November 15, 6-8:30PM SVA Theatre, NY
What is Brandstand?
Each year the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding alumni host a free, public event called “Brandstand” to dissect, debate and discuss a timely topic ‘on the stand.’ This year, through a series of talks with a panel of expert speakers, Brandstand will examine what it means to belong in a culture obsessed with difference. Expect bold cultural, creative, and economic perspectives in an engaging format designed to provoke discussion and debate.
Why belonging?
Each day we wake up to a rapidly changing world. Seismic shifts are unfolding in identity, politics, climate change and technology—fundamentally reshaping a society that is hyper-connected yet increasingly fragmented. Belonging has become a conspicuous choice—forcing us to reconsider who we are, what sets us apart, and where we fit.
Speakers
Steven Heller
Journalist, Historian and Design Critic, Author or Co-author of over 130 books on design and popular culture, former Art Director at The New York Times, Co-chair of SVA's MFA Designer as Author Department. @thedailyheller
Debbie Millman
Writer, Artist, Educator, Brand Consultant and the Host of Design Matters podcast. @debbiemillman
Bob Bland
Activist, Designer, Entrepreneur, mother and founding Co-President and a Board Member of Women's March. @bobblanddesign
Chris Ying
Head of Creative at Majordomo Media, Editor of You and I Eat the Same, and former Editor in Chief of Lucky Peach magazine. @chrisyingz
Jack Ferver
Writer, Choreographer, Director, Professor at Bard College and the Host of Dance and Stuff podcast. @jackferver
Jessie McGuire
Featured alumni speaker from the class of ‘11, Managing Director of ThoughtMatter, and AIGA NY board member. @jessiemcguire
Previous Brandstands
2018 | Brandstand: Techlash
Brandstand 2018 brought together several luminary speakers from diverse backgrounds to discuss and examine the pervasive nature of technology and the implications for our society. The debate investigated the question: Are we customers, products, or pawns to tech companies today?
Speakers
Cynthia Pratomo, Creative Director/Design Coach at Wolff Olins, New York City
Ian Bogost, Author, Contributing Editor at The Atlantic, Game Designer, and Professor of media studies and computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Emerson T. Brooking, Expert on social media and conflict. Co-Author of Like War: The Weaponization of Social Media
Debbie Millman, Writer, Artist, Educator, Brand Consultant and the Host of Design Matters podcast
Anthony Ha, Senior Writer at TechCrunch covering media and advertising, Co-host of the Original Content podcast
Mike Murphy, Deputy Technology Editor at Quartz. He focuses on machines with brains, and consumer electronics
2017 | Brandstand: America
We examined the radical shifts in the meaning of America: the brand. We explored American values of freedom, determination, inclusivity and opportunity. Our distinguished speakers debated the question: what does America stand for today?
Speakers
Charles Blow, Author and New York Times Op-Ed columnist
Paola Mendoza, Filmmaker and Artistic Director of the Women's March
Derek Thompson, Author of Hit Makers and Senior Editor at The Atlantic
Jim Johnson, Attorney and Activist
Brian Collins, Designer, Writer, and Founder of COLLINS
Debbie Millman, Writer, Artist, Educator, Brand Consultant and the Host of Design Matters podcast
2016 | Brandstand: Politics
Our first annual Brandstand put political branding on ‘the stand’ to dissect, debate, and discuss. Through a mix of creative, political and cultural points of view, Brandstand examined the increasingly integral role branding plays in political campaigns.
Speakers
Seth Godin, Author and Entrepreneur
Susan Milligan, Political Reporter
Ashleigh Axios, AIGA National Board Member
Steven Heller, Design Historian, Author and Co-chair SVA MFA Design
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