March 25, 2026 • Posted by Design Bay Area
Celebrating 20 Years
In 2026, Design Bay Area marks a major milestone: 20 years of San Francisco Design Week—and we’re celebrating by expanding the moment into something bigger, bolder, and more collective than ever before.
Introducing the Year of Design: a year-long, region-wide celebration of the Bay Area’s creative spirit. From January through December, the Year of Design under the theme of Multitudes: The Power of Plurality, will activate cities and towns, neighborhoods, storefronts, studios, and public spaces across the Bay Area with exhibitions, installations, conversations, workshops, and participatory experiences—culminating in a flagship showcase during San Francisco Design Week in June.
This initiative honors two decades of design leadership while looking firmly ahead—spotlighting how design and art shape culture, community, innovation, and everyday life. Events will take place across the San Francisco Bay Area: South Bay/Silicon Valley, North Bay, East Bay and San Francisco.
How to Participate in The Year of Design
The Year of Design is intentionally open and collaborative because the Bay Area’s creative ecosystem has always thrived on exchange, experimentation, and shared visibility. Designers, artists, architects, makers, educators, students, and cultural organizations are invited to take part in a variety of ways.
Attend an Event
Visit our Year of Design Community Calendar and Design Festival Schedule to attend an event, engage with the SF Bay Area community, learn from top industry professionals and form connections.
Host an Event
Consider hosting an event for our community, collaborate on a project, make your work more visible and add your voice to the story.
Already hosting your own event and simply want us to promote it?
Read the Year of Design Community Event FAQ and Apply!
You might show up by:
- Attend a Community Event or San Francisco Design Week, Design Silicon Valley, Design Healdsburg.
- Opening your Doors
Host a studio open house, workshop, panel, performance, or hands-on experience that invites the community into your practice. - Making work visible
Apply for curated exhibitions, public installations, window displays, or pop-ups across the region. - Adding your voice to the story
Be featured through Year of Design storytelling platforms highlighting Bay Area–made work, process, and perspective. - Cross-pollinating disciplines
Collaborate with designers, artists, brands, nonprofits, schools, or civic partners to create something new. - Stepping forward as the next generation
Students and emerging creatives can participate through mentorship, open calls, and collaborative projects designed to amplify new voices.
Whether you’re independent or institutional, established or emerging, the Year of Design is a chance to be part of something larger than a single event. Just like this years theme, Multitudes: The Power of Plurality!
Together, we’re not just celebrating 20 years—we’re shaping the future of design in the Bay Area.