Graphic Communications and Printing Technology

How did fishermen record their trophy catches before the invention of photography? In 19^th century Japan, fishing boats were equipped with rice paper, sumi-e ink, and brushes in order to create gyotaku: elaborate rubbings of freshly caught fish. K. Erica Dodge recounts the story of this competitive fishing culture, plus some tips on how to make your very own etchings.

What if words did more than just sit on a page or a screen? Graphic designer Stephen Doyle creates art that expands on the literal meanings of words. This playful talk could shift your perspective on how you see language.

Chip Kidd doesn't judge books by their cover, he creates covers that embody the book―and he does it with a wicked sense of humor. In this deeply felt (and deeply hilarious) talk, he shares the art and the philosophy behind his cover designs.

Facebook's "like" and "share" buttons are seen 22 billion times a day, making them some of the most-viewed design elements ever created. Margaret Gould Stewart, Facebook's director of product design, outlines three rules for design at such a massive scale—one so big that the tiniest of tweaks can cause global outrage, but also so large that the subtlest of improvements can positively impact the lives of many.

Pick up a book, magazine or screen, and more than likely you'll come across some typography designed by Matthew Carter. In this charming talk, the man behind typefaces such as Verdana, Georgia and Bell Centennial (designed just for phone books―remember them?), takes us on a spin through a career focused on the very last pixel of each letter of a font.

In a talk that's part history lesson, part love letter to graphics, information designer Tommy McCall traces the centuries-long evolution of charts and diagrams―and shows how complex data can be sculpted into beautiful shapes. "Graphics that help us think faster, or see a book's worth of information on a single page, are the key to unlocking new discoveries," McCall says.

Paola Antonelli, design curator at New York's Museum of Modern Art, wants to spread her appreciation of design―in all shapes and forms―around the world.