Looking for an inspiring day out, or a deep-dive into a particular subject? There are many industry events held every year to enrich your team and business. We’ve compiled a snap-shot of what’s coming up.
The DBA team might be in attendance, or speaking at some of these events, so get in touch if you’re planning to go – we’re always up for meeting members there. And keep an eye out for special offers for members too.
You can also stay up to date with DBA events, which are tailored specifically to address the needs of our members and the design industry.
All Flows Live | Milton Keynes, UK | 14-16 May | An annual forward-thinking creative, design and digital festival. From the arts to technology, culture to science, All Flows explores the intersections that drive bold thinking and shape the future. With thought-provoking talks, engaging discussions, and inspiring moments, the festival offers something for anyone passionate about creativity and innovation. Find out more >
BEDA Design Forum 2025 | Design Museum Brussels, Belgium | 15 May | This year’s theme, ‘Design for Sustainable Growth & Prosperity,’ brings together designers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how design can drive innovation, strengthen democracy, and shape a more sustainable future. Find out more >
Design in Innovation Summit | Liverpool, UK | 20 May | Join Innovate UK Business Growth, industry leaders, innovators, and design professionals for the Design in Innovation Summit 2025. Gain actionable insights from leading design and innovation experts, including the DBA’s CEO Deborah Dawton who will be contributing to a panel discussion on “De-Risking Innovation”. Find out more >
Clerkenwell Design Week | London, UK | 20-22 May | Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it one of the most important design hubs in the world. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a unique way of showcasing world leading leading interiors brands and emerging design talent. Find out more >
D&AD Festival | Southbank Centre, London, UK | 21-22 May | The Festival will cover jury insights fresh from the 2025 juries, creative excellence, tech and AI, best-in-class craft, design and advertising, BTS deep dives into the work and giving the people behind it a stage, fireside chats and interviews of incredible creatives, networking and learning opportunities, and interactive activations. The two-day event culminates with the D&AD Awards Ceremony on 22 May. Find out more >
London Design Bienalle | Somerset House London, UK | 5-29 June | Featuring world-leading design, innovation, creativity and research by exhibitors from across the globe, London Design Biennale showcases today’s designers and ideas that will change our world. Find out more >
SXSW Shoreditch | London, UK | 2-7 June | Expect trailblazing talks, legendary live performances, fearless film screenings and immersive art and fashion across the conference, music and screen festivals. Find out more >
CXI Brand Conference | Bielfeld, Germany | 6 June | Focused entirely on corporate and brand identity, selected agencies and companies will present their branding projects, share their experiences, and provide fascinating insights into the development process. Find out more >
UX London | Code Node, London, UK | 10-12 June | A three-day conference covering all aspects of user experience from discovery and design through to delivery. Find out more >
Design Festival North | Trafalgar Warehouse, Sheffield, UK | 11 June | Touring Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Liverpool, the interior design exhibition arrives in Sheffield on 11 June, before heading to Liverpool on 9 July. Find out more >
Birmingham Design Festival and Conference | Birmingham, UK | 12-13 June | A celebration of the local, national and international design industry. Find out more >
New Designers | Business Design Centre, London, UK | 2-5 July and 9-12 July | New Designers celebrates its 40th anniversary this July and members of the DBA can book a free trade pass today to explore the work of over 3,000 graduate designers. Find out more >
World Design Congress | Barbican, London, UK | 9-11 Sept | Over 50 years since the event was last hosted in the city, the three-day World Design Congress will gather the international design community and thought leaders from business, research and education to explore the theme of ‘Design for Planet’. The DBA is an ecosytem partner for the event. Find out more >
London Design Festival | London, UK | 13-21 Sept | Celebrating and promoting London as the design capital of the world. Find out more >
_matter Festival 2025 | Berlin, Germany | On now until 12 October | What happens when we think of materials not as passive substances, but as active co-creators of our world? The ‘＿matter Festival’ will transform Berlin into an open laboratory for materials research and design. Find out more >
London Packaging Week | Excel, London, UK | 15-16 Oct | London’s home of packaging innovation and design. Find out more >
Discover! Creative Careers Week | Nationwide | 17-21 November | An industry-led initiative designed to provide young people with encounters and experiences of the creative industries through in-school, workplace and online opportunities. There are several ways for individuals and companies to get involved. Find out more >
The events on this calendar are not delivered by the DBA and although we have provided topline dates and details, this isn’t an endorsement of the content. We recommend doing your own research before deciding to book.
If you’d like to suggest an event for this calendar, please email christina.warren@dba.org.uk with brief details.
Leading Design: How to Build a Successful Business by Design! by Jan-Erik Baars
How to Measure Anything: Finding the Value of ‘Intangibles’ in Business by Douglas W. Hubbard
The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People by Mauro Porcini