Take Deep Dive into World Design Experience, Showcase for WDC San Diego Tijuana 2024

The World Design Experience, beginning Thursday, presents more than 80 events, including pop-ups, fests and workshops, across San Diego and Tijuana. 

The week-long event, in partnership with San Diego Design Week, is a signature presentation of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, which seeks to create a sense of belonging through design.

Studio tours, temporary exhibitions, community discussions, workshops, webinars and presentations will take place at multiple sites, including the anchor venues WDC 2024 Exchange Pavilion and Mingei International Museum, both in Balboa Park.

Events showcase all design disciplines from architecture to fashion. Most of the programs are free; others require advance registration and tickets.

Program tracks range from climate and sustainability to youth education and design innovation.

Scott Robinson, a WDC board member, called the World Design Experience “more than just a collection of events.”

“It’s a celebration of our shared identity and deep connections. We’re creating a sense of belonging by bringing people together through the universal language of design, highlighting the creativity and innovation that flows across our border and improving our futures through cross-cultural collaboration,” he explained.

Featured World Design Experience events include:

• Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: DDX Innovation & UX Conference, BRICK at Liberty Station, $450
• Thursday, 6-9 p.m.: World Design Experience Opening Celebration, Plaza de Panamá at Balboa Park, free
• Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Park(ing) Day with pop-up parks and social spaces throughout San Diego, free 
• Saturday, 1-10 p.m.:  Klaman Africa Vibe Festival 2024, UCSD Park & Market, $10-80
• Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Belonging by Design: Inclusive Innovation, Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, free
• Monday 5-7:30 p.m.: Living-Centered Design Workshop: Healthy Shelters for the Homeless, Cannon Design, 797 J St., San Diego, free
• Sept. 23-24, 10-11 a.m., 1-2 p.m.: Breaking Barriers of Mobility & Access to Include Women in  Civic Tech, Mingei Theater at Balboa Park, Exchange Pavilion at Balboa Park
• Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Belonging in San Diego, Mingei Theater, Balboa Park, free

WDC is designated every two years by the World Design Organization to recognize a city’s innovative and effective use of design to strengthen economic, social, cultural and environmental development.

The selection of the San Diego/Tijuana joint bid makes it the first cross-border WDC in history. While the designation is for both cities as one connected community, San Diego also is the first U.S. city to receive the designation.

Through a year-long program of design-related events, WDC provides a platform to showcase best practices in design policy and innovation, increase civic engagement and attract business and tourism.