Programs
unesco city of design
Design Core connects local action to global context, allowing Detroit-based creatives to interact with the world at-large.
Design Core is proud to steward Detroit’s designation as the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the U.S.

As part of our stewardship, we host and implement programs for Detroit-based designers to display their talent on the global stage.
UNESCO City of Design Program

Global Exchange Work

Through the UNESCO Network, we provide opportunities for Detroit-based designers to showcase their talent & connect to the global design community.
Wonder Festival 2025
Amanda Brezzel from Fennigan's Farms, past Detroit City of Design Challenge participant, was invited to exhibit their work in the Wonder Festival in Kortrijk, Belgium, a UNESCO City of Design.
2025 • Kortrijk, Belgium
Hyper Local
For Dundee’s 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Design, Detroit was one of nine featured cities contributing objects and ideas showcasing diverse design cultures across the globe. Detroit’s featured designers included Pewabic, Tracy Reese, Carhartt, Rebel Nell, Third Man Records and Kristian Verano.
2024 • Dundee, Scotland
Ken Walker shows at Italian Fashion Show
Fashion designer Ken Walker showcased his clothing line, the K. Walker Collective, at the Pitti Immagine Uomo men’s fashion event.
2023 • Florence, Italy
Urban design innovation in Mexico
Design Core sent representatives to Querétaro, a UNESCO City of Design, to foster knowledge exchange in urban development.
2022 • Querétaro, Mexico
Worldwide Things Exhibition
Design Core sent the work of Detroit Designers to participate in the Worldwide Things Exhibition, which presented a selection of 120 products from seven UNESCO Cities of Design, Puebla, Istanbul, Mexico City, Detroit, Saint-Etienne, Singapore & Graz.
2019 - Graz, Austria
International Design Biennale
As the Guest City of Honor, Design Core brought 70 Detroit creatives to the Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale, participating in a number of talks and mounting three independent exhibitions that were seen by over a million visitors.
2017 - St. Etienne, France
Shenzhen Design Awards
The Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents (SDAY) recognizes emerging designers advancing sustainability, social and economic development, and urban quality of life. The program strengthens exchange across UNESCO Creative Cities, and included a winning team from Detroit alongside peers from Dundee, Puebla, Wuhan, St-Étienne and Beijing.
2017 - Shenzen, China
Other UNESCO CIty of Design Programs
Education
Street Design Challenge
Two-day competition for international university students to improve city streetscapes and public spaces in cities around the world. In collaboration with UNESCO Cities of Design.
Our 2024 challenge →
Policy
Design Ecosystem Mapping
Mapping Detroit's design ecosystem to assess its strengths and opportunities, and co-create impactful policy actions.
Our 2025 report →
Business
Design Economy Council
Board of influential leaders from design firms, cultural institutions, and universities working to share insights and opportunities that strengthen Detroit’s creative economy.
Thought Leadership
UNESCO Solutions Share
International cooperation and exchange of ideas across our network of 350+ partner cities around the globe through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Resources →
Education
Street Design Challenge
Two-day competition for international university students to improve city streetscapes and public spaces in cities around the world. In collaboration with UNESCO Cities of Design.
Our 2024 challenge →
Policy
Design Ecosystem Mapping
Mapping Detroit's design ecosystem to assess its strengths and opportunities, and co-create impactful policy actions.
Our 2025 report →
Business
Design Economy Council
Group of interdisciplinary stakeholders from government, academia, cultural institutions, and business to share projects, stories, and data.
Thought Leadership
UNESCO Solutions Share
International cooperation and exchange of ideas and solutions across a network of global partners, where Detroit both learns from and inspires 350+ cities. In collaboration with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
City of Design’s library of resources →
Design Network
The Detroit Design Network is a community of design professionals and businesses. Members gain exclusive access to industry resources, visibility opportunities, and business development programs.
Join a vibrant, diverse, and influential design ecosystem
Gain business development support and networking opportunities
Showcase your work through regional and global platforms
''Through Design Core, we’ve had the chance to collaborate with inspiring awardees on projects like content creation, web design, collateral design, and copywriting. It’s been incredible to see the impact of Detroit’s creativity and entrepreneurial energy.''
- backtalk detroit
Want to join the network?
Apply Now →
Design jam
A hands-on problem-solving workshop leveraging design thinking to tackle real-world challenges.
Get involved with our 2026 Design Jam  →
500+
participants trained in Inclusive Design
48
prototypes developed 
80
adaptive athletes & experts involved
Inspiring Innovation
Inclusive Design in Action
Interdisciplinary teams come together in a state of the art laboratory to collectively brainstorm and prototype adaptive products and apparel. The two-day design sprint workshop provides experiential learning and professional development skills for students, interdisciplinary professionals, designers and interested members of the general public. Participants gain empathy and listening skills, learn how to apply the principles of inclusive design to their practice, and initiate professional relationships across sectors and industries.
tech + innovation
As a key partner in Detroit’s growing tech startup ecosystem, Design Core Detroit connects deep design expertise to new opportunities.

Past collaborations include Black Tech Saturdays, Google Code Next, and TechTown Detroit’s startup hub.
Design Core x Global Epicenter of Mobility
We amplify the competitiveness of Detroit’s regional mobility ecosystem
As part of the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) serving the Detroit Region, we work with startup accelerators, talent developers, community advocates and investors to champion inclusive design and community-focused mobility solutions.  
Mobility Accelerator Innovation Network
We drive innovation in the mobility value chain by accelerating the growth of mobility startups
Mobility Accelerator Innovation Network (MAIN) is one of the six GEM initiatives, focused on creating partner alignment and capacity to support more fundable, accessible and successful mobility companies.
client services bootcamp
A business accelerator for designers and creative professionals with client-facing businesses to improve their processes, attract and retain more clients, strengthen operations, and increase profitability.
Subscribe for updates on our next Bootcamp  →
consulting
Leverage Design Core’s vast expertise and experience in developing Detroit’s creative economy. Partner with us to develop programs, host events, solve design challenges, and engage with our thriving communities.
Our Services
Contact us about partnership opportunities  →
Inclusive Design Training
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We provide guidance and support on adopting Inclusive Design principles at work, including but not limited to the development of commercial and public spaces, mobility initiatives, and community impact projects. We work with businesses, governments, nonprofits and communities on how to utilize design practices for more desirable products, places and programs.

Public Speaking
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We specialize in thought-provoking discussions on design and Detroit, and bring deep expertise to public speaking engagements. Previous topics have included community engagement, Inclusive Design, creative business coaching, UNESCO and more.

Coalition Building
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We bring Detroiters together. Partner with us to deeply understand and center Detroit’s communities in your work. Our coalition building services include event planning, community engagement, consulting on our community expertise, and more.

Program Development
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We have developed countless programs for partners, including Design in the City for Gucci Changemakers, Shop & See for Bedrock, the Minigrant Program for Invest Detroit, Design Guides, and the City of Design Challenge. Have an idea? Contact us to see how we can help you bring it to life.

Inclusive Design Training
We provide guidance and support on adopting Inclusive Design principles at work, including but not limited to the development of commercial and public spaces, mobility initiatives, and community impact projects. We work with businesses, governments, nonprofits and communities on how to utilize design practices for more desirable products, places and programs.
Public Speaking
We specialize in thought-provoking discussions on design and Detroit, and bring deep expertise to public speaking engagements. Previous topics have included community engagement, Inclusive Design, creative business coaching, UNESCO and more.
Coalition Building
We bring Detroiters together. Partner with us to deeply understand and center Detroit’s communities in your work. Our coalition building services include event planning, community engagement, consulting on our community expertise, and more.
Program Development
We have developed countless programs for partners, including Design in the City for Gucci Changemakers, Shop & See for Bedrock, the Minigrant Program for Invest Detroit, Design Guides, and the City of Design Challenge. Have an idea? Contact us to see how we can help you bring it to life.
previous programs
Design Microgrants
We partnered with Invest Detroit to create microgrants for small and independent businesses in Detroit to receive design services. Our microgrant program has enabled countless Detroit-based businesses to partner with Detroit-based designers for web design, social media, marketing, and other needed services.
Global Epicenter for Mobility (GEM)
Through College for Creative Studies, Design Core participated in the regional coalition led by the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) that successfully secured $52M in funding from the Economic Development Administration to create a smart, secure, sustainable, and inclusive advanced-mobility industry.
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum tapped Design Core to help it think about local engagement for its Centre for Urban Transformation in Detroit. Design Core engaged two Design Network members, Henry Ford Learning Institute and Bloom Design Co, to lead a participatory design process to inform the Centre’s development.
City of Design Challenge
In 2021 and 2023, Design Core facilitated the Detroit City of Design Challenge program, a platform to identify and uplift resident-driven projects improving or enhancing conditions in their communities around specific themes. Participants received both financial support and technical assistance to advance their work.

past challenge winners

East Canfield Innovation Hub

The Innovation Hub is a space dedicated to improving the lives of Detroit residents by inspiring innovation and expanding opportunities to problem solve. The Hub provides tools and space for residents and creatives to connect, nurture ideas and workshop solutions, and mobilize innovation quickly.

Fennigan’s Farms

Afro-AgroFuture Design Space and Community Kitchen Table: This project created a physical space for neighbors and visitors to experience the ways that sustainable design and agriculture can work together to rebuild in areas that have experienced disinvestment.

This model is designed to be replicated across the City of Detroit, in disaster zones, and locations where communities are vulnerable.

Solar Party Detroit

Solar Party Detroit, is a Detroit-based, women-owned company that seeks to educate clients and the general public about solar power, while making clean, mobile, electricity more accessible. Since 2016, they’ve worked with clients across many sectors and disciplines to power small and large-scale events. For their City of Design Program project, they provided Detroit musicians with an off-grid workspace where they can run their equipment on 100% solar infrastructure, and learn the basics of photovoltaics and other clean energy sources. The residency culminated in an off-grid, solar-powered musical presentation held on Earth Day each year. 

The JOY Project

Through the City of Design Program,  theJOYproject expanded their campus to better support community resiliency in times of crisis.

The Joy Project designed an accessible All Season's structure used as a gathering space, equipped with a community Kitchen, methane digester, Solar and Wi-Fi accessible to community members in the area.

McDougall-Hunt Social Off-grid Urban Landscape (SOUL)

The McDougall-Hunt Neighborhood Sustainable Redevelopment Implementation Plan is a sustainable set of strategies that work together to envision a holistic neighborhood future that is driven by McDougall-Hunt community members.

The community open space incorporates off-grid energy solutions (wind, solar), run-off mitigation (permeable hardscaping and native plantings) into a relaxing, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible space. This project also works to restore native habitat for plants and small animals, enhancing the ecological resilience of our city.

Urban Acupuncture

The Urban Acupuncture Alley Activation project, a collaboration between Rescue MI Nature Now and the University of Michigan, aims to create an Alley Activation Toolkit empowering communities to rejuvenate alleys and address urban challenges like flooding, blight, and pollution; Rescue MI Nature Now offers resources and workshops to guide residents in initiating lasting neighborhood transformations.

Program Development
We partnered with Invest Detroit to create microgrants for small and independent businesses in Detroit to receive design services. Our microgrant program has enabled countless Detroit-based businesses to partner with Detroit-based designers for web design, social media, marketing, and other needed services.
Global Epicenter for Mobility (GEM)
Through College for Creative Studies, Design Core participated in the regional coalition led by the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) that successfully secured $52M in funding from the Economic Development Administration to create a smart, secure, sustainable, and inclusive advanced-mobility industry.
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum tapped Design Core to help it think about local engagement for its Centre for Urban Transformation in Detroit. Design Core engaged two Design Network members, Henry Ford Learning Institute and Bloom Design Co, to lead a participatory design process to inform the Centre’s development.
collaborate
With us