SD Design Trek - Experience the Design for Impact 2025

Join us for the SD Design Trek, an immersive experience crafted to empower and inspire creatives at every stage of their journey. Through studio visits, portfolio reviews, an AI panel + speed mentoring with industry professionals, participants will explore the many ways design intersects with industries and communities. Whether you’re a student, career-changer, or seasoned designer looking for renewed inspiration, you’ll leave with actionable insights and meaningful connections.

This year’s theme within Design Week, Design for Impact, invites us to examine how intentional creativity can break down barriers — both literal and figurative — and drive meaningful change. Don’t miss this chance to grow your design mindset, find your next opportunity, and reimagine what’s possible.

Several trek stops have limited capacities. Get your tickets ASAP to reserve your spot!

~~~ TREK SCHEDULE ~~~

Wednesday, Sep 17 - Kickoff - FREE EVENT

SD Design Trek Kickoff & Company Showcase

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2025, 5-6pm @ Mingei Museum in Balboa Park (Plaza de Panama, 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101)

We will kick off our two-day design trek at the beautiful Mingei Museum in Balboa Park! Check-in, grab your Design Trek badge, and mingle with local design-focused companies and organizations. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow Trek and Design Week attendees in a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and innovation right after Design Week's AI Day wraps up!

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SDDT 2025 Pass includes Thursday & Friday Trek Stops - $25 per person

Thursday, Sep 18 - Trek Stops

MiresBall Studio Visit 1

Thursday, Sep 18, 10.30-11:30am @ MiresBall (2605 State St, San Diego, CA 92103)

Making an impact in the San Diego community for over 35 years, MiresBall has built an award-winning body of work focused on brand, packaging, print, and digital design.

Join us for a short presentation on current work followed by an informal Q&A, conversation, and a look at a few favorite projects for clients ranging from global icons to local leaders.

This ticket is for Session #1: 10:30am-11:30am

About the Host: MiresBall is a leading San Diego creative agency and brand design firm. MiresBall provides trusted creative expertise drawn from 30+ years of work with global icons.

MiresBall Studio Visit 2

Thursday, Sep 18, 1.30-2:30pm @ MiresBall (2605 State St, San Diego, CA 92103)

Making an impact in the San Diego community for over 35 years, MiresBall has built an award-winning body of work focused on brand, packaging, print, and digital design.

Join us for a short presentation on current work followed by an informal Q&A, conversation, and a look at a few favorite projects for clients ranging from global icons to local leaders.

This ticket is for Session #2: 1:30pm-2:30pm

About the Host: MiresBall is a leading San Diego creative agency and brand design firm. MiresBall provides trusted creative expertise drawn from 30+ years of work with global icons.

Intuit

Thursday, Sep 18, 3-4pm @ Intuit (7545 Torrey Santa Fe Rd. San Diego, CA. 92129)

Join us at Intuit, the HQ of TurboTax in San Diego. Our VP of Design, Cesar Villegas, will share how Intuit's core value of "customer obsession" drives our work and how we're leveraging AI and expert help connections to define the future of how designers work. You'll also have a chance to network with our team and tour our campus. Don't miss this opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how we power prosperity for millions of people worldwide.

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Friday, Sep 19 - Trek Stops, Workshops/Panels, & Closing

Qualcomm

Friday, Sep 19, 9am-12:30pm @ Qualcomm Building AZ (10155 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121)

You won't want to miss this unique trek stop led by Brent Summers, whose interest in Generative AI sparked a revolution that now saves Qualcomm Technologies 2,400 hours monthly across multiple departments.

In this session, Brent reveals the guiding principles that led to selecting WRITER as the platform of choice. We'll show you the actual blueprints for agentic AI workflows that have been co-created with Qualcomm employees to accelerate workflows with an incredible ROI. Qualcomm's CMO says WRITER has made "happier employees who are more productive, more creative, and more satisfied with their jobs." You’ll even have a chance to try WRITER yourself.

Enjoy a morning packed with talks from the Marketing and User Experience teams, followed by a PAC Center tour. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of AI-driven innovation!

Portfolio Review @ SDSU School of Art and Design

Friday, Sep 19, 1-3pm, SDSU School of Art and Design (5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182)

Join us for a dynamic portfolio review and learn from the best at the SDSU's School of Art and Design. Get valuable, industry-relevant feedback from professional designers to help your portfolio stand out. Plus, enjoy a guided tour of the School of Art and Design and connect with current students. Space is limited!

Portfolio Review location

Parking Details:
SDSU has approved complimentary parking for this event from 1–4pm. We have 36 free permits available in Parking Structure 12, next to the School of Art and Design. To claim a permit, please click the parking registration link here and enter your license plate, date, and time. A receipt is also available if needed for reimbursement.

Parking Structure 12 location

"State of Design in early AI" Panel followed by Speed Mentoring @ Slalom Consulting

Friday, Sep 19, 3.30-5pm, Slalom (4370 La Jolla Village Dr, Suite 1000, San Diego)

Building on last Trek's very popular speed mentoring event, we will bring a panel of Design and Product leaders who are working with new technologies, giving shape to how their design organization is involved, creating new ways of working, and thinking about how the profession is evolving. Let’s do what designers do best and find optimistic ways to make sense of this VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Chaos, Ambiguity) environment.  

You are invited to an honest yet optimistic discussion about the state of design, what adaptability means for the profession, how design work is evolving and how we can carve a path for the evolution of design.

During this partnered event at Slalom's San Diego office, you’ll also have the chance to tour the space and meet some of Slalom's designers. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your leadership capabilities and connect with like-minded professionals.

Mentors & Panelists:

Jordi Morillo, VP Design, US Bank & Board Member, Design Forward Alliance

Jason Farnan, Sr. Director of UX Design, Tandem Diabetes

Vladimir Guskic, Co-founder, Cubic Orange 

DJ Bradley, Sr. Staff Design Strategist, Platform & AI Innovation, ServiceNow

Other panelists to be announced

Moderated by Seda Evis, co-founder Value Architect, Lecturer at University of San Diego

Program flow:

3.30-4:00 - Welcome

4:00-4:45: AI Panel Discussion & Q&A.

4:45-5:30: Speed mentoring, transitioning to Design Trek closing event.

Parking Details:
Slalom’s Office is nestled in UTC neighborhood adjacent the mall. There is free street parking available in the surrounding area along La Jolla Village Dr., Executive Way, and Executive Dr. There is also parking available at the mall, with the first hour being free, and a paid garage onsite ($16.00). Feel free to park on any level and then utilize the stairs or elevators to reach the Plaza Level. Once outside in the central courtyard, head towards the 4370 Building. The Slalom office is on the 10th floor.

Post-Trek Celebration - FREE EVENT

Friday, Sep 19, 6-8pm @ TBD

Wrap up the week with drinks and light bites with your fellow Trekkies, company participants, and the SD Design Trek Co-Driver team!

Purchase a limited edition t-shirt!

T-shirts are available for purchase as an option when you click "Get Tickets." Please select the quantity under its respective size. Available for pickup only at a trek stop and the Post-Trek Celebration!