The number nine understandably carries some superstition for the 99U team, so for the conference's 9th anniversary, we went all in on nines for our visual identity, and eschewed an annual theme, instead centering our focus on 99U's founding mission: understanding how to make ideas happen.
The Main Stage
The 2017 main stage program included 13 talks over two days, with an emphasis on different perspectives on creative success. Featured speakers included Pentagram's Natasha Jen (whose talk "Design Thinking Is Bullshit" remains one of 99U's most iconic talks to date), design legend Debbie Millman, artist Mike Perry, Instagram's Ian Spalter, and a return to the stage by 99U founder Scott Belsky, who shared lessons learned from building 99U and Behance.
Pentagram's Natasha Jen
Debbie Millman
Instagram's Ian Spalter
Artist Mike Perry
Airbnb's Steve Selzer
99U Bookstore
To promote 99U's print publication, we re-envisioned the Conference bookstore in partnership with UM Project, a Brooklyn-based design studio led by Francois Chambard. UM Project designed and produced new furnishings used in the lobby bookstore, where copies on 99U Magazine were available, alongside titles from our speakers and partners.
Studio Sessions
99U sent attendees into the wilds of New York City for breakout sessions hosted in creative organizations' own studios and offices. Hosts included Refinery29, BuzzFeed, MoMA, Spotify, NEW INC, Parsons, SYPartners, the Upright Citizens Brigade, ustwo, and more.
Refinery29
SYPartners
Postlight
ustwo
Parties & Receptions
99U's 2017 receptions included our Kickoff Party at the Eventi Hotel, a Behance pop-up gallery in partership with Red Bull Art New York, and our closing bash at MoMA featuring a DJ set by Hot Chip.
DJ booth at MoMA
Guests at MoMA
Guests at MoMA
Event Credits:
Event Direction: Andrea Rosen
Creative Direction & Graphic Design: Mark Brooks
Production Partner: Preview Events (Nickey Frankel, Executive Producer)
Speaker Curation: Andrea Rosen
Editorial & Social: Matt McCue & Kiana St. Louis
Additional Production: Pollyanna Macchiano
Fabrication: Sunbunker
Motion Graphics: Hugh Gran
Video Direction & Editing: An Films
Photography: Julian Mackler
Event Direction: Andrea Rosen
Creative Direction & Graphic Design: Mark Brooks
Production Partner: Preview Events (Nickey Frankel, Executive Producer)
Speaker Curation: Andrea Rosen
Editorial & Social: Matt McCue & Kiana St. Louis
Additional Production: Pollyanna Macchiano
Fabrication: Sunbunker
Motion Graphics: Hugh Gran
Video Direction & Editing: An Films
Photography: Julian Mackler