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
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 23Join 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
6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre
2700 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95816
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.
Tue, Oct 21
Julian Sandpaper Studio Tour
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
512 Q Street Sacramento, CA 95811
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Sandpaper, a contemporary factory for wood sculpture, furniture, and curious objects. We’ll explore how ideas move from concept to creation of Julian Sandpaper’s distinctive pieces.
Design Trivia Night with Tap In Creative Club
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Bike Dog Brewing East Sacramento,
1210 66th Street Sacramento, CA 95819
We’ve teamed up with Tap In Creative Club to bring you a special Design Week Sacramento edition of Trivia Night. This is where creative brains meet beers over a few rounds of no-pressure, high-energy design & art-focused trivia.
Wed, Oct 22
Making at MOSAC – the Process of Curiosity
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
MOSAC, 400 Jibboom St, Sacramento, CA 95811
Behind the Scenes at MOSAC: Design & Make Lab Experience. Join us for a unique, hands-on experience that dives into the creative and technical world behind MOSAC’s exhibits and maker programs.
Design Week Sacramento Art Party
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Swoon Studio + Co, 705 Gold Lake Dr Suite 380 Folsom, CA 95630
A studio tour with drinks and charcuterie offered with an offering of an informal ongoing “game” of art dice with collage.
Thu, Oct 23
Sierra Printing Plant Tour
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sierra
9950 Horn Road Sacramento, CA 95827
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.
Beyond the Studio: Career Pathways for Artists and Culture Bearers
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Prism Art Space
2120 K Street Sacramento, CA 95816
Beyond the Studio: Career Pathways for Artists and Culture Bearers is a moderated discussion designed to connect Sacramento’s creative community with professional artists and culture bearers. Participants gain insight on diverse artistic process, strategies for discovering and securing opportunities, and exploring sustainable practices for building long-term creative careers.
