Design Week Portland
This exciting citywide event series dives into design across all disciplines.
As an annual event celebrating the many layers of design in the city, Design Week Portland brings together makers, designers and a community of creative individuals to start conversations, increase awareness and serve as a catalyst for new ideas.
Returning April 18-25, 2020, this wide-ranging conference includes lectures, dance parties, workshops, tours, and open houses at some of the leading design firms in Portland. Not strictly limited to one mode, Design Week Portland events represent disciplines like graphic design, illustration, printmaking, zines, city planning, architecture, fashion and more.
Design Week Event Highlights in 2020
Every day of Design Week includes a vast array of workshops, open houses, exhibits, scavenger hunts, panel discussions, screenings, walking tours and more, all spread throughout the entire city. To see the full lineup of events in 2020, visit Design Week’s calendar. Here are some highlights to look forward to in 2020:
- Saturday, April 18 | Architecture and Design Walking Tour: Portland Bridges: Learn why Portland is nicknamed “Bridge City” with this walking tour of Portland’s iconic bridges. The tour covers these bridges’ design, construction, history and important role in shaping Portland’s growth.
- Sunday, April 19 | Unique Markets Portland Spring 2020 Pop-Up: Explore products made by more than 75 makers at this festival-like pop-up marketplace, which includes music, a kids activity area, free coffee, creative DIY experiences and demonstrations.
- Monday, April 20 | Bringing Diversity and Representation to Creative Projects: Listen to a conversation covering how creative projects can be accomplished in a more inclusive, meaningful way. Panelists include Chase Faulkner, a creative strategist and consultant for brands like Adidas and Nike; Fran Bittakis/ฟราน บิทากิส, founder of JOOP JOOP, a “radical creative agency committed to hiring and collaborating with womxn, BIPoC, LGBTQIA2S+ folx and accomplices;” and Gia Goodrich, an award-winning photographer and multidisciplinary artist.
- Tuesday, April 21 | 5X5 Print Show: This free print show features more than 50 risograph prints by artists from Portland and beyond. All prints are priced between $5 and $15, with 50% of proceeds benefiting five nonprofits: Marrow PDX, Causa Oregon, NAYA Family Center, SMYRC and Street Roots.
- Wednesday, April 22 | Future Feels 2030 / Let’s Go There: Explore this family-friendly interactive design exhibit, held in celebration of Earth Day. The event will include creative activities designed to engage folks of all ages on their feelings surrounding climate change and the planet’s future.
- Thursday, April 23 | Designers of the Future: Open only to middle- and high-school age students (and their guardians), this event features Nike footwear, apparel, color, materials, brand and graphic designers who will facilitate interactive experiences for attendees. Kids will get insight into the creative design process and explore the equipment Nike designers use to imagine and create new products.
- Friday, April 24 | Bloom Runway: The official fashion showcase of Design Week, Bloom Runway showcases Portland’s most creative fashion talent and entrepreneurs.
- Saturday, April 25 | Dispatches: Zines From Grassroots Movements Around the World: Enjoy a pop-up reading library at Portland’s Independent Publishing Resource Center. Browse a selection of unique zines focused on grassroots movements, both local and global.
Upcoming Dates & Times
- Apr. 18
Upcoming Design Week Events
Explore Portland's vibrant design scene at these Design Week events in 2020.
Design Week Portland
This annual springtime festival showcases Portland’s creative community, with a week full of lectures, design events and open houses.
Bloom Runway
Experience Bloom Runway, a powerful, fashion-forward event with ready-to-wear brands and designers. This is a curated mix-and-mingle experience for cultured individuals celebrating fashion, style and live music. This annual fashion show showcases Portland’s most creative fashion talent and entrepreneurs from all different backgrounds and nationalities, while giving back to the community by mentoring peers and…
Architecture and Design Walking Tour: Portland Bridges
Learn why Portland is nicknamed “Bridge City” with this walking tour of Portland’s iconic bridges, which covers their design, construction, history and important role in shaping Portland’s development as a city. This tour is led by John Doyle, former Education Department lecturer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. All locations are…
Unique Markets Portland Spring Pop-Up
Explore products made by more than 75 makers at this festival-like pop-up marketplace, which includes music, a kids activity area, free coffee, creative DIY experiences and demonstrations.
Bringing Diversity and Representation to Creative Projects
Listen to a conversation covering how creative projects can be accomplished in a more inclusive, meaningful way. Panelists include Chase Faulkner, a creative strategist and consultant for brands like Adidas and Nike; Fran Bittakisฟราน บิทากิส, founder of JOOP JOOP, a “radical creative agency committed to hiring and collaborating with womxn, BIPoC, LGBTQIAS2+ folx and accomplices;”…
5X5 Print Show
This free print show features more than 50 risograph prints by artists from Portland and beyond. All prints are priced between $5 and $15, with 50% of proceeds benefiting five nonprofits: Marrow PDX, Causa Oregon, NAYA Family Center, SMYRC and Street Roots.
Future Feels 2030 / Let's Go There
Explore this family-friendly interactive design exhibit, held in celebration of Earth Day. The event will include creative activities designed to engage folks of all ages on their feelings surrounding climate change and the planet’s future.
Designers of the Future
Open only to middle- and high-school age students (and their guardians), this event features Nike footwear, apparel, color, materials, brand and graphic designers who will facilitate interactive experiences for attendees. Kids will get insight into the creative design process and explore the equipment Nike designers use to imagine and create new products.
Dispatches: Zines From Grassroots Movements Around the World
Enjoy a pop-up reading library at Portland’s Independent Publishing Resource Center. Browse a selection of unique zines focused on grassroots movements, both local and global.
