Semi-Permanent 2017
Semi-Permanent is a conference that brings together the creatives, the designers, the future thinkers and some of the biggest businesses in the world. I was lucky enough to have received tickets through work to attend this massive global event and I am grateful.
Through this event I got to meet a lot of new and impressive people, learn a lot and also re-inforce some ideas I already have and/or have forgotten/lost touch with over time.
I spoke to a few of the speakers in depth after the main talks at the after party and will not include those conversations within this blog post. I will save them for a seperate post with more specific topics of interest.
Finally, the text to follow may not be as structured as I set out to begin with as it may turn into a brain dump halfway through.
Lucy MccCae
She pushes the boundaries and tries everything that comes to her mind. She won’t hesitate in doing what she loves and through this creates amazing things. She is inspirational to idea of trying something no matter how obscene it may sound, no matter how many people say you shouldn’t. Just do it.
A lot of the work she does, starts with putting herself in the possibly dangerous situation, to try those weird things that everyone says is a bad idea. She has a passion for the human body and science fiction where she attempts to bridge the gap.
An interesting idea is that we can only go so far, and when that day comes the only way is ‘Remove limbs to improve yourself’. An eye opening statement made during one of the QnA sessions where someone makes a note that we can only run as fast as the best scientist and medical team can make us go - once we hit our limit the only way to surpass our limitation is through removing that limb and swapping it to an advanced feat of technology. (This QnA might have been with Nicholas)
I was left with a powerful idea from her talk: Design with vulnerability. Make yourself vulnerable with your design, put yourself into hard situations (or the users shoes) to really understand the problem. Later on Michael Parekowhai has a similar quote except with a different basis: Don’t draw the tree until you have climbed the tree.
My overall thoughts from here basically sum up to just try everything, the only way you’ll know it wont work is if it doesn’t. You’ll never know if you don’t try it.
Erik Klimczac
Eric showed us how beautiful data can appear and how it can yield new insights when taken from a csv or excel file and into a 3D view. In Uber’s case: visualising their cars on a map and then adding a 3D element gives the data more meaning and clarity.
It also gives the data a fun and creative feel which subconsciously can make you start thinking about fun and creative ways of working with the data.
Not only did he talk about data but he spoke about the most important things of creating a more inspiring service (through using the data of course) He said that there is more than just observing users there are three extremely important aspects to cover when designing anything:
Combining these with the data which can make some of this clear is key to designing great products.
Natasha Jen
Natasha Jen is a partner and designer at the legendary design firm Pentagram.
Natasha spoke a lot on working with clients, some do’s and don’t’s. She also talked about going through a re-brand. Many different ways of engaging the clients in the re-brand leads to more success.
Nicholas Kumada
Sensory Design Director – Windows Mixed Reality
Exiting things are here and even more exciting things are coming. Microsoft are working on some extremely exciting products that are upcoming - one of these being the ability to meet in the same room. This works through either AR or VR (which he said a new headset is on it’s way).
The main focus on this talk was where mixed reality and AI is heading, and the possibilities that are soon to be a reality.
Below are a few snaps of some of the powerful slides and conversation points that he presented and that resonate with me.
When speaking about the future of this technology he initially referenced HYPER-REALITY with it’s eye tracking advertisements (”Can’t see your friend”) and complete mess which he said is a really scary thought of where the future could be. Ready Player 1 is another piece of media - this time text - that he references as a good read - also speaks to the other sort of a scary VR future where people spend most of their time in “OASIS” through VR suits and the lot at the expense of being apart of the real world and making change they escape it.
When speaking about this the MC then made the comparison to a few years ago where it was about having your head in a book and how the only thing that has changed between us escaping this reality is the technology we use to do so.
Overall though, he is optimistic for the future and mixed reality as the goal is to connect you to the place you’re in and the people around you - it’s not about blasting advertisements at you. It’s about that collaboration model.
“Taking responsibility of where we are developing and taking the future is up is paramount. What we create now, the generations below us will use. Take the car for an extreme example: extremely helpful and makes life so easy however now we are dealing with massive pollution problems globally. We can only try to anticipate as many pit falls as well can and nothing is ever perfect first time, that is why we iterate.”
Instrument
Instrument validated a lot of ideas and some assumptions I had when it comes to designing products. As a design / creative agency they get all sorts of clients and questions and they too shared some details about how to effectively work with them and create the best products.
Hector Ouilhet
I didn’t get that much from Hector. The main thing I took from his talk was that he likes to draw dinosaurs and loves his children. I did however, get a sense of designing with purpose. Always have purpose behind everything you do.
Michael Parekowhai
Michael was an interesting guy. He really pulled through the idea that you can do it if you put the effort in. A key saying that I took away from his talk was this: “Don’t draw the tree before you have climbed it”. The meaning I took from this is don’t try to design or do something unless you have taken steps to experience it and understand it. Sure, you can look at something and design it, but it won’t be as strong as if you experience it first hand.
Sissel Tolaas
Sissel was a really interesting person. She has a love for the sense of smell and when she first spoke I got put off by her over exertion about how smell is the only thing that matters. However, I did take a long away from here and a new way to think. I will write a seperate blog post about the conversation I had with her after the event.
Amber Cartwright
People. People are what matter. Always keep people the main focus of anything you do. If you forget the people, you forget the success (I made that one up). One of the things she loves is the people that her product enable and the positive change it can make such as allowing people to keep their houses.
Mark Gowing
Mark really likes graphic design. I cannot remember much of what he said now but I do remember something he likes to do: create a new typeface for each product he creates. It’s a really unique approach and loves what he does. Design systems are a big passion for him: and from what he said, proved how powerful they can be when used on large projects with multiple people.
Hayden Cox + Guests
Hayden, a surfer with a passion. He grew up in Australia and for his Design and Technology class had to do work placement. He mentioned that his boss asked for his paper on the second to last day after making him clean the toilets all week and replied to his boss, I don’t care about the hours, I’m here because I want to learn how to create boards. His boss felt really bad and he went home, bought all of the tools he’d need to create his own board and just tried it. He got as far as he could remember from observing everyone until he got stuck and called his old boss for help, who accepted to help him. Today, he is creating one of the best performance boards and has gone through many hardships, many times of running out of money and many risks. Without them, he wouldn’t be here today.
I love ugly
A passionate guy who just wants to make his kids proud. He founded the ILU brand and has gone through many hardships. He’s had banks call him up and given him a week to give them half a million dollars and many more hardships. His talk was extremely powerful and inspirational with the key message just do it, everything will work out in the end. Follow your dreams.
Great questions to ask with everything you do
Ben Johnston
He finds gaps in the markets and creates opportunities through it. He shows how it’s ‘easy’ to start with a stupid idea and then make big dollars through it.
That’s all
I have missed a few people from this post - mainly because their points are similar to some of the others I have mentioned above. Overall takeaways from SP is that it was well worth the time - and if you do have the time to read through all of the little stories and personal take aways you’ll see how there were some amazing people and ideas presented that weekend.
