The long-awaited World Design Capital (WDC) event in San Diego and Tijuana is finally here. Taking place Wednesday through Sunday, May 1-5, the two cities will host a series of festivals, events and exhibits showcasing design.
The World Design Festival is run by Tijuana Design Week and invites guests from both border cities, along with international visitors to experience Tijuana design through lectures, exhibitions, public design workshops and design studio open houses. According to event organizers, the event “encompasses all dimensions of time to open a space for reflection on the history, identity and future of the city, the binational region and the global environment.” Registration is free for events through the website.
We highlighted some of the event’s best offerings below, but be sure to check out their full list of activities here.
2024 World Design Festival Events – Day 1
Exhibición BOSQUE
This installation, BOSQUE (FOREST), created by Fernanda Uribe, is more than just an enchanted garden. It’s meant to be an immersive design experience where sculpture and functional design blend with handmade miniature ceramic sculptures of imaginary plants, flowers, fungi, and insects.
Date: Wednesday, May 1
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Observatorio | Av Constitución 1337, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana
Ballet adultas y adultos abierto a la comunidad
This ballet workshop for adults gives anyone the chance to experience ballet as a tool for bodily expression.
Date: Wednesday, May 1
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Conservatorio de Danza México | 11 y o Plutarco Elías Calles 9137, Zonaeste, 22000 Tijuana
2024 World Design Festival Events – Day 2
Taller de diseño: Jornadas Comunidades de Reciclaje
This event is part of the “Pollution Prevention at Alamar Creek” initiative, and gives attendees the chance to explore waste management solutions. The suggestions collected at the end will inform future community strategies.
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: CETYS Universidad | Av. Cetys Universidad.4, El Lago, 22217 Tijuana
Taller Compa Laboratorio de narrativa ciudadana a través de la tipografía
This Citizen Narrative Laboratory comes from TMX – Typography Mexico. It was developed in Mexicali and Calexico in 2023 by Héctor Ruíz, a student from Mexicali at the MFA Design for Social Innovation SVA. The exhibition showcases languages and transborder identities.
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Escuela libre de Arquitectura | C. Coahuila 8206-int. 203, Zona Nte., 22000 Tijuana
No Cuerpo and the creation of a digital archive on design, art, and culture in the SDTJ border region
This event showcases No Cuerpo, a digital platform focused on creating art, entrepreneurship, and social reality content that’s displayed as design, audiovisual, and written formats. The platform shows off local talent and creates connections.
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Observatorio | Av Constitución 1337, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana
Vero Glezqui: Temporalidades de un santuario
“Temporalities of a Sanctuary” is all about nature from different angles—like looking at it through a cosmic lens. You’ll see paintings, drawings, and more that blend the real world with the abstract.
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Casa de la Cultura | Av. París y, C. Lisboa 5, Centro, 22054 Tijuana
FADINGS x Spel Uno
Step into the world of “FADINGS” and see how art can bridge the gap between the digital and the physical. It’s like a journey through murals, paintings, and even furniture, all blending together seamlessly.
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Julep Café | Av. Mutualismo 1233, Zona Centro, 22055 Tijuana
Pop-up: El humano y sus cuevas: interpretaciones sobre el humano transitando en el tiempo
This experience explores the concept of migration through art. It’s meant to be a blend of different creative minds sharing their ideas, just like how people used to share along the coast before borders were a thing.
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Restaurante Bhumi | Gobernador Ibarra 9510, Davila, 22040 Tijuana
2024 World Design Festival Events – Day 3
Andrea Carrillo / CreativeMornings Tijuana
Kick off the morning with some inspiration. CreativeMornings Tijuana, features Andrea Carrillo Iglesias, an artist with a knack for design. Get ready to learn how design shapes our world.
Date: Friday, May 3
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Location: Enigma Creative | Av. Juan Sarabia 208-Local 2, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana
Krzysztof Wodiczko (Guide Visit)
Meet Krzysztof Wodiczko, a master of large-scale projections on buildings, whose work has focused on marginalized and estranged city residents. His work brings communities together and gives a voice to those often unheard.
Date: Friday, May 3
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: CECUT Sala de video | P.º de los Héroes 9350, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana
Borderless Experiences: The Lecture
This event explores the future of design in a digital world. Scott Robinson takes attendees on a journey through experience design, where boundaries are just a thing of the past. Get ready to think outside the box.
Date: Friday, May 3
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Escuela Libre de Arquitectura | C. Coahuila 8206-int. 203, Zona Nte., 22000 Tijuana
Taller de Codiseño de Persona Drag
This workshop is all about drag in Tijuana, and will explore gender and design. Of course, with live appearances, and the chance to take in a show.
Date: Friday, May 3
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: Enclave | C. Primera 8250, zona Nnte. 220000 Tijuana
2024 World Design Festival Events – Day 4
Jorge Gutierrez y Sandra Equihua
Sandra Equihua and Jorge R. Gutiérrez are known as the dynamic duo behind favorite animated series including El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, El Tigre, The Book of Life, Son of Jaguar, and Maya and the Three. They’ll share their journey from Tijuana to global recognition, and you’ll leave feeling inspired.
Date: Saturday, May 4
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Location: CECUT – Sala Carlos Monsivais | Blvd. Independencia, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana
AIGA Symbol Signs / Símbolos Significativos de AIGA
Susan Merritt takes attendees on a journey through the history of design. You’ll explore the iconic AIGA Symbol Signs and learn how they’ve shaped transportation and communication.
Date: Saturday, May 4
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: CECUT – Sala Federico Campbell
Yee Foo: Two-Fold Encounters
Come meet Yee Foo Lai and discover his world of design. Foo Lai co-founded Temporary Office, a multi-disciplinary design collaborative and is a project designer at Trahan Architects and will share his journey from Singapore to New York.
Date: Saturday, May 4
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: CECUT – Sala de video
