Design conferences and festivals for creatives

These events are fantastic opportunities for people working in creative industries to get inspired, network and collaborate. Make sure to mark your calendar and register early.

Conferences and festivals for creativity and design are perfect for connecting with like-minded people, exploring fresh ideas, and sharpening your skills. They’re vibrant spaces to network, spark innovation, and fuel your creative journey.

OFFF Barcelona

Where:
Barcelona, Spain
When:
May 8–10

OFFF Barcelona is a haven for creatives and innovators. It brings together graphic designers, motion artists, and digital thinkers from around the globe. The conference is known for its cutting-edge presentations, hands-on workshops, and a vibrant community that celebrates design in all its forms.

Adobe MAX

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
October 28–30

Adobe MAX is the ultimate creativity conference for graphic designers, illustrators, and digital creators. Expect keynote speeches from industry titans, hands-on workshops, and sneak peeks into Adobe’s upcoming tools and features. This event is also a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and explore the latest design trends.

AIGA Design Conference

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
October 9–11

Organized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, this conference focuses on the future of design and its impact on society. With thought-provoking sessions, panel discussions, and workshops, the AIGA Design Conference is ideal for professionals looking to expand their horizons and tackle design challenges in innovative ways.

Typographics

Where:
New York, NY, USA
When:
June 27 - 28

Typography enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Typographics dives deep into the world of type design, typography, and visual communication. With a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, and type-centric networking opportunities, this conference is perfect for designers looking to refine their typographic skills.

NOW25 Conference

Where:
Paris, France
When:
May 31

NOW25 is a conference hosted by TypeParis focusing on graphic design, web design, motion design, publishing, visual identity, communication, and type design. It's an opportunity to listen to inspiring speakers and engage with a diverse range of topics relevant to contemporary design practices.

SXSW Conference

Where:
Austin, TX, USA
When:
March 7–15

Every year South by Southwest (SXSW) brings together music, film, technology, and culture in a globally recognized festival. Featuring keynote speakers, interactive panels, live music showcases, film screenings, and networking events, SXSW is a must-attend event for creatives and industry leaders alike.

With an ever-evolving lineup of artists, filmmakers, and innovators, SXSW continues to shape conversations around the future of entertainment and technology.

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.

DesignThinkers Vancouver

Where:
Vancouver, Canada
When:
May 13-14

DesignThinkers Vancouver, hosted by the RGD, is a leading conference for graphic designers, creatives, and innovators. Featuring inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities, the event explores the power of design to challenge conventions and shape new perspectives.

Creative South

Where:
Columbus, GA, USA
When:
April 10-12

Known for its warm and welcoming vibe, Creative South is a community-focused conference where you can learn, collaborate, and get inspired. From workshops to inspirational talks, this event is ideal for designers of all experience levels.

POV Budapest

Where:
Budapest, Hungary
When:
September 11-12

POV Budapest focuses on the latest trends in visual storytelling, animation, and graphic design. It’s an inspiring platform for creatives seeking to explore the intersection of technology and design.

Birmingham Design Festival

Where:
Birmingham, UK
When:
June 12-13

This Birmingham Design Festival celebrates all things design, offering talks, workshops, and exhibitions. From typography to branding, it covers a broad spectrum of design disciplines and is perfect for creatives of all levels.

Creative Pro Week

Where:
Phoenix, AZ, USA
When:
June 2–6

This conference is tailored for professionals working in print and digital publishing. From Adobe InDesign to Photoshop, it offers sessions that help sharpen your skills and streamline your workflow.

The Design Conference

Where:
Brisbane, Australia
When:
June 18-20

The Design Conference is a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and inspiration. It features talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for those seeking a fresh perspective on design.

Brand New Conference

Where:
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
When:
October 23–24

This globally recognized two-day event gathers influential practitioners in corporate and brand identity from around the world. It serves as a hub for industry-leading discussions, insights, and experiences, focusing on identity design. Brand New Conference offers a unique platform for professionals to delve into the latest trends, innovations, and strategies shaping the field.

Us By Night

Where:
Antwerp, Belgium
When:
September 25–27

Us By Night is a unique nocturnal experience that blends a design conference with a vibrant night market. Attendees can expect inspiring talks from world-class creatives in graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, and beyond.

With a festival-like atmosphere, it’s not just about learning but also about connecting and immersing yourself in the creative culture. Workshops, installations, and live art performances make this a standout event for any graphic designer looking for both inspiration and entertainment.

TypeCon

Where:
Chicago, IL, USA
When:
August 7-9

TypeCon is a must-attend event for typographers, type designers, and graphic designers passionate about typography. Organized by the Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA), this conference features presentations, workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in type design and visual communication. Attendees will have the chance to explore the latest trends in typography, gain insights from industry leaders, and network with fellow type enthusiasts from around the world.

Flux Festival

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
TBD

The Flux Festival in Los Angeles celebrates the intersection of film, art, and emerging technology. This multi-day event features curated screenings, immersive exhibits, engaging workshops, and live performances, culminating in a showcase at the iconic Audrey Irmas Pavilion. It's a platform for creatives to explore innovative storytelling and artistic expression.

Circles Conference

Where:
Gravepine, TX, USA
When:
Sep 22-26

Circles Conference in Texas, USA, is a dynamic event for creatives to connect, collaborate, and be inspired. Featuring renowned speakers, interactive workshops, and community-building activities, it offers a platform to explore design and creativity in-depth.

Paradiso

Where:
Mérida, Mexico
When:
March 12-16

Paradiso is a unique five-day creative retreat designed for artists, designers, and innovators to reset, rethink, and create without limits. Featuring raw and inspiring talks, immersive experiences, exhibitions, and live performances, it fosters a community that thrives on sharing, learning, and pushing creative boundaries.

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.

UX Nordic

Where:
Copenhagen, Denmark
When:
September 24-25

This conference focuses on user experience and how it intersects with graphic design. With a strong lineup of international speakers and practical workshops, UX Nordic is perfect for those interested in UI/UX and interaction design.

Design Matters

Where:
Copenhagen, Denmark
When:
June 16-17

Focused on digital design, Design Matters explores the latest in UX, UI, and interaction design. It’s a hub for designers looking to stay at the forefront of the digital landscape.

The InDesign Conference

Where:
Online
When:
December 9–12

Hosted entirely online, InDesign Conference offers four days of in-depth sessions for every InDesign user. Produced by world-renowned InDesign experts, it brings together leading professionals to share wisdom, tips, and techniques for building documents of every size and format—print, digital, PDF, EPUB, HTML, and more.

All Flows

Where:
Milton Keynes, UK
When:
May 14-16

All Flows is an annual creative, design, and digital festival held in Milton Keynes, UK. Established in 2023, it aims to amplify Milton Keynes' reputation as a 'Design City' and support the growth of the local creative industries sector. The festival features influential speakers from across the creative industries, covering subjects such as prototyping radical futures, technology, brand creation, generative media platforms, and the magic of everyday life.

Config: Figma’s Annual Conference‍

Where:
San Francisco, CA, USA
When:
May 6-8

Config, Figma’s highly anticipated annual conference, gathers UX/UI designers, developers, and digital creators in San Francisco and online. The event is a deep dive into collaborative design, offering product updates, interactive workshops, and insights from global leaders in the design community. Config celebrates creativity and innovation, providing attendees with tools and inspiration to push the boundaries of design.

Leading Design New York

Where:
New York, USA
When:
March 27

Leading Design New York will convene forty design leaders to collaboratively explore the evolving role of design leadership in an AI-driven world. This exclusive one-day event will feature expert insights, roundtable discussions, and opportunities for co-creation, all aimed at shaping a shared vision for the future of design.

Creative Works WEST

Where:
Seattle, WA, USA
When:
May 1-3

Creative Works WEST is a conference dedicated to creativity, craft, and connection, bringing together designers, artists, and creative professionals. The event features inspiring presentations, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

This year's speakers include Amos Kennedy Jr., Barry Ament & Coby Shultz, Lauren Hom, and Andy Pearson.

ATypI Copenhagen

Where:
Copenhagen, Denmark
When:
April 22-26

From April 22 to 26, 2025, ATypI returns to Copenhagen, Denmark, at the Royal Danish Academy. This leading typography event brings together designers, educators, and industry experts for insightful talks, workshops, and networking. A must-attend for type enthusiasts.

Bangkok Design Week

Where:
Bangkok, Thailand
When:
February 8-23

Bangkok Design Week is an annual event celebrating and promoting design and creativity. Supported by the Creative Economy Agency and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the event features exhibitions, workshops, and seminars under the theme "Design Up+Rising," aiming to inspire and foster innovation within the design community.

ADCE Festival

Where:
Barcelona, Spain
When:
TBD

Organized by the Art Directors Club of Europe, the ADCE Festival is an annual gathering that celebrates European creativity in advertising and design. Held in Barcelona, the festival features conferences, workshops, and the prestigious ADCE Awards, highlighting the best creative work across Europe and fostering collaboration among industry professionals.

Mouvo

Where:
Prague, Czech Republic
When:
March 13-14

Mouvo, held annually in Prague, Czech Republic, is a festival that celebrates motion design and its intersection with technology and storytelling. Through captivating presentations and workshops, it brings together industry leaders and emerging talent to share ideas and innovations.

OFFF Tel Aviv

Where:
Tel Aviv, Israel
When:
June 16-17

OFFF Tel Aviv is part of the OFFF global community, offering a space for creatives to learn, inspire, and collaborate. The event includes workshops, lectures, and performances, focusing on the forefront of the design and digital arts industries.

World Design Congress

Where:
London, UK
When:
September 9–10

Known as the "Olympics of design," the World Design Congress returns to London for the first time since 1969. Supported by the Design Council and the Mayor of London, the event will gather experts from various design fields to focus on the theme "Design for Planet," emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility in design. The Congress aims to be a catalyst for change, showcasing innovative and sustainable design practices.

Design in Motion Festival (DEMO)

Where:
16 cities
When:
Jan 30

The Design in Motion Festival (DEMO) is a global event showcasing top motion design on public screens. On January 30, 2025, DEMO’s "cities edition" will feature 560+ motion works across Dutch cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as international locations like Madrid, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. The festival highlights work from leading studios, designers, and emerging talents.

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