Throughout the course of the World Design Capital® year, the designated city identifies and develops unique events to achieve local objectives and to reach local, national, and international audiences.
As part of each WDC Calendar of Events, several WDC signature events are organized in partnership with WDO. Outlined below are the events that have and will continue to bring together local designers and design enthusiasts, while also providing an excellent opportunity for the international design community to experience WDC San Diego Tijuana 2024.
Curated by AIGA SDTJ, the World Design Spotlight will showcase a selection of design stories that shape the region. Through digital content capsules, WDC 2024 will share inspirational stories that highlight design-driven innovations, designers, design firms, design studios, and projects in the San Diego Tijuana region.
1-5 May 2024
Tijuana (Mexico)
The World Design Festival will be a five-day event, and will engage the cross-border community and international visitors to experience design in Tijuana through multiple programmatic activities, which include lectures, design exhibitions, public design workshops, and design studio open houses.
The World Design Festival will be powered by Tijuana Design Week, organized by Enigma Creative.
19-25 September 2024
San Diego (USA)
Exploring the theme of ‘Belonging: A Shared Responsibility for Radical Inclusion’, the World Design Experience is a seven-day celebration of design across the San Diego Tijuana region. As a community-led event, it will feature programmes such as live community discussions, design studio tours, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, films and podcasts from all disciplines of design.
The World Design Experience will be powered by San Diego Design Week, organized by Design Forward Alliance in collaboration with Mingei International Museum.
12-13 November 2024
San Diego (USA)
The World Design Policy Conference is a 2-day conference that provides a global platform for the evolution and exchange of ideas, insights and best practices from different countries, regions, and cities actively involved in developing, launching, and maintaining effective design-led urban policies. Under the banner of ‘Beyond Boundaries. Designing Policy. Reshaping the World.’, the event will feature a medley of panels, workshops and a signal speaker series. Its goal is to shape the future and enhance the well-being of urban inhabitants.
15 November 2024
Tijuana (Mexico)
The World Design Network of Cities Meeting is a forum for public administrators, including the Chief Design Officers of past, present and future WDC designated cities. Led by WDO, the meeting provides an opportunity for this unique cluster of WDC cities to maintain an active dialogue about the effective use of design.
16 November 2024
San Diego (USA)
The WDC Convocation Ceremony is a symbolic event highlighting the official “handover” of the WDC title from WDC San Diego Tijuana 2024 to WDC Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. This event is a celebration that includes city officials, WDO leadership, community stakeholders, media, political leadership and the WDC 2026 organizing team. The ceremony provides WDO with the opportunity to recognize those who contributed to the success of WDC San Diego Tijuana 2024 and share the preliminary findings of the Impact Study.
