OFFF Barcelona 2015: Wrap Up
OFFF Barcelona 2015 has come to a close. We were there and now bring you the highlights of the 15th edition.
From the venue, speakers to the visitors themselves, OFFF Barcelona 2015 was an event like no other. The three event days brought a wide range of groundbreaking new thoughts, insights into digital and technological advancements, and high-end design, all in an atmosphere loaded with passion for creation. In every aspect, OFFF Barcelona lived up to its mission of feeding the future.
Held at the Disseny Museum the event took place in outstanding architectural surroundings, setting expectations high for the event inside. Digital and design enthusiasts were gathered from near and far in large numbers to connect, learn and be inspired by some of the world’s greatest minds.
Inside, a bustling design marketplace, the OFFF Mercadillo, unfolded in the spaces of the venue featuring the latest brands and trends. Walking down the aisles of the market, visitors could find everything from design books, unique sunglasses, skateboard decks, accessories and clothing to augmented reality and cameras.
Apart from the OFFF Mercadillo, OFFF Barcelona 2015 offered a wide range of interactive areas and workshops for creatives to challenge their own skills as their minds were rich in inspiration from the speakers. The speakers were found in and around the auditoriums, which were designed in true OFFF Barcelona style, bringing a feeling of entering a neon-lit future.
Day one brought a range of stimulating stories and challenging projects that set the stage for the following days.
Among the speakers of day two was artist, designer and photographer Chuck Anderson who brought a captivating account of his career advancement from its humble beginnings until present time. Anderson grew up in the Chicago with no degree and no particular proclivities apart from occasional creative inclinations. Following his first paid project, a web design for a small pizza restaurant, he began to reevaluate what it is to be a designer and came to the conclusion that there is a lot the individual can offer to the world creatively.
Fast forward 10 years, Anderson has now worked with major clients such as Microsoft, Vans, Burton and the Chicago Bulls and his unique style is recognizable and sought after in the industry. The artist prides himself in having grown in the pursuit of work and spoke at lengths about his grass-roots method of approaching the early clients. These eventually gave him the work opportunities that strengthened his portfolio and later attracted his more influential benefactors. One of the most important lessons learnt in the process was creating relationships and collaborations, which eventually lured him out of freelance work and into the more complex and rewarding world of creative direction.
Another notable speaker of day two was graphic designer Mirko Borsche. Munich-based, Borsche displayed a versatile application of creative work with an emphasis on print. Fascinated with the fine details of paper, effects and the process of engaging with the subject matter, he has moved across several artistic channels including the performance arts, fashion magazines and even office design. He celebrates the notion that it is the artist that is the hero, and by designing for clients it is important to not loose this focus and overwhelm their work. A special signature of Borsche is that his work in publication often employs a crude provocation designed to generate reactions in the viewers.
Concluding the speakers of day two was the great design mastermind Stefan Sagmeister who spoke about design and happiness in an intriguing account. We met with Sagmeister on an earlier occasion and spoke to him about Design and Happiness, his origins and his socks. To read our interview with Sagmeister click here.
Day three saw the illustrator of colourful creations, Steven Wilson, share his story and lessons learned through his career. From the suburbs of London Wilson confessed that his initiation into the world of design was a slow and sometimes tedious experience that filled him with a sense of doubt towards the industry. Now, having created a unique and somewhat psychedelic style he looks for inspiration from artists like David Hockney. Wilson also finds great inspiration in older artistic methods such as lino-cuts and printing prior to interpreting this digitally. He believes that these analogous techniques prepare one to recognise technology as only a guide for potential digital application rather than a starting point. As such, Wilson’s process is one of recycling in order to redefine aesthetics followed by experimentation, modification and improvement. Read our pre-OFFF Barcelona interview with Wilson here.
In another field of illustration, speaker Rizon Parein spoke about 3D modeling. Having worked for Nike, Wired Magazine and Jay Z’s record label, Parein has created a name for himself in the competitive world of 3D Modeling. He uses this skill to generate beautiful stills and illustrations. These embody an aesthetic sense of peace, proportionate to the balanced visual elements of his compositions. The attention to detail that goes into his work creates a final product that often makes the viewer question whether it is real or computer generated imagery. In candor, Parein spoke of the common issues of concept infringement and overcoming creative differences with clients. Consequently, he always takes time at the end of projects to make a refined personal version for his portfolio in order to attract new clients.
As day three came to and end, so did this year’s OFFF Barcelona adventure. As proud media partners we shared each step of the event from pre-event interviews with Aimée Duchamp Director of Atelier, creative partner for OFFF, Bruno Sellés creative director and founder of Vasava studio, and Yukiko to on-ground coverage from Barcelona, Spain.
OFFF Barcelona will continue feeding the future next year. We will be there to bring you new groundbreaking ideas, innovative speakers, and original creativity. Stay tuned.
Research and photography: Julian Luskin.
—
