COMPLEXCON
(2017–2022)
CREATIVE DIRECTION • MESSAGING & THEME • VISUAL IDENTITY •
MOTION DESIGN • ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
I was Creative Director (2017-2019) and Executive Creative Director (2019–2023) of Complex Networks, and during this time I was also creative lead for ComplexCon, a huge annual festival of creativity and commerce known as “the cultural super bowl.” For these events, which drew visitors from across the world and USA, I worked side by side with renowned international artists, most notably Takashi Murakami, who served as the original artistic director.
Elements from digital entrance video, featuring 3D elements by Esteban Diacono from models provided by ©TMKK.
IDEATION & VISUAL DEVELOPMENT
2018
I spearheaded the theme and messaging of the event each year, with buy-in from our Editor-in-Chief along with Murakami. As an example, our 2018 event responded to the insanity of the emerging Trump era with the theme of “Growth From Chaos.” To illustrate the theme, I worked with Murakami on an artwork approach that depicted the circularity of life and culture, with representations of Chaos, Growth, and Enlightenment.
An all-over background combined skulls with flowers to portray the connectivity between death and life, and the necessary end of all things, good or bad. And most significantly, the ComplexCon logo was augmented with Murakami’s spraypaint version of the enso, an ancient buddhist graphic form that represents the beauty in imperfection, the circle of life, and connection.
Co-edited with Elan Alexenberg, motion graphics by myself.
MARKETING & SOCIAL EXPRESSIONS
The Growth From Chaos concept was communicated to our brand partners, vendors, and audience through our trailer video. I concepted, directed, and animated this trailer with editing by Elan Alexenberg. The graphic motifs and layering system also led our social platform strategy, introducing our vendors, speakers, performers, and more. Billboards and wild postings brought local attention to the gathering as well. I personally designed and executed all of the marketing elements.
Key graphic, logo animation, and mandala animation.
PHYSICAL APPLICATIONS
The Growth From Chaos concept was communicated to our brand partners, vendors, and audience through our trailer video. I concepted, directed, and animated this trailer with editing by Elan Alexenberg. The graphic motifs and layering system also led our social platform strategy, introducing our vendors, speakers, performers, and more. Billboards and wild postings brought local attention to the gathering as well. I personally designed and executed all of the marketing elements.
Exterior and interior inflatable elements – giant Enlightened Dob, Flowers, and Skulls.
Large scale digital signage.
Media Hub with a live feed from Conversations, live performances, along with digital signage and scheduling.
Merch items designed by ©TMKK and Joshua Vides.
Credentials by Jacob Winfield.