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OFFF BARCELONA’S ENDURING APPEAL LIES IN ITS NETWORKING
OPPORTUNITIES AS MUCH AS ITS WORLD-CLASS SPEAKERSevents
CULTURE
S
ometimes attending a design
conference can feel a bit like your
average day at college: you turn up
for the day, listen to some lectures and then
go home. OFFF Barcelona, though, prides
itself on being a little different.
“Ever since it was founded back in 2000 by
Hector Ayuso, OFFF has always had a special
vibe, because it’s not your typical conference,”
explains Nathalie Koutia, OFFF Festival’s
communications director. “Not only do you
get to watch your idols in front of you
speaking about their work, but you’re also
able to hang out with them. OFFF has never
had a VIP area, or even a backstage; the
attendee is as important as the speaker. You
get to learn so much, and return home feeling
energised. And this humble atmosphere has
been there since the start.”
It’s this opportunity to mingle and
converse with fellow creatives – both on stage
and in the audience – that drives attendance
from across the world, year on year. “OFFF
has been the meeting point for all creatives
from all around the world for the past 20
years,” says Nathalie. “Attendees, former
speakers and newcomers plan their trips in
advance to make sure they attend OFFF every
single year because it provides such an
important networking opportunity.”
And it’s not all small talk, either. “Some
huge collaborations have happened thanks to
people meeting at OFFF,” Nathalie points out.
“Attendees have met for the first time and
ended up creating main titles for a Marvel
movie; teamed up to create a very famous
studio; brought new brands together;
changed each other’s lives...” And the
organisers actively push for this kind of
meaningful networking, reveals Nathalie.
“We always encourage our attendees to talk
to each other, meet, get to know the person
next to you,” she says. “It’s been truly
overwhelming to hear so many big speakers
telling us that OFFF has changed their life,and that if they hadn’t met this certain
person here, they wouldn’t be where they are
right now.”
All the more reason to head to the
Catalonian capital this spring, and find out
what all the fuss is about for yourself. But
if you’re unable to attend the conference,
then be aware there’s more to OFFF than
just one festival.
“We’re blooming and we have so many
projects to reveal,” enthuses Nathalie. “Our
new postgraduate program is around the
corner under our new educational system
OFFF Academy in collaboration with Acid
House, a new project by the almighty Folch
studio. We’ll also be going for the second
round of the OFFF Mentorship powered by
Adobe, an opportunity for all youngsters to
learn with professional mentors.”
On top of all this, the coming year will see
OFFF on Tour events at cities across the
globe, from Tel Aviv to Vienna. Keep an eye
on the website for further announcements.KEY INFO
- Founded: 2000
- Date: 23-25 April
- Location: Museu Del
Disseny de Barcelona - Confirmed speakers:
Joshua Davies, Vallée
Duhamel, State, Omelet,
Calvin Sprague, Beeple,
Gavin Strange, James
White aka Signalnoise.
offf.barcelona
OFFF offers you a
chance to hang out with
your creative idols,
says the festival’s
communications
director Nathalie Koutia.