In this open discussion episode, host Jen Van Horn is joined by regular contributors Kendall Hotchkiss and Lee Smalt for a wide-ranging conversation covering branding strategies, community building, and creative industry trends.

This episode covers:

• Event marketing insights: Jen and Kendall share their experience at Denver Brunch Fest, discussing design elements that stood out across 40+ vendor booths and the importance of legibility and strong color contrast for event signage
• Bartering for business growth: How Jen traded motion design services for VIP festival tickets, creating a mutually beneficial relationship with an event planner while building a portfolio in the event space and networking with vendors
• Standing out through bold branding: Discussion of a punk rock printer company that increased sales 25% by embracing an unexpected brand personality, emphasizing that "the most unsafe thing you can do these days is be safe"
• Creative tool evolution: Exploration of emerging software like Moho for character animation, Adobe's new 3D vector capabilities in Illustrator, and the growing market demand for alternatives to Adobe Creative Suite
• Interactive content challenges: The limitations of current platforms for interactive video content and the potential for tools like Rive to bridge the gap between linear content and user engagement
• Animation's resilience: Analysis of K-pop: Demon Hunters' theatrical success as evidence that animation remains king in entertainment, with discussion of how creativity and human connection differentiate motion designers from AI tools
• Industry adaptation strategies: Advice on finding your niche, embracing change as creatives, and viewing AI as a supporting tool rather than a replacement for human creativity

Next month, Lee Smalt will host episodes focused on community building, exploring the technical and strategic aspects of creating engaged communities with insights from industry leaders who've successfully built and managed creative communities.

Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!

SHOW NOTES:

• ⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠
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• ⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠
• ⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter⁠
• Denver Brunchfest
• Grumpy Monkey Moho Animator