Kansas City-based creative agency Barkley hosts an annual meeting for staff. It is…different.
It’s called Great Day, a celebration of achievements, people and ideas. Every year the theme focuses on the conditions for creativity and in 2019 was centered around the idea of Freedom*. The asterisk called out conditions while becoming a unifying element, giving permission and setting the tone to question everything. For the design system, it enabled a raucous, punk attitude passionate about challenging conventions and the ideal of perfection.
Concept posters showcased the low-fi, no rules aesthetic and purpose-driven messaging.
A variety of environmental graphics and promotions were plastered at key locations to generate excitement, announce speakers and spread the aesthetic in every corner of the office.
This opening theme video set the tone for the event.
Intro video for singer/songwriter Calvin Arsenia. Each speaker was asked to fill in their “free to” statement which was shared with each intro video.
While the event was spread over two days, the concept and numerous executions came together over 2 months and set the stage for the agency to embrace creativity with freedom.