Come be part
of something
wonderful




SDDW volunteers are the warmth behind Design Week. You’ll work side-by-side with our small, passionate organizing team to bring 80+ free events to life — from intimate morning workshops to the big Opening Night celebration.

No design background needed. What we’re really looking for is someone who genuinely cares about their community and shows up with a good attitude. We’ll handle the rest — full orientation, clear roles, and people around you who are happy to help.

“I showed up not knowing anyone. By the end of the week, I had a new job and a group of friends I still have today.”

— SDDW 2024 Volunteer

When

September 2026 — specific shift dates confirmed upon placement. Most volunteers commit to 2–4 shifts across the week.


Where

Venues across San Diego including Point Loma, Balboa Park, and downtown event spaces. Locations confirmed closer to the event.


Time Commitment

Typically 4–6 hours per shift. We work around your schedule — early morning setup, daytime events, and evening sessions available.


What You’ll Get

A volunteer shirt, free event access, an invitation to the volunteer appreciation event, and a whole lot of gratitude.


Who Can Apply

A volunteer shirt, free event access, an invitation to the volunteer appreciation event, and a whole lot of gratitude.

We keep things simple and human. Volunteers are the heart of SDDW and we want you to feel supported, valued, and genuinely glad you came.

We just ask that you come to a quick orientation beforehand, show up on time for your shifts, and give us a heads-up if anything changes. The rest, we figure out together as a team.

Attend Orientation

One mandatory session (virtual or in-person) held two weeks before Design Week


Commit to Your Shifts

2–4 shifts of 4–6 hours each. We match your availability as best we can


Wear the Volunteer Shirt

Provided free — it’s how attendees know you’re the person to find


Be Communicative

Use our volunteer Slack channel to stay in sync with your team lead


Bring Good Energy

Seriously. That’s the most important thing on this whole list