The Journey to SDF 2025 Begins!
The Seattle Design Festival (SDF) is turning 15, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone with you!
While the Festival itself isn’t until August, the work to make SDF 2025 an unforgettable experience is already underway. Here’s what you can look forward to as we prepare to honor 15 years of creativity, connection, and innovation.
February: Planning Kick-Off + Theme Announcement
Every great Festival starts with an inspiring theme, and this year, we’re inviting you to help decide! The SDF Council, a dedicated group of interdisciplinary design leaders, has spent months developing two timely and thought-provoking themes. These themes aim to evoke hope, encourage exploration, and reflect the pressing questions of our time. In February, we’ll announce the finalists and open them up for a public vote. This is your chance to weigh in and shape the conversation for SDF ’25!
April-May: Call for Proposals
Have an idea for an installation, event, or activation? The Call for Proposals opens in April, giving designers, creatives, and community partners a chance to bring their ideas to life. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or a first-time contributor, we encourage you to take part.
To spark your imagination and help you find collaborators, we’ll host Design Mixers. These gatherings are about connecting with other designers, sharing ideas, and building teams. The Planning Team will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the call process.
Proposals will be due at the end of May!
June: Festival Calendar Launches
As we gear up for the summer, the full Festival Calendar will go live in June. This is when you can explore all the exciting events, from installations and pop-ups to panel discussions and community gatherings. Get ready to plan your Festival experience and immerse yourself in a week of creativity, design, and exploration.
August: SDF ’25
The main event is here! In August, we’ll come together for six days of design-driven inspiration. The Festival is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow designers, engage with the community, and explore how design can shape a better future.
The journey to SDF 2025 wouldn’t be possible without the incredible efforts of our volunteers. The call for this year’s Planning Team has closed, and we’re thrilled to welcome both returning and new volunteers in January. Guided by our Board and Council, this dedicated team will work tirelessly over the next eight months to conceptualize and implement every aspect of the Festival. We’re so grateful for their passion and commitment to making SDF 2025 a reality. Their work, combined with input from our Council and community, ensures that this year’s Festival will be a fitting celebration of 15 years of design excellence.