Top 10 Design Conferences to Attend in 2024

Good design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about solving problems, creating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation. But staying ahead of the curve and honing your skills can be challenging.

That’s where design conferences come in. These events serve as hubs for design professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration.

Here’s a curated list of upcoming design conferences in 2024, categorized by date. If you have any more to add, email us for inclusion.

1. Creative Works (April 25-27):

Unleash your inner design genius at Creative Works, a 3-day in-person event on the West Coast. This conference is packed with hands-on workshops led by industry veterans, covering branding, illustration, hand-lettering, product design, and the art of storytelling.

• Venue: West Coast (specific location TBA)
• Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
• Payment: $59 – $549

2. UX Research Festival (April 15-17):

Calling all UX researchers and designers! This hybrid conference offers both virtual and in-person components in Breda, Netherlands. Explore the latest advancements in UX research, particularly its growing connection with artificial intelligence. Gain valuable insights to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving field.

• Venue: Hybrid (virtual and in-person components in Breda, Netherlands)
• Time Zone: To be announce
• Payment: To be announced

3. The Design Conference (June 5-7, 2024):

Finding and owning your creative flow is a life-long pursuit that requires guidance, discipline and an open mind.

The Design Conference, hosted in Brisbane (Meanjin), Australia is a wonderfully confronting experience that introduces you to your dream future, how to grasp it and the connections that can make it a reality. Expand your mind and let the transformation begin.

• Venue: Hybrid (Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane) and Online Streaming
• Time Zone: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
• Payment: $148-$742 for 3 Days

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4. CreativePro Week (July 8-12, 2024):

This hybrid event in Eastern Standard Time (EST) is a must-attend for Adobe and Microsoft power users. Boasting over 30 expert speakers, 75+ sessions, and five days of programming, it provides practical tips to boost your design and creative productivity.

• Venue: Hybrid
• Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
  
• Payment: $845 – $2,695

5. International Design Conference (IDC) (September 11-23):

The Midwest design scene comes alive at the IDC! This in-person conference brings together industrial design with other creative disciplines. Past events have featured legendary designers like Niels Diffrient and Charles Eames. Expect new ideas, networking opportunities, and a focus on nurturing the next generation of design talent.

• Venue: Midwest (specific location TBA)
• Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
• Payment: To be announced

6. Circles Conference (October 9-11):

Explore the perfect blend of new and old design approaches at the Circles Conference in the Central Time Zone. This in-person event delves into the role of AI in creative design, emphasizing the enduring significance of traditional craftsmanship and human creativity. Learn how to leverage AI tools while staying grounded in design fundamentals.

• • Venue: Central Time Zone (specific location TBA)
  • Time Zone: Central Time Zone (CT)
  • Payment:
    1. Professional: $597
    2. Group (5 or more): $580 per person

7. Adobe Max (October 14-16):

Don’t miss the design industry’s biggest event, Adobe Max. This hybrid conference offers a treasure trove of industry trends, cutting-edge design tools, and renowned speakers in Eastern Standard Time. Get inspired by keynotes, explore groundbreaking innovations from Adobe Labs, and attend informative Luminary Sessions. Hone your skills with expert tips in Creativity Super Sessions, with tracks catering to 3D design, graphic design, photography, and more.

• Venue: Hybrid, Miami & Online
• Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Payment: To be announced

8. Design Matters (October 23-25):

Join the digital creative community at Design Matters, a hybrid conference in Central Europe. Designed by and for designers, this event explores everything from the maximalism trend to the influence of non-digital disciplines like architecture and furniture design. Plus, expand your design horizons with additional events happening in Mexico City and Tokyo.

• • Venue: Hybrid (Central European Time (CET) with additional events in Mexico City and Tokyo)
  • Time Zone: Central European Time (CET)
  • Payment:
    1. Early Bird In-person: $875
    2. Early Bird Live Stream: $215

9. Leading Design London (November 6-7):

Design leaders from around the world unite at Leading Design London, a two-day in-person event in Greenwich Mean Time. This conference, organized by Clearleft, is the perfect platform for design team leaders and design directors to connect, learn, and grow.

• • Venue: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) (specific location TBA)
  • Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
  • Payment:
    1. Super Early-Bird Ticket: $1,260 + VAT
    2. Early-Bird Ticket:$1500 + VAT
    3. Standard Ticket: $2400 + VAT
    4. Last Chance Ticket: $2,700 + VAT

10. AIGA Design Conference (Oct 10-12):

Calling all design educators! Stay tuned for the AIGA Design Conference dates. This hybrid event offers a space for design educators to discuss challenges, hopes, and ideas surrounding design education. Gain fresh perspectives through keynote talks, panel discussions, and workshops, and connect with colleagues to shape the future of design education.

• Venue: To be announced
• Time Zone: To be announced
• Payment: To be announced

More Design Conferences

Looking for more design conferences? We will add them as we hear about them.

The Best Design Conferences Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, there’s a design conference out there to ignite your creative spark and fuel your professional growth.

From in-person workshops to insightful talks and unbeatable networking opportunities, these events offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

So pick the conferences that align with your interests, mark your calendars, and get ready to take your design journey to the next level. Happy designing!