4 Unmissable Events at L.A.’s Design Festival

Los Angeles’s annual celebration of creativity takes over the city from June 7 through June 10, featuring an impressive schedule packed with exhibitions and events. Here are a few to mark on your calendar.

4 Unmissable Events at L.A.’s Design Festival

The L.A. Design Festival takes over ROW DTLA’s “Market Row.”

Courtesy of ROW DTLA

From June 7 to June 10, 2018, more than 100 special events will pop up throughout Los Angeles for the eighth annual L.A. Design Festival. The events—which range from multi-sensory design shows to installations, talks, tours, and parties—will be centered at the historic ROW DTLA but extend to locations around the city, including the Arts District, Culver City, and Long Beach. This year’s theme, “Design is for Everyone,” celebrates L.A.’s famed spirit of creative freedom. Art lovers in the area this weekend: These are some events you won’t want to miss.

Design Block Party

On Friday, June 8, the Design Block Party takes over ROW DTLA with a host of previews, parties, talks, and workshops that are free and open to the public from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The night will encompass a special preview of the inaugural World Design Gallery, showcasing work from international artists (RSVP required). Notable displays will also include a custom lounge from Japanese retail company Muji and a pop-up collaboration between concept store Poketo and Stockholm-based design brand Hem.

INTRO/LA

The immaculately curated INTRO/LA exhibition returns to the festival for its fourth year on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. The modern design show features a fresh mix of work from independent designers and brands, and it’s free and open to the public.

INTRO/LA showcases a cross-section of young and established independent design brands.

INTRO/LA showcases a cross-section of young and established independent design brands.

Photo by Robert Wedemeyer


Design, etc. LIVE

From June 8 through June 10, this three-day conversation series brings some of the year’s most influential drivers of design together to further the dialogue in front of a live audience. Speakers include creative directors, architects, interior designers, visual artists, and founders of companies that are pushing the boundaries of design innovation today. For the full list of 2018 speakers as well as individual event details, see here. Chromatic Dinner

This “neo-futurist dinner” experience created by Amsterdam-based artist Martin Butler and vegan chef Alexander Gershberg aims to rethink the relationship among food, art, and science. Hosted by Feastown at EASTOWN, the multi-sensory five course dinner blends gastronomy, art, and design. The Chromatic Dinner takes place on June 7, 8, and 9. Tickets cost $100.

The Chromatic Dinner offers multi-sensory experience for the design adventurous.

The Chromatic Dinner offers multi-sensory experience for the design adventurous.

Courtesy of Chromatic Dinner


For L.A. Design Festival’s complete 2018 schedule—which includes factory tours, weaving workshops, film screenings, and more—visit www.ladesignfestival.org. >>Next: Ditch the Car for These Wonderfully Walkable L.A. Neighborhoods

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