posted by dhebert @ 1:23 PM
Beer flowing from kegs, streaking, a purported game of strip poker…and that was just within the first six hours. No, I’m not talking about a fraternity/sorority mixer or a scene from the 1979 movie, Meatballs, I’m talking about Design Ranch 2009. Held at Camp Waldemar outside Kerrville on the banks of the Guadalupe River, Design Ranch is a bi-annual design conference that is more “hands on” than “listen up.” Instead of lectures or presentations, the conference is a series of workshops taught by industry creatives to get you to experience art and design beyond the limitations of bandwidth or technology – you (gasp!) actually use your hands. Despite some of the previously mentioned after hours shenanigans, watercolor painting, knot tying, ship building, screen printing and diorama making were just some of this year’s workshop activities. Due to the small size of the conference, attendees get to know each other very well and evenings were spent eating (amazing food), drinking (see previously mentioned kegs), and dancing (live music both nights).
My favorite part of Design Ranch this year? The workshop led by Thomas Allen. Thomas is a trained photographer who uses old paperback novel covers to construct new stories and images, and then photographs them. After showing all of us the techniques he uses, we were asked to create our own piece in the same style. This is a photograph of mine combined with the work of a couple of other attendees. Design Ranch is a fantastic conference, really bringing you back to your youth, working by hand, without limits. Not only do you come back to the real world fresh and inspired, but you return with rich memories, new friends…and a tighter waistband.
