The Best Conferences for Creatives in Berlin

Berlin is a hub for creativity, attracting designers, artists, and innovators from around the world. The city hosts some of the most inspiring creative conferences, covering graphic design, branding, technology, and digital art. Events like Forward Festival or Pictoplasma offer a mix of insightful talks, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities.

Whether you're a designer, illustrator, or creative thinker, these conferences provide the perfect space to connect, learn, and get inspired.

Pictoplasma

Where:
Berlin, Germany
When:
April 1-4

Pictoplasma is the world’s premier festival for contemporary character design, bringing together artists, illustrators, animators, and designers from around the globe. Held in Berlin, the event features inspiring talks, exhibitions, screenings, and workshops, all celebrating the power of visual storytelling through unique characters. Whether you're into digital art, illustration, or animation, Pictoplasma is a must-attend for creative minds looking to explore the future of character-driven design.

Forward Festival Berlin

Where:
Berlin, Germany
When:
August 28-29

This two-day event at HKW Berlin will feature over 40 international speakers across three stages, offering talks, hands-on workshops, immersive installations, and exclusive side events. Forward Festival Berlin is an unparalleled opportunity for creatives to connect, gain inspiration, and explore the forefront of design and communication.

The Art Department Berlin

Where:
Berlin, Germany
When:
May 24–25

The Art Department Berlin is an annual festival and conference organized by We Are Playgrounds, focusing on the art and design processes in film, animation, and games. The 2025 edition is scheduled for May 24–25 at Silent Green in Berlin. The event features artist talks, demos, screenings, live sketching sessions, portfolio reviews, and recruitment opportunities.

Hatch Conference

Where:
Berlin, Germany
When:
Sep 10-12

An invite-only event purely for senior professionals, and while Hatch Conference is more UX oriented, each year it features very prominent graphic design personalities like Erik Spiekerman, David Carson and more.

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Creative Lunch Club was such a refreshing break and it happened just around the corner, which made it even better. As a studio founder, it felt so good to step out of the day-to-day and connect with like-minded people in a relaxed, inspiring setting.

Thaïs Lakaf
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I’m so glad I got to know about this brilliant networking space. Meeting so many talented and creative people has been incredibly inspiring — it’s exactly the kind of energy that fuels new ideas. It’s also a great opportunity to build a strong freelance network and connect with like-minded professionals.

Anna Wilhelm
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I love Creative Lunch Club because it harnesses the most human way of connecting, sharing a meal. It's an effortless way for creatives to build diverse connections and friendships across various fields and meet people they wouldn't otherwise.

Júlia Mota Albuquerque
Illustrator & Muralist, Berlin