SEGD Chapters Celebrate International Design Day 2026

Rachel Moran

SEGD celebrates International Design Day 2026 by activating global chapters around the theme “The Spaces In Between.” Through workshops, tours, and design labs, events explore how design connects people, place, and experience—highlighting experiential graphics, technology, and community-driven creativity across cities worldwide.

Each year on April 27, the International Council of Design (ICoD, Instagram: @theicod) brings together the global design community to celebrate the power and impact of design. In 2026, SEGD is proud to serve as the host organization, activating chapters around the world to explore this year’s theme, “The Spaces In Between.”

From workshops and tours to conversations and hands-on design labs, SEGD Chapters are creating opportunities for their local communities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate design’s role in shaping human experience. Below is a look at what participating chapters have planned.

For more details, visit each chapter’s event page and follow their Instagram accounts—or explore the full lineup on the SEGD International Design Day page.

April 23, 2026

Raleigh | The Spaces In Between: Experiential Graphics at Dollar Shave Club

Time: 3:00–6:00 pm
Location: Dollar Shave Club, Durham, NC
Instagram: @segd_raleigh

Explore how experiential graphics shape the workplace at Dollar Shave Club’s Durham headquarters. This guided tour highlights how murals, vintage-inspired graphics, and historic architecture come together to tell a cohesive brand story. Attendees will see how design activates “the spaces in between” where people, place, and narrative intersect. The experience offers insight into how environments can communicate identity and create meaningful connections.

April 27, 2026

Riga | International Design Day Workshop

Time: 2:00–4:00 pm
Location: Design Studio H2E, Riga
Instagram: @segdrigachapter

SEGD Riga invites design professionals to explore how design fosters connection and shared meaning. Participants will engage in a collaborative workshop responding to the idea that “Design connects us… to imagine better futures.” The session focuses on strengthening the design sector in Latvia through discussion and idea exchange. Outcomes from the workshop will be shared publicly to extend the conversation beyond the event.

Boston | EGD – Careers that Bridge the Spaces Between Us

Time: 7:00–8:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Instagram: @segdboston

Join SEGD Boston for a virtual introduction to Experiential Graphic Design (EGD) and its role in shaping meaningful environments. The session explores how EGD blends multiple disciplines to guide people through spaces and connect them to place. Attendees will learn about career pathways and the broader impact of SEGD’s global community. This event is ideal for students, emerging designers, and anyone curious about the field.

Vancouver | The Spaces In Between: Where Digital Meets Human

Time: 6:00–8:00 pm
Location: Lost & Found Studio, Vancouver
Instagram: @segd_vancouver

SEGD Vancouver hosts an evening exploring the intersection of technology and human experience. Guest speakers will share perspectives on how design bridges digital and physical spaces. The program includes talks followed by a moderated Q&A session. Attendees are encouraged to reflect on how shared experiences shape communication, belonging, and community.

Salt Lake City | International Design Day Charrette

Time: 6:00–8:00 pm
Location: Elevate, Salt Lake City, UT
Instagram: @segd_slc

Celebrate International Design Day through a collaborative charrette supporting the Garden Center at Sugar House Park. Designers across disciplines will work together to reimagine the building’s future role in the community. Guided by local professionals, participants will contribute ideas that connect people, place, and purpose. The results will be shared with project stakeholders to inform future planning.

San Francisco International Design Day

April 28, 2026

San Francisco | Tinkering Monkey & the Future of Sign Fabrication

Time: 5:30–8:00 pm
Location: Tinkering Monkey, Berkeley, CA
Instagram: @segd_sanfrancisco

Go behind the scenes at Tinkering Monkey to explore how 3D printing is transforming signage fabrication. This hands-on event walks through the full lifecycle of design, production, and installation. Attendees will examine real prototypes and compare traditional and additive manufacturing methods. The session offers a practical look at where emerging technologies are shaping the future of environmental graphics.

April 29, 2026

Minneapolis | The Spaces In Between – Mosaic Workshop

Time: 3:00–5:00 pm
Location: Mercury Mosaics, Minneapolis, MN
Instagram: @segd_minneapolis

Join SEGD Minneapolis for an afternoon of creativity, networking, and community impact. Participants will create custom tile trivets using locally made materials while connecting with fellow designers. The event also supports a local nonprofit by collecting bedding donations for children in need. It’s a hands-on way to celebrate design while giving back to the community.

Chicago | International Design Day Celebration

Time: 5:30–8:00 pm
Location: Tree House, Chicago, IL
Instagram: @segd_chicago

Celebrate Chicago’s design community with an evening of conversation and connection. This event invites designers to reflect on how the city’s identity influences their work. Expect candid discussions about practice, place, and creative culture. It’s a chance to gather with peers and celebrate the unique energy of design in Chicago.

April 30, 2026

Detroit | The Spaces In Between – Dr. Ossian Sweet Memorial Park

Time: 2:00–4:00 pm
Location: Detroit, MI
Instagram: @segd_detroit

SEGD Detroit offers a guided tour of Dr. Ossian Sweet Memorial Park, showcasing how design can transform public space. Participants will explore how storytelling, identity, and placemaking come together in this award-winning project. The event highlights the role of design in fostering belonging and community connection. It’s a powerful example of how history and design intersect in meaningful ways

New York City | Sound Design and the Built Environment

Time: 5:30–8:00 pm
Location: Antfood, Brooklyn, NY
Instagram: @segd_newyork

SEGD New York explores how sound shapes the built environment and human connection. Hosted by Antfood, the evening examines how design influences emotional and sensory experiences. Attendees will gain insight into how sound mediates physical and digital spaces. The event invites participants to think about design as something that happens between people—not just objects.

Cincinnati | Illuminating the In-Between – Design Lab

Time: 6:00–8:00 pm
Location: Harlan Graphic Arts, Cincinnati, OH
Instagram: @segd_cincinnati

SEGD Cincinnati partners with Harlan Graphics for an interactive design lab. Following a shop tour, participants will collaborate on ideas that explore connection between people, places, and ideas. The event encourages hands-on creativity and shared exploration. It’s an engaging way to celebrate design through making and community.

Time: 5:00–7:30 pm
Location: International District Station, Seattle, WA
Instagram: @segd_seattle

Join SEGD Seattle for an urban adventure aboard Sound Transit’s new 2 Line, including a ride across the world’s first light rail on a floating bridge. This experience offers a real-time look at wayfinding, signage, and navigation within complex transit environments. Attendees will explore how design supports movement through layered infrastructure and public space. The evening wraps up with a casual gathering at Bellevue Brewing Co., with an optional return ride at golden hour for scenic city views.

May 7, 2026

Charlotte | The Spaces in Between Poster Design Workshop

Time: 4:30–6:00 pm
Location: Little Office, Charlotte, NC
Instagram: @segd_charlotte

SEGD Charlotte hosts a hands-on poster workshop exploring connection and community. Using reclaimed materials, participants will create posters inspired by shared experiences and dialogue. The event emphasizes experimentation and creative expression in a relaxed environment. It’s an opportunity to engage with design as a tool for bringing people together.

Join the Global Celebration

SEGD Chapters around the world are demonstrating how design connects us across disciplines, communities, and experiences. Whether you attend an event in person or engage online, International Design Day is an opportunity to explore the impact of design in the spaces between.

Post pictures from International Design Day events and tag:

@segddesign 

@internationaldesignday

@theicod

Learn more and explore all events

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