All Constraints are Beautiful

We so often consider constraints to be a negative. We have become convinced that they stop us doing what we want and that, therefore, they prevent us from being our most creative.

But constraints are actually the most beautiful thing in the world. Constraints are what give us direction. Constraints are what give us focus. Constraints are what give us empathy.

In this talk Charlie will tell us how constraints are something that should be sought out and embraced, especially in the infinite chaos of the web.

Humanising Your Documentation

It’s no secret that most people don’t read technical documentation for pleasure. Users often come to your docs when they are frustrated with your software, disappointed that they haven't been able to solve the problem on their own and generally feeling pretty low. This is sad, sure, but being aware of these feelings is key for developers and technical writers alike. These emotions frame the reader’s perspective and therefore, should shape the mood of our docs.

In this talk, we’ll discuss how the language we use affects our users and the first steps towards writing accessible, approachable and use case-driven documentation.

The Power of Metaphor

Making a mainstream film that is culturally resonant, critically acclaimed and financially successful is a rare achievement, yet some filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan and David Fincher consistently tell stories that tick all of those boxes.

Under the surface of their most celebrated films lies a hidden architecture that operates on an unconscious level; This talk is designed to illuminate the techniques that great storytellers use to engage a global audience on a deep and meaningful level through psychological metaphor.

Making Art With Familiar Objects

Her talk will be about how her background in architecture informs the way she creates art – usually of everyday objects, and into big installations. Red will talk about how she challenges to look at the familiar and mundane with fresh eyes, and about how exploring new places and meeting people of different cultures has influenced her work. She will cover materials ranging from teabags, to chopsticks, to socks, and to her current medium: eggshells.

Never Snap to Guides

Nu design rules in a shifting environment.

Hard Work, Relentless Dreams and WiFi

Rob is going to tell two stories. The first is how he got here – How did he end up doing this and why does he draw on things? It’s a peculiar story that he himself wouldn’t believe unless it had happened to him. After unexpected redundancy from his dream job he felt he was at a junction - retrain and leave behind a 20+ year design career or go it alone, not turn anything down, try new things and see what happens. That approach left him working in a high security prison and spending his spare time drawing on coffee cups.

The second story is how once finally some of his dreams came true, he found himself back at square one – he had no studio, no office and “home” was living on a camp bed in his sister’s front room next to his 11 year old son and how this has shaped him, his work and his outlook. It’s basically a story of relentlessly pursuing dreams when at times the odds are stacked against you and how sometimes that goes right, sometimes it goes wrong but it’s what you learn and take forward that matters …

Imagination, Desire and the Call of the Future

The future does not exist, and yet it is something we dream about, plan for and sometimes fear. Join David as he talks through his process and how he came to learn about the creative playground called “the future,” and why the relationship of imagination, wonder and the desire to explore has become a central theme to his work.