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The 53rd annual UCDA Design Conference is hosted in the diverse international city of Atlanta where trade, design, and innovation are seeing unprecedented growth. A booming arts district, a confluence of culture, and a line-up of dynamic speakers, workshops, and community are sure to ignite your senses, providing you with the inspiration that you need.

Below is the conference schedule. For more information or programming, speakers, and descriptions, please use the following links: 

 

All Day
Arrive a day early and spend the day in Atlanta where there are so many things for you to visit, do, and see!

9 a.m.-12 noon
Pre-conference Workshop Add-on
Boom! Bam! Brush!
Jeremy Slagle

1-6 p.m.
Onsite Registration

2:30-3:30 p.m.
Volunteer Meeting

4-5 p.m.
Opening Mixer and UCDA Foundation Auction Opening

5-6:30 p.m. 
1. Mainstage: Your Zone of Confluence
Felix Oliha

6:30-9 p.m.
“Party on the Green” Opening Night

Breakfast on Own

7-8 a.m.
Coffee Talk, City Walk, InstaMeet

All Day
UCDA Foundation Auction

9-10 a.m.
2. Mainstage: Seasons and Side Projects
Jeremy Slagle

10-10:30 a.m.
Book Signing
Jeremy Slagle

10:30-11:30 a.m.  
3. Mainstage: Trust the Experts
Jason Craig

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
UCDA Design Awards Show and Luncheon

12:30-1:30 p.m.
UCDA Design Awards Show Opening

1:30-2:30 p.m.
4. Concurrent Session: Disrupting Burnout
Dr. Patrice Jackson

5. Concurrent Session: From Ideas to Production: Designing for a Successful Campaign
Barbara Malec and Beth Connolly

2:45-3:45 p.m.
6. Mainstage: You Look Like the Right Type
Mark Addison Smith

4-5:30 p.m.
7. 20x20 Presentations

5:30-6 p.m.
Swap Shop

6 p.m.
Dinner on Own

7-8:30 p.m.
UCDA Leadership Reception (by invitation)

 

7:30-11 a.m.
Expo with Breakfast
Design Pods and Sponsor Pods 

8-8:30 a.m.
Sponsor Pod 1: Mediagraph—a DAM for the whole school
Peter Krogh, Mediagraph

8:30-9 a.m.
Design Pod 1

9-9:30 a.m.
Sponsor Pod 2: Explore, Engage, Excite: Crafting Print Collateral for Higher-Ed 
Trey Laverty and Nikki Davis, Slate Group

9:30-10 a.m.
Design Pod 2: Iconic Iconography
Scott Fuller, The Studio Temporary

10-10:30 a.m.
Sponsor Pod 3: The Nature of Sustainability
Hope Sowders, Neenah Paper

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
8. Concurrent Session: A Scalable Social Brand Framework
Jesse Godfrey, Chas Williams, and Lainey Graham

9. Concurrent Session: Designing in the Age of AI
Ashley Touchton

12:30- 2:15 p.m. 
Lunch on Own

2:15-4:30 p.m.
School Spirit Event
Business Meeting (2:15-2:30 p.m.)

10. Mainstage: Let’s Make Comics (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Jess Smart Smiley

The Big Game Show (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

4:30-5 p.m.
UCDA Foundation Auction Closing

5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sponsor Events
 (by invitation)

6:30 p.m.
Dinner on Own

8-8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

8:30-9:30 a.m.
12. Mainstage Presentation: Come Hungry, Leave Full
Mike Jones

9:30-10:30 a.m.
13. Mainstage Presentation: Infographic and Interactive Design for Justice
Jessica Bellamy

10:30-10:45 a.m.
Closing