Kate Houlihan

Each month, a different CreativeMornings chapter from around the world picks our global theme. Can you guess who chose WEIRD for August?

So all month, we’re celebrating the people, places, and organizations who are doing their part to “Keep Austin Weird." 

Tell us who we should celebrate next here. 

We’ll feature one nominee each day on Twitter @CM_Austin. 

This month’s theme is presented globally by MailChimp – we couldn’t do this without them! And a big thank you to Will Bryant for the illustration that all 152 chapters are using this month! (Do us a favor and show them both some love on Twitter.)

So who do you think is keeping Austin weird? 

July’s global theme LOVE will be discussed by Jessica and Michael Sanders.

Hosted at the South Congress Hotel on Friday, July 29. Registration and other details here.

Thanks to our partners for this month: Vitamin T and Cuvée Coffee.

Before Nat Wittstruck reaches for a chorizo, potato, and queso fresco taco, it’s coffee first (and cold brew at that). This design director for GPJ Experience Marketing is our June #CMugshot and no stranger to the beloved Austin haunts: you can find him at Waterloo Records (without dogs) or the fantastic Contigo (with dogs).

What’s one thing you’ve been inspired by lately?

The possibilities of MagicLeap mixed reality technology. TV. Internet. Smart Phones. ML is next and its awesome to ideate it’s ramifications.

What in your life is more beautiful/whole when broken?

In experience design, I’m constantly working to get people to break out of their comfort zone - to have an unguarded, immersive experience. Call these ‘wet’ experiences, where it’s that moment when you’re out in the rain when you stop caring that you’re getting wet – you just are, and in that acceptance, have broken into a new mental state. On the flipside of this, I am passionate about delivering work to break client expectations. Experience design is the intersection of architecture, behavioral psychology, sculpture, graphic design, language, live events, interior design, and so many other creative mediums, all with their own instruments and techniques. Taking your client to unconventional combinations of these mediums pushes your partnership forward, alongside the industry, where I am continuously inspired by the work of those daring to break from what is expected of a brand or company.

Connect with Nat!

CreativeMornings Profile | LinkedIn

Photo by Manny Pandya

Our newest set of photos from #CMbroken with Brian Phillips are live on our Flickr! 

Thanks to sponsors Austin Coding Academy and Cuvee Coffee, and our hosts at George P. Johnson Experience Marketing.

These wonderful photos are by Manny Pandya with video production by Marty Robbins.

June’s global theme BROKEN will be discussed by salvaged wood artist Brian Phillips. 

Hosted at George P. Johnson Experience Marketing on Friday, June 24. Registration and other details here. 

Thanks to our partners for this month: Austin Coding Academy and Cuvée Coffee.

Photos from this month’s #CMreality event are live on our Flickr, featuring painter Gert Johan Manschot.

Thanks to Vitamin T and IBM Design for sponsoring, IBM Design for hosting, and Manny Pandya for these wonderful photos.

Video Production by Erik Mauck.

Meat, with a side of meat. That’s what our May #CMugshot, Jake Sullivan, likes on his breakfast taco. When presented with a blank mug and markers, Jake sought out collaborators and roped in none other than Swiss Miss herself, CreativeMornings founder Tina Roth Eisenberg. This freelance creative director, copywriter, filmmaker, and an all-around nice guy also donates his talents to the #CMSummit16 effort. Thank you, Jake! He’s a busy, devoted father so if you want to pin him down during his off time, you’ll have to try to catch him at Bull Creek. 

What’s one thing you’ve been inspired by lately?

Marc Maron’s interview with Sturgill Simpson.

What audacious thing would you like to make part of your reality this year?

I want to reposition the act of passing the hat or tip jar for musicians to “paying respect” as the first part of a broader initiative to get musicians paid for what they are so often forced to give away. And yes, I am looking for help. 

Connect with Jake!

Twitter  |  Website  |  Facebook  | CreativeMornings Profile

(Photos of Jake (and Tina) by Manny Pandya)

May’s global theme REALITY will be discussed by artist Gert Johan Manschot. You should follow him on instagram @manschot_art.

Hosted at IBM Design on Friday, May 13.

Thanks to our partners for this month: Vitamin T & IBM Design.

(Teaser of the documentary short, Art of The Moment by Brody Carmichael.)

Our May event may be upon us, but before we get real we want you to meet our latest #CMugshot, Maria Alonso. This production coordinator for SXSW Interactive is a breakfast taco purist, so nothing but egg, potato, and cheese will do. If you happen upon Quickie Pickie on a free afternoon, you might find Maria enjoying beer and some great wi-fi. Make sure to ask her about the secret life of plants!

What’s the one thing you’ve been inspired by lately?

I’ve been inspired by the community of artist, builders, architects and community leaders that have come together to get make Austin an affordable city for everyone. 

What’s a big risk you’ve taken in your life that you are glad you did?

I quit my government job to join a group of creative and inspiring people at SXSW.

What’s one way you’d like to incorporate more risk into your life?

I’d like to be more willing to say what I’m really thinking or a regular basis. I shy away from confrontation and I think there is a lot of growth that can happen when you push people to think differently.

Connect with Maria!

Twitter  |  Instagram  |  CreativeMornings Profile

(Photo of Maria by Thomas Meredith)

April’s #CMrisk event featuring Amelia Torres, explorer and storyteller and Clara Bensen, author and world traveler are up on our Flickr!

A big thanks to Lumenbrite, Spredfast, Vitamin T, and Cuvée Coffee for sponsoring and Spredfast for hosting.

Photos by Thomas Meredith.