World Design Experience 2024
San Diego Tijuana is the first cross-border region to be designated World Design Capital® (WDC) and the first time a U.S. city has been selected. San Diego and Tijuana were selected as the World Design Capital because of our unique history, rich and diverse design community, commitment to cross-border collaboration, and all the unique opportunities that exist in our shared community.
San Diego Design Week (SDDW)
DFA was an organizing partner for San Diego Design Week 2024 and the World Design Experience, a five-day event celebrating design across the binational San Diego-Tijuana region. A community-led event, SDDW features programs such as live community discussions, studio tours, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, films, and podcasts from all disciplines of design.
Design for Clean Water
DFA partnered with Project Clean Water and I Love A Clean San Diego to design for sustainability in the Design for Clean Water: Stormwater Pollution Challenge. The design competition invited teams to propose innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate stormwater pollution and improve water quality in San Diego. The competition provided $2,000 microgrants, presented by BluPeak Credit Union, to up to five teams to develop and prototype their ideas.
Design Ambassadors
DFA's Design Ambassador program assembles local design leaders to promote, advocate and connect the broader design community. Participants meet quarterly to share, brainstorm and discuss issues and opportunities for designing for impact.