporate identity. But what I noticed most was how in looking at his early work, that which followed, and what I know to be his latest projects there is an essence of Ben that is unmistakable to me -- there is a directness in message and presentation that lacks pretension and overwork. It delivers in the most charismatic of ways.
Tweets
Ben!#bnconfams pic.twitter.com/x1fcWzlTgY
— João Miranda (@walkingfearless) June 20, 2016
Great designer Ben Bos on stage at the Brand Nieuwe conference talking about architecture as a cultural reflection #artzul #inspiration #design #bnconfams #benbos #furniture #amsterdam #makeyourmark
A photo posted by Artzul (@artzul.interiors) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 1:46am PDT
Ben Bos presents the masters of European design - stuff from almost a century ago still looks so fresh #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/s5vYTRxQuq
— Bjørn Høydal (@BjornHoydal) June 20, 2016
Ben Bos speak about design history - #bnconfams
A photo posted by Graphéine (@grapheine_branding) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 1:39am PDT
Ben Bos is schooling us #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/U06VSZ5zpi
— Marianne Dear (@MissMGingernut) June 20, 2016
Good design is as little design as possible. #BNConfAms
A photo posted by Eloi Comabella (@eloico) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 1:48am PDT
So much great work... Shame we ran out of time with Ben Bos at #BNConfAMS
— JBC DESIGN (@jbcdesign) June 20, 2016
Currently time traveling with Ben Bos back to the birth of corporate identity. It's the history of design lecture I never had. #BNConfAMS
— Deepa Paul (@currystrumpet) June 20, 2016
Ben Bos shares a-little design history about how architects back in the days are also masters in graphic design #BNConfAMS
A photo posted by Kelvin Chow (@kelvin_jrny) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 1:31am PDT
Signage and graphic systems of Schiphol Airport has been "stolen by the whole world" #BNConfAMS
— Marianne Dear (@MissMGingernut) June 20, 2016
Love the timeless work of Ben Bos speaking about Dutch history of architecture and graphic design #BNConfAMS #design pic.twitter.com/rEsQBrfngC
— Helena Jakoube (@helenajakoube) June 20, 2016
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Marko Salonen / Bond / Helsinki, Finland
Armin's summary
A detailed behind the scenes account on the concept and development of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra identity by Bond.
Bryony's summary
Marko, through a breathtaking project, gave us several bits of wisdom: Quality is the only thing that stands the test of time. Workshops are design fuel for the creative process. The story is always changing. More is less. Hiring designers is hard.
Tweets
Lo mejor de este tipo de conferencias es ver ideas previas o descartadas. Aquí un ejemplo. #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/5dG62TNwyy
— Brandemia_ (@brandemia_) June 20, 2016
They put as much effort into their photo shoot, as in the whole design process. Marko is great! @BondHelsinki @bnconf #BNConfAMS
— Other Tribe (@other_tribe) June 20, 2016
Workshops are like design fuel for the design process. -- @BondHelsinki Marko Salonen #BNConfAMS
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) June 20, 2016
"More is less"--Marko from @BondHelsinki @bnconf #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/AWsW5QKZrr
— Other Tribe (@other_tribe) June 20, 2016
Your daily axiom #bnconfams
A photo posted by Mark Kingsley (@markingsley) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 2:43am PDT
The story is always changing. #markosalonen #BNConfAMS
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) June 20, 2016
Amazing branding. @bondhelsinki @bnconf #bnconfams
A video posted by katcolo (@katcolo) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 2:56am PDT
Bond as the total opposite of Johnson. #BNConfAMS
— Everjean (@Everjean) June 20, 2016
@BondHelsinki on #Helsinki #philarmonic.. One of the best projects in the latest years for us.. #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/zDAbiiCEHT
— Jack Magma (@jackmagmastudio) June 20, 2016
Amazing @BondHelsinki #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/qQUWrZaiOI
— João Miranda (@walkingfearless) June 20, 2016
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Tnop Wangsillapakun / TNOP™ DESIGN / Bangkok, Thailand
Armin's summary
An example of how a love of calligraphy and continuous exploring of its potential informs the client work of the team at TNOP DESIGN.
Bryony's summary
Tnop showed us that attention to detail is imperative, as it is the small details that create the big picture. He also demonstrated that even when creating the unexpected it is often the process story that is the most interesting, not necessarily the finished product.
Tweets
@tnopdesign creates his own calligraphy brushes to deal with the lack of calligraphy supplies in Bangkok. #bnconfams
A photo posted by Brand New Conference (@bnconf) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 3:24am PDT
@tnopdesign brings charming and interesting design from Thailand #BNConfAMS
— Bjørn Høydal (@BjornHoydal) June 20, 2016
How to capture the process of making food through typography. Corporate identity for Bangkok restaurant by Tnop. #bnconfams #amsterdam #brandnew #corporateidentity #design #logo #graphicdesign #process #food #restaurant #tnop #tnopdesign
A photo posted by art director | designer (@helenajakoube) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 3:36am PDT
The design gospel according to Tnop :))) #BNConfAms #branding #design #typography pic.twitter.com/dcn0lcZYXZ
— Ric Gindap (@ricgindap) June 20, 2016
Calligraphy doesn't have to do with the tool it has to do with the way in which you interpret the letterforms -- Tnop #BNConfAMS
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) June 20, 2016
@Tnopdesign on stage "details create the big picture" #bnconfams
A photo posted by Kasia Kaczmarek (@kasiatheslav) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 3:39am PDT
Design must be modular #BNConfAMS #design #modular
— Michiel Meekels (@michielmeekels) June 20, 2016
Escuchando ahora al estudio tailandés Tnop Design https://t.co/DuM60dO1Ba #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/EhYRYdXzYe
— Brandemia_ (@brandemia_) June 20, 2016
Prepare the themes of corporate identity for the coming years. By Tnop. #BNConfAMS #design #brand #branding
— Helena Jakoube (@helenajakoube) June 20, 2016
Thailand branding design by Tnop @tnopdesign @bnconf #brandnewconference #bnconfams
A photo posted by Graphéine (@grapheine_branding) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 3:38am PDT
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Sagi Haviv / Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv / New York, USA
Armin's summary
A range of six projects framed around the relationship between the design firm and their clients and how each shaped the process yet still led to a simple, iconic logo.
Bryony's summary
Sagi warned us to never show a client something you can't live with, or you will have no one to blame but yourself. He also showed us that not always listening to what the client wants can lead to better outcomes. And he gave us the challenge to hear clients but to listen to our instincts as guided by our knowledge and experience.
Tweets
'Never put in front of a client work that you can't live with.' Sagi Haviv reports the wise words of Ivan Chermayeff. #BNConfAMS
— Reed Words (@reedwords) June 20, 2016
The wonderful Sagi Haviv advocates for not always listening to clients at @bnconf #bnconfams
A photo posted by Debbie Millman (@debbiemillman) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 5:41am PDT
Sagi Haviv shares the secret to cracking the client who doesn't. Want. To change. A thing. Clever identity work by @CGHNYC #BNConfAMS
— Deepa Paul (@currystrumpet) June 20, 2016
Sagi Haviv, @cghnyc, discusses different kinds of relationships between designers and clients @ #BNConfAMS. pic.twitter.com/kmWdfnqq9i
— Matej Ramšak (@MatejRamsak) June 20, 2016
Sagi Haviv on the value of simplicity, and why ideas don't have to be liked at first. (Chase Chairman hated this at presentation.) #bnconfams
A photo posted by Reed Words (@reedwords) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 5:40am PDT
Interesting opening from Sagi Haviv about speaking truth to power (and how in-house can't do it like an agency can) #BNConfAMS
— Marianne Dear (@MissMGingernut) June 20, 2016
Amazing speech by Sagi Haviv about how to approach clients in showcasing your solutions at @bnconf #BNConfAMS pic.twitter.com/Z9ez5nnTtV
— Other Tribe (@other_tribe) June 20, 2016
Impresionante la charla de Sagi Haviv, la mejor de todas hasta ahora. No os lo perdáis si tenéis la oportunidad algún día #BNConfAMS
— Brandemia_ (@brandemia_) June 20, 2016
"Your logo is NOT your sentence, it is the period at the end of your sentence." -- @CGHNYC #BNConfAMS
— Albert Chang (@AlbertChang24) June 20, 2016
Sagi Haviv from @cghnyc on client relationships.. Best talk so far #bnconfams
A photo posted by Jack Magma (@jackmagmastudio) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 5:59am PDT
It doesn't matter if someone likes it [logo] or not in the beginning. -- Sagi Haviv @cghnyc #BNConfAMS
— Brand New Conference (@bnconf) June 20, 2016
Create trust with clients and they will come with you #BNConfAMS
— RichardsDee (@RichardsDee_) June 20, 2016
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Eszter Laki / Budapest, Hungary
Armin's summary
A convincing case for traveling, enjoying food, and living life as it can lead to great clients and a cache of authentic references to draw from.
Bryony's summary
By using the power of our eyes, the beauty of personal interpretation, and the talent of our hands we can, as designers, create something that is unique to our abilities. Eszter showed us that the sum of these parts can be used for all of the personal projects that we can dream up, but most importantly, this approach can also be used for client-driven projects. You just have to be brave enough. And use Behance.
Tweets
Designer Ezster Laki uses her perpetual wanderlust as inspiration for her work. Now *that* I can get behind. #BNConfAMS
— Deepa Paul (@currystrumpet) June 20, 2016
Really beautiful work by Eszter Laki from Budapest, combining hand-made and digital design. #bnconfams
A photo posted by Reed Words (@reedwords) on
Jun 20, 2016 at 6:41am PDT
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