Through the process of researching ComplexCon, I realized that its leadership had connections to one of the largest conventions centered around animation, cosplay, and comics: Comic-Con. It’s more than just showing up dressed as a character you like. You get to walk through and experience booths featuring collectibles, merchandise, and vendors selling items related to the things you love. It’s a huge venue, especially for people who are passionate about these interests.

Personally, I went to Comic-Con because of my god sister, who loves animation and everything surrounding it. Realizing that ComplexCon shares many similarities with this type of convention was one of the most interesting discoveries I made. I was already drawn to ComplexCon, but learning about the connections between these types of events made me even more interested in understanding its structure.

From an art direction standpoint, ComplexCon is about more than just artists performing. There are two sides to the experience: the artists performing and the artists directing the overall creative vision of the event. ComplexCon brings in creative directors who help shape the venue, including the placement of different experiences and the visual direction of the event. For its 10th anniversary, for example, the creative direction involved figures such as Tara, Kami, and Playboi Carti.

These creative opportunities allow artists to influence collaborations, stage design, set details, posters, and other visual elements throughout the event. For instance, Destroy Lonely, an artist associated with Playboi Carti’s Opium collective, collaborated with Ed Hardy. Other brands, ranging from IM Gea to A Body by Raven, were also featured alongside hundreds of booths.

One thing I particularly appreciate is that ComplexCon showcases the different vendors and brands participating on its website. Imagine having a booth for your own brand when you’re not yet as established as Verity, The Pink, or A Body by Raven. I personally feel that simply being present at an event like this can open so many doors. You’re connecting with waves of people who come together through their love of fashion, music, art, and pop culture.

ComplexCon has also featured concepts such as ThriftCon, with booths centered around vintage clothing, independent sellers, and thrift shops. As the market continues to serve both people who prefer buying secondhand clothing and giving older pieces new life and those who want to purchase new items to support emerging brands, this creates a meaningful middle ground between the two.

My interest in researching ComplexCon came from Nyla’s Multimedia series, Mapping the Packaging, which I started about a month ago. Although I took a short break, my original idea was to break down different aspects of brand identity, art direction, and the visual meaning behind each brand.