How Design Live 2018 was by far the largest and most expansive conference I've been to. The four-day event featured talks focused on design, packaging, branding, and marketing, but also topics that go beyond these such as strategy, negotiating techniques, intellectual property theft, and pitching. I was able hear about more subjects than I had been exposed to in a conference setting like this before. I felt myself gaining a deeper understanding of design and marketing throughout the whole experience.

One of my favorite presentations was Daniel H. Pink's keynote: "The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing". On my first break following his talk, I immediately went to buy his book, which I've finished reading since the conference. Pink's talk was all about how when we do something is just as important (if not sometimes more important) than what we do.

Other favorite talks included:

Terri Trespicio's "Stand Up: How to Advocate for Your Ideas, Leave an Impression, and Make People Laugh (even if you’re not funny)"
Jeff Greenspan's "How to Work in Marketing with a Clean(er?) Conscience"
Jacquelyn DeJesu's (inventor of the SHHHOWERCAP) "Never Settle"
Bill Gardner's "A Complete Look at the Upcoming Year in Logo Trends: The Good the Bad and the WTF"
Giorgia Lupi's "Data Humanism"

Check the linked resources if you can! Many include YouTube videos of the actual How Design Live presentations.

Our view from the Hynes Convention Center

This trip took me to Boston for the first time as well. I anticipated a large and bustling city, but Boston was somehow much cuter than I expected. I enjoyed walking around and looking at the architecture. I loved the mixture of old stately buildings, gothic-style churches, and sleek, modern skyscrapers all existing side-by-side. The underground businesses along Newbury and Boylston Streets were a unique sight to me, as someone from Southern Louisiana where it floods easily.

As we toured the area around the conference on foot, we saw tulips planted in almost every windowsill. We toured the Boston Public Garden, which had such a large variety of colorful flowers that I found myself thinking about Alice in Wonderland. 🌸

We did some caught some historical sights and made our way down to Acorns St. to see one of the last remaining cobblestone roads. We also ate at Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant. Both experiences felt like catching a glimpse back in time.

Our absolute favorite restaurant we ate at while in Boston was Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar. Ya'll. This is one of the best restaurants I've been to anywhere. We decided on going at the last minute. As someone who usually spends a lot of timing researching and planning where I want to eat on a trip, this place was an phenomenal surprise. Lolita is a tapas-style, and dark and gothic on the inside. We ordered a guac tray, cornbread, quesadillas, street corn, and steak tacos, all of which were ridiculously delicious. I want to go back to Boston just to go eat here again!

I'm so thankful to have been able to experience How Design Live and the city of Boston this year. 💕 I wish I could go back to both year after year.