FOWD ’09 – Let’s look forward, retrospectively [conferences]
This past week was the Carsonified crew’s second biggest event, Future of Web Design in Kensington.
Traditionally, I’ve always preferred the vibe at FOWD a bit more than FOWA. It may not have the same globally recognised internet-rock-star line up, but the focus on creative brilliance is far more inspirational. There’s also less attention given to entrepreneurial fluff which personally I find can get a bit nauseating.
This is my first big web event in 2009, and I’ve been wondering if there would be a conference downturn to fit with the times. Sure enough, the perks have nearly all gone. Microsoft (the diamond sponsor) just brought a telly with some beanbags, no Guitar Hero. Embarrassed themselves with their Table tech by ruining Watchmen for all those who haven’t seen it (and those who have). No more sexy printed name badges. Little things, but all noticeable.
Trouble is, I don’t think the content suits the event anymore. Designers, on the whole, like to see what others are up to creatively and cultivate tips on working better and smarter. Unfortunately FOWD didn’t really deliver on that, not for me. As an IxD type, the content is not intended for me but I like to keep up with what’s going on. There are clear parallels we can all work towards to achieve better results and better websites.
The big theme, instead of riffing on the future of design, was much more a retrospective of what’s gone before. And I don’t think it was even intentional. Lots of snickering over Photoshop 2. Seeing the guy who designed the original MTV2 brand play all the shorts (very cool, I was a big fan). But I can’t connect the dots between digital stuff that was done in 2001 and the future of web design nearly halfway through 2009.
Only Mark Boulton‘s talk on Typography was genuinely inspirational.
Often overlooked and very important for sites that thrive from user-generated content that is written. The question I’ve taken away is how can we help users tell powerful stories by using great typography and design, and integrating that into the page in a more holistic fashion. I’ve ordered his lovely looking book.
There is no clear message or trend going forward, and that’s what has left me a bit cold. FOWD needs to be more practical, maybe a workshop only event. But maybe as a UX person, I should stick to my own scene?
My buddy Kai did his superb doodle notes again, so check them out:
*Update* – Mark’s talk can be listened to here.
Leave a Reply
May 5th 2009 • 10:05
by Yaili
Nice post!
I agree that the content part of this year’s FOWD was a bit past-oriented, even more than last year, when we started to see this theme coming up. And even the good presentations weren’t brilliant. Only Molly focused on what could happen in the future.
I’d really like to see people bringing fresh, and thought-provoking ideas to their presentations, instead of just showing off what they already know worked.
PS – I did notice that we had to write our names on the tags this time, what was the deal with that? But the limited edition and numbered journals were nice
May 5th 2009 • 10:05
by simondoggett
Yep I do like the journals. If I was Captain Cynical though I’d say they were left over from last year’s FOWA
May 5th 2009 • 10:05
by Emily
While I agree that there were too many backwards looking talks, and “no clear message or trend going forward”, I think you have inappropriate expectations when you say that it needs to be more practical. I’m only picking you you up on this because I often hear this complaint when people are unsatisfied with a conference, but I think that it is not the right response. There is a day of practical workshops at FOWD as well, which I attended and found incredibly useful. But the FOWD event is first and foremost a conference. So we shouldn’t expect to get a tutorial in how to do that really cool thing that everyone is talking about these days, as that is not what those presentations are for. We can go to the workshops or read/download online tutorials for that kind of thing.