September 23–28, 2014
Detroit’s annual citywide celebration of design, the Detroit Design Festival (DDF), launches September 23 with a kick-off party that will set the stage for more than 30 events putting Detroit’s creative community on display September 23–28.
Programmed by the Detroit Creative Corridor Center (DC3), and supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the fourth annual Detroit Design Festival will use workshops, shows, installations, studio tours and more to celebrate Detroit’s cutting-edge design with the rest of the world. Concentrated in Detroit’s Creative Corridor and various neighborhoods throughout the city, DDF will showcase the latest work from more than 500 designers, creatives and technologists.
This year, DDF joins forces with DLECTRICITY to explore the juxtaposition between art and design. These two events will intersect September 26 and 27 and will further reinforce Detroit’s internationally recognized art scene and its growing center for design.
Highlights slated for the 2014 DDF include:
Tuesday, September 23: Detroit Design Festival Kickoff Party and Festival Preview: 6–10pm (A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, College for Creative Studies, floor 11, 485 W. Milwaukee Street) Exploring the theme of “Detroit Made: A Survey of Design & Manufacturing in Detroit,” the official DDF Kick-Off Party will highlight works relating to design and manufacturing in the city, along with music, dancing, interactive design experiences, and more.
Wednesday, September 24: Detroit Design Festival Lecture Days: 6–8pm (multiple locations)
DDF welcomes international design consultant Carmela Spinelli who lectures extensively on design, fashion history and the fashion business, to the Toyota Lecture Series.
Thursday, September 25: Eastern Market After Dark: 7–11pm (Eastern Market)
This self-guided evening tour provides a once-a-year opportunity for guests to explore more than 30 creative venues.
Thursday, September 25: American Institute of Architects (AIA) Detroit: Celebration of Architecture: 7–11pm (Shed 3, 2934 Russell Street)
AIA Detroit’s annual architecture awards celebrate quality local design.
Friday, September 26: DDF Design Crawl: 4:30–8pm (downtown)
With 32 creative enterprises relocating to Detroit in four short years, the City’s design community is ripe with bustling design-forward businesses. Experience a curated series of venues and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of Detroit architectural gems and award-winning design studios.
Friday, September 26: DDF Design Village at DLECTRICITY: 7pm–midnight (Midtown Detroit)
Detroit’s nighttime festival of art + light, DLECTRICITY will feature 35 world-renowned and emerging artists whose leading-edge works of art will illuminate Midtown Detroit—from the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday, September 27: Youth Innovation Center: 10am–4pm (College for Creative Studies)
The DDF Youth Innovation Center lets kids express their creativity in an open capacity. Open to kids of all ages, the event will house various fun and engaging activities that promote problem solving and teach kids about creative career paths.
Sunday, September 28: Light Up Livernois Encore/DDF Closing Party: noon–9pm (Livernois Community Storefront, 19410 Livernois)
The Avenue of Fashion presents a pedestrian-friendly block party showcasing the historic district of shopping, art and entertainment. There will be special community-led design installations, exhibitions and performances during these times. Many of these activities will be suitable for families.
Home to leading design-driven industries, world-class educational facilities and the country’s highest concentration of industrial and commercial designers, Detroit is among North America’s foremost centers of design.
