It was an absolute dream trip to get to go to New York this November and go to the Brand New Design Conference. So many inspiring designers spoke: Paula Scher, Michael Bierut, Michael Johnson, Michael Lejeune, Christian Helms, Tom Dorrestejin, Connie Birdsall, Jordan Crane, Karl Heiselman, and Erik Spiekermann.

I took a lot of notes, and tried to write down as many quotes as I could. Thought I’d finally post them.

Here are some of my favorite note/quote clippings:

“You can fake your way through almost anything. If you do it three times, you’re an expert.” - Paula Scher

“It’s good to be scared. It makes you rise to the occasion.” - Paula Scher.

“Set up a place to work how you want to work.” - Michael Beirut.

“Even the smallest project can be interesting if you redefine it.” - Christian Helms

Good design makes sense. It answers a question. It caters to a need.

To make good design you need good clients. And good partners.

With the right resources, you can do anything.
    - know your resources
    - not just business

Don’t do what’s expected, do what makes sense.

Type is powerful. Color is relevant. If you can master both you’ve already come so far.

Diagnose the problem rather than waste time with amorphous statements about brand missions. Get to work and make great work.

The longer you do it, the quicker you will know what will work.

Know your font, know your context.

Don’t constrain yourself to boundaries, see what happens.

Pull from history.

Put what you love into your work. If it has logic it will be effective. If it has heart it will be memorable- every time.

Have fun.