I help business leaders seize opportunities and grow efficiently. Founder, CEO, Creative Director. Call me what you like. I’m the primary creative force here at Hornsby Creative. As the leader of our team of creatives who make projects happen, chances are you’ll be working with me as we collaborate to discover, design, and deliver your next branded experience. According to the Gallup Strengths Finders methodology, my top 5 core strengths are Connectedness, Input, Ideation, Strategic, and Achiever. Let’s chat about how I can apply these strengths to help focus and grow your business. Together we'll build a more positive and profitable influence for your business.
Make Your Local Events Memorable, Shareable, and Impactful
Monthly Update • Nov 2023 On tap: DIY Tourism Marketing Conference Fall Flasks National Design Conference Recap Get involved in AIGA AVL Fall Gift Guide Custom Bags |
A Weekend Well-DesignedWe just wrapped up a spectacular Design Weekend that was rich, invigorating, and inspiring. The event, powered by our local AIGA Asheville design community and professionals, was a powerhouse of perspectives on "The Power of Design." It was a weekend we spent half a year planning to be full of innovation and ideas, and boy, did it deliver! I donned many hats including co-organizer, co-host, and sponsor. I must tip my hat (which is quite stylish, mind you) to our incredible organizing committee Alyssa Phillips, Amanda Wylde, and Mikaela Roel along with our MC and marketing powerhouse Sarah Benoit, plus all the volunteers who ran the show so smoothly that it would make a Swiss watch jealous. As your resident Vice President of the AIGA Chapter and design nerd, I've returned with my creative cup overflowing, ready to pour out new and vibrant strategies and ideas into our client work. Cheers to that! DIY Tourism Marketing: Where Design Meets DestinationsNext on our agenda is the DIY Tourism Marketing Conference, where storytelling meets strategy. I’ll be presenting for the third year in a row. This year I'll be facilitating a workshop on creating local events that aren't just events; they're experiences. Looking for results-oriented, digital strategies to market your destination, attraction, or tourism business? Get access to tourism marketing experts at the 7th annual DIY Tourism Marketing Conference on November 13-14 in Asheville, NC. Effectively enticing visitors to explore your community, make a reservation, attend your events, and shop at your business or destination is tough enough on its own. This type of marketing requires skill, strategy, and creativity. That’s where the DIY Tourism Marketing Conference shines! In its 7th year, this event provides the latest digital strategies, resources, and tools to help you reach potential visitors and motivate them to visit. Learn more about this year’s DIY Tourism and Marketing Conference and grab your full pass on their website. We can’t wait to see you there!
Whiskey Business with Fall FlasksSpeaking of local charm, let's toast to Eireann's Call, who now boast custom-branded whisky flasks that are as smooth as their tunes. These silver-toned metal flasks, etched with the band's emblem we designed, are like the secret ingredient to their branding cocktail — strong, bold, and memorable. Recapping the National Design Conference: Back to Human ConnectionReturning to the embrace of in-person interaction, the National Design Conference was a smorgasbord of inspiration. It was like a reunion with creativity itself. We had a whole crew from our chapter there with matching shirts and all. One highlight included Microsoft's groundbreaking work in digitizing an African language, not just breaking language barriers but preserving a culture. I got a tour of the flagship Herman Miller showroom and of course obligatory bagels, pizza, and cheesecake. Did I mention our Peak Promo division did the swag bags for the conference? And let's not forget the design celebrities! Rubbing elbows with the likes of Debbie Millman and the powerhouse partners of Pentagram? It's like the Oscars for us design folks, but with better conversation and less paparazzi. And then there's New York! Shape the Future of Design with AIGA Asheville Creativity thrives in the community, and AIGA Asheville is the artboard where your vision can help design our region's future. We're seeking motivated doers – from designers to strategic thinkers – to join our all-volunteer board. It's more than a role; it's your chance to forge connections, grow skills, and lead with impact. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate newcomer, your unique perspective is what will help our collective thrive. Ready to make a mark? Dive into the details here and consider applying by November 17th. Let's use the power of design to create a vibrant tomorrow, together.
Fall Gift GuideWhether you are gearing up for holiday corporate gift-giving or elevating your merch game for your next conference, trade show, or tabling event we've got sustainable ethical merch to align with your brand. Custom Bags, BooNo tricks, just treats. Looking for the perfect holiday branding solution? Peak Promo by Hornsby Creative presents custom-printed shopping bags tailored for your business needs: 📈 Swift lead times to keep up with the festive demand. 🔍 Adaptable order sizes with low minimum requirements. ♻️ Made from eco-friendly paper stocks, aligning with responsible branding. 🎨 Showcase your brand in full color on all four sides. 📍 Proudly crafted in the USA. Elevate your branding this holiday season.
Let's Jam!As usual, we keep pumping out a monthly playlist of tunes that are keeping us motivated as we work on building brands and discovering new opportunities. Click below for our current playlists. This month's cover art was generated in collaboration with AI as part of my slide deck for that DIY Workshop next week. I managed to discover an interesting hack with Chat GPT and Dall-e that I didn't know was possible. Reply back if you want me to share. What are you listening to right now? Reply back and let us know. We might add it to a future playlist.
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John Hornsby
Making good things happen.
I help business leaders seize opportunities and grow efficiently. Founder, CEO, Creative Director. Call me what you like. I’m the primary creative force here at Hornsby Creative. As the leader of our team of creatives who make projects happen, chances are you’ll be working with me as we collaborate to discover, design, and deliver your next branded experience. According to the Gallup Strengths Finders methodology, my top 5 core strengths are Connectedness, Input, Ideation, Strategic, and Achiever. Let’s chat about how I can apply these strengths to help focus and grow your business. Together we'll build a more positive and profitable influence for your business.
May Update 2024 On tap:Beyond Logos Craft Your Commerce Workshops Next Week Recent Work Spring Swag Special Playlist May the 4th be with you! We're a couple of days ahead of schedule since the 4th falls on the weekend. Because just as Yoda says, 'Do or do not, there is no try,' let us help you 'do' your best to wield the force of growth with powerful brand strategies this spring. What's the biggest challenge you're facing in your corner of the galaxy? Let us know and let the council of...
Feb Update • March 2024 On tap:New AI Workshops Creative Hangouts Mega Networking Recap Playlist Quick update: I've used AI daily over the past year. Every time it is an iterative collaborative time-consuming process. I don't think it always makes me faster but it usually makes me better. Except when it makes me worse which also happens. You can learn how to be better and worse too. I'm doing a few more workshops on AI. One tomorrow morning with the HCC SBC and a second follow-up to that one...
Feb Update • Feb 2024 On tap:Client Love Case Study - Black Mountain Renovation + Design John Presenting at Craft Your Commerce Workshops AIGA Creative Hangouts Finding the way in Person Mega Networking Playlist Client Love You never know how the interaction you are having today will come back to you in a decade.Recently I've been on site with a new client running discovery and strategy workshops. I worked with this client about 10 years ago when I was part of the leadership team at a local...