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about
We are committed to fostering a vibrant design economy that connects creatives, businesses, and communities.
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mission
We connect local creatives with business opportunities, advocate for the value of design across industries, and provide resources that empower designers, businesses, and organizations to thrive.
VALUES
Accessible Opportunities
Collaborative Relationships
Diverse Experiences
Collaborative Relationships
Diverse Experiences
inclusive
design
We believe design is a powerful tool for economic growth.
Our work is rooted in the principles of inclusive design, ensuring that people of all backgrounds, abilities, and communities have access to opportunities in the design economy. We champion human-centered, community-driven solutions, fostering collaboration, sustainability, and innovation in everything we do.
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Our
team
Kiana Wenzell
Co-executive Director, Design Core, Festival Director, Detroit Month of Design
Bonnie Fahoome
Co-executive Director, Design Core, Focal Point, UNESCO City of Design
Lizz Cardwell
Marketing + Communications, Design Core, Creative Director, Detroit Month of Design
Ashley Seay-Green
Operations + Logistics, Detroit Month of Design
Frances Bernardo
Business Programs + Community Engagement
Kevin Gilboe
Global Engagement Strategy + Mobility Programs
Sarah Sparkman
Partnerships + Fundraising
Charlotte Wilson
Office Administration
Zofia Pejas
Design Intern
UNESCO City of Design
Detroit is the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the U.S., recognized for its deep-rooted design legacy and innovative spirit. Through global exchange programs, talent showcases, and sustainability initiatives, we connect Detroit’s design community with the world, reinforcing our city's reputation as a center for creative excellence.
Detroit is one of the few cities that has fundamentally changed the way the world works, lives, and moves.
The cradle of American modernism, Detroit’s legacy as a global center of design is rich and includes Ray + Charles Eames, Florence + Hans Knoll, Minoru Yamasaki, Albert Kahn, Hubert Massey, Tracy Reese, Michael Ford, Rainey Hamilton, Daniel Libeskind.
Many credit Detroit as the city where the practice of industrial design was invented and perfected; with General Motors establishing one of the world’s first corporate design departments and College for Creative Studies establishing the world’s first transportation design curriculum during the 1930’s.
The infrastructure, workforce and youth educational programs in Detroit allow design to be the driving force behind Detroit's economic development. Design is not only a part of our history, but it also has the potential to drive us towards a better future.
Many credit Detroit as the city where the practice of industrial design was invented and perfected; with General Motors establishing one of the world’s first corporate design departments and College for Creative Studies establishing the world’s first transportation design curriculum during the 1930’s.
The infrastructure, workforce and youth educational programs in Detroit allow design to be the driving force behind Detroit's economic development. Design is not only a part of our history, but it also has the potential to drive us towards a better future.
10 Years
as a UNESCO City of Design
Since 2015
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Our
partners
We are committed to building a robust ecosystem of support for Detroit’s design community. Our partners span philanthropy, government, nonprofit organizations, academia, cultural institutions, community groups, and engaged individuals.
Featured Partners
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our communities
impact stories
Business Support
Michigan Central x Invest Detroit
Design Core developed the Marketing Services Fund Pilot, with support from Michigan Central and Invest Detroit, to help break down barriers for underserved businesses in the Michigan Central area and to spark growth across Southwest Detroit, Corktown, and North Corktown commercial corridors.
Eligible businesses are given grants for a range of marketing services provided by matched members of the Detroit Design Network, ensuring tailored, impactful support for each recipient.
By providing access to essential marketing design and visual communication services, this initiative empowers businesses that would otherwise be unable to afford them.
Eligible businesses are given grants for a range of marketing services provided by matched members of the Detroit Design Network, ensuring tailored, impactful support for each recipient.
By providing access to essential marketing design and visual communication services, this initiative empowers businesses that would otherwise be unable to afford them.
$95,000
Total grant funding awarded
87.5%
Women-owned
Month of Design
All Motion
In 2024, All Motion Studios, an artist collective, participated in three Detroit Month of Design festival programs, which resulted in $8,000 of additional revenue in 2024 and several collaboration contracts, including a month-long Holiday Market with Detroit Foundation Hotel.
Placed in front of
30,000+
Festival attendees
$8,000
Revenue from MOD 2024
Community Advocacy
Cadieux Stage
Cadieux Stage, a historic production studio and venue on Detroit’seastside, used Design Core’s events to relaunch their space. As a result, they have expanded their newsletter and subscriber pool, secured additional studio renters and hosted high-profile events, including the CCS Fashion Show and “For the Love Of” Detroit Month of Design event.
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Our
history
2010
Design Core Detroit founded
Originally launched as the Detroit Creative Corridor (DC3), Design Core forms to grow Detroit’s creative economy.
2011
Design Core introduces first creative business accelerator
Providing creative businesses with foundational support, education, and resources.
Inaugural Detroit Design Festival launches in Detroit
2015
Detroit becomes the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States
Design Core leads the yearlong application process, interviewing thousands of residents and leaders.
Detroit Design Network launches
Founded as Creative Co., the network launches to connect designers to opportunities & eachother.
2017
Detroit featured as Guest City of Honor at the 2017 Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale
Design Core sends a cohort of 70 Detroit creatives for major exhibitions and workshops.
City of Design Exchanges begin
Detroit designers exhibit at UNESCO partner events in Korea, Austria, France, and China.
2018
Design Core partners with AIA to hold Detroit’s first Commerce Design Awards
Competition celebrates the role of design in strengthening neighborhood business.
Year of growth, evolution & rebranding
Detroit Design Festival expands into Detroit Month of Design. DC3 rebrands as Design Core Detroit. Creative Co. grows into Detroit Design Network.
2019
Detroit City of Design Competition
UCCN teams design safer, walkable neighborhoods with winning prototypes installed in Grandmont Rosedale, Southwest Detroit and Hope Village.
Detroit Hosts UCCN Convening in Detroit
Design Core hosts 19 UNESCO Cities of Design in Detroit
2021
Inaugural Detroit City of Design Challenge Program
Teams provided with resources to expand resident-driven solutions for digital inclusion and access.
2022
Detroit designers showcased globally
Design Core sends local work to exhibitions in Florence, Italy and Querétaro, Mexico.
2023
Second City of Design Challenge Program launches
Focusing on Community Resiliency, the program expands, providing more than $100,000 in support.
2024
Detroit hosts International Street Design Challenge
Partnering with Cities of Design Curitiba, Wuhan, and Querétaro, the student competition explores how public space design can improve quality of life around the world.
Detroit designers honored with exhibition at Dundee Design Expo
2025
Design Core hosts Ecosystem Mapping
Design Core convenes creative-economy stakeholders to map out the next decade of Detroit’s economic growth.
Detroit Celebrates a decade of Detroit City of Design
Detroit hosts North American UCCN cities and caps the year with a citywide celebration of 10 years as a UNESCO City of Design during Detroit Month of Design.
2010
Design Core Detroit founded
Originally launched as the Detroit Creative Corridor (DC3), Design Core forms to grow Detroit’s creative economy.
2011
Design Core introduces first creative business accelerator
Providing creative businesses with foundational support, education, and resources.
Inaugural Detroit Design Festival launches in Detroit
2015
Detroit becomes the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States
Design Core leads the yearlong application process, interviewing thousands of residents and leaders.
Detroit Design Network launches
Founded as Creative Co., the network launches to connect designers to opportunities & eachother.
2017
Detroit featured as Guest City of Honor at the 2017 Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale
Design Core sends a cohort of 70 Detroit creatives for major exhibitions and workshops.
City of Design Exchanges begin
Detroit designers exhibit at UNESCO partner events in Korea, Austria, France, and China.
2018
Design Core partners with AIA to hold Detroit’s first Commerce Design Awards
Competition celebrates the role of design in strengthening neighborhood business.
Year of growth, evolution & rebranding
Detroit Design Festival expands into Detroit Month of Design. DC3 rebrands as Design Core Detroit. Creative Co. grows into Detroit Design Network.
2019
Detroit City of Design Competition
UCCN teams design safer, walkable neighborhoods with winning prototypes installed in Grandmont Rosedale, Southwest Detroit and Hope Village.
Detroit Hosts UCCN Convening in Detroit
Design Core hosts 19 UNESCO Cities of Design in Detroit
2021
Inaugural Detroit City of Design Challenge Program
Teams provided with resources to expand resident-driven solutions for digital inclusion and access.
2022
Detroit designers showcased globally
Design Core sends local work to exhibitions in Florence, Italy and Querétaro, Mexico.
2023
Second City of Design Challenge Program launches
Focusing on Community Resiliency, the program expands, providing more than $100,000 in support.
2024
Detroit hosts International Street Design Challenge
Partnering with Cities of Design Curitiba, Wuhan, and Querétaro, the student competition explores how public space design can improve quality of life around the world.
Detroit designers honored with exhibition at Dundee Design Expo
2025
Design Core hosts Ecosystem Mapping
Design Core convenes creative-economy stakeholders to map out the next decade of Detroit’s economic growth.
Detroit Celebrates a decade of Detroit City of Design
Detroit hosts North American UCCN cities and caps the year with a citywide celebration of 10 years as a UNESCO City of Design during Detroit Month of Design.
2010
Design Core Detroit founded
Originally launched as the Detroit Creative Corridor (DC3), Design Core forms to grow Detroit’s creative economy.
2011
Design Core introduces first creative business accelerator
Providing creative businesses with foundational support, education, and resources.
Inaugural Detroit Design Festival launches in Detroit
2015
Detroit becomes the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States
Design Core leads the yearlong application process, interviewing thousands of residents and leaders.
Detroit Design Network launches
Founded as Creative Co., the network launches to connect designers to opportunities & eachother.
2017
Detroit featured as Guest City of Honor at the 2017 Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale
Design Core sends a cohort of 70 Detroit creatives for major exhibitions and workshops.
City of Design Exchanges begin
Detroit designers exhibit at UNESCO partner events in Korea, Austria, France, and China.
2018
Design Core partners with AIA to hold Detroit’s first Commerce Design Awards
Competition celebrates the role of design in strengthening neighborhood business.
Year of growth, evolution & rebranding
Detroit Design Festival expands into Detroit Month of Design. DC3 rebrands as Design Core Detroit. Creative Co. grows into Detroit Design Network.
2019
Detroit City of Design Competition
UCCN teams design safer, walkable neighborhoods with winning prototypes installed in Grandmont Rosedale, Southwest Detroit and Hope Village.
Detroit Hosts UCCN Convening in Detroit
Design Core hosts 19 UNESCO Cities of Design in Detroit
2021
Inaugural Detroit City of Design Challenge Program
Teams provided with resources to expand resident-driven solutions for digital inclusion and access.
2022
Detroit designers showcased globally
Design Core sends local work to exhibitions in Florence, Italy and Querétaro, Mexico.
2023
Second City of Design Challenge Program launches
Focusing on Community Resiliency, the program expands, providing more than $100,000 in support.
2024
Detroit hosts International Street Design Challenge
Partnering with Cities of Design Curitiba, Wuhan, and Querétaro, the student competition explores how public space design can improve quality of life around the world.
Detroit designers honored with exhibition at Dundee Design Expo
2025
Design Core hosts Ecosystem Mapping
Design Core convenes creative-economy stakeholders to map out the next decade of Detroit’s economic growth.
Detroit Celebrates a decade of Detroit City of Design
Detroit hosts North American UCCN cities and caps the year with a citywide celebration of 10 years as a UNESCO City of Design during Detroit Month of Design.
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