Design Core Detroit

DETROIT IS THE FIRST AND ONLY UNESCO CITY OF DESIGN IN THE U.S.

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.

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Photo by Alex Brisbey on Unsplash

What Makes Detroit A City Of Design?

Talent

Talent

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…

Community

Community

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…

Cultural Institutions

Cultural Institutions

Creatives find their inspiration in Detroit’s galleries, 22 theaters and performance venues, 11 museums and libraries and world-renowned architecture.

Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions

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.

Research & Development

Research & Development

Companies like General Motors, Ford, FCA, GE and Masco base their design research here.

What Is A Unesco City Of Design?

The Creative Cities Network is a privileged partner of UNESCO, not only as a platform for reflection on the role of creativity as a lever for sustainable development but also as a breeding ground of action and innovation. As one of 246 cities in this network, we place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of our development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.

What Is A Unesco City Of Design?

Our Shared Vision

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.

Local Impact, Global Influence

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Cities Worldwide

Focused on using creativity as a driver for sustainable and equitable development around the world.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive Design

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.

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Detroit Designers

Have travelled abroad to cities like Seoul, South Korea, and Saint-Etienne, France.

The Impact Of City Of Design
The Impact Of City Of Design

DESIGN WEEK IN SINGAPORE

Our Executive Director, Olga Stella, and our Detroit Design Network member, Unsold Studio, were invited by our counterparts in Singapore, Design Singapore Council, to participate in their annual Design Week! Meag and Lil from Unsold Studio had the opportunity to present at the UNESCO Creative Cities of Design Public Forum.

What Is A Unesco City Of Design?
What Is A Unesco City Of Design?

The Creative Cities Network is a privileged partner of UNESCO, not only as a platform for reflection on the role of creativity as a lever for sustainable development but also as a breeding ground of action and innovation. As one of 246 cities in this network, we place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of our development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.

What Is Inclusive Design?

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.

What Is Inclusive Design?

2023 City Of Design Challenge

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
2023 City Of Design Challenge

2023 City Of Design Challenge