Why the heck should I attend Adobe Max?

Are you a designer that knows everything? Or are you a newbie that wants to know everything? Here are my top reasons to attend this glorious event.

The Gift vs The Swag
If you are interested in attending Adobe Max for the “gift”, stop reading and go push pixels. While there have been awesome gifts in the past, don’t go in expecting a new private jet or you might leave disappointed. Instead, make your rounds around every vendor (a few times) and get as many posters and stickers to piss off your wife, roommates or cats. Now that CA is charging for shopping bags, you can also pick up a nice collection of tote bags from certain vendors at the conference.

Speakers
Let’s keep it 100 … Some speakers are not good! Yep, it’s true, some designers can be great at using the pen tool but cannot articulate themselves a lick. Plan and sign up early for the speakers/artists you follow and admire. I witnessed someone willing to pay someone $80 to allow them to cut in line in order to see the great Timothy Goodman … I kindly declined. Though some speakers are terrible, it is always rad and inspiring to see your heros in person. Draplin fan for life here!!!!!

Nerding out
Adobe Max is a safe place! This is one of the only places in the world where you can talk about gradient maps, codecs, grep styles and color separations without being judged or bullied. Everyone talks the same language and has the common interest of creativity and curiosity.

Inspiration and Fellowship
Being in one place surrounded by artist tat are better than you is both inspiring and humbling. Not only can you talk shop to your heroes but you can meet some rad new folks that are like minded and can understand the everyday struggle of a creative.

“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you. -UCLA Coach, John Wooden”

Disclaimer-Adobe Max didn’t ask me to write this or give me some swag for this. I have met the best people at Adobe Max and want this conference to continue to grow so we can expand our tight-knit creative community.