In conjunction with the festivities for World Design Capital (WDC), our chapter will be hosting a series of four events to welcome, celebrate, and inspire our local community along with designers from around the world.

As part of the year-long celebration, AIGA San Diego/Tijuana invites you to the International Design Celebration, taking place October 24-26 in San Diego. The event is comprised of 4 experiences– the Summit, the Training, the Showcase + Party, and a bonus Design Excursion to Tijuana. These events will gather passionate designers and educators from North America and around the globe to share their experiences and perspectives.

1 – The International Design Leadership Summit – Thursday, October 24th from 9am to 6pm

At the first of the four events, the Summit, we will explore how design and designers inspire positive change in their communities through powerful discussions and presentations as facilitated by Doug Powell and Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar. We are thrilled to be hosting designers from a growing list of international educational institutions and design organizations, including International Council of Design (ICoD), The Graphic Artists Guild, AIGA chapters across the U.S., and Tijuana Design Week.

Keynote Speakers & Panelists include:

• Bill Grant, Mayor of Canton, GA, President of Grant Design Collaborative
• Johnathon Strebly (Canada, ICoD representative)
• Jonas Liugaila (Lithuania, ICoD representative)
• Melike Taşcıoğlu Vaughan (Turkey, ICoD representative)
• Professor Kaleena Sales, Tennessee State University, editor of Centered: People + Ideas Diversifying Design
• Sadie Red Wing, Lakota graphic designer, advocate & educator
• Dina Benbrahim, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Connecticut
• Shantanu Suman, Associate Professor at Ball State University

Yes, the wonderful people above will be taking the stage but the Summit and all four of the events are also about building and deepening the connections between the designers in the room. As such, we need you and your story represented!

2 – Leadership Training for Social Impact – Friday, October 25th from 9:30am to 12:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Join design leaders Doug Powell and Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar for this engaging and active learning experience, which focuses on maximizing the reach, relevance, and impact of human-centered design. This training session is ideal for established designers eager to have a meaningful impact on the issues effecting their communities. Participants will work through tactical and actionable ways to align the resources, expertise, and funding required to address complex social problems through design-driven practices. 

3 – Design Showcase Party – Friday, October 25th from 5pm to 8pm

Join us in honoring the dedicated designers, companies, institutions, and thought leaders who have raised the bar for excellence in our region with our Design Showcase, featuring the region’s best and brightest work created across the past and present. This un-juried showcase will be represented by many design disciplines, including graphic design, environmental design, UX/UI, illustration, architecture, interior design, fashion, game and character design, and historical work. It’s sure to be an evening full of meaning and memory.

We will also be presenting two scholarship awards to local students in honor of two of our most esteemed design colleagues with incredible legacy in the design education of our students spanning many years. The Candice López Scholarship is for students applying to 2 year programs and the Susan Merritt Scholarship is for students applying to 4 year programs. You can learn more about the awards and contribute to the fund here.

To learn more about the showcase or to upload your project, click here. Submissions are due by September 30th, 2024.

4 – Tijuana Design Excursion – Saturday, October 26th from 9am to 5pm (SOLD OUT)

Sign up for a unique cultural experience curated by our design colleagues in Tijuana. The day-long excursion will be hosted by designers from both countries and consist of round-trip transport by charter bus, scrumptious local cuisine, and a warm welcome into some of Tijuana’s most dynamic design studios and hidden spaces. Space for this event is limited—please purchase your tickets early to secure your spot!

Don’t miss this unique and historic opportunity to forge a bond with leaders, thinkers, and doers from all around the world. It wouldn’t be the same without you and we hope to see you there!

Visit the event website at https://www.internationaldesigncelebration.com/ to purchase a full pass or individual tickets as well as submit for the showcase. Volunteer opportunities and event sponsorships may still be available. Contact the chapter at: info@sandiego.aiga.org.