Coming off of a high like the one permeating PHXDW throughout the week is a bittersweet experience. I enjoyed learning about my ‘creative class’ and connecting with people I had only heard of through Twitter. We saw shiny work that fed our lustful design-minds. And, in the spirit of nihilism, we listened to speakers who fundamentally opposed each others’ viewpoints. And it was entertaining.

But what do we do now?

Forums like Where is the Valley Going? and Design x Community brought up the areas in which PHX is lacking. And that’s fantastic. You could beat me over the head all day with our city’s design issues and I wouldn’t mind. But what I noticed was the lack of a call throughout the event. The best we could come up with was “Keep it up. And get off Twitter.” Go meet with other designers and try to tackle the issues. It’s acceptable, but it feels wishy-washy.

The idea of PHXDW was for individuals to join forces and perhaps change this city for the better, and I believe we stopped short. From what I gathered, people left PHXDW not with a renewed sense of community, but with a sense of individualistic duty. How can I change Phoenix? What can I do to make a difference? When maybe the question could be Who did I meet and what can we do together?

I don’t have some grand scheme to mobilize PHX because I agree with our panels… It starts with small groups that have some shared goals. So my call to PHX is an echo of that which we have already heard. Actually meet with that person you’ve been following on Twitter. Talk about your passions and reflect on the best and worst parts of #phxdw. Explain where you see this city going and ask the other person questions. Meet at a local coffeeshop with free wi-fi and be those cool guys with your iPhones. But just be sure to dial down the egoism and turn up the challenges.

I leave you with this list of some points and ideas I heard while attending PHXDW. While I might not agree with all of them, I enjoy the questions they bring up. What were your favorite and least favorite things said or seen at design week?

• Phoenix is not a creative class city. We have an anti-intellectual culture, we are not minority-focused, and we are not tolerant.
• If you are already doing good things, be louder!
• The 5 Phases of Branding: Consistency (we expected things would work). Quality (we expected things would be safe). Statements (we expected things would provide status). Experience (we expected emotional transformation). Connection. (@debbiemillman)
• Brainstorming is the best way to get high. In motion graphics: Design for every frame. Transitions. Misdirection. (@flockofpixels)
• Let the conecpt drive the design, then make it work within your limitations. (@wynnburton)
• Fire your worst client, they drain your energy.  Look at what everyone else is doing and do the exact opposite, you’ll look like a rocket scientist! Be proactive, passionate, and stand for something different. (@redlwilson @blindsociety)
• Stop being storytellers and start being storysharers. Make good. Value community. (@Pinch_Bespoke)
• Every day offers us the opportunity to refuse. Our job as a designer is not to break down doors, but to open new ones. We must find people to connect with, not only admirers. We must invite dialogue, not only spectacle. (maviyane.com)

UPDATE: Shortly after posting this, I became aware of the AIGA Advocacy Kit which you can download here. Work with other designers and use it to make change in PHX.