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DESIGN WEEK SACRAMENTO

is an annual event that celebrates and showcases the creative spirit of Sacramento’s design community.

Throughout the week, we bring creatives together for inspiration, education and connection. We offer a variety of events that create opportunities for creatives at all levels to hear from leaders in our community, develop a new skill and make connections that will advance their careers.

PROCESS

This Year’s Theme:

Our speakers, workshop facilitators, and discussion leaders will be taking you behind the scenes, and into the beautiful mess of creativity, examining the processes powering successful projects, design thinking, practical skills, and the business side of design.

Conference

Fri, Oct 24 & Sat, Oct 25

Our popular two-day design conference, with Friday’s speaker sessions held at The Urban Hive, and Saturday’s Skill Camp held at Sacramento Turn Verein.

Conference
@ Urban Hive
9:00 am - 5:30 pm

730 I St., Sacramento,
CA 95814

Skill Camp
@ Sacramento Turn Verein
9:30 am - 5:00 pm

3349 J St., Sacramento,
CA 95816

Keynote Speakers

Betsaida LeBron
Improvisor, Creative EQ Coach

Betsaida LeBron is an award-winning improviser, TEDx speaker, and emotional intelligence coach who's revolutionizing workplace dynamics. As ImprovEQ's founder, her groundbreaking "Pause. Play. Perform" methodology transforms ordinary teams into extraordinary collaborators. Through the principles of improv comedy, she unlocks untapped leadership potential and fosters positive team dynamics. Betsaida's playful yet purposeful approach demonstrates how playful thinking enhances creative problem-solving, fosters inclusive design, and injects more joy into the creative process.

PJ Carlino
Assistant Professor of Design Studies

PJ Carlino is a design historian, educator, and industrial designer, whose work explores the cultural politics of design and the built environment. Trained in American Studies and material culture, his research examines how everyday forms—products, infrastructure, visual media—mediate power, identity, and social change. He foregrounds vernacular design practices and the spatial dynamics of race, class, and citizenship in both historical and contemporary contexts. Based in California’s Central Valley, Dr. Carlino engages regional histories and landscapes to complicate traditional design narratives. He is currently Assistant Professor of Design Studies at Sacramento State, where he bridges critical theory and public-facing design research.

Meet our Speakers, Presenters & Facilitators

Conference - Day 1
Speakers & Presenters

  • Priya Kumar

    Priya Kumar

    Marketing & Communications Manager
    Sacramento LGBT Community Center

  • Mary Hunt

    Community Engagement Coordinator
    Sacramento LGBT Community Center

  • Chris Thomas

    Creative Director
    Gelcomm

  • Chelsea Jimenez

    Creative Specialist
    Lucas Public Affairs

  • Thea Appling

    Creative Strategy Consultant
    Collective

  • Mario Vasquez Zuniga

    Strategic Communications
    Collective

  • Jennifer Bourn

    Chief Marketing Officer
    Motivations AI

  • Eric Grotenhuis

    CEO / Partner
    Page Design Group

  • Michael Hendry

    COO / Partner
    Page Design Group

  • Carmen Zagazeta

    Director of Digital Experience
    Blue Shield

  • Xtine Nguyen

    Lead Product Designer
    Blue Shield

  • Brian Bourn

    VP of Client Strategy
    Fueled

  • John Gladding

    Creative Director
    Brand G Designs

  • Bernadeta (Bernie) Baktashian

    Strategic Consultant & Facilitator
    Bernie Baktashian Consulting

  • Landon Lee

    Co-Founder, Creative Collaborator
    Noble Creative Collective

  • Emilie Johal

    Senior Visual Designer
    Page Design Group

  • Maggie Giordanengo

    Senior Graphic Designer
    Honey

Skill Camp - Day 2
Workshop Facilitators

  • Kilian McMann

    Founder, Illustrator & Graphic Designer
    Great Raven Design Co.

  • Sheila Johnston

    Founder, CEO
    Luminari Partners

  • Steve Joves

    Creative Manager
    SAFE Credit Union

  • Justina Martino

    Visual Artist, Director
    Art Tonic

  • Allison Carpio

    Founder & Speaking Coach
    Morning Hour Co.

  • Heather Hogan

    Artist, Educator, Creative Facilitator
    Tenacious Goods

  • Molly Wiley

    Associate Director - California Division & Brand Creative
    Creative People

  • Camille Woods

    Instructional Designer for AI Education
    UC Davis

  • Sabrina Modelle

    Creative Director & Founder
    The So Good Agency

Design Week Sacramento After Party

@ Legend Has It,
410 L Street, Sacramento

Wrap up Day 1 of Design Week Sacramento with a relaxed, community-focused gathering. Meet fellow creatives, enjoy a drink, and keep the conversation going in a welcoming, casual space.

Free for conference attendees and AAF Sacramento members (proof of ticket or membership required).

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Community Events

Mon, Oct 20 - Thurs, Oct 23

Join us for a variety of free community events with our partners, like studio tours, workshops, and networking events. Events take place at locations throughout the Sacramento region.

Mon, Oct 20

Adobe Create Now Design Week Sacramento

@ The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre
2700 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95816
Mon, Oct 20 @ 5:30 - 8:00 pm

  • Dive into an evening of creativity with Adobe during Design Week Sacramento! Join the design community for an evening of hands-on inspiration, where Adobe pros showcase the latest from Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Express, Firefly, and more. Hear from an Adobe Evangelist and standout local creatives as they share real-world tips, workflows, and creative breakthroughs to elevate your craft.

    Come for the insights, stay for the energy—expect complimentary bites and drinks, great company, and a chance to win a free Creative Cloud membership.

Register

Tue, Oct 21

Design Trivia Night with Tap In Creative Club

@ Bike Dog Brewing East Sac
1210 66th Street Sacramento, CA 95819
Tues, Oct 21 @ 6:00 - 8:00 pm

  • We’ve teamed up with Tap In Creative Club for Design Week Sacramento to bring you a special edition of Tap In like no other: Trivia Night.

    This is where creative brains meet beers over a few rounds of no-pressure, high-energy design & art-focused trivia. Expect bold questions, wild guesses, whiteboard challenges, and the kind of obscure knowledge that finally gets its moment to shine.

    Whether you’re a brand wizard, a Photoshop jockey, or just here for the vibes—there’s a category for you.

    3 rounds. Team-based. Weird prizes. Good beer. Better people.

    There are no shortcuts. Just great questions and greater company.

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Wed, Oct 22

Making at MOSAC – the Process of Curiosity

400 Jibboom St, Sacramento, CA 95811
Wed, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

  • Hands-On Activities Include:

    A make-and-take station with a simple, customizable project

    Demonstrations and small group customization options

    Tinkering stations with circuit blocks, robo vehicles, marble mazes, and more

    Whether you're a curious creative or a hands-on tinkerer, this event offers a fun and inspiring look at the innovation behind MOSAC’s exhibits and programs.

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Design Week Sacramento Art Party

Swoon Studio + Co
705 Gold Lake Dr Suite 380 Folsom, CA 95630
Wed, Oct 22 @ 6:00 - 8:00 pm

  • A studio tour with drinks and charcuterie offered with an offering of an informal ongoing “game” of art dice with collage.

    Swoon Studio is a small indie goods shop and creative studio and community space where we sell indie artist goods, invite artists to share their work through sales, workshop, demonstrations and community events.

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Thu, Oct 23

Sierra Printing Plant Tour

9950 Horn Road Sacramento, CA 95827
Thurs, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

  • Join us for a tour of the Sierra printing plant, one of our longtime supporters of Design Week Sacramento. Get a behind of the scenes look at their equipment, and production process.

    Sierra is a Sacramento based printing, mailing and office supply company that opened its doors in 1981. For over 20 years Sierra has been providing our expertise in direct mail marketing through our in-house mailing department. Sierra is focused on customer service, quality and cost savings by matching each project with the best production equipment.

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Beyond the Studio: Career Pathways for Artists and Culture Bearers

with Art Tonic @ Prism Art Space
2120 K Street Sacramento, CA 95816
Thurs, Oct 23 @ 6:00 - 8:00 pm

  • Beyond the Studio: Career Pathways for Artists and Culture Bearers is a free, moderated discussion designed to connect Sacramento’s creative community with professional artists and culture bearers. This engaging discussion gives participants insight on diverse artistic process, strategies for discovering and securing opportunities, and exploring sustainable practices for building long-term creative careers.

    Hosted at Prism Art Space, the discussion panel will be followed by Open Studios networking with Prism Art Space residents, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to explore the gallery, community room and workspaces

    This event is part of Art Tonic’s CA Artist Empowerment Network, a statewide series of professional development workshops and events focused on expanding Sacramento’s artist ecosystem and strengthening local resources for creative professionals.

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