Geekend 2009 – Conference in Savannah GA, USA

3 – 3:45 pm    How Design Makes or Breaks a Venture
Harborside East, Hyatt
Matias Corea, Behance
In a world full of new companies focused on technology, how can design be your competitive advantage? Great design is not just a visual treatment; it is a long-term strategy for building a product or service people love. Design can power revolutionary products and even help you manage your team. Matias Corea will share insights on applying design to the traditional, and not so traditional, aspects of building a business.
Virtual Worlds That Work: How Large Brands Took A Chance On Innovation And Won
Harborside West, Hyatt
Juan Fernando Santos, Studiocom
Virtual worlds have changed how many brands view engagement and interactive strategy permanently. No longer just a “cool” idea, these virtual worlds drive revenue, sales and brand engagement.
Digital Trends Among Digital Natives
Scarbrough Ballroom, Hyatt
Sloane Kelley, BFG Communications
The digital world is constantly changing. So is the way the marketer-coveted group of “Digital Natives” or “Millennials” is using it. We’ll take a look at digital trends around the globe and best-in-class examples of how brands are using social media, mobile, digital content and gaming to reach this demographic.
4 – 4:45 pm    How I Learned to Dump Electricity and Love Design
Harborside East, Hyatt
Brenda Brathwaite, Savannah College of Art and Design
Two years ago, after playing a run of games that both looked and played the same, digital game designer Brenda Brathwaite shut off her computer and consoles and began to consume dozens of non-digital games from all over the world. Soon, she returned to her native paper prototyping and eventually started work upon a series of six intentionally non-digital “gallery games” each designed to explore a difficult topic. The result of this trek proved incredibly eye-opening and rewarding for her as a designer and culminated in the highest praise for a game she had ever received. In this lecture, Brenda shares what she learned from our brothers and sisters in that other medium when she cut the cord and learned to love design.
Geek Metamorphosis: Getting Comfortable with Uncomfortable
Harborside West, Hyatt
Bradley Taylor, Rails Machine
Being a geek is only half the story. Although our passion and intensity drives our work and interests, we can often be uncomfortable in environments that may come more naturally to non-geeks. This session explores how to push beyond your comfort zone by exploring new skills and hobbies.
How To Be A Great Interrogator Designer: What They Don’t Teach You In Design School
Scarbrough Ballroom, Hyatt
Andrew Davies, Paragon
Ariel Janzen, brightwhitespace
Cari Clark, Clark Creative
Janna Hicks DeVylder, Savannah College of Art and Design
The secret behind being an effective designer is knowing how to ask the right questions. This panel discussion will delve into the importance of a clearly defined problem and show how any designer or client can approach the discovery phase of a project with the right tools to inform the best solution.
5:30 – 6:30 pm    Keynote Session With Major Nelson
Harborside East/West, Hyatt
7pm – 3am    Geekend Block Party
In front of SEED Eco Lounge at 39 Montgomery St (between Broughton and Congress)

Sunday,  Nov 8
10 am – 4 pm    Geekend Unconference
Scarbrough Ballroom, Hyatt
Kevin Lawver of Music Intelligence Solutions will get the unconference rolling. This participant-driven day will give Geekenders a chance to ask questions, go into more detail on Saturday’s hot topics and take part in more intimate breakout sessions.
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