Northstar WorksSpeakers · Sessions · Partners · LocationOctober 16–18 · Milwaukee

A conference for useful creative work

Common
Ground

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Creative work can repair what noise pulls apart.

Join us for three focused days of design, conversation, and making—built for people who care more about lasting work than passing trends.

Lineup

Speakers & workshop leaders

This year’s Northstar Works brings together independent designers, makers, educators, and studio leaders. Expect direct lessons, generous critiques, and room to test what you learn.

Portrait by Korede Adenola on Pexels

Asha Ford

Studio founder

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Ken Baker

Design educator

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Gail Anderson

Creative director

Portrait by Jake Nackos on Unsplash

Erik Mendoza

Independent maker

Portrait by Thanh Xuan Nguyen Ly on Pexels

Nia Hamid

Studio founder

Portrait by Foto Sushi on Pexels

Jess Arrington

Design educator

Portrait by Korede Adenola on Pexels

Greysen MacLaine

Creative director

Portrait by Ben Khatry on Pexels

Emily Westlund

Independent maker

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Niko Smith

Studio founder

Portrait by Jake Nackos on Unsplash

Jesse Ryan

Design educator

Portrait by Thanh Xuan Nguyen Ly on Pexels

Alyson Moore

Creative director

Portrait by Foto Sushi on Pexels

Jenna Blazevich

Independent maker

Workshops

Hands-on sessions

Go deep in small rooms with people who know their craft. Every workshop balances a useful framework with time to make, revise, and share.

Friday · 9:00–17:00

Systems Day

  • Editorial systems09:00
  • Identity under pressure11:30
  • Open studio14:30
Saturday · 9:00–16:00

Making Day

  • Material experiments09:00
  • Critique as a craft11:30
  • Shared showcase14:00

Partners in the work

Milwaukee · October 16–18

Find common ground.

Reserve a seat