In the dynamic landscape of the Jewish community, one event stands out as a beacon of innovation, connection, and change… or so we say at UpStart. The Collaboratory, an annual convening of forward-thinking innovators, changemakers, and entrepreneurs in the Jewish community, brings together the brightest minds to explore new possibilities, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful progress. For four of my five years at UpStart (thank you, pandemic), I’ve had the privilege of leading the brand, marketing, design, and photography for this remarkable event.
FOUR Years of Shaping the Collaboratory Experience
Here’s a glimpse of my contributions to four remarkable journeys in Jewish innovation:
2018: The Art of Risk-Taking
My work for this Collaboratory included communications planning, media relations, graphic design, email marketing design and copywriting, website development, and swag design and coordination.
I also drove the promotion of a supplementary event for entrepreneurs in the Los Angeles Jewish community, The Risk Takers Collaborative. [Graphics and promotional materials coming soon.]
2019: Reimagine Gathering
In 2019, we redefined what it means to gather with keynote speaker and renowned Art of Gathering expert, Priya Parker.
This year, I redesigned the logo to remove the purple color (previously used to connect The Collaboratory brand with our partner’s brand identity), and create more cohesion with the UpStart brand identity. In addition to managing media relations, the brand and experience design budget, and marketing plan, I also drove the conference’s experience design, crafting everything from a powerful and fun welcome reception to name tags, and more. See some of the design elements here, or scroll down for articles, playlists, digital swag, and more from 2019’s convening.
[Marketing materials coming soon.]
2020: Break Through Together
Regrettably, this is the year we had to cancel our convening. We nevertheless developed an exciting visual identity and marketing plan for the event. [Materials coming soon.]
2022: Grow The Good
In 2022, we went bolder with the logo, bringing back the solid black of the UpStart brand. We spoke with key stakeholders whose feedback was essential in understanding the brand of the Collaboratory and led us in this new direction.
This year’s theme was Grow the Good, a call to learn from the natural world how to create interdependent systems of flourishing in order to make Jewish life thrive. Staying faithful to the UpStart colors and typeface, the Grow the Good banner was a nod to both growth and sustainability.
Dive Deeper and Connect
If you want to explore the Collaboratory in more detail, here are some resources to check out:
- How we got 450 people excited about consent: Read about my philosophy and strategy behind the experience design of the Collaboratory 2019.
- The Collaboratory Playlist: Discover post-conference podcast episodes, articles, and insightful write-ups about the Collaboratory’s impact on the Jewish community.
- Testimonial on the Experience Design: Hear from an attendee who felt a sense of inspiration and belonging at the three-day event. Hear from the Orthodox rabbi who was inspired by the three-day event and felt
- Gaining the Jewish future: Explore a thought-provoking op-ed by an Orthodox rabbi in attendance who was surprised by the thoughtfulness and depth of the conference’s content.
The Collaboratory is a conference unlike any other. With each passing year, it evolves, grows, and leaves a lasting imprint on the Jewish community. Join us in shaping the future and exploring the infinite possibilities for change and innovation.