save the date, stories within

DC Design Week is September 27 – October 4

DC Design Week (DCDW) is back for a sixteenth year of bringing together DC’s creative community, which includes those working in print, digital, product, industrial, architectural, interior, packaging, UI/UX, and illustration industries, as well as artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who makes DC a creative hub. As design disciplines, the design community, and the DMV itself continue to evolve, DCDW has expanded and changed to meet the moment.

This year’s theme is: Stories Within – celebrating, amplifying and encouraging design’s impact on the stories we’ll tell. Each one of us has a story to share with the world and a voice that deserves to be amplified. Design can shape narratives, illuminate information, and create connections, and this year’s DCDW theme seeks to celebrate the stories designers tell. 

Get ready to hear stories from industry legends, design students, and your own creative neighbors, with opportunities for people of all career levels to build their skills and their networks. Sign up for our newsletter and follow our social channels to hear official event announcements for upcoming workshops, lectures, and parties. 

Volunteer during the week

DCDW is entirely run by dedicated volunteers. You can help out the day of an event during DC Design Week with Zoom support, cleaning up or tearing down in-person events, and more. Volunteers get access to events and DCDW swag!

Let us know about your interest in volunteering through this form

Ticketing

DCDW charges for most of its events via Eventbrite to pay for overhead costs not covered by sponsorships. Once the majority of events are locked in, we will set prices with equity, accessibility, and inclusion in mind. We are a 100% volunteer-run committee and aim to break even with all of our events. Any profit is automatically routed to AIGA DC’s Design Continuum Fund (DCF). This fund provides scholarships to under-represented students in the DC, MD, & VA area who aspire to have future careers in design.

Sponsorship

If you’re interested in sponsoring DCDW, which will help offset ticket fees, make events more accessible, and offer other benefits to all attendees, email designweek@dc.aiga.org. All sponsors receive benefits and shoutouts in exchange for your support!