The program
As part of Designing our Digital World we are bringing Adobe Create Now Festival to San Diego. Taking place at the Lane on September 16th.
We have also partnered with Qualcomm and the UC San Diego Design Lab to celebrate a dedicated Digital Design Day on September 18th at Qualcomm
Additionally we have several satellite events happening across town, refer to our programming for more details (bottom of this page).
The most powerful thing about this day isn’t the talks. It’s the connections it creates between design practitioners and the community.
— A reflection on Industry Day, since 2024
Adobe Create Now – September 16th
The Adobe Create Now San Diego Design Week event on September 16, 2026, is a free, in-person community mixer designed to inspire and connect local creatives through live demonstrations, expert insight, and networking.
Attendees will learn how to supercharge their workflows across Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Firefly, while featured local speakers Itzel Islas, Michael Fugoso, and Gabriela Cardona share their real-world design processes and inspirations.
The evening offers an informal, high-energy environment complete with free food, drinks, and a chance to win a Creative Cloud membership, making it a perfect opportunity for creators of all levels to connect and upgrade their skills.
Digital Design Day at Qualcomm – September 18th
This event brings together students, designers, researchers, technologists, and industry professionals to explore how emerging technologies are shaping the future of digital experiences. Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to connect with the San Diego design community through design showcases, panel discussions, workshops, speed mentoring, networking, and a career fair hosted at Qualcomm’s San Diego campus.
Whether you’re interested in the intersection between AI and User Experience (UX), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Product Design, Design Systems, or Human-Centered Design Digital Design Day offers an opportunity to learn from professionals working at the intersection of design and technology.
Attendees will have the chance to:
- Explore design showcases and demonstrations
- Participate in discussions about designing with AI
- Connect with Qualcomm employees and industry leaders
- Take part in speed mentoring sessions
- Network with members of the San Diego design community
- Learn about careers and opportunities at Qualcomm
Visit Qualcomm’s career fair table to meet employees from across design-focused disciplines, learn about the work being done at Qualcomm, and explore career paths that combine design, technology, and innovation.
We welcome university students, recent graduates, early-career professionals, experienced designers, researchers, and members of the broader design community who are interested in how design and technology come together to solve real-world challenges.
Free. On Purpose.
Every session is free because access to professional development shouldn’t be a luxury. Design Week is a common table — come as you are, bring what you know.
