James Victore’s Dinner Series
I like James Victore. I don’t like him so much cause he’s ‘edgy’ or a ‘bad ass’ in the design world, or whatever you want to label him in today’s “hierarchy of professional importance,” but damn it you can’t dispute that he’s both those things and more. No the real reason I like – nay love James Victore is how he makes things happen, specifically for those who share the same passion towards life and design as he shares.
Victore spent some time at Rowan University in early 2009 where he spoke to a small group of designers and artists, myself included, about what the results of shedding fear and doubt can yield in today’s society. It’s been 3 years and I still don’t know what the hell I’m doing most of the time, but I can say without a doubt that his speech’s mission of “bravery” has stuck with me. There’s no doubt a threshold, a right of passage if you will, that I have yet to cross in my own life’s journey that allows me to truly understand his own insight, but I know it’s somewhere out there, all I need to do is keep swimming.
I’ve spoken with Victore online (email/Twitter, he’s very accessible) various times since meeting him in ’09, and I’ve enjoyed discovering his subtle complexities that he knowingly shares with complete strangers. He’s never far from a kind word, or a helpful tip to a student or even working professional. It’s no doubt his willingness to converse and strengthen the resolve of budding designers that has led him to be a well respected and inspirational creative figurehead.
Last year, much to my excitement, and eventual crippling frustration at finding out the cost, James Victore announced The Dinner Series, the first incarnation of continuing outreach to designers and creative professionals aimed at stirring the creative juices of the mind. The now annual excursion includes in-depth workshops in an intimate setting that includes Victore and the six creatives that could afford to foot the $6K admission fee. The Dinner Series is the ultimate creative networking opportunity for anyone with the passion, and the means, to dig deep into discussion with some of the most prolific minds still working in the industry today.
Like last year I’m still racking my brain trying to think of ways I could generate a quick $6k, but I’m not hard enough to risk time in prison, and I don’t have the stamina to consider “alternative professional services” so for now I believe the best bet is to just spread the word about what Victore is doing.
For a look into just how epically awesome, and exquisitely understated the “Dinner Series” is please check out this article on CoolHunting: http://www.coolhunting.com/design/james-victore-dinner-series.php
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