CITY OF DESIGN

15th Annual Detroit Month of Design

Detroit Month of Design is a citywide celebration of creativity, bringing together designers, consumers, residents, and the greater community to showcase why Detroit is a national and global design capital. Back for its 15th annual edition this September 1-30, 2025, the festival turns the city into a hub of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration.

Each September, emerging studios, leading companies, and educational institutions unite to present their latest work and boldest ideas. Events span every corner of Detroit, offering immersive exhibitions, hands-on workshops, installations, and more—all highlighting the creative energy that makes Detroit a UNESCO City of Design.

CURATORIAL COMMITTEE

2025 Curatorial Committee

Brittanie Dabney, Ecosphere Organics
Dorota Coy, Art Clvb
Josh Smith, Who’s Dat
Keith Butler, Detroit Boys Club
Kirsten Jordan, Ford Design
Laura Gibson, Eastern Market Corp

Lauren Hood, AfroUrbanist
Michael Scamardella, Lino Realty
Rachel Nelson, Concetti
Sara Fallahi, Stellantis
Tanya Saldivar-Ali, AGI Construction
Patrick Ethen, Lighting Designer

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DESIGN CORE

As the steward of Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation, Design Core tells Detroit’s design story locally and globally.

Design Core champions the transformative power of design in Detroit by supporting the creative problem-solvers using design solutions to improve our city’s economy.

As the steward of Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation, Design Core tells Detroit’s design story locally and globally.

Design Core champions the transformative power of design in Detroit by supporting the creative problem-solvers using design solutions to improve our city’s economy.

DESIGN CORE

As the steward of Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation, Design Core tells Detroit’s design story locally and globally.

Design Core champions the transformative power of design in Detroit by supporting the creative problem-solvers using design solutions to improve our city’s economy.

Detroit City of Design

As the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States, the festival serves
as a platform for creative collaboration, celebrating Detroit’s role as a national and global design capital.

As the stewards of Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation, Design Core uses the festival as an opportunity to amplify the work of Detroit designers with our UNESCO Partners, increasing the global visibility and value of Detroit’s creative output.

UNESCO Creative Cities

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote international cooperation between cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

The 350 cities around the world that make up this network all place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their urban development plans and share a commitment to collaborating internationally in support of the a more sustainable future for all.

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Curatorial Process

As one of the only design festivals that is co-curated with community, The Detroit Month of Design is unique in its commitment to providing inclusive and accessible avenues for participation.

Each year, events on the festival calendar are selected by an intersectional curatorial committee, ensuring that a diverse cross-section of voices weighs in on the festival calendar each year.

17 Goals to Transform Our World

The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.