There’s something different about the HOW Design Conference. I’ve been to other professional events where I’ve been tempted to blow off sessions and go sightseeing or whatever. But designers who come to HOW are hard-core: they never miss a thing.

Still, it’s easy to go to a big event and just go through the motions. So it’s helpful to set an agenda, to get into a mindset where you’re open to learning and connecting. A designer friend of mine penned an article for HOW magazine offering 10 strategies for making the most of any professional event . One of his tips? Don’t be afraid to approach speakers and strike up a conversation. Where else will you pass someone like Charles Anderson or Debbie Millman in the hallway? Be fearless about making connections. And bring plenty of business cards.

We always hear that first-time HOW-goers are nervous about overcoming their shyness so they can really connect with other creatives. That seems to be the common thread among the newbies who are posting in the Conference Forum. The veterans among that community have posted tons of great advice. Some of the choice tidbits include:

From an Orange County, CA, creative: Use business cards with a purpose; don’t just pass them out without a plan. If you give them to a vendor, make sure you can use their product. If you give them to a fellow designer, have a project in mind.

From another veteran: Get plenty of rest and come prepared for days where you will be rushing to your sessions, trying to grab time in-between to hit the resource center, the bookstore, etc.

From a Tallahassee, FL, designer: Sit at a different table with complete strangers at breakfast and start a conversation. (”Good morning! Is this seat taken? How is everybody doing today?”) When you get up to leave, hand out your card.

You’ll get more out of a design-industry activity—whether it’s a big conference or a local AIGA chapter shindig—if you’re actively engaged and excited about meeting new people.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.