As a UNESCO City of Design, Detroit is part of a network of 34 cities around the world using design to improve the lives of everyday people. This designation puts Detroit's design assets to work, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for all Detroit residents.
As a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), our goal is to establish Detroit's unique role as a global leader in inclusive design through collaborative action.
Photo by Alex Brisbey on Unsplash
There are over 5,000 core design businesses in the region, employing approximately 80,000 people across multiple industries including landscape architecture, interior design, computer…
For more than two years, Detroiters have worked to adapt to many unexpected circumstances. But this is not new for our community, which has experienced many shocks over time…
Creatives find their inspiration in Detroit’s galleries, 22 theaters and performance venues, 11 museums and libraries and world-renowned architecture.
Students can choose from a wide range of top-rated programs spanning many disciplines at the College for Creative Studies, University of Michigan Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, Cranbrook Academy of Art,… Lawrence Technological University, Wayne State University, and the University of Detroit Mercy.
Companies like General Motors, Ford, FCA, GE and Masco base their design research here.
BECOME A GLOBAL LEADER IN INCLUSIVE DESIGN
In 2018, Design Core unveiled the Detroit City of Design Action Plan. The process spanned 18 months and to included the input of over 1000 Detroiters and stakeholders. The vision, strategy and recommendations are the final outcome of the organization’s year-long process to activate Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design Designation and drive inclusive and equitable growth through 2025.
Focused on using creativity as a driver for sustainable and equitable development around the world.
By designing for people that may seem like the exception in society, we can design places, products, services, and systems that work for all people in society.
Have travelled abroad to cities like Seoul, South Korea, and Saint-Etienne, France.
Inclusive design is a set of approaches to create solutions that understand and enable people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusive design may address accessibility, age, culture, economic situation, education, gender, geographic location, language, and race. Inclusive design is at the core of everything we do at Design Core Detroit.
BECOME A LOCAL LEADER IN INCLUSIVE DESIGN
In support of our goal to be a global leader in inclusive design we develop and share resources and tools for you—our members, partners, and communities—and curate them in our Inclusive Design Library. These resources will educate and empower you to create with an inclusive mindset. Our Guide for Working with the Community is a great place to start. In it, you’ll learn more about how to work with residents and community members to develop inclusive solutions where you live.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCY
For more than two years, Detroiters have worked to adapt to many unexpected circumstances. But this is not new for our community, which has experienced many shocks over time – whether environmental, health, social, or economic. Detroiters have proven their resiliency, innovation and perseverance through it all.
Design Core’s 2023 City of Design Challenge will explore ways to increase community connections and unify residents in times of disruption.
City of Design Challenges are designed to put the needs of existing residents at the center of the design and development of innovative strategies for their neighborhoods’ future. This Challenge will explore resident driven ideas for unifying communities and building neighborhood resiliency throughout the city.
The 2023 Detroit City of Challenge is led by Design Core Detroit, in partnership with Community Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) and CultureSource, and made possible with financial support from the Hudson Webber Foundation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHALLENGES
