“Forward” : 7th–10th June 2018
The inaugural Birmingham Design Festival was a hit, with thousands descending on the second city in June 2018.
Inspired by notable design (and non-design) festivals locally and beyond, Birmingham Design Festival’s goal for 2018 was to establish itself as a credible, accessible and enjoyable event that spanned the city and encouraged visitors to rediscover what they presumed about Birmingham.
We welcomed thousands of visitors and dozens of speakers from across the globe, showcased 30 venues and celebrated everything the design industry has to offer, from traditional graphic design to animation and special effects, product design to architecture and everything in-between.
The most amazing thing about BDF2018 was the price, with over 80 hours of free talks and workshops combined with low-cost headline events allowing people of all incomes to learn from the best in the industry.
2018 in numbers
Sold to attendees from across the globe.
Across the city centre of Birmingham.
From Birmingham to Portland.
Supporting local trade and engaging the community.
“I’ve been to a lot of conferences. And sometimes, things are a bit wobbly in a new conference’s first couple of years. But here’s the deal: The Birmingham Design Festival felt as good as any of the big dog outfits out there.
From the speakers to the workshops, to the maps and materials, and finally, all the killer merch—these people did an incredible job. And this was their first time out? Imagine the second year?!
Go to this conference, free peoples of Birmingham!”
Aaron Draplin, DDC
“Really honoured to be part of this first edition. I cannot believe it was the first… with such a pro attitude and kindness with all the team toward us and everyone. You could feel the room with a warm welcoming attitude, ready to listen and share with each other. Was a great pleasure to be among you and see the success of it all, congratulations!”
Rejane Dal Bello
CCO and Co-founder of Framestore
Studio Founder
Head of Art at Health Unlimited
Intervention Architecture
Founder Draplin Design Co.
Partner at Pentagram
Graphic Artist / Printmaker
Creative Director, Atlas
Advertising Legend
Creative Director
Founder Studio Sutherl&
Telegraph design director
Executive Director of FoodLab Detroit
Creative Directors
Design Lead for Studio Platform at InVision
Glenn Howells Architects
Associate Creative Director Studio Output
Co-founder, Impact Hub Birmingham
Design Director R/GA
Experience Designer Director at R/GA
Studio Rejane Dal Bello
hellomuller
Director/Founding Member, Grand Union
co-founder of 00 (project00.cc)
Do Lectures
Javelin Block
DixonBaxi Design Director
DixonBaxi Designer
Director at Arup
Designer & Inventor
Film & Furniture
Creative Director
Director at 00
Creative Director BLIND
Founder DBLG
Senior Content Strategist at Dare
Yamination
Designer at North
Co founder and MD at We are Snook
GFSmith Paper Consultant
Head of design at Made by Many
Founding Partner ASHA
Salt & Pepper Creative
Co-founder of Architecture 00
Director at Of The Unknown
Make Architects
Senior Motion Designer, CG Artist & Animator at Territory Studio
Managing Director at Rosie Lee
StudioDBD Founder
Executive Creative Director at B-Reel
Strategic Designer at 00 London
Visual Artist
WSP
ustwo
Uniform Wares
Gensler
Freelance designer & illustrator
McCann
Creative Managing Partner at McCann Birmingham
McCann
Freelance Illustrator
Chief Design Officer at Friday
Creative Director
Head of Strategy at Friday
Ajoto
Experience Strategy Director at CX Partners
Creative Director at Dalton Maag
Seven9 Signs
Materials Council
Independent Designer / Illustrator
Speirs + Major
Brand & Packaging Designer
KIONDO
Design lead at Impact Hub Birmingham
Digital Product Designer at Co-op
Arabic & Indic Type Designer
Struthers Watchmakers
Co-founder of Cogz
LM JV
Us
Read Only Memory
UX Designer Natural History Museum
Design Director at Nomad
Partner at Nomad
Brand & Content Strategist
Head of Design at 383
Digital & Motion Designer
Faber
Founder and MD, Notepad
DeMontford Universiry
Main partners
District partners
Media
Commercial
Supporters
