Thinkcage

I am pleased to announce that I will be speaking at Tulsa TechFest 2008 on October 10th. Here’s the description of the session, Javascript Libraries for Designers:

Javascript and AJAX-style effects are everywhere on the web, but thanks to a new batch of easy-to-use libraries, sophisticated animation effects can be used by designers with no programming or Flash needed. Tailored to the accomplished designer with limited programming skills, this session intends to practically show how to tap into the power of “write less, do more” Javascript libraries. This is a practical, how-to session that will benefit a wide-range of designers.

It’s something I’ve wanted to present for awhile now. Many designers have jumped into XHTML and CSS but think that they need to be a “programmer” to use JavaScript. Many of these libraries are very accessible and even geared toward designers who lack programming skills. The session will focus on showing designers how easy it is to incorporate sophisticated visual effects into their website designs.

I’ve not previously attended Tulsa TechFest but I’m looking forward to the event. Hope to see some of you there.

This morning I will be once again making the trip south to Austin, TX for the 2008 South by Southwest Interactive conference. 

SXSW is actually three conferences in one, covering Interactive, Music, and Film during SXSW Week, March 7 – 16, 2008. SXSW Interactive is really the premier event for people working in the web industry. The conference features nearly five full days and offers panels, keynotes, a trade show, and other events featuring the top minds in the field. SXSW covers a wide range of topics from business development on the web to social networking to technology, design, and even tactical topics like HTML and CSS. In years past, SXSW has been a favorite launching point for new “Web 2.0″ applications. Nearly anyone working on the web can benefit from something at this conference, even if it is only for the opportunities to network. And like many conferences, some of the best information is found in the form of meeting and sharing ideas with the smart people you meet throughout the week.

I’m looking forward to panels on design, social networking, CMS systems, and web startups. Speakers include: Jason Fried, Jim Coudal, Jason Santa Maria, Kathy Sierra, Jeffrey Zeldman, and Jimmy Wales with keynotes by Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, community artist Frank Warren, and futurist Jane McGonigal.

This year, I’ll be heading down to SXSW with Element Fusion senior designer, Dustin Evans. While in Austin, we’ll be looking to line-up meetings with customers, partners, and new friends. If you’d like to meet us at SXSW, you can find us in the online registrant directory. Or leave your contact information below and we can provide email, phone, twitter, or other ways to reach us while at the conference. Hope to see you there!

Oh and did I metion that Mashable rocks?

I was fortunate to spend the last few days in Austin, Texas for the 2007 edition of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive conference. This was my first trip to the big show since 2003 and it was great to return. SXSW is an unbelievable experience as a conference without pretense. Not only is it probably the best value in the field at about $225 for early registration, but it’s the only design related conference I’ve been to where the panelists aren’t held on a pedestal and separate from the plebeian masses. Here you may see Jeffrey Zeldman as a panelist in one session and sit next to him in the one that follows. For the most part everyone is approachable, friendly and most of all, genuinely passionate about their little slice of the web.

SXSW is hard to describe — my head is swimming with cool things, ideas, new techniques, and inspiration. I’ve got a list a mile long of things to try and websites to visit. Every year, SXSW seems to have a flavor. Themes, memes, and fun things that seem to capture everyone’s attention. In 2003 everyone was abuzz with online communities and the power of blogs. This year the theme seemed to be Web 2.0 and especially excellent web application design. Oh and don’t forget Twitter. It seems as if every panelist mentioned his or her Twitter obsession. If you happen to twitter, add me as a friend.

I have more to write, but I need to collect my thoughts first. There is nothing like the creative high that you ride on the tails of a good design conference.