From big design conferences to small meetups in your own city, these are the places where graphic designers meet each other. With real events from our lists and a few tips for getting more out of them.
Find your kind of event
Talks, workshops and a crowd from all over the world. Good for inspiration and for meeting graphic designers beyond your own city.
Organisations and groups that run events all year. Good for finding your people and staying in touch with other graphic designers between events.
Small get-togethers in your own city: a lunch, a coffee or a picnic with graphic designers and other creatives. Good for meeting people you will see again.
Once a month the Creative Lunch Club matches you with two other creatives from your city for lunch. Good for real conversations without a crowd.
Top design conferences for graphic designers, from big festivals to focused events.
6-8 May 2027 · Barcelona, Spain
10-12 Nov 2026 · Miami, FL, USA
date 2027 tba · Los Angeles, CA, USA
29 Apr-1 May 2027 · Berlin, Germany
date 2027 tba · Antwerp, Belgium
date 2027 tba · Paris, France
One of the best things I've done since moving to Stockholm has been joining the Creative Lunch Club, a community I first discovered back in Australia and was so happy to find here too! These catchups have been such a great way to connect with other creatives, share stories and experiences, and feel part of the design community here. I've met some incredibly talented and kind people through these catch-ups, and it's helped me explore more of Stockholm too!
Graphic Designer, Stockholm
Groups that bring graphic designers together all year, online and in person.
Small meetups for graphic designers and other creatives, hosted by members in cities around the world.
So lovely and energizing to connect with other designers, bonding over shared experiences, loves/qualms about our work, how to avoid creative burnout, what we're looking forward to, and so on. Looking forward to continuing to make these thoughtful connections and have meaningful conversations.
Brand & Graphic Designer, Toronto
Most design events happen once a year. The Creative Lunch Club happens every month: we match you with two other creatives from your city, and the three of you meet for lunch. No name tags, no pitching.
Membership costs 7.50 € per month, or 15 € for three months (plus VAT).
Join the Creative Lunch ClubBig conferences are inspiring, but the conversations that last usually happen in small groups. Go to the workshop, the side event or the lunch, not only the main stage.
Most design events happen once a year, and one meeting rarely turns into a relationship. Seeing the same people every few weeks does.
Ask what someone is working on and where they are stuck. People remember the designer who was curious, not the one who handed out cards.
Send a short message after the event: what you talked about and a link to something useful. That one message turns a conversation into a contact.
Illustrators, photographers, copywriters and developers are the people who hire, refer and work with designers. Do not spend the whole evening with other designers.
The CLC is great because I can easily get to know previously unknown creative people in the city, gain new inspiration, expand my talent network and also discover new corners and restaurants in the city. I think CLC members are curious and open-minded people by nature. It's always exciting to learn more about the city's creative scene and its projects. At my previous meetings, we always had interesting discussions and the time for lunch was often far too short. I'm already looking forward to my next CLC.
Graphic Designer, Zurich
At design conferences such as OFFF Barcelona or Adobe MAX, through communities like AIGA or CreativeMornings, and at smaller meetups in your own city. The Creative Lunch Club adds a monthly lunch with two other creatives from your city, in over 100 cities.
Yes, if you go regularly. Most freelance work comes through people who know you, and a contact you see again is worth more than a stack of business cards. Small formats like meetups and lunches make that easier than a big conference.
Not much: your work on your phone, an easy way to swap contacts (most people use LinkedIn or Instagram) and a few questions to ask. Business cards are optional.
Choose small formats. A lunch with two other people or a table at a meetup is much easier than a room of a hundred. Prepare one or two questions and let the other person talk about their work.
Yes. Communities such as Behance, Dribbble and design Slack groups let you connect from home, and some conferences stream their talks. Meeting in person is still the easiest way to build a lasting contact.
Regularly beats often. One bigger event a year plus something small every month, such as a meetup or a monthly lunch, keeps you in touch without taking over your calendar. Membership costs 7.50 € per month, or 15 € for three months (plus VAT).