Digital creatives, designers and web developers gathered in Tokyo Japan for the first ever Awwwards conference in Asia, which focused on creativity and innovation. The two-day experience allowed the more than 500 attendees to connect, get inspired and learn in one of the most iconic cities of the world.

The event took place in The IINO Hall & Conference Center, an environmentally friendly complex, and included a wide array of activities such as panels of experts, workshops and many networking opportunities. There was a bit of everything for everyone.

All the talks were focused to educate and inspire the event’s attendees. The topics included branding digital design, crafting collective creativity, how to survive the digital age, pivoting to innovation, creative companionship, going from the concept to real work and being a designer without losing soul.

A diverse list of speakers was selected for the event, all leaders in their specific areas of work. The list included Leta Sobierajski and Wade Jeffree, designer and Art Director at Leta Sobierajski & Wade Jeffree Studio, Henry Daubrez, CEO and Creative Director at Dogstudio and Keitaro Suzuki, Design Director at SHIFTBRAIN.

Just started! Our design director @ktrszk 🙌#shiftbrain #awwwardsconf #awwwards #awwwardsconftokyo @AWWWARDS pic.twitter.com/m62NNx5h0t

— SHIFTBRAIN Inc. (@SHIFTBRAIN) January 23, 2020

Vitaly Friedman @smashingmag did not disappoint! A treasure trove of inspiring UI examples and explaining the importance of placing “personality” and “friction” in design. See how these fashion brands changed their logos? #awwwardsconf pic.twitter.com/5McYngLwYV

— Idean UK (@idean_UK) January 27, 2020

Awwwards Conference Tokyo Day1 @ktrszk @Upskydown @petewsmart#awwwardsconf #awwwardstokyo pic.twitter.com/ztl0fHwARx

— Adam Varga (@dmvrg) January 23, 2020

But it wasn’t all about listening to speakers. Attendees had the chance to go through unique interactive learning experiences at a set of workshops offered during the two days of the event.

Designer Hiroaki Yasutomo offered a workshop to learn how to handle 3D graphics and how to animate 3D objects with WebGL, while Henry Daubrez focused on how to build compelling art direction. Creative lead Vitaly Friedman also offered a crash course on smart responsive interface design patterns.

Awwwards is a professional web design and development competition body. It aims to recognize and promote the best of innovative web design. Every year Awwwards holds conferences in different iconic cities all over the world, from New York, Barcelona and Amsterdam, to London, Paris and LA.

AsiaAwwwardsConferenceDesignKeitaro Suzuki