Made in the Middle 2018

This weekend I attended Made in the Middle, a creative conference in Kansas City founded by Tad and Jessica Carpenter of Carpenter Collective. I wasn’t able to attend their first conference two years ago so I was thrilled it worked out to go this year! The conference started with a day of workshops on Friday (I attended a live recording of Andy J. Miller’s Creative Pep Talk Podcast!) and continued with an opening party at Messenger Coffee.

Letters Are Lovely | Made in the Middle

Saturday was a day full of lectures, and below are a few of my key takeaways from each of the six talented artists/designers/engineers who spoke. To say the weekend was inspiring is an understatement, and I’m truly proud to be a creative working in the Midwest.

Letters Are Lovely | Made in the Middle

Amber Goodvin

  • Defining myself loosely opens doors for me.

  • If I put out the work I want it comes back to me.

  • My creativity comes in seasons.

  • Taking time to reflect is an important part of my process.

  • Amber took time to audit her work and pursue styles that she wanted to work on, even if it was different from work she was known for.

Dawn Hancock

  • Lift each other up.

  • 100% of perfectionists think they are imposters.

  • The more you put projects out into the world the more they come back to you.

  • Take the risks.

  • Hire people who are smarter than you who truly give a damn.

  • It’s okay not to be okay.

Steve Frykholm

  • The first in-house graphic designer at Herman Miller, Inc.

  • If you have what you believe is an original, creative, terrific idea but you get timid and wonder what your client might think ... present it anyway.

  • You must disrupt the status quo.

  • We are all extraordinary.

  • There can always be a first time.

Mina Markham

  • Purposely Lucky

  • Just say yes, it is okay to be scared.

  • Collaboration breeds creativity.

  • Visibility has consequences.

  • Create without regrets.

  • Communicate your place in the market, know your unique value proposition and build connectivity into your business.

Andy J. Miller

  • The key to your creative career path is waiting for you to say yes.

  • Life is hard, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Hard and bad aren’t the same thing. (Andy’s Dad)

  • You have to go through all the levels, the maze is the key.

  • A creative path can be rocky.

  • You don’t know what dark places your creative work might pull people out of.

Dana Tanamachi

  • Be grateful for seasons where you can learn and grow in anonymity.

  • Who is flourishing because of the time, resources and skills you possess?

  • Relearn what you thought you already knew.

  • Seek out and plan those teachable moments, have a willingness to learn (teachability).

  • Write down your 5 year/10 year/20 year goals.

Draplin in KC

This Wednesday Draplin made another stop in KC to speak at a Made in the Middle Mini Event! I have heard him speak twice before, once in St. Louis and once at Hallmark, but this time he talked a lot about his book and his cross-country speaking tour. Thanks for another great event Aaron, AIGA KC, and Made in the Middle!

Letters Are Lovely | Draplin in KC

Here are my favorite takeaways: 

  • Don't forget that this can be fun. 
  • Vectors are free and infinite.
  • "I'm fighting hard to life my life creatively, enjoy work along the way, provide for my loved ones, and be free."
  • We forget the importance of how to make something using one color effectively.
  • "I'm trying to materialize a life where I get to make a stamp someday." 
Letters Are Lovely | Draplin in KC
Letters Are Lovely | Draplin in KC

Go Royals!