Clarity is a design systems conference focused on how we work together. We provide tools and standards to scale across an increasing number of devices, platforms, and products. But real success comes when people align around a shared vision and language. Diverse perspectives for design, development, and product unite so more people can be a part of the conversation. At Clarity, we elevate our skills through multi-faceted inclusion, empathy, technology, creativity, and collaboration.
Design Systems as a full-time job were beginning to become a norm. But there weren’t too many resources or events dedicated to people like us.
I found myself using the word “clarity” a lot in my work. So in 2014, I bought clarityconf.com. But the first event wasn’t until 2016. It allowed time to consider and plan what the event experience should be.
I organized the conference mostly by myself, with a few volunteers and vendors that I directed which included designers, a sketch note artist, videographers, photographer, and more.
The event had almost 300 attendees.
The next year, I had almost 400 attendees, but I worked with the same venue and many of the same people.
I added an additional day of full-day workshops to the schedule for attendees to choose from.
The third year, the attendee count grew to 500 and the event was in New York City. This was to meet the customer demands of an east-coast event. So I hired a part-time assistant. I workshopped with a consultant to develop the mission statement and principles. And I continued directing creative volunteers and vendors.
Josh Silverman (brand update, pencil, pencil case, swag bag)
Christopher Auyeung (sticker)
Courtney Quirin (recap video)
Jeremy Perez-Cruz (photography)
Laura Brunow Miner (brand and experience vision exploration)
Natalya Shelburne (sketchnotes)
SVA Theatre A/V Team (presentation video recordings)
Sean Pettis (video editing)
Back in SF, the event grew to 700 people. In addition to the assistant, volunteers, and vendors, I worked closer with sponsors to improve the attendee/sponsor experience. I negotiated a three-year top-tier sponsorship with InVision, and I partnered with Adobe to host a full day of workshops at their offices.
Christopher Auyeung (t-shirt design)
Courtney Quirin (recap video)
Robin McGill (sketchnotes)
Blue Shield of California Theatre at YBCA A/V Team (presentation video recordings)
Wicked Tale LLC (video editing)
Initially expecting 800+ attendees, I switched to investing in an event production team to achieve that scale and a higher quality. However, with the pandemic, plans changed (from in-person to online and attendance forecasted to 500). We’ve met every week since February and have created what we expect to be a high-quality, engaging experience.
Alexander Tran (sketchnotes)
Josh Silverman (sticker sheets)
Kickass Conferences (badges, design post-production/procurement, social media/marketing, website content updates, etc)
Three Wolf Media (video production for NY speakers)
I’ve built an engaged community of design systems practitioners that has grown steadily each year for 5 years. While 2020 has challenges, the community is still active, excited, and engaged.
Oh look, @clarity_conf 2020 will be online! This is one of the best conferences out there, and @jina does amazing work curating. Check it out, if you can! https://t.co/DP0W3IZgCn
— Mia || Miriam (@MiriSuzanne) May 21, 2020
Amazing conference at @clarity_conf with amazing people and amazing ideas. Y’all are freakin awesome ❤️!#clarity2019
— Salem (Ghoweri) Cobalt (@salem_cobalt) August 22, 2019
@clarity_conf wow… what an amazing conference. Each year is more amazing than the last. Thank you SO MUCH @jina for the opportunity to share our story with this awesome group and thanks to all who visited with myself and Teresa to share your stories and admiration of our talk.
— Nicole Torgersen (@nzassenhaus) August 22, 2019
Thanks so much @jina! Clarity is one of the best conferences I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending! The line up is diverse and you put so much intention bringing together a community of Systems lovers ❤️. Thank you 🙏🏾 for all you do! Only 12 more days to #clarity2019 🌈👏🏾
— kim williams (@kimwms_) August 8, 2019
Had an amazing time @clarity_conf Big ups to @jina and the staff and volunteers! Inspiring, informative, thought-provoking and ~diverse~ lineup that other conferences should aspire to 👏👏👏💯
— Liz Khoo (@lizkhoo) December 12, 2018
@clarity_conf was easily the best conference I've attended in years, content- and people-wise. Wish I could make it this year!
— Shannon Hale (@shannonsans) October 19, 2017
.@clarity_conf was one of the best conferences i’ve ever been to. amazing venue & speakers, lots of thoughtful details @jina is the best!!
— ally palanzi (@mylifeasalllly) April 2, 2016