Conference Program

We are proud to present UDesign, the first graphic design conference ever held on the Princeton University campus.

Combining two potential interpretations, "you design" and "universities of design," our conference emphasizes design that is accessible to non-specialists. We believe that design can powerfully express the thoughts, emotions, and desires of individuals. Through this conference, we seek to bring together professional designers and university students to share ideas on the connections between people and design.

We plan for the conference to cover four main areas: brand identity, environmental design (including architecture), web-based design, and sustainability in design.

All conference activities will take place in Betts Auditorium in the School of Architecture on the Princeton University campus unless otherwise indicated. Please see the travel page for directions to the conference venue.


Conference Schedule

8:30-9:30 Participant Check-in/Breakfast

9:45-10:00 Welcome

10:00-10:40 AM Keynote Address

"Brand Identity: Representing You"
Paula Scher, Partner, Pentagram

Paula Scher, AIGA medalist, will deliver the conference's keynote address on the thought process behind creating brand identities by drawing on her diverse portfolio of work, which includes clients ranging from Citibank to the New York Public Theater.

10:45-11:25 AM

"Omnivore/Omniproductive"
Alice Chung, Partner, Omnivore

Alice Chung will speak about translating designs across multiple forms of print media -- from business cards and packaging to wall murals and rooftop graphics. Taking examples from her portfolio, she will illustrate the versatility of print design vis-a-vis the incorporation of pop culture influence.

11:30 AM-12:10 PM

"Orange, Black, and a Little Blue"
Donna Ching, Partner, ChingFoster

Donna Ching will speak about her design work for Princeton University, including identities for Frist Campus Center, Richardson Auditorium, as well as new identities for Tiger Transit and Princeton Preview -- illustrating the complex process of creating innovative brand images that at once maintain and reimagine Princeton's institutional image.

12:10-12:50 PM Lunch, Rockefeller College Dining Hall

1:00-1:40 PM

"Design For Everyone"
A Panel Discussion on Accessible Design
Panelists: Jonathan Harris, Joey Roth, Alice Chung, Glen Cummings, & Laurel Cantor

Moderator: Tiffany Wey, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University

1:45-2:25 PM

"On, In, and As"
Israel Kandarian and Glen Cummings, Designers, 2x4

2x4 is famous for its award-winning designs for the built environment. Israel Kandarian and Glen Cummings will present on the thought process behind creating wallpapers and installations for big-name clients Prada and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

10-minute break

2:35-3:15 PM

"Beyond Freshness: Designing for Patina and Human Touch"
Joey Roth, Founder/Principal, Joey Roth Design Studio

Joey Roth will present on the necessity for sustainable design in both industrial and graphic design, using his award-winning inventions as examples of how design can be used to create images and commercially-viable products that promote environmental sustainability.

3:25-4:40 PM

"You Design in 30 Minutes"*
An ad hoc charette among teams of student designers for the best 30-minute t-shirt design, followed by professional critique. T-shirt design will encourage the college-age crowd to engage in collaborative design aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.

"Design as a Business: Challenges and Solutions"*
Laurel Cantor, Director of Publications & Creative Strategy
Princeton University, Office of Communications

Laurel Cantor, a 26-year industry veteran, discusses challenges and changes in the business of graphic design over the past three decades, analyzing common issues of risk, innovativeness, and market acceptability. Her presentation will include a brief game focusing on logo identification.

*Mini-charrette and Laurel Cantor's talk will occur at the same time. Those participants not competing in the mini-charrette will attend the talk.

10-minute break

4:50-5:30 PM Closing Keynote

"Collecting Stories"
Jonathan Harris, Founder, Number 27

Jonathan Harris will share his experience of collecting stories and web-based systems for displaying those stories, presenting a visual catalog of projects ranging from Troubadour Magazine, founded during his senior year at Princeton, to projects that have yet to be released.

5:30-6:20 PM Reception, Rockefeller College Common Room

Please join us for a champagne reception celebrating the completion of Princeton's first graphic design conference. Mingle with speakers and attendees, conversing about the topics presented throughout the day.

6:30 PM Banquet, Rockefeller College Dining Hall