[Image Source: Design in Public]
Going on four years now, Seattle has been launching its very own design festival with a whole city of creatives converging on projects, goods, ideas, and discussion centered around design and its significance for a growing city. Marking the shift in seasons, the Seattle Design Festival is now a fixture on the September calendar, each year bringing new collaborations and a unique theme, this year’s being Design in Motion. While the first few days of the festival are already behind us, there’s plenty more to see and do. We’ve compiled a “shortlist” of events we think are especially worthy of your time. Check them out, and let us know if we’ve missed any good ones in the comments below.
OPENING WEEKEND
The opening weekend events for SDF2014 kicked off over the past weekend, primarily in the heart of Pioneer Square, Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Some fantastic installations and engaging exhibits were enough to whet our design-hungry appetites.
9.6 – 9.7 // Design Block Party // Occidental Plaza, 310 Occidental Avenue S
Hosted by Design in Public
Presenting design installations, demonstrations, activities, workshops, performances, exhibits, tours and more. Families welcome and encouraged. Suggested donation, $10 for adults, 10am–6pm.
[Image Source: BUILD LLC]
9.6 – 9.7 // Design Rumble Installations // Occidental Plaza, 310 Occidental Avenue S
Hosted by Design in Public
This year, we invited 100 Seattle designers to participate in the SDF Rumble: a collaborative workshop to rapidly generate ideas for installations to be constructed for the Seattle Design Festival. Designers formed groups that were paired with nine contractor teams, 10am–6pm.
[Image Source: BUILD LLC]
ONGOING EVENTS
For those who prefer to go at a leisurely pace, a handful of events are ongoing throughout the festival (and beyond). And while there’s plenty to see, there are also plenty of opportunities to shop, interact, and contribute.
9.5 – 9.12 // SHOWCASE 14: Seattle Design // 220 S Jackson Street
Hosted by Design in Public
A curated experiential marketplace featuring incredible designers from the Pacific Northwest. This pop-up shop and gallery will be curated by a distinguished jury (George Suyama, Ellie Kemery, Charlie Schuck, and Rysia Suchecka and more). September 5-12, 2014.
[Image Source: BUILD LLC]
9.8 – 9.12 // Walk to Work Week // The Space between home + work
Hosted by Feet First, Commute Seattle, City of Seattle, Seattle Architecture Foundation
Participants will challenge themselves, hundreds of employees & companies around the city to track trips and miles. Participants are encouraged to recognize how design plays an important role in great walking experiences and support pedestrian safety and accessibility in Seattle.
[Image Source: Design in Public]
CONVERSATIONS
For the design-minded and design-curious that can’t resist a good lecture/panel discussion, SDF2014 will sate that desire. Get your moleskine and twitter feeds ready for some hot topics in Seattle Design.
09.13 + 09.14 // SDF Conference // Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Avenue
Hosted by Design in Public, Seattle Public Library
Twenty talks, workshops, film and more. Engage with design luminaries and community leaders in this unique mixing of disciplines and intersecting fields as they gather to unpack the Festival theme, “Design in Motion.” Panel discussions, lectures and workshops. Free and open to the public. Seattle Public Library Central Branch. Sept 13(10:30am–6pm) and Sept 14 (12–6pm).
9.14 // PechaKucha 56: Designing Leadership // Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Avenue
Hosted by Pecha Kucha Seattle, Design in Public
Pecha Kucha Seattle, in collaboration with Design in Public is thrilled to present PKN SEA vol. 56: Designing Leadership. The evening will bring together presenters from across the design community to explore the ways in which design can uniquely lead, the ways in which design leadership has evolved, the ways in which we foster a culture of leadership within our community, and the rich set of opportunities ahead, focusing on members of our community that are leading design in unique, powerful, wonderful ways. Reception to follow discussion in the gallery space adjacent to the auditorium.
[Image Source: Pecha Kucha Seattle]
9.17 // CONVERGENCE II: Where Physical & Interactive Design Meet // Impact Hub, 220 2nd Avenue S
Hosted by Tactile, General Assembly
We will explore the evolving discipline of design and what happens at the intersection of the physical, digital, interactive, and innovative. We will look to local architects, industrial and user experience designers, urban planners and more. Join Tactile as we consider the colliding realms of space and experience and their inherent tensions and opportunities. Drinks and light snacks provided.
[Image Source: Design in Public]
TOURS
In step with this year’s festival theme, it only makes sense that a tour or two should be part of your itinerary. See what “greenest” means one year in, check in on the hottest new commercial developments the city, and get your fix of the pop-up parklet.
9.9 // Active Design in the Bullitt Environment & Bullitt Center Tour // Bullitt Center, 1501 E. Madison Street
Hosted by ASID Washington State
Join us at the Bullitt Center for a look into the creation of this visionary building. Hear from the creators how they used “active design” to create an environment that achieved the goal of net-zero energy consumption. This panel discussion will highlight the importance of designing interior spaces that encourage physical activity to reduce energy use and improve health. Tour the six-story, 52,000 square foot building and see how movement can conserve energy while enjoying panoramic views of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound from “the irresistible staircase.” Tickets: ASID Members $20, A&D Community or Guests $30, Students w/ID $15. Doors open at 5:30pm.
[Image Source: Design in Public]
9.11 // 11+P Inter-Block Party // Chophouse Row, 1429 12th Avenue
Hosted by Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young Architects
Join SKL Architects and neighbors for a “sneak peak” tour of the Chophouse Row project! The 11+P Inter-Block Party will take place at the near-complete Chophouse Row project on Capitol Hill. This project is the final piece of a larger master plan in the Pike-Pine Corridor that supports an incremental urbanism rather than a large-scale monoculture. Learn about the future of the 11th and Pike block, its integration with the Capitol Hill neighborhood, and the important role of mixed-use developments within urban communities while enjoying food and drink from the block!
[Image Source: SKL]
9.19 // PARK(ing) Day // Nationwide + Citywide
Hosted by SDOT, American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington Chapter (WASLA)
Come experience PARK(ing) Day on Friday, September 19, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, and visit pop-up park installations around Seattle. PARK(ing) Day happens once a year on the third Friday in September. The event raises awareness about important issues like creating a walkable, livable, and healthy city. Visit SDOT’s website for more information and a map of pop-up parks in your neighborhood.
[Image Source: SDOT + Seattle Bike Blog]
GATHERINGS
As much fun and inspiration tours and talks can be, festivals are really about connecting with people and having some fun. Check out a few high caliber gatherings going on during the fest, whether building up community or breaking things down on the dance floor.
9.10 // ARCADE 32.2 Launch Party // Friends of the Waterfront Seattle, 1400 Western Avenue
Hosted by Schemata Workshop, Dark|Light Design, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Schuchart/Dow
(Though not an official part of SDF, a design event worth a spot on your calendar. Engage with the local design community in sharing some good food, drink, and conversation.)
Join us as we celebrate the release of our September issue, ARCADE 32.2, Empathy, Fire and Spades: Design for Social Innovation, feature edited by Brian Boram. We’ll be gathering at the Waterfront Space on Western at Union. A $20 suggested donation at the door brings beverages, light fare, your copy of ARCADE and a warm philanthropic rush—it supports the creation of our magazine and programs.
[Image Source: ARCADE]
9.12 // Dance This Way // Friends of Waterfront Seattle, 1400 Western Avenue
Hosted by Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Space.City, Pike Place Market Foundation, graypants
Join us Friday evening, September 12th at 6:30 p.m. for dance, music and other performances that roam from place to place in celebration of design in motion. Coinciding with the opening of Waterfront Space at 1400 Western Ave—a project showroom for Waterfront Seattle—and happening on the eve of Pike Place Market’s much anticipated expansion, Dance This Way will commemorate the moments when design moves from concept to reality, and when ideas begin to actively shape our environment and experiences. // 21 and over // free + open to the public. Please RSVP.
[Image Source: Space.City]
9.16 // +Momentum // Seattle Design Foundation, 95 Yesler Way
Hosted by Seattle Design Foundation
Join the Seattle Design Foundation and their intention of bringing innovation, support, and dialog to our design culture. Weigh in on next year’s grant theme, see what progress has been made with this year’s grant winners, hear from the judges on what they saw in the first round of design grants and what they see as design trends in the city. Judges panel: Yasaman Sheri, Tad Hirsch, Liz Dunn, Christian Marc Schmidt, and Kelly Rodriguez.
[Image Source: Design in Public]
9.19 // SDF2014 Closing Party // DLR Group, 51 University Street, Suite 600
Hosted by Design in Public, IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter
Decelerate and celebrate with Seattle’s design community to bring the 2014 Seattle Design Festival to a close. Food, libations, live-music, dancing and spectacular waterfront views. Open to the public. Tickets available at the door. $20 cash or credit card suggested donation, includes food and beverages.
[Image Source: Design in Public]
That about covers our shortlist. For the full schedule, click here. Stay engaged, stay inspired, and see you around the Fest!
Cheers from Team BUILD