Press Publish NYC was the inaugural creator summit hosted by creators Colin & Samir and The Publish Press. The sold-out event brought together over 400 creators in the glass penthouse of Skylight at The Refinery for a day of panels and workshops on the creator economy.
Colin & Samir set out with a clear goal in mind: a premium and curated event designed to build community, educate, and empower creators in their professions.
Being the first of its kind, Press Publish NYC needed a memorable brand that came through in the experience of the event and the hype leading up to it.
I was hired to lead brand creative and experience design, growing the Press Publish NYC brand from a logo and four colors to a cohesive identity and a memorable event experience.
The Press Publish Bodega: a custom design and construction for grab-and-go snacks and refreshments.
Colin & Samir's Workspaces Become the Heart of the Brand
By the time I joined the project, a handful of Press Publish NYC brand elements were already in public circulation — namely a logo, button style, and a limited color palette. Starting with these permanent assets, the event needed a conceptual anchor in order to grow into a cohesive brand.
How it started.
When looking at Colin & Samir's workspaces, one cannot help but feel a sense of organized, creative chaos. Often featuring archival displays of photography and film equipment, these spaces are both conducive to creative thinking and an ode to the history of creating content.
This interplay of archival history and chaotic creativity became the core of the Press Publish NYC brand and event experience. It was clear that the event should evoke the same freeform creativity that is innate to Colin & Samir's workspaces.
Carousel post showcasing attendee statistics and marquee speakers.
Badge design for Guests, Speakers, Sponsors, and Staff, featuring co-branding with Microsoft Copilot.
Front cover of the Press Publish NYC zine, designed and produced specifically for Press Publish NYC.
Custom Press Publish NYC pizza boxes.
A Single-Stage
Experience
For attendees to experience the same speakers, surprises, and sponsor activations, Press Publish NYC opted for a single-stage, tightly curated agenda. As the primary area of focus, the main stage had to be a spectacle as it would become the backdrop for every single speaker.
The Press Publish NYC stage during a surprise session with host of The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett.
The final stage design was the result of a long series of iterations, aiming to convey the archival feel of the brand while satisfying production and construction requirements.
Die-cut stickers designed specifically for the event.
Back cover of the Press Publish NYC zine.
Wild posting ad series, posted in relevant locations in Brooklyn, NY.
Digital signage screens, seen throughout the event.
Main elevator decals featuring all sponsor logos.
I maintained an accurate floor plan of the venue as we revised the design and location of production elements and sponsor activations. This floor plan was ultimately submitted to acquire a Temporary Place of Assembly (TPA) certificate for the event.
Thank you to:
