📍 A Miami Guide For Designers By Designers
🌴 How to Experience Miami Like a Designer During Adobe Max 2024
📻 Hit play and vibe: Read this article while listening to Dante’s HiFi - Disco Selections.
I was supposed to be flying to Miami today, but the weather had other plans. Instead of sunny skies and palm trees, I’m grounded and reflecting on what I’ll miss—at least for this week. My main mission for this trip? Working with a legal startup and running a Design Thinking workshop, which is now postponed until next week. And, coincidentally, next week is also the start of Adobe Max in beautiful Miami.
This city holds a special place in my heart. It was the first place I called home after moving from Brazil to the U.S. It's where my kids were born, and it’s a city that radiates with creativity and cultural energy. Miami is more than just a vibrant backdrop; it’s a designer's canvas, full of inspiration at every corner.
Whenever I return to Miami, I’m flooded with memories of teaching a new generation of Product Designers. While I officially taught UX/UI Design, I always incorporated broader principles from disciplines like interaction design, service design, and even a bit of industrial design. It wasn’t just about the tools or the wireframes; it was about pushing boundaries and thinking holistically about the product experience. One of my standout students, Andrea, embodies this philosophy.
Andrea is a true artist. She’s always challenging the conventional, blending art and function in her web design projects. Her most recent contribution is a project that hits close to home—A Miami Guide by Designers. This guide is a designer’s dream: a curated list of places to Eat, Drink, Shop, and Things to Do, all with that unique creative twist. Andrea’s method of presenting the guide in bin folders reminds me of the work of South Korean designer Junho Han and his industrial design project, External Hard Drive Folder.
My Go-To Spots in Miami
As I think about next week’s trip, here are a few must-visit places I always recommend to fellow designers. These spots not only refuel your body but also your creative soul.
🏍️ Imperial Moto Cafe
This place is a vibe, plain and simple. I’ve been coming here since it opened at its Little Haiti location. Matt, the founder, is a great guy and loves motorcycles and Porsches—what’s not to love? The café is a hangout spot for creatives, coffee lovers, and gearheads alike. It’s the perfect spot to sip an iced oat latte while working on your next big design project.
📍Imperial Moto Cafe
7299 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33150
🫖 Admari Modern Tea Merchants
Tea lovers, this one’s for you. Admari offers tea-tasting experiences that are on another level. The founder, Adrienne, and her team have an encyclopedic knowledge of tea-making, and their Miami Chai blend is a must-buy to take home. Do yourself a favor and book a tasting while you’re in town.
📍Admari Modern Tea Merchants
223 NE 82nd St, Miami, FL 33138
🍕 Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza
There are several locations, but the Miami Beach spot holds a special place in my heart. It’s tucked away inside an office building, and the pizza? Extraordinary. There’s a reason this hidden gem is a favorite.
📍Mister O1 Pizza
1680 Michigan Ave STE 101, Miami Beach, FL 33139
🎧 Dante’s HiFi and Miami Soundbar
Looking for a place where you can vibe to high-quality music while sipping a well-crafted cocktail? Dante’s HiFi and Miami Soundbar are the spots to go. It's a perfect end to a creative day of brainstorming and sketching.
📍Dante’s HiFi
519 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127
📍Miami Soundbar
123 SE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33131
📚 Dale Zine Shop
Finally, for all the graphic designers out there, this is a must. Dale Zine Shop is a treasure trove of indie zines, design books, and unique finds from local creatives. It’s one of my favorite places to pick up inspiration in printed form.
📍Dale Zine Shop
50 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137
While I may not be in Miami just yet, I’m looking forward to diving back into its creative energy next week. I hope this guide helps you navigate the city as a designer during Adobe Max 2024. From cozy cafés to hidden design gems, Miami has so much to offer. And who knows, you might even bump into me at one of these spots, latte in hand, ready to chat about the next big thing in design.
Stay inspired, and I’ll catch you in Miami!
Juno
