13th Annual IIDA Product Parade
The Product Parade is a commercial interiors trade show and networking event bringing together design industry professionals, regional contract furnishing, and materials representatives for a night of showcasing and celebrating the products and technologies that define design excellence. This year, we are welcoming the public too!
85 Years of Neon Signs
This 2-hour tour will highlight signs built from 1936 to the present, examining various styles and functions. The tour guide, Len Davidson, is one of North America's leading experts on restoration and preservation of classic neon signs, and has written the sign industry's bible on historic neon, Vintage Neon (Schiffer Press, 1999). Len's tour will introduce you to neon history and technology while examining some of the most spectacular and historic signs in the city.
A Room Full of Questions
"A Room Full of Questions" explores design as a tool and its role and ability to project possible consequences, inspire productive debate and facilitate solutions. The public will be asked to participate by voting on topics that they believe to be most pressing.
AIA Philadelphia's Awards for Design Excellence Exhibition
AIA Philadelphia's annual Awards for Design Excellence celebrates architects as design professionals by acknowledging their achievements and demonstrating their capability to realize high standards of design, building efficiency, and sustainability. This exhibition showcases projects submitted for the 2014 Awards program.
AIA Philadelphia's Meet the Architect
In conjunction with the 2014 Awards for Design Excellence Exhibition, AIA Philadelphia will host a Meet the Architect program featuring panel discussions and a chance to speak to architects one on one about their projects.
allTURNatives: Form + Spirit 2014
To celebrate The Center for Art in Wood’s 19th year hosting the Windgate ITE International Residency program, residents in the program worked together for two months in Philadelphia to collaborate and focus on new directions in their work. The grand finale exhibition for the 2014 ITE program is "Form + Spirit 2014".
allTURNatives: Form + Spirit 2014 Discussion with Reed Hansuld
Windgate ITE resident fellow, Reed Hansuld, a custom furniture maker will host a talk about his work focusing on finding a balance between modern style, high quality craft and functionality.
Artist Lofts: Creative Community
Harry Anderson found the Artist’s Loft in 1985; throughout the years the loft has housed artists of many fields. In celebration of DesignPhiladelphia, we as an artist community will open our space for a special exhibition and installation featuring the work of our residents.
Bario Neal Open House
Join us for an open studio, jewelry demonstrations, ice cream sandwiches from Weckerly's Ice Cream, and beer from Yards Philadelphia. Meet our team of jewelry designers and staff in our workshop and storefront in Philadelphia, where we design and handcraft our jewelry.
Behind the Walls: An Insider’s Perspective
Join the storytellers, the structural engineers of Keast & Hood, for a this non-traditional audio tour of City Hall, The Union League, UArts Terra Building, the Academy of Music, and the Historical Society, or download it as a podcast.
BLT Architects Open Studio
Only a few architecture and interiors firms can match BLT Architects' impact on the urban fabric of Philadelphia. With hundreds of projects over five decades, BLTa has crafted environments where Philadelphians live, work, learn, shop and play. Come see our ongoing low and high-rise projects, which are changing neighborhoods throughout the city. Let us share with you the future of Philadelphia. Light hors d’ouerves and refreshments will be served
Brain Power! + Powers of Ten
The Franklin Institute presents “Brain Power!†Experience a meeting of classic and innovative design featuring the inside story behind our newest exhibit, “Your Brain†from Director of Design Jeanne Maier. Then, Klip Collective connects science and design with the classic Eames film “Powers of Ten†and an immersive tribute to the Eames legacy and their influence in the world of design; presented in our immersive environment, the Fels Planetarium. Hosted by TFI Astronomer Derrick Pitts.
Camden Night Garden: The Harvest
The Harvest will bring people together to celebrate the completion of the “world’s largest tablecloth†by transforming Northgate Park into an evening Harvest, complete with locally prepared seasonal foods, and intimate light and projection installations.
Ciao Bella: Eight Decades of Italian Shoe Design
Take a walk through the rich history of Italian footwear in a lecture led by Clare Sauro, Curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection at Drexel University. The discussion will explore the cultural significance of shoe design, from Salvatore Ferragamo to Prada and Romeo Gigli, and will be followed by a private viewing of select examples of Italian footwear in the FHCC, housed in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
Closing Celebration: Lairs of Self in Everyday Life
DesignPhiladelphia proudly presents, Lairs of Self, the closing program for the Festival's 10th anniversary. Designers Sean Martorana and Dejha Ti have created an immersive installation - an imaginative integration of projection mapping, filmed design experiments, and interactive elements.
Cloud Gehshan Associates Open Studio 2014
Visit Cloud Gehshan Associates, an internationally recognized environmental graphic design firm. Tour our studio in Old City, get acquainted with experiential graphic design, learn about our work and meet the designers.
Cook-Eat-Remember: A Memory Potluck Supper
Celebrate food and its sensory connections to memory. Enjoy foods that represent personal stories, histories and recollections, creating bridges that connect our world. Build new memories and community through this occasion.
CRUX: Mediating Technology
Have robots taken over your life and you just don't know it? How do things we build, limit and expand the way we understand and relate to each other? This panel will discuss an overview of various projects where technology mediates, disrupts and challenges social structures along with methods to appropriate technology for social interactions and future discourse.
Curator-led Tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden
Join the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, Amanda Sroka, for a tour of the Museum’s one-acre Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden. Visit works by Scott Burton, Ellsworth Kelly, Claes Oldenburg, Franz West, and more.
Day Job: Gallery Talk with Curator
John Caperton - The Print Center's Jensen Bryan Curator - will lead a tour of "Day Job", a group exhibition of contemporary photography which brings together the work of artists whose practice is influenced by their other vocational pursuits.
Designer's Talk: Heather Ujiie
A talk related to the solo exhibition of artist/designer, Heather Ujiie, who combines analog and digital processes, in varied textile applications from couture fashion and narrative installation, to interior wall coverings and home furnishings.
Designing the Internet of Things
Join the University of Pennsylvania's Integrated Product Design program and xLAB for a conversation about designing immersive experiences for the home that integrate hardware and software, from the perspectives of designers, engineers and computer scientists followed by live demonstrations of student and faculty projects.
DesignPOP - Book Launch
Join Lisa S. Roberts, author of Antiques of the Future, as she presents a brief introduction to her new book DesignPOP, a cleverly photographed and beautifully created book that highlights game-changing product designs since the year 2000. Stay for a screening of an episode of her 2011 TV docu-drama “My Design Life,†featuring DesignPOP.
Emergence of a Modern Metropolis: Philadelphia
Experience the transformation of Philadelphia from an engine of industry to a 21st century capital of business and culture. This walking tour explores Philadelphia's diverse range of architectural styles and building technologies from the 1860s to the present, detailing the social, economic, and political forces that shaped the modern cityscape.
Extreme Collaborations in Medicine + Design
Radical innovation depends upon entirely new ways of perceiving and interpreting the world around us, and therefore relies upon collaboration with a diverse set of experts collaborating widely across disciplines. The purpose of this event is to bring together experts who represent a new wave of extreme collaborators and thought leaders in medicine and design.
Face Value
Utilizing technology, principles of contemporary design, and materials including packaging tape, computer cut stencils, and printed glass, these designers create internationally exhibited, critically acclaimed work that speaks to our perennial obsessions with pictorial representation, social dynamics, and commodification.
From Kickstarter to MoMA: Building a Business at the Intersection of Art and Manufacturing
Our evening event will be a casual studio tour and open house, where we will talk openly and transparently about our business. Topics may include: Strategic crowdfunding via Kickstarter, our design philosophy, branding, manufacturing abroad and in Philadelphia, low-budget marketing, small business development, and how to test and launch a new product business.
FunDo
Brigitte Bardot had one. Ursula Andress had one. And now you can get your updo, too, at FunDo! Join The Trestle Inn, Philadelphia’s home of Whiskey and Go Go, and Moko Organic Beauty Studio for a night of fabulously fun updos, makeup and classic fondue.
Go to Market: How to Get Your Products Out There
You've designed a gorgeous product. Now what? How do you decide whether ecommerce, Etsy, or wholesale is the best distribution model for your business? What are the differences between selling to consumers and to businesses?
Going Green with Concrete
Update your knowledge with leaders from the architectural concrete field. Come on out and walk the newly renovated 5,500 square-foot colored concrete terraces of the American Historical Swedish Museum-including a ground and polished concrete dance floor.
Hamilton Wood Type at the Old City Fest
Experience the history and craft of print-making at the Old City Fest with AIGA Philadelphia, the Hamilton Wood Type + Printing Museum (HWTM), and NextFab. HWTM's Bill and Jim Moran will be on-hand showcasing items from their amazing collection of traditional wood-type prints.
Hamilton Wood Type Exhibition
View a curated selection of the The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum (HWTM) collection. The HWTM is the only museum dedicated to the preservation, study, production and printing of wood type. With 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns, Hamilton’s collection is one of the premier wood type collections in the world.
Hamilton Wood Type Intensive
Working closely with Hamilton Wood Type + Printing Museum's (HWTM) Jim Moran, museum director, and Bill Moran, Museum artistic director, participants in this workshop will conceptualize, compose and print an edition of original letterpress prints from authentic Hamilton Wood Type in combination with lead and wood type from the Common Press.
Hexamer Redux
With "Hexamer Redux," artist Maria Möller delves into the present by way of the industrial past, using the Hexamer General Surveys, conducted in the 1800s to assess the risk of fire, as a guide. Join her at what was once the Providence Dye Works to view her new historical documents and participate in the creation of a “re-survey.â€
Hooley Collaborative Coloring Party
Remember how fun and relaxing it was to color as a kid? Relive that experience by collaborating with other adults to color a giant pattern designed by local artists while enjoying a delicious assortment of drinks and nibbles from Philly food companies.
I Love My Creative Job!
College students and recent grads will get a 360° view of the diverse job opportunities within Philadelphia’s Creative Economy and hear from a variety of professionals in advertising, product design, fashion and more. Speakers include professionals from: Allen & Gerritsen IKEA Philadelphia Fashion Incubator Afterwards, Campus Philly will lead an “ask me anythingâ€- style discussion and networking reception.
IFDA Take A Seat Chair Exhibit and Charity Auction
The IFDA TAKE A SEATâ„¢ Exhibit and Charity Auction will feature up-cycled chairs creatively redesigned by area members of the art, architecture, and design communities. Proceeds will benefit Project Home, a Philadelphia non-profit organization empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through affordable housing, employment, health care, and education.
Illuminate Philadelphia
For 2014, LED technology takes center stage at Illuminate Philadelphia. This educational conference will enlighten and inform attendees, offering presentations from leading industry professionals and covering a variety of topics. Our keynote presentation by Dr George ‘Bud’ Brainard promises to intrigue and excite.
Interact 12
Interact 12 is the annual show of the best in student interactive design and animation. If you want to see what the design students at Tyler School of Art are doing in web and app design, and animation, then this is the show for you.
It's A Classic: A Traditional Home of the Early 21st Century
The Magerman Residence designed by Archer + Buchanan Architecture, Ltd. is a traditional home of the early 21st century. Recently built just outside of Philadelphia, the house builds upon many precedents from American residential architecture of this region. This talk by Peter C. Archer, AIA, a partner in the firm, will highlight the process of designing and building this home.
Jewelry + Accessories by designer Sarah Lewis
Adorn Boutique + Showroom features Jewelry and Accessories by designer and store owner Sarah Lewis. Located in the heart of Fishtown, Adorn was named “Best Boho Boutique†by Philadelphia Magazine in 2013.
Legal Issues for Designers
Designers - protect your intellectual property! Join the attorneys of Fox Rothschild LLP for a presentation on intellectual property rights, geared toward designers and industry professionals. The panel will cover trademark, copyright, licensing and design patents and how to best utilize each. Network with professionals while enjoying dessert and refreshments after the presentation.
Lyn Godley at International House Philadelphia (IHP)
International House Philadelphia (IHP) presents fiber optic drawings by artist and lighting designer Lyn Godley, which explore the relationship between art and technology. Merging digital printing, pastels, fiber optics and micro-computing, Godley creates layered imagery that play with themes of observation both by and of the viewer.
Make It Denim! Repurposing Denim Workshop (FULL)
Grab some denim and let's get creative! Join us for this make and take event where we will be re-purposing denim. Help yourself to our pile of denim or bring your own vests, jackets, bags, skirts and/or jeans! We'll show you how to stud it, tear it, tie it, paint it, patch it and more!
Marketing to Millennials with AOL's Maureen Dawson (FULL)
Beyond the Selfie: The Millennial Generation Generational bashing in the media is nothing new - Millennials have felt the backlash just like their Boomer predecessors in the 1960s. But at 77 million strong, Millennials are forging their own cultural movement and transforming society from politics and social issues to women's rights and the workplace. AOL Senior Manager of Consumer Analytics & Research, Maureen Dawson, shares original research on millennials to debunk the media stereotypes and show marketers & creators how to better engage with this generation.
Master Builders' Award Gala
Join us at The Carpenters’ Company Master Builders’ Award Gala, a wonderful evening experience and major fundraiser for the Company and its Scholarship Fund. An award presentation will honor Mayor Michael Nutter, followed by festivities, fine dining and music.
Mid-Century Furniture Warehouse: Public Sale
On the hunt for affordable American Mid-Century and Scandinavian furniture? You will not want to miss this one-day, three hour sale, at this 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Kensington. Wholesale/Dealer Prices on vintage furniture, lighting, and art.
Moore College of Art + Design Student Exhibition: Digital Print Studio Project
Led by faculty member Heather Ujiie, students at the Moore College of Art + Design will create a work that is inspired by either the history of the Philadelphia Art Alliance or one of their featured artists over the last three years. This project will culminate in this exhibition featured in the galleries of the Philadelphia Art Alliance.
Moto + Milyon
Moto Designshop + Milyon will host an open house to display recent architectural work and introduce a new collaborative effort that engages lighting design as both a light source and artistic expression. A brief workshop will take place allowing guests to assemble a unique light fixture using off the shelf materials and an open source template.
Opening Reception + Talks for Recent Design Work by Moore Alumnae
Please join us on the first floor promenade for an opening reception and designers’ talks for Recent Design Work by Moore Alumnae, which features works in the fields of interior design, graphic design, and jewelry design.
Opening Reception for A Room Full of Questions
"A Room Full of Questions" explores design as a tool and its role and ability to project possible consequences, inspire productive debate and facilitate solutions. The public will be asked to participate by voting on topics that they believe to be most pressing.
Opening Reception for Lyn Godley at IHP
Join International House Philadelphia for an opening reception for the solo exhibition of fiber optic works by Lyn Godley, who will be on hand to discuss her research on art, and light's physiological effects on healing.
Passyunk Square Home Tour
The Passyunk Square Home Tour is an annual, self-guided ticketed event showcasing homes throughout this South Philadelphia neighborhood. The tour features homes in all stages of renovation, provides a chance to compare contractors, get ideas, and meet neighbors.
Paula Scher (Rescheduled)
Paula Scher received her BFA in Illustration from the Tyler School of Art in 1970. As part of Tyler School of Art's Distinguished Alumni Mentorship Program, Paula Scher will be speaking publicly about her practice as a graphic designer, artist, educator, and principal of Pentagram.
Philly Give + Get
Philly Give + Get is a charity “date†auction that combines professional networking with community engagement. Bring a bit of cash and a desire to learn something new, and you'll meet the experts who are making Philadelphia awesome, and learn something amazing from them. Plus, the drinks are free. It's all philanthropy, no formality.
Pick Up Sticks
Explore a 13.5 acre wooded farm ravaged with vines, ash and oak to scavenge for materials to create your own product idea! What will you create in response to these natural resources? This 3.5 hour activity includes a survey of the water and land management techniques being used to restore this hardwood forest to pristine and sustainable conditions.
Pop-Up + Maker Station with Department of Making + Doing
Join us for an afternoon of making, building, and learning! Pick up a new fabrication skill, or try out making crafts that light up. We’ll have a variety of activities for all ages. After sunset, we’ll play with light and watch projections of data we’ve gathered about the surrounding area.
PopUp Place 2014 + Afterparty
DesignPhiladelphia celebrates its 10th anniversary with PopUp Place: an experiential benefit & cocktail party. This year’s Festival kick-off is hosted by Emmy Award-winning digital agency Bluecadet in Fishtown and features the "Reflecting Design" silent auction.
Printing with Hamilton Wood Type
This workshop will provide a hands-on letterpress printing experience with Hamilton Wood Type + Printing Museum's Jim and Bill Moran. Various printing methods and machines will be presented, including two Vandercook Proofing Presses and an Iron Hand Press.
Printing with Hamilton Wood Type (2)
This workshop will provide a hands-on letterpress printing experience with Hamilton Wood Type + Printing Museum's Jim and Bill Moran. Various printing methods and machines will be presented, including two Vandercook Proofing Presses and an Iron Hand Press.
Property Presents: Tales from the Design World (FULL)
From client horror stories to the challenges of reinventing public spaces, those on the front line of Philly’s design community have the most entertaining tales to tell. Join us for this story slam event, where designers, writers, architects, urban planners and photographers will tell their most personal, funny, and profound five-minute anecdotes.
Reality Capture
In this live, one-of-a-kind demonstration, step into the past and witness the future of laser scanning technologies. Pennoni Associates, Inc. will reveal the historic Georgian interiors of Carpenter’s Hall as never seen before by using high-end laser scanning equipment and remote-controlled aerial photogrammetry equipment (drones) to create highly accurate, survey-grade models of the physical space and objects.
Recent Design Work by Moore Alumnae
This exhibition is on view in the beautiful Moore Galleries at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and features works in the fields of interior design, graphic design, and jewelry design.
Reception for Residuum
Residuum features the work of Kelton Bumgarner and a collaborative project between Pam Farrell and Krista Svalbonas. Brought together by similar themes of destruction and residue, they have all taken a wide range of techniques to envision their final landscapes.
Roche Bobois presents Stephen Burks + "The Traveler Collection"
During the Old City Fest visit Roche Bobois’ unique display and meet Stephen Burks. Hear him discuss his creative process in making The Traveler Chairs — from the initial sketch to the final phases of design. Plus, learn more about the inspiration, design, and experiences of one of the most recognized designers of his generation.
Signs of the Times Reception
Signs of the Times is an exhibition by Brownstein Group, celebrates Philadelphia’s past + how it inspires us today. Our reception will feature digital spray paint by Incredible Machines + live screen printing of free prints, tees + totes by Awesome Dudes.
Social Design-A Salon for the New Kid in the Design Neighborhood
Local leaders in the Social Design field welcome you to a discussion about achieving change through community-based design projects. Hear from community participants and experience the passion and commitment of these social designers as they share insights from their project work.
Society Hill Modernism: Architecture Tour
Philadelphia’s Society Hill is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and successful urban renewal legacies of the postwar years. William Whitaker, Curator of the University of Pennsylvania’s Architectural Archives, leads this walking tour, which will include the interiors of several buildings.
Southeast by Southeast: Walking Tour + Concert (FULL)
Celebrate Philadelphia’s diverse and creative voices in the Southeast by Southeast Project. Enjoy a guided walking tour and book release to learn about the vibrant Burmese, Bhutanese, and Nepali communities and the community’s stunning public art. Then, enjoy a concert by the American Composers Forum featuring original music.
Stick-lets Fort Building Sessions
Stick-lets, invented by Philadelphia designer Christina Kazakia, are flexible silicone connectors used to construct forts, wands, creatures, geometric shapes, and more using sticks and your imagination. Come join us for an educational session in the great outdoors - the perfect event for kids of all ages!
StylePop at Dilworth Park
StylePop is a weekly, fashion designer market located in the all new Dilworth Park, featuring local Philadelphia-area designers. Every Thursday, 6 emerging designers will showcase their wares at a pop-up fashion market. Stop by and support Philadelphia’s burgeoning fashion design scene and treat yourself to something unique and local. Shop till you drop at StylePop!
Sustainability Is More Than A Buzz Word
Join a panel of industry experts, practitioners and academics for a provocative exhibit and discussion about interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainability. Professionals and educators will present and debate how interdisciplinary teams are critical to assess and provide perspective on the complexity of creating innovative, sustainable and possibly disruptive design.
Szenasy, Design Advocate
Join us for a “round-robin†conversation with Susan S. Szenasy, longtime Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Metropolis Magazine and metropolismag.com; Hilary Jay, Director of the Center for Architecture; and Joseph G. Brin, architect, artist, and writer. A book signing of Szenasy, Design Advocate will follow.
Talk to an expert - Tile Installation Tips + Tricks
Experience the new Daltile Design Studio and all it has to offer by being our guest for the evening. Learn what everyone should know about tile installations and take part in a demonstration and hands-on workshop presented by Custom Building Products.
The Art of Light + Resin: Ten Tips + A Challenge (FULL)
LightArt and 3form invite you to hear from Ryan Smith, LightArt founder, president and creative director. Once you’ve learned a little about the art of light, put your skills to the test and participate in a unique design challenge.
The Hacktory drawBot Workshop
This hands-on workshop is for those of you who believe design is about MAKING THINGS! Construct and program your own autonomous robot that can draw. Design your own robot-drawn typeface or make original artwork from a kit of parts provided.
The Hatchery Pop-Up Market
The Hatchery is the Tyler Design Incubator. It's a new Tyler Design initiative to promote entrepreneurship and transform student projects into real products. You're invited to our first annual pop-up market - an exhibition and sale of our designed goods.
The Philadelphia Maker Movement: Toward Future Growth + Sustainability
Today, Philadelphia is witnessing a revival of that legacy with a new maker movement growing in number and strength. This panel will feature a few of our current makers, who will define the movement, discuss challenges, supports, and advocacy strategies.
Tour of The Rail Park (#1 of 4) FULL
Join Friends of the Rail Park for a street level tour of Philadelphia's next great public space on one of four tours being offered during DesignPhiladelphia. We will follow the 3 mile elevated and submerged route of the former Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads and visit Phase One, slated to begin construction in 2015.
Tour of The Rail Park (#2 of 4) FULL
Join Friends of the Rail Park for a street level tour of Philadelphia's next great public space on one of four tours being offered during DesignPhiladelphia. We will follow the 3 mile elevated and submerged route of the former Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads and visit Phase One, slated to begin construction in 2015.
Tour of the Rail Park (#3 of 4) FULL
Join Friends of the Rail Park for a street level tour of Philadelphia's next great public space on one of four tours being offered during DesignPhiladelphia. We will follow the 3 mile elevated and submerged route of the former Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads and visit Phase One, slated to begin construction in 2015.
Tour of the Rail Park (#4 of 4) FULL
Join Friends of the Rail Park for a street level tour of Philadelphia's next great public space on one of four tours being offered during DesignPhiladelphia. We will follow the 3 mile elevated and submerged route of the former Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads and visit Phase One, slated to begin construction in 2015.
Venturi, Scott Brown and Grandmother: Patterns for Production
The Fabric Workshop + Museum (FWM) presents Venturi, Scott Brown and Grandmother: Patterns for Production. This exhibition illustrates the bold commitment to surface pattern and color that distinguished the designs of Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates for textiles, furniture, and decorative arts from the early 1970s to the early 1990s.
Visions for the Chinatown North/Callowhill Neighborhood
See and hear about three public realm projects scheduled to break ground by 2015, experience Asian Arts Initiative’s Neighborhood Workshop exhibition, and get a preview of DesignPhiladelphia 2015’s Kick-Off Party site.
Wine Design - A Blind Tasting
Scientifically examine a series of California red wines to determine your personal favorites and judge your pricing perception. The tasting session, led by one of Philadelphia’s foremost wine educators, will feature traditional sensory evaluation of the wine as well as your assessment of current market pricing for each wine.
Worn Stories Book Release Party: Philadelphia
Everyone has a memoir in miniature in at least one piece of clothing. In "Worn Stories", Brooklyn-based artist Emily Spivack has collected over sixty of these clothing-inspired narratives from cultural figures and talented storytellers. Join us for the book’s Philadelphia release party with drinks, noshes, and readings from a few of Worn Stories’ celebrated contributors.
