The new Members Library is a digital archive including video recordings of talks, symposiums, and other events, as well as fresh content including virtual backgrounds for your laptop, mobile phone and video meetings.
Video Talks
‘Shelf Life’ is an online panel discussion about the state of publishing in architecture and design, featuring editorial directors and writers.
A panel talk on sustainable futures with Anna Horváth, Ranee Lee, and Tnachon Benjapipatkul, discussing sustainable futures from the perspective of circular systems.
‘Building with Light’ is a discussion that explores the ways in which architects, artists and designers use lighting to create and transform space.
DesignTO’s eighth annual symposium brings seven multidisciplinary experts together to address the problem of waste and waste management in the context of the global climate crisis.
DesignTO’s eighth annual symposium brings seven multidisciplinary experts together to address the problem of waste and waste management in the context of the global climate crisis.
‘Ideas Forum: Deconstruction’ features five fast-paced presentations exploring circular construction in the building industry, including design for disassembly, embodied carbon and sustainability, and material salvage and reuse.
‘Sustainable Futures Part 1: Do It Yourself’, the third in the 2022 series of ‘In Conversation’.
‘Body, Labour & Land in Contemporary Craft’, the second in the 2022 series of ‘In Conversation’.
‘Tactical Practice: Digital Art and the Ethics of Design’, an online conversation with Tristan Sauer and Martin Zeilinger.
‘Non-Sighted Modes of Beholding Art’, the first in the 2022 series of ‘In Conversation’ w/ Olivia Brouwer, Dr. Aaron McPeake, Nikkie To and Dr. Kenneth Wilder.
DesignTO’s seventh annual symposium brings 11 multidisciplinary experts together to discuss how we can dismantle the long-accepted idea of “normal”
DesignTO’s seventh annual symposium brings 11 multidisciplinary experts together to discuss how we can dismantle the long-accepted idea of “normal”
‘Purpose & Play’ is an annual exhibition that explores new prototypes for contemporary life, showcasing the work of eight Canadian designers and studios.
‘Holding Up History: Panel Talk’ explores the influence of façadism as an architectural and conceptual strategy for bringing elements from the past into the future.
‘Ideas Forum: Confronting the Housing Crisis’ features five fast-paced presentations exploring housing equity, modular housing initiatives, rent-then-own models, and community support and consultation.
The sixth ‘In Conversation’ series event with David Chambers and Kevin Haley of Aberrant Architecture, and artist-activist and architect Michael Lee Poy.
The fifth ‘In Conversation’ series event with writer and researcher Nehal El-Hadi and artist and educator Bridget Harvey.
The fourth ‘In Conversation’ series event with artist and educator Georgina Voss and designer and filmmaker Monica Virtue.
The third ‘In Conversation’ event with writer and 3D artist Victoria Kamila and immersive media designer Will Selviz.
The second ‘In Conversation’ series event with Syrian-born British fashion designer Dr. Nabil El-Nayal and Toronto-based menswear designer and tailor Philip Sparks.
The first ‘In Conversation’ series event with Dr. Danah Abdulla and Maya Mahgoub-Desai.
A conversation with Christian Lo of lighting studio Anony and Lambert Rainville and Nicolas Sangaré of multidisciplinary studio Rainville Sangaré.
DesignTO’s sixth annual symposium brings nine multidisciplinary experts together for an inspiring discussion about Inclusive Design.
‘Ideas Forum: Community Care’ features five fast-paced and fun presentations exploring the themes of care in collaboration, creative practice and community.
DesignTO’s sixth annual symposium brings nine multidisciplinary experts together for an inspiring discussion about Inclusive Design.
A panel discussion on art, design and architecture as opportunities to heal.
‘Work/Life’ is an annual exhibition that explores new prototypes for contemporary life, showcasing the work of eight Canadian designers.
This 3-part event celebrates the DesignTO Awards and its 2020 awardees through a deeper dive into 3 distinct projects and practices.
On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Nicole Bernhardt moderated a dialogue on equity, accountability and design.
Speaker Name: Shihan Zhang, Design Futurist, Gray Area Art & Technology Foundation Name of the Topic/Talk: Personal Carbon Economy…
Speaker Name: Daniel Daam-Rossi, visual maker, co-founder, Radical Norms, Sam McGarva, designer and researcher, Department of Unusual Certainties &…
Speaker Name: Jenny Boucher, Fashion Designer, Co-director D.A.R. Projects Mauricio Navarro, Industrial Designer, Co-director, D.A.R. Projects Name of the…
Speaker Name: Wendy W Fok, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design, and Creative Director, WE-DESIGNS Name of the Topic/Talk:…
Speaker Name: Mason White, Associate Professor, University of Toronto, and Partner, Lateral Office Name of the Topic/Talk: Architecture After…
Speaker Name: Yoel Berznoger, Director, Client Engagement Studio, Haworth Name of the Topic/Talk: Affordances: What we should expect from…
Speaker Name: Juan Saavedra Name of the Topic/Talk: Design Activism: Exploring the aesthetics of collaboration and inclusion in the context…
Speaker Name: Angelika Seeschaaf Veres, Daniel Daam-Rossi, Koby Barhad, co-founders, Radical Norms Name of the Topic/Talk: Open Visions: Creating…
Speaker Name: Chloe Waretini, designer and cultural innovator, The Future of Work is Human Name of the Topic/Talk: More…
Speaker Name: Tom Morin, co-founder, Work Innovation Partners, and author and speaker, Work Feels Good Name of the Topic/Talk:…
Speaker Name: Dawn Laing, Director of Marketing & Communications – Notion Manufactured Goods Name of the Topic/Talk: Empowering Creatives…
Speaker Name: Heather Dubbeldam, Principal Architect / Dubbeldam Architecture + Design Name of the Topic/Talk: Working outside the box:…
Speaker Name: Sean Hazell, Principal and Strategist – Hazell & Co. & Nick Hobson (PhD), Behavioral Scientist at Psychology…
Speaker Name: Nan Zhao, Research Scientist – MIT Media Lab Name of the Topic/Talk: Mediated Atmospheres – A Workspace…
Speaker Name: Jon Tirmandi, Co-Founder and Partner – Normative Name of the Topic/Talk: Human-Computer Collaboration Speaker Website: www.normative.com Topic…
Speaker Name: Chenny Xia, Innovation Designer – The Moment & Markus Grupp, Director Experience Designer – Indigo Name of…
Speaker Name: Chris Graham, Principal – TellPeople Name of the Topic/Talk: Choose More Empathy Speaker Website: www.tellpeople.ca Topic Description:…
Speaker Name: Julie Sommerfreund, Innovation Designer – The Moment Name of the Topic/Talk: The future of work is about…
Speaker Name: Jonas Altman, Partner – Social Fabric Name of the Topic/Talk: The Future of Meaningful Work Speaker Website:…
Speaker Name: Joost Schouten Name of the Topic/Talk: Designing the Future of Work Speaker Website: www.yanomo.com Topic Description: Joost…
Speaker Name: Gilad Cohen, Founder & Executive Director Name of the Topic/Talk: The Art of Building Community: How JAYU builds…
Member Downloads
Designed by Hwa-jin Jun, the 2023 DesignTO look and feel is an evolution of the Festival’s history told through a visual aesthetic.
The 2022 DesignTO look and feel, created by designer Vicky To, is an evolution of the Festival’s history told through a visual aesthetic.
The 2021 Look & Feel design has a strong focus on modular illustrations. The colour palette was more focused on the idea of warmth, in contrast to the cold temperatures of Canadian winters.
Insider Series
I am a ceramicist, teacher and studio owner. I own and operate a membership-based studio in the city called The Shop, where I teach classes and workshops.
I am an internationally-exhibited multidisciplinary visual artist, with a focus on sculptural fibre art, photography and mentorship.
Recent Posts
Shelf Life
‘Shelf Life’ is an online panel discussion about the state of publishing in architecture and design, featuring editorial directors and writers.
Meet our Members: Garry Bakuniec
Through the ‘Meet our Members’ series, we introduce you to DesignTO Members supporting our efforts to provide accessible public programming to our community.
Volunteer Spotlights: Neshat Neishabouri
Neshat Neishabouri shares the significant impact of promoting creativity, cultural exchange, community-building, and supporting emerging talent in the art and design community and why they wanted to be a DesignTO volunteer.
Artist & Designer Spotlight: Alisa McRonald
Textile artist Alisa McRonald discusses her many inspirations from musicians, to crochet artists, sculptors, and more.
Meet our Members: Gail Migalle
Through the ‘Meet our Members’ series, we introduce you to DesignTO Members supporting our efforts to provide accessible public programming to our community. Together we celebrate design’s role in creating a sustainable, just and joyful world.
Artist & Designer Spotlight: Elena Mahno
2023 DesignTO Festival Awards winner, artist Elena Mahno, discusses shifts in her career, the importance of wellbeing, and her X-Men blockbuster movie cameo.
Artist & Designer Spotlight: Justin Hawley
DesignTO Festival alumnus Justin Hawley talks breaking the design mold, anarchy, and finding passion in the untraditional.
Artist & Designer Spotlight: Angela Ng
Co-Founder of Urban Minds and past Festival exhibitor Angela Ng shares her goals of inspiring youth, creating community, and making change.
Artist & Designer Spotlight: Adrienna Matzeg
2023 DesignTO Festival Awards winner, designer Adrienna Matzeg, talks to us about photography, Covid’s influence on her practice and the impact of architecture in her work.
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