The Seattle Design Festival is a platform for bold design conversations. We believe that design is for everyone and that inclusive co-design practices are essential to shaping an equitable Seattle. We are multidisciplinary, socially engaged and civic minded.
About & History
The Seattle Design Festival has been transforming our city through the power of design since 2011,
bringing together designers, community members, civic leaders, and curious citizens to explore how design shapes our lives.
Our Mission
We unleash the design thinker in everyone
to illuminate Seattle’s challenges and ignite action.
Our Vision
We envision a culture of design that
fosters equitable, resilient, and thriving communities.
Our Story
Founded as a strategic initiative of AIA Seattle, as a celebration of how design makes life better for Seattle SDF has blossomed into one of the largest design events in the Pacific Northwest—a vibrant gathering that connects people across disciplines and backgrounds to tackle our city’s most pressing challenges.
Each year, we rally around a theme that sparks conversation, inspires action, and transforms how we see our city and each other. From Architecture to Graphic Design, Urban Planning to Interactive Media, we unite the full spectrum of design disciplines with the communities they serve. The result? A magical convergence where innovative solutions emerge from unexpected collaborations.
What Makes Us Different
Unlike traditional design conferences or industry events, the Seattle Design Festival is:
Why It Matters
In a rapidly changing city facing complex challenges—from housing affordability to AI—design thinking offers powerful tools for creating more equitable, sustainable futures.
SDF believes that design is for everyone, and its benefits should be accessible, intersectional, and informed by a diverse public. Through a broad range of events developed by our community partners, we engage a diverse cross-section of the people that live, work, and play in our city.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a seasoned designer, a community advocate, or simply curious about how design shapes our world, there’s a place for you in our community:
- Attend the Festival to experience design in action
- Participate by submitting a proposal for an installation or event
- Volunteer to help make the magic happen
- Sponsor to support accessible design education for all
- Donate to help us continue growing this vital community resource
The Seattle Design Festival is more than an event—it’s a movement to democratize design and harness its power for the common good. We invite you to be part of our story.
To learn more about past Festivals, visit our Festival Archives.
The Seattle Design Festival is a strategic initiative of AIA Seattle. We envision a culture of design that fosters equitable, resilient, and thriving communities.