That's a wrap!

Our trek has come and gone, but re-live the highlights through our Instagram, @sddesigntrek. Thank you for your support and participation in this year's monumental trek! If you are interested in future events, volunteering, or collaboration, please reach out to us at sddesigntrek@gmail.com.

Embark on an immersive journey into the vibrant design landscape of San Diego and Tijuana with SD Design Trek, as part of the World Design Experience powered by San Diego Design Week! This unique multi-day experience offers an exclusive opportunity to discover design-focused organizations, connect with innovative companies, explore design studios, and uncover exciting career paths. By uniting the local design community, SD Design Trek empowers participants to network, learn from each other, and envision a thriving creative community that can collaborate to solve complex problems in our region. Design Trek strives to foster a vibrant design community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has equal access to resources and opportunities, and can thrive in their design careers.

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

~ TREK SCHEDULE ~

Friday, Sep 20

SD Design Trek Kickoff & Company Showcase

Friday, Sep 20, 2024, 6-9pm @ The Exchange Pavilion in Balboa Park (1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101)

We will kick off our multi-day design trek at the stunning Exchange Pavilion in Balboa Park! Enjoy an inspiring panel of design leaders, mingle with local design-focused companies and organizations, and connect with fellow trek attendees in a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and innovation. Don't miss this chance to explore prospective job openings and spark new career possibilities!

Panel Details:

The Power of Belonging: Insights from Trailblazers on Charting Your Career Path in Design

Join us for an engaging discussion with four local design leaders as they share their journeys through the evolving world of design, and the role belonging and inclusivity have played in shaping their careers. Discover how to navigate a world where design and community are deeply intertwined. We'll explore the meaning of belonging—whether to an organization, a brand, a product, or an experience—and discuss the importance of creating environments where every designer and human can flourish, contributing to a future that celebrates diversity.

Panelists:

Desi Guusje Bendeler, Former CEO, thinkPARALLAX + Leadership Coach

John Ball, Partner and Creative Director, MiresBall

Michelle Peck, Sr. Director, Brand Experience, Tandem Diabetes Care

Don Hollis, Creative Director, Hollis Brand Culture

Moderated by Katherine Zimmerman, Associate Director of UX Strategy and Product Design, American Specialty Health

--------

NEW!

Saturday, Sep 21 - TIJUANA Trek!

US>TJ Border-Crossing Meet-Up

Saturday, Sep 21, 9:45 am @ San Ysidro Blue Line Trolley Station in front of McDonald's (727 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173)

Embark on a multi-stop Tijuana trek, starting with our group border crossing. Meet at the San Ysidro blue line trolley station in front of McDonalds to cross the border via PedEast as a group by foot. We'll be holding an SD Design Trek feather-shaped flag. We will begin our walk from McDonalds to PedEast at 10am.

Please ensure you have your passport. This is a limited capacity group that we can accommodate once past the border to travel to our first stop.

Enigma Creative

Saturday, Sep 21, 10-11:30am @ Enigma Creative (Av. Juan Sarabia 208-Local 2, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico)

We will start the Design Trek with a presentation at the Tijuana firm Enigma Creative, where partners - Katalina Silva (host of CreativeMornings) and Arturo Elenes are avid promoters of design and creativity in the City and SDTJ Region. They also founded Tijuana Design Week in 2023.The visit will include a game of Lotería Califerne, a project designed to promote regional identity and conservation awareness through play.

ITJ Studio Visit

Saturday, Sep 21, 12-1pm @ ITJ (Blvd. Salinas 10485-Interior 1403, Aviacion, 22014 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico)

ITJ creates Centers of Excellence for BioTech and Life Science companies in the US. Their work focuses on enhancing UX experiences for the companies’ clients. The iTj hub in Tijuana employs 1,000+ engineers and software designers from Mexico and Latin America.This Saturday, we will tour the iTj hub in Tijuana and get to know why their work model is so innovative. And why Design is such an important factor in their development.

Tijuana Taco Lunch!

Saturday, Sep 21, 1:30pm

Taco Luncheon at Taco Tijuanazo or Tacos Frank

Aruba Day Drink Bar followed by TJ>US Border-Crossing Return Trip

Saturday, Sep 21

Our Tijuana Trek will end at Aruba Day Drink Bar, a low key boutique drink bar, voted one of the 50 Best Bars in North America by 50 Best. We will then caravan back to the border and cross over back to San Ysidro trolley station via PedEast by foot.

--------

Sunday, Sep 22

NEW!

Bookabl Studio | Modular Creative Space

Sunday, Sep 22, 12-3pm @ 835 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA

Bookabl Studio invites participants to explore how modular design fosters flexibility and inclusivity in creative spaces. Located in Oceanside, CA, our studio supports diverse use cases, including UX research labs, podcast studios, video sets, meeting spaces, and more. This event will demonstrate how our adaptable space empowers creativity and belonging. Bookabl Studio’s trek stop offers a hands-on experience in design and innovation, where participants actively engage in the creative process and explore how flexible spaces foster community and belonging.

Program flow:

1. Kick off with a talk by the designer of Bookabl Studio, showcasing 3D renderings and insights into our User-Centered Design process. Participants can ask questions and explore how flexibility sparks creativity.

2. A guided tour through the studio, highlighting its modular elements and how we tailor spaces to meet diverse needs.

3. In small teams, participants will brainstorm and design new use cases for the space, applying principles of User-Centered Design.

4. Experience a live podcast recording about design, creativity, and community. Attendees can contribute and observe the behind-the-scenes process.

5. Play a VR game and discuss design, usability, and improvements with the game designer, exploring the role of user feedback in immersive environments.

--------

Monday, Sep 23

UCSD Design Lab | Design & Innovation Building Tour

Monday, Sep 23, 10:30-12pm @ UCSD Design & Innovation Building (9510 Innovation Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093)

Innovation is complicated. At each stage of creating something new, from ideation and prototyping to networking and building partnerships, innovators face complexities and pitfalls that can limit the impact of their efforts. By bringing all these activities under one roof, the Design & Innovation Building creates a supportive ecosystem aimed at driving innovation.

On the first floor, The Basement serves as a student-focused hub, offering startup programs and workshops. The Makerspace on the second floor provides an open-access lab for hands-on prototyping accessible to the entire UC San Diego community. The third floor’s Design Lab fosters design-driven transformation by educating design leaders, imagining alternative futures, and equipping people and communities with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to address the most pressing societal challenges. Finally, the Entrepreneurship Center on the fourth floor is where ideas meet the market and provide a space for our regional innovation community to come together.

Led by the UC San Diego Design Lab and EHDD’s lead designer, Ivan Chabra, this tour will explore the Design & Innovation Building’s four levels and how they each welcome and empower UC San Diego students, faculty, and the broader San Diego community to take part in the process of innovation.

ServiceNow | Discover How the World Works with ServiceNow

Monday, Sep 23, 1-3:30pm @ ServiceNow (4810 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121)

Learn how the world works with ServiceNow, and how we're revolutionizing workflows through an AI experience layer. Meet the team behind our exceptional user experiences, explore a day in their life, tour our beautiful campus and design studio, and see how we're maximizing productivity and ensuring success for our customers and users.

Friends of Figma SD @ Intuit | Leadership Beyond Borders: Expanding Your Design Career

Monday, Sep 23, 5-8pm, Hosted by Friends of Figma SD @ Intuit (7545 Torrey Santa Fe Rd, San Diego, Ca 92123)

Target Audience: Mid to senior-level designers, emerging leaders, and professionals looking to expand their influence and career opportunities.

Join Friends of Figma SD for an exclusive workshop designed to empower mid to senior-level designers, emerging leaders, and professionals eager to elevate their careers. This session will focus on developing leadership skills, fostering cross-border collaboration, and navigating the global design landscape. You’ll gain insights and strategies to expand your influence and career opportunities. During this partnered event at Intuit’s Design Studio, you’ll also have the chance to tour the space and meet some of Intuit’s designers. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your leadership capabilities and connect with like-minded professionals.

--------

Tuesday, Sep 24

Tandem Diabetes Care | Radical Inclusion - Designing for People Living with Diabetes
In-Person Attendance Only & Includes Limited Capacity Tour

Tuesday, Sep 24, 1-4pm @ Tandem Diabetes Care (12400 High Bluff Dr, San Diego, CA 92130)

Join us at Tandem Diabetes Care as we work together to improve outcomes through human-centered design and connected care experiences for individuals with diabetes, their families, and healthcare providers. During a keynote and panel discussion, our multidisciplinary designers will provide an insider’s perspective on our culture of design innovation at our headquarters in North County San Diego. The panel will explore the importance of belonging in developing effective, user-friendly, and impactful diabetes technology. We’ll discuss how design drives the expansion of automated insulin delivery solutions for people worldwide living with diabetes. After the presentation, we’ll be providing a tour of our site.

Note: Although this event has a virtual option through sddesignweek.org, this ticket is ONLY for in-person attendance and includes the limited capacity tour. Visitor badge, NDA, and media release is required in advance (details to be provided via email). Registration for this ticket will close 1 week prior.

San Diego UX Researchers @ UCSD | Empowering the Research Community

Tuesday, Sep 24, 6-8pm Hosted by SD UXRs @ UCSD Social Sciences Public Engagement Building (MC 0305, 9625 Scholars Dr N, La Jolla, CA 92093)

Join San Diego UX Researchers as we dive into our latest initiatives and learn how we strive to connect and empower researchers of all levels within the local community. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities and network with local UXRs! This event is perfect for anyone who has an interest in design research or currently does user experience research in their role.

--------

Wednesday, Sep 25

NEW!

Friends of Figma SD @ Slalom | Leadership Beyond Borders: Expanding Your Design Career

Wednesday, Sep 25, 9am-12pm, Hosted by Friends of Figma SD @ Slalom (4370 La Jolla Village Dr, Suite 1000, San Diego)

Target Audience: Mid to senior-level designers, emerging leaders, and professionals looking to expand their influence and career opportunities.

Due to popular demand, Friends of Figma SD will be having a second Leadership workshop at Slalom! Join us for an exclusive workshop designed to empower mid to senior-level designers, emerging leaders, and professionals eager to elevate their careers. This session will focus on developing leadership skills, fostering cross-border collaboration, and navigating the global design landscape. You'll gain insights and strategies to expand your influence and career opportunities. 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.

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.

MiresBall Studio Visit

Wednesday, Sep 25, 1-3pm @ MiresBall (2605 State St, San Diego, CA 92103)

Part of the San Diego design community for over 30 years, MiresBall has built an award-winning body of work focused on brand, packaging, print, and digital design. Join us for an informal Q&A, conversation, and a look at a few favorite projects for clients ranging from global icons to local leaders.

Speed Mentoring & AMA (Ask-me-anything): Emerging & Established Designers, Architects, Researchers

Wednesday, Sep 25, 5-6:45pm @ Futuro Space at the Design Center (3605 Fifth Avenue,San Diego, CA 92103)

Time to ask anything and get inspired by your fellow designers: Join us for an evening full of good questions, a-ha’s, and new connections in the form of speed mentoring, where emerging designers connect with industry leaders, both corporate execs, independent practitioners and firm owners, for rapid round robin sessions across design disciplines like:

UX Research & Insights, Behavioral Science: Sheba Najmi, Founder & Executive Director, Tech for Change
Architecture and Interior Design: Paulina Faktor, Founder, cross pollinate studio
UX and UI Design: Scott Robinson, Founder, FreshForm, Jordi Morillo, VP Design US Bank
Industrial Design: Victor Shapiro, Sr. Principal Industrial Designer, Siemens Healthineers. Young Lee, Lead Industrial Designer, Dexcom
Graphic Design, Visual Identity and Motion: Fernanda Costa and Vladimir Guskic, Founders at Cubic Orange
Design Tech & AI: TBA
Brand Experience & Strategy: Jessie Waters, Creative Director, candycode

Program flow:

5-5.30 - Networking and welcome

5:30-6:10: Speed-mentoring. 10 minute cycles. 4 cycles.

6:10-6:45: Closing the event, transitioning to Design Trek's closing event.

This is a low-key, one-on-one conversation format where you can gain insights from each other. This experience is designed with fostering collaboration where we create BELONGING through one-on-one conversations in an easy-going and introspective-friendly environment provided by Futuro, Hillcrest. Embrace belonging and join us for an evening of dynamic conversations and community building!

Post-Trek Celebration

Wednesday, Sep 25, 7-9pm @ Pure Project Balboa Park (

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!

That's a wrap!

~~~ TREK SCHEDULE ~~~

Friday, Sep 20

SD Design Trek Kickoff & Company Showcase

Panel Details:

Saturday, Sep 21 - TIJUANA Trek!

US>TJ Border-Crossing Meet-Up

Enigma Creative

ITJ Studio Visit

Tijuana Taco Lunch!

Aruba Day Drink Bar followed by TJ>US Border-Crossing Return Trip

Sunday, Sep 22

Bookabl Studio | Modular Creative Space

Monday, Sep 23

UCSD Design Lab | Design & Innovation Building Tour

ServiceNow | Discover How the World Works with ServiceNow

Friends of Figma SD @ Intuit | Leadership Beyond Borders: Expanding Your Design Career

Tuesday, Sep 24

Tandem Diabetes Care | Radical Inclusion - Designing for People Living with DiabetesIn-Person Attendance Only & Includes Limited Capacity Tour

San Diego UX Researchers @ UCSD | Empowering the Research Community

Wednesday, Sep 25

Friends of Figma SD @ Slalom | Leadership Beyond Borders: Expanding Your Design Career

MiresBall Studio Visit

Speed Mentoring & AMA (Ask-me-anything): Emerging & Established Designers, Architects, Researchers

Post-Trek Celebration

Purchase a limited edition t-shirt!

~ TREK SCHEDULE ~

Tandem Diabetes Care | Radical Inclusion - Designing for People Living with Diabetes
In-Person Attendance Only & Includes Limited Capacity Tour