Start: September 16, 2026 6 p.m.
End: September 16, 2026 7 p.m.
Location: Art and Journalism Building, Room 175
Event Details
Step inside the colorful world of Tad Carpenter—designer, illustrator, and co-founder of the brand design studio Carpenter Collective. In this honest walk through the studio’s creative process, Tad shares how wandering the hallways of Hallmark Cards as a child sparked a lifelong love affair with playful, purposeful design. You'll get an intimate look at how he and Jessica, his wife and creative partner, transform their curiosity into award-winning brand systems that capture hearts and turn heads. Part behind-the-scenes studio tour, part inspiration rally, this session delivers honest insights wrapped in Tad's signature warmth and wit.
You'll learn:
- Why protecting your sense of play might be your most powerful professional asset
- How deep research and strategic thinking transform good design into unforgettable brand experiences
- The secrets to building comprehensive and strategic brand systems that work across every touchpoint
- Ways to cultivate gratitude as your creative superpower, even when facing design storms
This event is free and open to the public.
About the Artist
Tad Carpenter is a designer, illustrator, author and teacher based in Kansas City, Missouri. Tad grew up the son of two artists smack dab in the Midwest. His father was an illustrator and a creative director for Hallmark Cards for over 40 years and his mother is a talented fiber artist. Tad has illustrated over twenty children's books on the market today as well as designing over 200 gig posters for musicians, bands and tours. Tad is passionate about personal projects such as his weekly SUNday Suns and Made in the Middle. Since 2009, Tad has also been teaching Graphic Design at his alma mater, The University of Kansas and was named a Graphic Designer to watch by GDUSA in 2017.