Presented at FITC Toronto 2018 More info at http://fitc.ca/event/to18/ Presented by Taj Reid, Microsoft and Dave Brown, Microsoft Overview Dave Brown and Taj Reid take you on an inspiring journey of their adventurous careers. From DJing, writing books and building apps to graduating from law school, opening after-school programs across the country and dancing with Bjork in Iceland. How did these two weirdos end up at Microsoft? They’re not engineers. They’re not developers. But, they are problem solvers and storytellers. Get ready for a wild session where these two senior leaders share how creative thinking and problem solving has made a powerful impact on their life, work and friendship. Target Audience Designers, Creative Technologists and Artists interested in making cultural impact through product. Five Things Audience Members Will Learn Our presentation shares the importance of… Getting outside of your comfort zone Racking up as many experiences as possible Presenting your authentic self Seeking out differences in others Finding your creative partner …all in the spirit of becoming a better strategist and problem solver who makes cultural impact through product.

1. Creative
Problem Solving
A P a i r o f N i k e s S i z e 1 0 . 5 - A T C Q

2. Let’s do this!

3. Who are these guys!?

4. He’s Taj.

6. Creative Director
@ Microsoft.

7. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

8. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

9. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

10. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

11. He’s Dave.

13. Creative Director
@ Microsoft.

14. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

15. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

16. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

18. Together…

19. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
We’re creative partners designing
experiences that make a difference in
products, teams and culture.

22. R E M I X E X P E R I E N C E & V I S U A L C E N T E R
MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

23. But we’re most excited
about you?

24. The Creative Hybrid.

25. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Today and tomorrow’s challenges
require creative hybrids.

29. This could be you!

30. ALL FOR THE
LOW!
LOW!
LOW!
PRICE OF JUST…

31. But seriously…

32. Here’s the formula.

33. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Craft +
Authentic Self +
Creative Arts =
Making Impact & Solving Problems.

34. Five Mildly
Important
Life Lessons.

35. 01.
It’s the little things that are
the big things.

36. Inspiring quotes
in your email
signature.

37. Inspiring quotes
in your email
signature.
Don’t do it.

38. Inspiring quotes
in your email
signature.
Don’t do it.
instead…

39. Push perspective.

40. Ashley
SHOE DESIGNER

41. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

42. Celebrate our
differences.

46. 02.
Know your super power and
protect that sh!t.

47. How do you find it?

48. Rack up a ton of
experiences.

53. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

56. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

61. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

62. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

71. People &
Storytelling &
Punk Rock.

73. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
School +
School +
School +
Being Polite =
Doctor or Lawyer (i.e. Success)

74. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
School Designer +
School DJ +
School Magazine Publisher +
Being Polite =
Doctor or Lawyer (i.e. Success)

75. Graduated
Immigration Law
Dr. King Fellow
Policy Think Tank
450 Classrooms

77. JUNE 2007

78. JUNE 2007
I’m out.

80. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

83. PROFITS

84. PROFITS
Amazon.

85. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

86. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

87. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Dave’s Jams

88. MTV
DELTA
GOOGLE
WARBY PARKER
COOL HUNTING

89. People &
Communication &
Storytelling.

90. Found it. Good.
Now protect it.

91. …and celebrate it.

92. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

93. 03.
Treat users like your friends.

94. It’s about trust.

95. “We earn our user’s trust in drips,
but can lose it in buckets.”

96. It’s about empathy.

97. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Empathy.

98. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

99. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Empathy.

100. 04.
Fight for relevancy.

101. Be a student for life.

102. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Insert Flipboard

106. Get out of your comfort
zone.

107. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

108. 05.
Find your creative partner.

109. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

110. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

111. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

112. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

114. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.
Craft +
Authentic Self +
Creative Arts =
Making Impact & Solving Problems.

115. MICROSOFT CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE.

116. THANK YOU!!!
Give us a shout anytime!
@tajmatic // tareid@microsoft.com
@holidaymatinee // davb@microsoft.com