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
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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).
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
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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
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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.
Thu, Oct 23
Sierra Printing Plant Tour
9950 Horn Road Sacramento, CA 95827
Thurs, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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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.
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
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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.
