2008
This was a banner year for DesignPhiladelphia. From October 16 to 22, in conjunction with National Design Week, 93 events showcased the work of more than 450 designers from both the Philadelphia region and around the globe. Approximately 235,000 people attended DesignPhiladelphia events, and over 55 million people encountered DesignPhiladelphia information presented in magazines, newspaper articles, online blogs, TV broadcasts, and e-newsletters.
The theme for DesignPhiladelphia 2008 was Down to Earth: Evolving Design in the 21st Century, which recognizes and gives voice to the enormity of the eco-culture initiatives taking place locally, across the country and around the world. One such project, A Clean Break, turned a vacant lot into a prefab neighborhood with full-scale modern, sustainable, affordable homes designed by international architects. Curated by Minima Gallery, the outdoor exhibition also featured urban farming, environmentally friendly furniture, lighting, transportation, and other high-design, low-waste consumer products. This pop-up village project has been awarded The Philadelphia Arts and Business Council 2008 Business and Arts Partnership Award.
Download the pdf of the 2008 calendar of events to view the extensive series of programs that took place during year four of DesignPhiladelphia. Download pdf of 2008 calendar of events. (4.3MB size)
2007
From April 12 thru 22, 2007, DesignPhiladelphia celebrated year three with 64 events showcasing 500 designers all over the city. Approximately 160,000 people experienced a DesignPhiladelphia program, and another 400,000 came into contact with us through press exposure or through DesignPhiladelphia's marketing materials that included bus shelter posters, banners, postcards, event calendar booklets, and Websites.
The 2007 themed symposium and student exhibition was on The Grid. Philadelphia’s iconic city grid is a masterpiece of public design and urban invention. DesignPhiladelphia explored the impact of the grid on the imagination of designers. Whether it's the rectilinear geometry of architecture and landscape architecture, the modernist page layout of graphic design, or the warp and weft of the loom in fashion, the grid is a dominant and controversial structuring principle across multiple design boundaries. Download pdf of 2007 calendar of events. (2.7MB size)
2006
From April 1 thru April 9, 2006, DesignPhiladelphia lit up the city by spotlighting boutiques, galleries, museums, and design studios that held approximately 55 events including gallery tours, public lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and (the ever present) parties.
The featured theme for the 2006 symposium and student exhibition was Emerging Neighborhoods, Emerging Design. DesignPhiladelphia held a topical discussion regarding the dramatic boom in development that is transforming Philadelphia, its neighborhoods, its infrastructure, its school system, and the lives of our citizens. As the city evolves from its industrial past, it is building a future founded upon knowledge, networks and culture. We have a unique environment for design exploration and development – an incubator – for students and professionals alike. Download pdf of 2006 calendar of events. (492KB size)
2005
From April 1 thru 17, 2005, the inaugural DesignPhiladelphia celebrated the vibrant energy of Philadelphia’s design community. It was 17 days of dynamic ideas, diverse work, and designers from Philadelphia and around the world. More than 65 gallery tours, public lectures, exhibitions, and workshops spotlighted boutiques, galleries, restaurants, museums, and professional associations.
The kickoff symposium and exhibition for 2005 was Philadelphia Design Experiment version 1.0. The multidisciplinary design exhibition proposed innovative ideas for Philadelphia and featured the work from seven schools, seven design disciplines. The symposium featured two panel discussions, addressing the topics of Design About and Design City: How design impacts the growth and identity of Philadelphia.