Sunshine and Storms: Weathering a Creative Life

Step inside the colorful world of Tad Carpenter, designer, illustrator, and co-founder of brand design studio Carpenter Collective. In this honest walk through the studio’s creative process, Tad shares how his childhood wandering Hallmark's hallways sparked a lifelong love affair with playful, purposeful design. You'll get an intimate look at how he and his wife and creative partner, Jessica, transform their childlike wonder into award-winning brand systems that capture hearts and turn heads.

Part behind-the-scenes studio tour, part inspiration rally, this session delivers honest insights wrapped in Tad's signature warmth and wit. You'll learn:

• Why protecting your sense of play might be your most powerful professional asset
• How deep research and strategic thinking transform good design into unforgettable brand experiences
• The secrets to building comprehensive brand systems that work across every touchpoint
• Ways to cultivate gratitude as your creative superpower, even when facing design storms

Technical Level: General Audience

Category: Inspiration

Track: Graphic Design and Illustration

Audience: Art/Creative Director, Educator, Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Marketer