WHO'S IN YOUR TRIBE? DESIGNER VACA 2015

Last week, we checked out Designer Vaca, an anti-conference where Designers from all over the globe meet at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs to relax and share experiences, knowledge and inspiration sans the screens. The getaway’s agenda is intentionally loose to allow for adventures in the desert and a lot of conversation (and cranberry margaritas) by the pool.

It was rad to have WNW members like Lia Napolitano, Kelsey Dake and Timoni West in attendance. WNW Member Jessica Hische had a playful but honest Q&A session about being a badass lady creative and the power of saying no to work that doesn’t push you forward.

At a time when there still seems to be a lot of emphasis on “Women in Tech” or “Women in Advertising”, it was nice to spend a few days surrounded by creatives who wanted to get to know and learn from each other as artists and entrepreneurs. They also just so happened to all be women. And yes, stories about balancing career with motherhood were exchanged but so were stories about multiple revenue streams, attracting your dream clients and how much to charge for your work.

Maybe the most successful conferences are the anti-conferences. Maybe the best way to resolve the hardships that women face in this business is to bring together a group of industry leaders in the desert with a few blank sketch pads and a few cocktails, and let the work speak for itself.

A big welcome to all of the new WNW members that we met at Designer Vaca. We are happy to have you!

- Ashley Nowicki, Director of Talent at Working Not Working