Graphic design is an ever-evolving field, and staying ahead requires continuous learning and networking. Conferences are the perfect venue to meet like-minded professionals, learn from industry leaders, and gain inspiration for your next creative project. Here’s a roundup of the best graphic design conferences to look forward to in 2025.
1. Adobe MAX 2025
Where: Los Angeles, CA, USA
When: October 28–30
Why Attend: Adobe MAX is the ultimate creativity conference for graphic designers, illustrators, and digital creators. Expect keynote speeches from industry titans, hands-on workshops, and sneak peeks into Adobe’s upcoming tools and features. This event is also a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and explore the latest design trends.
2. AIGA Design Conference
Where: Los Angeles, CA, USA
When: October 9–11
Why Attend: Organized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, this conference focuses on the future of design and its impact on society. With thought-provoking sessions, panel discussions, and workshops, the AIGA Design Conference is ideal for professionals looking to expand their horizons and tackle design challenges in innovative ways.
3. Typographics 2025
Where: New York, NY, USA
When: June 27 - 28
Why Attend: Typography enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Typographics dives deep into the world of type design, typography, and visual communication. With a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, and type-centric networking opportunities, this conference is perfect for designers looking to refine their typographic skills.
4. Forward Festivals 2025
Where: Berlin, Germany & Vienna, Austria
When: August 28-29 & October 2-3
Why Attend: Forward Festivals bring together a mix of creative minds from graphic design, branding, and technology. This year Forward Festivals take place in Berlin and Vienna. They are a perfect opportunity to gain inspiration, learn new techniques, and connect with an international creative community.
5. DesignThinkers Conference
Where: Vancouver & Toronto, Canada
When: May 28-29 & November 7-8
Why Attend: Hosted by the RGD (Registered Graphic Designers), DesignThinkers focuses on the intersection of design and business. Sessions cover topics like branding, user experience, and design leadership, making it a must-attend for those looking to enhance their professional impact.
6. Hatch Conference 2025
Where: Berlin, Germany
When: Sep 10-12
Why Attend: An invite-only event purely for senior professionals, and while it's more UX oriented, each year it features very prominent graphic design personalities like Erik Spiekerman, David Carson and more. Learn more on the website.
7. Creative South 2025
Where: Columbus, GA, USA
When: April 10-12
Why Attend: Known for its warm and welcoming vibe, Creative South is a community-focused conference where you can learn, collaborate, and get inspired. From workshops to inspirational talks, this event is ideal for designers of all experience levels.
Do you want to meet other creatives from your city for lunch? Join the Creative Lunch Club and we'll match you with two other creatives once a month. Then you set up time and date and have lunch together.
8. UX Nordic 2025
Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
When: September 24-25
Why Attend: This conference focuses on user experience and how it intersects with graphic design. With a strong lineup of international speakers and practical workshops, UX Nordic is perfect for those interested in UI/UX and interaction design.
9. OFFF Barcelona 2025
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: May 8–10
Why Attend: OFFF Barcelona is a haven for creatives and innovators. It brings together graphic designers, motion artists, and digital thinkers from around the globe. The conference is known for its cutting-edge presentations, hands-on workshops, and a vibrant community that celebrates design in all its forms.
10. POV Budapest 2025
Where: Budapest, Hungary
When: September 11-12
Why Attend: POV Budapest focuses on the latest trends in visual storytelling, animation, and graphic design. It’s an inspiring platform for creatives seeking to explore the intersection of technology and design.
11. Birmingham Design Festival 2025
Where: Birmingham, UK
When: June 2025 (Dates TBD)
Why Attend: This festival celebrates all things design, offering talks, workshops, and exhibitions. From typography to branding, it covers a broad spectrum of design disciplines and is perfect for creatives of all levels.
12. Design Matters 2025
Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
When: June 16-17
Why Attend: Focused on digital design, Design Matters explores the latest in UX, UI, and interaction design. It’s a hub for designers looking to stay at the forefront of the digital landscape.
13. Creative Pro Week 2025
Where: Phoenix, AZ, USA
When: June 2–6
Why Attend: This conference is tailored for professionals working in print and digital publishing. From Adobe InDesign to Photoshop, it offers sessions that help sharpen your skills and streamline your workflow.
15. The Design Conference 2025
Where: Brisbane, Australia
When: June 18-20
Why Attend: The Design Conference is a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and inspiration. It features talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for those seeking a fresh perspective on design.
16. Brand New Conference 2025
Where: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
When: October 23–24
Why Attend: This globally recognized two-day event gathers influential practitioners in corporate and brand identity from around the world. It serves as a hub for industry-leading discussions, insights, and experiences, focusing on identity design. Brand New Conference offers a unique platform for professionals to delve into the latest trends, innovations, and strategies shaping the field.
17. The InDesign Conference 2025
Where: Online
When: December 9–12
Why Attend: Hosted entirely online, InDesign Conference offers four days of in-depth sessions for every InDesign user. Produced by world-renowned InDesign experts, it brings together leading professionals to share wisdom, tips, and techniques for building documents of every size and format—print, digital, PDF, EPUB, HTML, and more.
18. World Design Congress 2025
Where: London, UK
When: September 9–10
Why Attend: Known as the "Olympics of design," the World Design Congress returns to London for the first time since 1969. Supported by the Design Council and the Mayor of London, the event will gather experts from various design fields to focus on the theme "Design for Planet," emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility in design. The Congress aims to be a catalyst for change, showcasing innovative and sustainable design practices.
19. Bangkok Design Week 2025
Where: Bangkok, Thailand
When: February 8-23
Why Attend: Bangkok Design Week is an annual event celebrating and promoting design and creativity. Supported by the Creative Economy Agency and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the event features exhibitions, workshops, and seminars under the theme "Design Up+Rising," aiming to inspire and foster innovation within the design community.
20. NOW25 Conference
Where: Paris, France
When: May 31
Why Attend: NOW25 is a conference focusing on graphic design, web design, motion design, publishing, visual identity, communication, and type design. It's an opportunity to listen to inspiring speakers and engage with a diverse range of topics relevant to contemporary design practices.
21. OFFF Tel Aviv 2025
Where: Tel Aviv, Israel
When: Dates to be announced
Why Attend: OFFF Tel Aviv is part of the OFFF global community, offering a space for creatives to learn, inspire, and collaborate. The event includes workshops, lectures, and performances, focusing on the forefront of the design and digital arts industries.
22. SXSW Conference 2025
Where: Austin, TX, USA
When: March 7–15
Why Attend: South by Southwest (SXSW) is a renowned conference and festival that celebrates the convergence of technology, film, music, and design. For graphic designers, SXSW offers a plethora of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities to explore the latest trends and innovations in the creative industry.
23. Us By Night 2025
Where: Antwerp, Belgium
When: September 25–27
Why Attend: Us By Night is a unique nocturnal experience that blends a design conference with a vibrant night market. Attendees can expect inspiring talks from world-class creatives in graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, and beyond. With a festival-like atmosphere, it’s not just about learning but also about connecting and immersing yourself in the creative culture. Workshops, installations, and live art performances make this a standout event for any graphic designer looking for both inspiration and entertainment.
24. TypeCon 2025
Where: Chicago, IL, USA
When: August 7-9
Why Attend: TypeCon is a must-attend event for typographers, type designers, and graphic designers passionate about typography. Organized by the Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA), this conference features presentations, workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in type design and visual communication. Attendees will have the chance to explore the latest trends in typography, gain insights from industry leaders, and network with fellow type enthusiasts from around the world.
Tips for Making the Most of a Design Conference
- Plan Ahead: Review the agenda and prioritize sessions that align with your interests and career goals.
- Network: Engage with fellow attendees and speakers to build connections and exchange ideas.
- Take Notes: Document key takeaways from sessions to revisit and implement in your work.
- Explore Workshops: Hands-on sessions offer practical skills that can immediately benefit your projects.
With so many incredible conferences on the horizon, 2025 promises to be a year of growth and inspiration for graphic designers. Mark your calendars and get ready to dive into the world of creativity and innovation!
If you don't want to wait for the next conference to meet other creatives, join the Creative Lunch Club and we'll connect you with two other creatives for a lunch meet-up every month.
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