In a city surrounded by ocean, lakes, and mountains navigation has been a constant factor in the formation of the culture of Seattle. Beyond the regional significance, however, 'Navigate' acknowledges the challenges today’s institutional designers face in complex organizational landscapes, a confusing maze of media options, sustainability options, and budgetary pressures. To address this range of concerns UCDA has brought together more than 20 experts, many from the Pacific Northwest, to present four days of programming including five general sessions, 24 breakout sessions, and additional workshops, reviews, tours, and discussions.

2009 UCDA Design Conference
Founded in 1970, the University and College Designers Association (UCDA) is an organization for individuals who are  visual communicators for educational institutions throughout the United States and Canada. The annual UCDA Design Conference is the organizations largest event, typically drawing between 300 and 400 attendees and this year’s conference will be in Seattle, Washington, from October 3-6.

The theme for the 2009 conference is Navigate, acknowledging the challenges to today’s institutional designers in facing complex organizational landscapes, a confusing maze of media options, sustainability options, and budgetary pressures. To address this range of concerns we’ve brought together more than 20 experts, many from the Pacific Northwest, to present four days of programming including five general sessions, 24 breakout sessions, and additional workshops, reviews, tours, and discussions.

This year’s speakers include: an opening keynote to be given by Derek Baxter and Leo Obstbaum from the Vancouver 2010 design team; Amanda Fetterly from the University of British Columbia on issues of sustainability; Ivana Filipovich from Simon Fraser University on shifts in new media options; Anne Traver and Dale Hart presenting work by Methodologie in Seattle; Joshua Berger from Plazm in Portland, Oregon; Rex Whisman on internal brand building; and David Baker on building respect for in-house designers. Other offerings include photographers, marketing and communication agencies, and award-winning magazine designers, as well as representation by Adobe, Quark, iStockphoto, and Campaign Monitor.

The UCDA Design Conference is open to the public and in addition to the very competitive full-conference pricing UCDA also offers single day registrations. Canadian registration is at par.

More detailed information is available online at https://ucda.com/conference.lasso. GDC members are eligible for the Partner Rate and conference fees are at par.