There are 23 events being produced to further not only our region’s design community forward but present something meant to enrich one’s life experience through the power of design.
I mean, we can barely open a magazine these days without someone touting the role of design in contemporary society. Whether it is in the hallowed chambers of our furniture labs to the board rooms of many local firms, talk of design has slowly, over the years, finally been given its rightful seat at the table of innovation.
Design Week includes opportunities to tour local studios, attend a hands-on workshop, listen to engaging panel discussions, and of course hear from some of the best in the field guest speakers who will be passing through West Michigan — and many for the very first time.
One speaker that has captured the attention of many around the world is Mimi Valdés, the Chief Creative Officer for Pharrell Williams’ multimedia company,
i am OTHER. Valdés, like many design folk, refuses to be pigeon-holed, as her resume reveals that she was once editor-in-chief of
VIBE and
Latina magazines, and later created eye-catching designs for everything from album covers to music videos.
Also appearing this year at CityFlats Ballroom is Ashleigh Axios, creative director at the White House. Axios manages design from the Office of Digital Strategy (ODS) who is credited with the redesign of WhiteHouse.gov and the establishment of a new digital system for presenting the Obama administration record.
More than 2,500 people attended the 2015 event (up by 1,200 from the debut year) so do not delay securing an advance ticket to one of the many events that will stick with you long after the week is over.
Design Week is produced by AIGA West Michigan (The Professional Association for Design) in collaboration with American Institute of Architects - Grand Rapids (AIA), Industrial Designers Society of America - Michigan (IDSA), and Interaction Design Association - Grand Rapids (IxDA).
For a complete list of all the speakers and events coming to the third annual Design Week West Michigan, please visit Design Week's
website.
Admission: Various based on activity