Every year during the fall season, the city of Philadelphia transforms into a colorful playground for boundless creativity and a mobile showroom of local talent thanks to the DesignPhiladelphia Festival. For Drexel University students, this was a perfect opportunity to be inspired beyond the classroom and network in spaces that lift the pictures and words off your textbooks. This year marked its 20th anniversary, so naturally, expectations were high for an extra-special celebration that would showcase the vast scope of Philadelphia’s art, architecture and design scene. The festival kicked off on Oct. 1 at Cherry Street Pier, where — for the first time — admission was free, making it easy for anyone to participate. Ending Oct. 13, the festival has truly been one to remember, pulling together the most curious minds, designers, architects and art enthusiasts alike.
One of the highlights was the decision to make Philadelphia’s iconic Cherry Street Pier one of its main venues. Located at 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd., this waterfront venue served as a stunning backdrop for the event and continues to be a living, breathing canvas for some of the city’s top creative minds. In this space, festivalgoers could walk through several immersive installations and do activities that cross between both traditional and modern outlooks in the world of design.
Despite the varied design perspectives, styles and disciplines on display, one of the most prominent themes this year was inclusivity. The festival was commended for providing a platform for a diverse range of artists. For example, installations from local universities such as Thomas Jefferson University and Temple University’s Tyler School of Art were featured, encouraging young talent to shine. Along the same theme, another standout event was the ‘Design is Inclusive Exhibit’ which took place on Oct. 13 at the Center for DesignPhiladelphia at 1218 Arch St. This exhibit aimed to amplify the work of local streetwear designers regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or adversities they may face. Overall, the beauty of this festival was in its inclusiveness — whether you are a professional designer or just someone who enjoys eye-catching aesthetics, there was something for everyone.
One of the defining elements of DesignPhiladelphia is its dedication to interactivity. From multiple hands-on workshops, virtual reality experiences, immersive installations and the dissolved barrier between the designer and their audience, the festival has never been something to passively observe, but something to experience. A prime example of this is ‘Design Thinking Unplugged,’ a free event hosted by the architecture and interior design firm Ewing Cole at Haworth in Center City. The interactive, workshop-style event encouraged participants to co-create a dentist’s waiting room with features that could satisfy working moms with antsy toddlers, individuals sensitive to light or people coming in with special needs — reinforcing the idea that “design should empower, not hinder,” says Cole.
Another festival highlight that cannot go without mention was the “Have a Seat” exhibition by MillerKnoll — a playful yet inspiring tribute to iconic chair designs that took place on Tuesday evening Oct. 15. This was not your typical “look-but-don’t-touch” gallery. It was fully interactive. Those who attended were encouraged to sit on design classics, pose for pictures and experience firsthand how art and function show themselves in everyday objects. Each piece was not just a chair but a story and slice of design history, and guests had a fun time snapping and documenting the experience, making for the best Instagram-worthy photos.
As the festival drew to a close, it left behind a city buzzing with inspiration and was a great opportunity for Drexel students to use the city of Philadelphia as a resource for learning and networking. The festival was an opportunity to see the real-world application of their formal education and to spark a fresh perspective. By connecting with the local design community, Drexel students can feel motivated to contribute to the city’s vibrant creative landscape, network beyond the screens of their LinkedIn, and picture themselves in a world where they thrive post-graduation. From the Ben Franklin Parkway to Fishtown, this festival reminded everyone that design is more than what we see in galleries and museums but breathes through the very fabric of our streets, furniture and daily lives.
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