Design conferences you can’t miss in 2026 and 2027

This list covers the top design conferences happening in late 2026 and into 2027, organized by region. Whether you work in UX, the visual arts, , or another creative field, you’ll find events here worth planning a trip around.

Design conferences take place around the world all year long. You’ll have plenty of options catering to every niche in the creative industries, so do your research based on your location, budget, and what you want to get out of the event. We’ve included dates and locations where organizers have announced them—for recurring events without a confirmed next edition, we’ve noted when they typically run.

Design conferences in the US

These are the can’t-miss design events taking place in the US:

Config 2026

San Francisco, CA + online | June 23–25, 2026

Config is Figma’s annual conference and one of the biggest gatherings on the design calendar. Expect three days of sessions on design, product development, and AI from leaders across the industry, plus a first look at Figma’s newest features.

If you can’t make it to Moscone Center in person, the virtual option is free.

CreativePro Week

Nashville, TN + online | June 29–July 3, 2026

If you’re a creative working with the Adobe product suite, this is the conference for you. Suitable for all skill levels, CreativePro Week covers the how-tos of tools like InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat across more than 70 practical sessions.

An at-home pass is available if you’d rather attend remotely.

SIGGRAPH 2026

Los Angeles, CA | July 19–23, 2026

SIGGRAPH is the long-running conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, bringing together digital artists, animators, researchers, and industry leaders. The 53rd edition lands at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

It’s an essential event if you work at the intersection of design, technology, and visual storytelling.

Insight Out 2026

San Francisco, CA | September 29–30, 2026

Insight Out is our own conference, designed for senior leaders in design, research, product management, product operations, and . Expect hands-on workshops, sessions on scaling customer intelligence, and proven frameworks from leaders across tech, healthcare, finance, and more.

The 2026 edition takes place at the Palace of Fine Arts.

Adobe MAX 2026

Miami Beach, FL + online | November 10–12, 2026

Adobe MAX is one of the biggest creativity conferences in the world, drawing more than 12,000 designers, photographers, illustrators, and video creators. The 2026 edition moves to the Miami Beach Convention Center, with preconference sessions on November 8–9 and a selection of sessions streamed online for free.

It’s the place to see Adobe’s latest releases and learn directly from working creatives.

Design conferences in Europe

For those of you based in or able to travel to Europe, here are our top recommendations:

SmashingConf Freiburg

Freiburg, Germany + online | September 7–10, 2026

SmashingConf, run by the team behind Smashing Magazine, is a friendly, practical event for web designers and developers. The Freiburg edition takes place in the city’s Historic Merchants’ Hall and combines single-track talks with hands-on workshops.

SmashingConf also runs editions in other European cities, so check the organizer’s site if Freiburg doesn’t suit.

Leading Design London

London, UK | November 11–12, 2026

Leading Design is the conference for design leaders and managers. Rather than focusing on craft, the talks cover leadership, influence, org design, and strategy—ideal if you run a design team or want to.

The 2026 edition takes place at the Barbican Centre.

OFFF Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain | runs annually, typically in spring

OFFF is a three-day festival where creative professionals immerse themselves in a world of inspiration, with workshops, keynotes, and immersive performances. It focuses on innovation across digital arts, motion, graphic, and sound design.

The 2026 edition ran in April at Disseny Hub Barcelona; keep an eye out for 2027 dates.

Design conferences in Asia-Pacific

Here are the best design conferences taking place in the Asia-Pacific region:

The Design Conference

Brisbane, Australia | June 17–19, 2026

Explore the future of design with other creatives at Brisbane Powerhouse. The Design Conference offers talks, workshops, and networking, with an emphasis on what design really means to the creatives behind it.

It’s a chance to explore why we design and the impact the answer has on the and designer.

SIGGRAPH Asia 2026

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | December 1–4, 2026

This is the go-to conference in Asia for digital artists, animators, game designers, and anyone else excited about design and technology. The 19th edition takes place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre—the first time the event lands in Malaysia’s capital.

You’re sure to come away with new ideas (and a wish list of emerging tech).

Why should you attend a design conference?

Whether you work in UX, graphic design, , or game design, you should consider attending a design conference to bolster your professional skills and network.

Conferences are about more than just exchanging business cards with other designers on a work-funded vacation. They are valuable opportunities to share insights, explore emerging trends, and rethink the role of design in the modern world. A conference could inspire your next project and teach you new skills that you can take back to your team and implement to smash your organizational goals.

If you ever find yourself having to justify attending a conference that you think would be helpful to you and your company, keep these benefits in mind:

Boosting inspiration and creativity: conferences can recharge your creative batteries by exposing you to new ideas, techniques, and tools. You might come away with a fresh plan for an old idea or be ready to present something new to your team.
Staying up-to-date on emerging design technology: conferences allow you to learn about and test new digital tools, including rapidly evolving AI and VR technologies. You can experience emerging tech first-hand to see if you want to incorporate it into your current and future work. Designers must also stay up-to-date on sustainable materials, and conferences can offer many insights in this area.
Learning from experts: conferences allow you to learn from industry pioneers and thought leaders. You can gain insights that reshape how you approach design challenges. They might inspire you to expand your skill set or try new approaches.
Exploring the why behind design: keynote talks, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions are great for building your knowledge base and exposing yourself to new ideas. These sessions often go beyond how to design and explore the why. Exploring why we design can result in more impactful products.
Growing your professional network: networking with other creative professionals is one of the best benefits of attending a design conference. You’ll be able to meet other designers, developers, and creatives who can help you achieve your professional goals.
Finding potential collaborators: conferences enable you to meet potential partners who can bring new skills and perspectives to your next project, pushing the boundaries and making it better than you could on your own.

Opportunities to participate

Buying a ticket to a design conference is the first step, but meaningful participation is the best way to get the most out of these events.

Attending sessions

Conferences are a great place to explore new areas of design and potentially expand your skill set.

Whether you are an industry newcomer or a long-time design veteran, attending sessions can help expand your skills and inspire new ideas. Look for workshops where you can practice new skills and connect with others in your industry. Don’t be afraid to try something new and challenge yourself.

Presenting

Presenting at a design conference is an excellent way to build your professional profile and connect with other industry leaders.

If you are a leader in your industry, start approaching design conferences with ideas for workshops, talks, or hands-on demonstrations. Conferences want to work with creative professionals who bring something unique to the table, whether that’s an insight into their creative process, a , or a skill they can teach others.

Showcase your work or ideas

Showcasing your work or ideas at a design conference is a powerful way to stand out and connect with others in your field.

A design conference may allow you to participate in poster presentations or exhibit areas where you can visually display your design projects or research. Here, you can engage directly with attendees who are curious about your work and build your personal or company profile.

If the conference offers pitch sessions, take the chance to present your ideas succinctly to an audience of industry professionals.