Detroit Design Festival is happening once again this year on September 23rd-28th in Detroit, Michigan. We are proud to be partnering with DDF to further extend their mission “to connect creatives with one another, introduce them to new markets and consumers, and expose Detroit’s creative talent and collective design aesthetic to national and global audiences.” #DDF2014 #designliveshere

Check out the below event listings for some of our top picks for this very exciting week of art, design, and fun! Are you in NYC and want to attend? No problem! We’ve got you covered! APPLY HERE to attend our own event, #NYC2DET Creative Caravan– includes round-trip transportation, accomodation at Hostel Detroit, and events attendance!

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Detroit: Celebration of Architecture // During Eastern Market After Dark

Thursday, September 25, 7–11pm (Shed 3, 2934 Russell Street, Eastern Market)

AIA Detroit’s annual architecture awards celebrate quality local design. This year PLAYGROUND DETROIT has been invited to  to present a PechaKucha speech about ‘community’ at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) during Eastern Market After Dark.

Eastern Market After Dark is Detroit’s premiere annual open house tour of historic Eastern Market’s creative venues featuring over 30+ studios, shops and other venues opening their doors to 3,000+ patrons. This self-guided evening tour provides a once-a-year opportunity for guests to explore more than 30 creative venues.

DDF Design Crawl

Friday, September 26th 4:30–8pm (Grand Circus Station, downtown)

Take a ride on the People Mover and enjoy a curated visit of Downtown Detroit’s most celebrated creative spaces! With 32 creative enterprises relocating to Detroit in four short years, the City’s design community is ripe with bustling design-forward businesses. Experience a curated series of venues and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of Detroit architectural gems and award-winning design studios. Facebook Event HERE.

DDF Design Village at DLECTRICITY

Friday, September 26, 7pm–midnight (Midtown Detroit)

Detroit’s nighttime festival of art + light, DLECTRICITY will feature 35 world-renowned and emerging artists whose leading-edge works of art will illuminate Midtown Detroit—from the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This year, DDF joins forces with DLECTRICITY to explore the juxtaposition between art and design. These two events will intersect September 26 and 27 and will further reinforce Detroit’s internationally recognized art scene and its growing center for design.

Light Up Livernois Encore/DDF Closing Party 

Sunday, September 28: noon–9pm (Livernois Community Storefront, 19410 Livernois)

The Avenue of Fashion presents a pedestrian-friendly block party showcasing the historic district of shopping, art and entertainment. There will be special community-led design installations, exhibitions and performances during these times. Many of these activities will be suitable for families. Home to leading design-driven industries, world-class educational facilities and the country’s highest concentration of industrial and commercial designers, Detroit is among North America’s foremost centers of design. Facebook Event HERE.

Swing Sound

Thursday, September 25, 2014 – 5PM, Eastern Market | Shed 2 | 2934 Russell Street | Detroit, MI 48207

Everyone loves to swing – young, old, tall or short!  Our swing incorporates a sail, made of reclaimed parachute material, creating a whoosh sound when in motion. With seven swings in line, you and your friends can come create music like sounds while relaxing on the swing in an urban environment.

Design in Motion

Saturday, September 27, 2014 – 5PM Tangent Gallery | 715 Milwaukee Ave. | Detroit, MI 48202

A huge hit over the past two years, Design in Motion (DIM Battles) has become a signature DDF event showcasing the Detroit underground design scene through a show car battle, a graffiti art battle and a Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment. Come enjoy DIM Battles, featured local DJs playing Detroit music, full cash bar and food! Facebook Event HERE.

On Hold

Wednesday September 24 – Sunday September 28, Eastern Market | 2934 Russell Street | Detroit, MI 48207

An art installation by art duo ĦYGIΣNIC DRΣ$$ LΣΛGUΣ that takesform of a room completely painted in gold from top to bottom with light projections, floating orbs, and echoing ambient sounds. Visitors will enter the room a few at a time to experience this unusual and surreal installation. The Installation will explore a moment when waiting on hold on the phone for a service representative surpasses frustration and reaches euphoria.

See below for the official event schedule!

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