The See Change conference is intended for curious creatives to refresh their talents with innovative ideas and imagery. This exchange is important as visualists struggle to reinvent themselves for the next best thing. New technology and media outlets continually create new challenges and opportunities that affect how we work and see. The See Change conference is one way to bring visual people together to navigate the ever-morphing communication landscape.

The See Change conference is a visual scrapbook enabling concepts beyond our skill sets to cross-pollinate.

The inspiration for this program comes from R. Smith and Pat Schuneman.  Smitty was a faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication from 1960 – 1977 and was instrumental in the creation of the School’s accredited sequence in Photographic Communication (B.A. and M.A. programs).  After retiring from the faculty Smitty founded Media Loft, Inc., a producer of films, television and corporate communications in Minneapolis.  While on the Minnesota faculty, Smitty conceived of the Minnesota Symposium on Visual Communication and implemented it with Will Hopkins in 1973.

Smitty and his wife Pat have given the University of Minnesota a gift to help sponsor a version of this type of event designed for the 21st century.  The intention is to develop a program that will be held annually under the auspices of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication and appropriate partners from the visual communication community.

New technology and media outlets continually create new challenges and opportunities.

The See Change Conference format includes a Thursday opening night dinner with keynote speaker. Friday presentations will feature both national and local luminaries who will share current insights on innovative projects, working philosophies, and survival techniques in this fast-paced business climate.