HOW was by far the most energizing and informative experience I have had at a conference in a while.  Between the networking, the content sessions, and keynote speakers, it’s hard to pick the moment that stuck with me the most. If I had to choose my highlight, I would have to say the key-note speaker Daniel Pink’s talk. Pink wrote, “WHEN: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing”, and it resonated so deeply with me and my colleagues. It is difficult not to apply his points to our lives every day. He argued, and backed up with data, the variance in everyone’s internal clock, and how we all have certain times when we are the most and least productive. His application of this data makes a compelling argument for shaking up the “normal” corporate week. .

More broadly, HOW was an eye-opening experience for me. I’m a saleswoman through and through. I can’t remember ever being any other way, so it was fascinating to get an inside look into how graphic designers think and operate. I noticed the challenges the creative world has in working with their more analytical marketing peers. It’s the same old story: marketing wants more output than creative can produce, and as we say in sales, “the death spiral continues”. An ongoing theme was for each team to be patient with their peers, and focus on developing processes that help them build AWESOME together!

I also learned that creatives face more challenges than I ever anticipated, especially in regard to their workflows. This gives me a renewed sense of purpose. I’m happy to be working at a company that really makes a difference by providing creative workflow solutions that helps creatives get pesky admin work off their desks and get back to doing the work they love. Unfortunately, creative teams often don’t have control over their workflows. I had more than two handfuls of designers tell me that they are at the mercy of their IT departments choice for workflow.

Additionally, as an exhibitor at HOW, I had a blast! Our LEGO theme was, bar none, one of the best booths I saw at HOW (and I am not just saying that!).  Our Creativity Wall brought creatives together to build amazing creations with LEGOs. Some of the designs were truly mind blowing!

My time at HOW was a whirlwind, and an amazing opportunity for me to learn more about the creative perspective. I came away with a much better understanding of the challenges that creatives face every day working with their marketing clients. I’ve always considered myself a creative person, but seeing professional creatives and hearing the stories of their day to day lives, what inspires them and what holds them back from greatness. Leaving HOW Design Live 2018 I am pumped and excited to help creatives work with their marketing clients to build something AWESOME together!

Jackie LaNasa received a bachelors from Niagara University. Since graduation she has traveled and performed in the circus, as well as performed in stunt shows around the world.  Trying to find what she calls a “big girl job” she found a place in Raleigh, NC at inMotionNow where she is a Workflow Expert.