Design Fest 2025 Conference

Join AIGA Maine for a day of inspiring talks and workshops on design, community, and connection.

About this Event


Join us for a full-day creative conference at the heart of Design Fest 2025, hosted by AIGA Maine at the beautiful Portland Museum of Art. This event brings together designers, makers, and thinkers for a series of dynamic talks, collaborative sessions, and meaningful connections.

We’ll explore this year’s theme—connections—through the lens of creative collaboration, identity, ethics, and storytelling.

🎤 Sessions & Speakers:

• Keynote: Balancing Connections for Teamwork
  with Illustrator & Art Director, Kirk Wallace (Bonehaus) and Creative Director & Brand Designer, Adam Danielson (Ducktail) on creative partnerships
• Adobe Presents: Supporting Emerging Designers
  a spotlight from our sponsor on empowering the next generation of creatives
• Talk: Community Collabs
  with Portland-based Muralist Ryan Adams & Multidisciplinary Artist Rachel Gloria Adams
• Talk: Queer by Design
  with Portland-based Creative Director and Founder, Rebecca Brooker (Queer Design Club, Planthouse Studio)
• Workshop: Creative Connections Through Mapping
  with Creative Catalyst & Facilitator of Possibility, Anne Ditmeyer
• Roundtable: AI Ethics in Design
  moderated by Professor of New Media, Andrew Elijah Edwards (SMCC)

Plus, opening remarks from the AIGA Maine Board, a delicious catered lunch, and a door prize drawing (including a free year-long Adobe CC subscription 🎉).

🍽 Perks:

• Lunch provided
• Swag and door prizes, including a 12-month Adobe CC subscription for one lucky winner

💡 Sponsors:

• (Design Fest 2025 Sponsor)
• (Design Fest 2025 Venue Sponsor)
• (Design Fest 2025 Print Sponsor)

🅿️ Parking

Garage parking available nearby — details linked via Portland Museum of Art.

Agenda


🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Doors Open & Welcome
Host: AIGA Maine

Info: Get settled in and hear opening remarks from the AIGA Maine President.

🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Adobe Presents: Supporting Emerging Designers
Host: Adobe

Info: A special session from Design Fest 2025 sponsor, Adobe on fostering the next generation of creatives.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Keynote: Balancing Connections for Teamwork
Host: Kirk Wallace

Info: Kirk Wallace (Art Director & Illustrator, Bonehaus) & Adam Danielson (Creative Director & Brand Designer, Ducktail) share insights on designing better creative partnerships.

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Presentation: Community Collabs
Host: Ryan Adams

Info: Ryan Adams and Rachel Gloria Adams, the Portland-based muralist/artist duo behind Piece Together Project and Over Here Studio on creating impact through collaborative art.

🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Presentation: Queer by Design
Host: Rebecca Brooker

Info: Portland-based Founder of Queer Design Club, Rebecca Brooker (Creative Director, Planthouse Studio) with a heartfelt talk on showing up, speaking up, and finding your people.

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Workshop: Creative Connections Through Mapping
Host: Anne Ditmeyer

Info: Creative Catalyst + Facilitator of Possibility, Anne Ditmeyer leads an interactive illustration session on place, story, and self-reflection.

🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:00 PM
Roundtable Talk: The Ethics of AI in Design
Host: Andrew Elijah Edwards

Info: A thoughtful group discussion unpacking the role of AI in creative work and society moderated by Artist & Educator, Andrew Elijah Edwards .

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Wrap-Up & Door Prize Drawing
Host: AIGA Maine

Info: We’ll send you off with gratitude—and maybe some swag. One lucky winner will receive a free year-long Adobe CC subscription.

Also check out other Arts events in Portland, Festivals in Portland, Business events in Portland.