Creative conferences and events to thrive in 2023

It’s strange to think, but even this time last year, for many of us, the idea of ​​heading to a creative conference, especially one overseas, seemed like an unattainable dream. But now that the lockdown is over and things are pretty much back to normal, this is the first time since 2019 that we can confidently expect to be full of creative events.

Not only that, but event organizers have had plenty of time to recover and catch up, so this year’s calendar will be more exciting than ever. But where do you start? To help you out, we’ve listed the best physical events in 2023.

From Australia to America to all of Europe, there really is something for everyone. In the meantime, why not combine a creative event with a break? For example, you might want to see the sights of Barcelona and form a creative network with OFFF. Or explore the Big Apple’s cultural and historical landmarks and follow design inspiration at the AIGA Design Conference.

Also, please note that this list will be updated as new events are announced. For example, we don’t yet know when Adobe Max, Belfast Design Week, or Manchester Animation Festival will take place (although we do know they will). Bookmark this page and keep checking back!

February

Back in the Big Easy – New Orleans, USA (February 2-4)

The 2020 Creative Leaders Retreat was one of the last advertising industry events before the world shut down. The event’s return to Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans means a return to Crescent City’s cuisine, creative culture and funky features for Mardi Gras season.

Pune Design Festival – Pune, India (February 3-4)

After a two-year absence, the Pune Design Festival once again celebrates all things design on the ground. The theme is NXT25. Explore the next 25 years of design in India and the world.

Interaction Week – Zurich, Switzerland (25 February – 3 March)

IxDA is committed to improving the human condition by advancing the field of interaction design. This year’s event will be held in a hybrid format, with virtual segments providing live streaming of the conference from the event venue. Many other activities are also scheduled throughout the week, including summits, workshops and retreats.

march

SXSW – Austin, Texas, USA (March 10-19)

South by Southwest is the world’s largest creative conference, celebrating the most important technological breakthroughs, film, culture and music in a variety of interconnected festivals. Speakers include Nick Jonas, Martin Luther King III, Damon Lindelof, Eva Longoria, Alexis Ohanian, Maya Penn, Austin Russell, RZA, Dan Shulman, Cheryl Strayed, Jen Wong It is included.

OFFF – Barcelona, ​​Spain (March 23-25)

Veteran creativity conference OFFF returns with inspiring talks from industry insiders, artist workshops, networking sessions and more. Speakers announced so far include Gemma O’Brien, COLLINS, Eva Cremers, B-Reel and FutureDeluxe.

Photo North Festival – Leeds, UK (24-26 March)

Photo North Festival features exhibitions, talks, walks, workshops, artist encounters, film screenings, book and print signings, and portfolio reviews from world-renowned and up-and-coming photo artists .

Creative South – Columbus, GA, USA (March 30-April 1)

Creative South is a weekend of creative thinking, collaboration and exploration. Participants enjoy workshops, process and experience focused talks, meeting old friends and meeting new ones. Their slogan is “come as friends, leave as family”.

April

Harvest – Austin, Texas, USA (April 20-21)

Crop is a two-day creative experience that celebrates art, design, music, and all things creative. Crop has keynotes, workshops, vendors, parties, and lots of good vibes.

Leeds Digital Festival – Leeds, UK (April 25-27)

The Leeds Digital Festival is the UK’s largest and most open technology event. An open and collaborative celebration of all forms of digital culture. Whether you’re into coding, fintech, social media, AI, healthtech, data, startups, digital music, cybersecurity, AR/VR, they have something for you.

Front – Salt Lake City, Utah, USA (April 26-28)

Front is a digital design conference built around sharing ideas and learning from each other’s experiences. Meet and learn from people who have been building digital experiences for years. Learn how others solve problems, celebrate successes, and build a culture of creativity and innovation.

in May

Pictoplasma – Berlin, Germany (May 3-7)

The annual contemporary character design and art conference and festival is back. This year, more than 18 of his key lectures will be given by some of the world’s most influential artists and future talents, cutting-edge illustrators, game designers and leading animation filmmakers.

Round 1 – Denver, Colorado, USA (May 5)

A one-day showcase of original presentations created for clients to demonstrate initial design research for logo, identity and branding projects. A local speaker in the city where each event is held shares the initial presentation process by showing her original PDF/keynote/PPT file presented to the client.

All Flows – Milton Keynes, UK (May 11-12)

All Flows is a new creative, digital and technology conference bringing together speakers from the fields of graphic design, animation, motion graphics, game design, sound art and digital innovation. The lineup includes Gavin Strange, Kate Dawkins, Elliot Jay Stocks and Designers Republic’s Ian Anderson.

Dulwich Festival – London, England (May 12-21)

To mark 30 years of art, music, theater, literature and walking, the Dulwich Festival is planning a very special Artists Open House this May.

DesignThinkers – Vancouver, Canada (May 30-31)

DesignThinkers is Canada’s largest graphic design conference. It brings together visionaries from different disciplines to explore creativity, the design process, the future of design, and design thinking.

BAD – Brisbane, Australia (May; date TBD)

An initiative of the Brisbane Museum of Fine Arts, BAD (Brisbane Art and Design) champions the movers and stalwarts of the city’s art and design sector. It spotlights a thriving cultural identity through places, histories and climates that bring our collective creativity to the fore.

June

How Design Live – Nashville, USA (June 5-7)

HOW Design Live is a not-to-be-missed three-day event where inspiration, community and creativity come together. Be part of a creative community that welcomes all participants, validates your work, and empowers you to do great things.

Birmingham Design Festival – Birmingham, UK (8-9 June)

The BDF Conference is a two-day design extravaganza in Birmingham in June. Talks by your favorite designers from all over the world at his one venue. We also have fun workshops if you want to learn more practical methods.

Pixel Pioneers – Bristol, UK (June 16)

Pixel Pioneers is an affordable community conference for front-end developers and UX/UI designers with a practical focus. Content Hosted by his consultant Oliver Lindberg, this year’s speakers include Ire Aderinokun, Jeremy Keith and Cassie Evans.

September

smashing conference

Freiburg, Germany (4-6 September)

Smashing Magazine’s 11th annual conference is all about front-end, UX and design. Enjoy a safe and comprehensive adventure into design systems, CSS, JavaScript, web performance and cutting edge technology.

Circles – Texas, USA (September 6-8)

Unleash your inner creativity at Circles Conference 2023. The conference includes inspiring stories and workshops from industry-leading creators. New ideas, practical advice, and a close-knit community are at your service.

London Design Festival – London, England (September 16-24)

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022, the London Design Festival is an annual event that fosters creativity in the city, attracting the nation’s finest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to deliver an unmissable celebration of design To do.

October

New – Austin, TX, USA (October 3-4)

Online magazine Brand New presents a two-day event on the development of corporate and brand identity projects, attended by today’s most active and influential practitioners from around the world.

AIGA Design Conference – New York, USA (October 12-14)

The American Institute of Graphic Arts hosts an annual event in the Big Apple. Get ready to regain your inspiration and energy as you learn from our community of designers who are on the cutting edge of today’s hot topics.