What We Do
Indy Design Week (IDW) is a citywide design festival in Indianapolis dedicated to elevating the local design community and highlighting the role design plays in culture, business, and everyday life. Founded in 2018, Indy Design Week has grown into an annual platform for Indianapolis creatives, designers, students, and curious minds to connect, learn, and share ideas across disciplines — all while shining a spotlight on the talent shaping Indy today.
At its core, Indy Design Week exists to celebrate Indy — the people, ideas, and creative momentum shaping our city.
Rooted in Indianapolis, Powered by Local Creatives
The “Indy” in Indy Design Week is intentional.
Our programming is built by, and for, Indianapolis designers and makers. Each year, local creatives lead talks, host workshops, and share their work, offering a firsthand look at the innovation shaping the Indianapolis design community every single day.
From branding and architecture to fashion, interiors, digital design, and industrial innovation, Indy Design Week highlights the momentous progress being made by creatives whose work reaches far beyond city limits, influencing industries and communities across the country.
“We see Indy Design Week as the intersection for all the different areas of design,” says Executive Director Tori Witter. “Our goal is to inspire collaboration and connection within Indianapolis’ creative community.”
By centering local voices, Indy Design Week positions Indianapolis not just as a place where design happens — but as a place where design leads.
A Community-Driven Design Festival
Indy Design Week is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization, led by designers and creatives who believe collaboration is essential to meaningful growth.
Rather than focusing on a single discipline, IDW brings together professionals, students, and enthusiasts from across industries through design events in Indianapolis hosted throughout the city. These experiences are intentionally accessible, welcoming, and grounded in real-world creative practice.
Whether you’re a seasoned designer, early in your career, or simply interested in how design shapes our world, Indy Design Week is designed to meet you where you are — and invite you into the community.
A Playground for Designers
Indy Design Week is designed as a playground for creatives — a chance to step away from routine, experiment freely, and rediscover the joy of making.
Across the week, participants are invited to explore new skills, ideas, and creative processes through hands-on experiences and interactive programming. It’s an environment that values curiosity just as much as expertise, and learning just as much as networking.
At IDW, growth doesn’t only come from listening; it comes from doing.
Design as a Tool for Impact
Indy Design Week believes design can do more than look good. It can challenge assumptions, solve complex problems, and create meaningful change.
Each year, IDW selects a unifying theme that invites the community to explore design through a broader cultural, social, or human lens. These conversations encourage designers to think more deeply about the impact of their work — on businesses, communities, and society.
Inclusivity and access are central to this mission. Indy Design Week prioritizes diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring programming reflects the richness of Indianapolis’ creative community while creating opportunities for underrepresented and emerging talent.
Rooted in Indy, Connected Globally
While Indy Design Week is proudly rooted in Indianapolis, its reach extends far beyond the city.
As a member of World Design Weeks, IDW is part of an international network of design festivals that connect creatives across cultures and continents. This global connection allows Indianapolis creatives to share their work with broader audiences — positioning Indy as an active contributor to the global design conversation.
More Than a Week
Though the festival takes place annually, Indy Design Week’s impact continues year-round. Through partnerships, community collaborations, and ongoing initiatives, IDW is committed to building a creative ecosystem where designers feel supported, inspired, and empowered to grow.
Whether you attend an event, volunteer your time, collaborate as a partner, or simply join the conversation, Indy Design Week is an open invitation to engage with design — and with one another — in meaningful ways.
Join the Community
Indy Design Week is more than a design festival. It’s a creative community built around curiosity, experimentation, and connection — grounded in Indianapolis and open to all.
Explore upcoming design events in Indianapolis, discover ways to get involved with Indy Design Week, and be part of a movement celebrating the creatives shaping our city today.
