Veerle's blog

It’s that time again, when you can vote for the panels for the next edition of SXSWi. Since 2006, I’ve traveled to and attended this big event in Austin, Texas. I like going to SXSW, not only because I get to see most of my overseas friends but also because I always have the opportunity to meet new creative people, learn new things, and share ideas. SXSW is really an event for connecting with people. This year I didn’t join a panel, but for next year Cindy Li asked me if I was interested in doing a panel and we asked Leslie Jensen-Inman if she would like to join us. The 3 of us have become really good friends over the past 3 years and the idea of doing a panel together made me smile.

When the 3 of us join forces, we are a strong trio. Whenever Leslie and Cindy are together, ideas get brewed and things get organized. Compared to me, they're 2 fanatics. I'm like the snail who can't keep up with their tempo. The outcome of their plans sometimes frightens me a bit, because I know they will ask me to be involved and I know I will not be able to resist. They're both very passionate and driven in what they do.

Who are the 2 other angels?

Leslie and Cindy are both graphic designers. Cindy has been an interface designer at AOL for 9 years. Later, she worked at Scrapblog and now she's an independent designer and consultant. Currently, she is working with Yahoo! on the Yahoo! Buzz project. Leslie is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is also the founder and president of MORE, a full service graphic design, public relations, and marketing firm. She is working on many fronts to help improve web design and development education. Leslie is a member of The Web Standards Project Education Task Force and is helping to create the WaSP Framework Curriculum.

The panel theme idea

While Cindy was thinking about Charlie's Angels as a fun theme for the 3 of us on stage, I was thinking about the subject of our panel. I didn't have to think long before the subject of color crossed my mind (again). Color is a subject I am passionate about and have been talking about even before @media 2006. Once the topic of color was agreed upon, the 3 of us discussed what color concepts would be most appropriate to share at SXSW. That's how the idea of how Color Angels blended together and went from shades of grey to full technicolor.

Color Angels, Episode 1: Colors: It's Not Black and White

Color Angels, Episode 1, is about exploring the challenges in color combinations as a key to successful website designs. Advice on what tools you'll need in your arsenal to be inspired. Navigating through cultural and accessibility differences in color and showcasing some of the best uses of color the web has to offer.

Vote for our panel

If you like our theme and you want to see us talk at SXSWi 2009, please vote for our panel! I'm sure we'll make it an extra interesting and colorful one, one not to miss :)