World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024

08/20/2025

Last week, we wrapped up our Spotlight Series, and what a ride it's been!

From to , these conversations showcased our region's top creative talent and innovation.

Huge thanks to our speakers, moderators, and attendees for sharing their passion and energy. And to our partners and sponsors, your support for design and community made each event unforgettable.

The Spotlight Series may be over, but its impact will continue shaping San Diego + Tijuana.
Here's to designing a brighter future, together! 🇺🇸🇲🇽✨

Burnham Center for Community Advancement

07/18/2025

This week, we gathered at THE LOT to celebrate what makes this region extraordinary: bold ideas, visionary design, and the power of cross-sector collaboration.

The Spotlight Series, a signature event of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, brought together leaders shaping the future of mobility, health, and education — and reminded us why design matters.

From rethinking the car as a human-centered space at Nissan, to building trust into wearable health tech, AI in design, and empowering the next generation of design-minded learners — the conversations were thoughtful, energizing, and deeply rooted in purpose.

We’re especially grateful to our moderator, Brian LeDuc, Design Strategist + Education consultant at Learning, Designed,and to our featured speakers: Alex Diener – Senior Director of Global Product Design, Dexcom, David R. Woodhouse – Vice President, Nissan Motor Corporation, Mai Thi Nguyen, – Director UC San Diego Design Lab and Colleen O’Boyle – Associate Head of School, La Jolla Country Day School.

Thank you to our partners , , , Steve & Stephanie Willians, our host , and everyone who filled the room with curiosity, energy, and momentum.

And we’re not done yet! The next chapter of Spotlight Series takes place August 14 at , where we’ll focus on Designing for Civic Impact and Entrepreneurship in Design. You won’t want to miss it!

🎟 REGISTER NOW! Link in bio 🔗

📸 Jesus Osornio

04/03/2025

Submissions for 2025 are now open! Under the banner of ‘Design for sustainable daily life’, the award is looking to highlight designers that are using creativity to tackle everyday challenges and foster more harmonious relationships between people, society and the environment.

Open globally to individual designers, groups and companies, submissions can range from established products to concept work but must have been designed within the last 5 years.

Key Features
💰 Total prize money of 150M KRW (100K USD)
🏆 61 winners, 32 global jurors
🆓 Free to enter
🌏 Network with other sustainable designers globally
🌱 Gain recognition in sustainable design

Deadline to submit is 30 June 2025! Learn more at seouldesignaward.or.kr

01/14/2025

11/27/2024

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for our incredible sponsors who believe in the power of design to transform our communities. Hear from them as they share why design matters in their work and how it drives positive change in our region.

San Diego and Tijuana share so many attributes - language, cuisine, and culture, topography, economic connections, and friends and families in the region. We benefit from this duality because our history and our future are interdependent. As a native San Diegan, the design of San Diego was greatly shaped by the needs of Tijuana and by our shared history. Looking to the future as we tackle environmental changes, I hope we continue to work towards greater sustainability and improve the quality of life in the region.
-Natasha Wong, Avery Tsui Foundation

We’re grateful for the continued support from Avery Tsui Foundation as we build a future where design connects, empowers, and transforms.

11/27/2024

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. is building the future of life-changing innovation with its One Alexandria Square development in Torrey Pines.  We are proud to be a sponsor of the World Design Capital Convocation Ceremony 2024 and support its innovative programming and initiatives that champion design for a better world.

Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter future by harnessing the transformative power of design. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to driving meaningful change!

11/27/2024

Meet Lorena Santana and Jofras Sánchez, professors at CETYS Universidad, and their former student-turned-entrepreneur, Elia Figueroa.

In this episode, we dive into how design thinking—empathy, ideation, and prototyping—shaped Elia’s journey from the classroom to creating Dear Honey, an innovative apiary offering education, raw honey, and a deeper understanding of pollinators' importance.

Elia shares how bees became her safe haven and how Lorena and Jofras, her mentors, inspired her to turn her passion into a thriving project, impacting her community and future generations.

Stay tuned for the full Spotlight—launching on December 2nd!



Comunicación Tij

11/27/2024

A Look Back at the Network of Cities

The World Design Capital Network of Cities brought together communities of industry and thought leaders from across the globe to celebrate how design drives innovation and shapes communities.

Through the lens of San Diego Tijuana, the first-ever transborder region to hold this title, we reflected on the unique role of design in fostering collaboration across borders and building a brighter future for our transborder community.

11/27/2024

Where Design Meets Music: A Tribute to Community—"Master of My Mind"

A music video like no other—created by Ramel Wallace during the World Design Policy Conference! Featuring the breathtaking art installations Symbiotic Borders by Mario D. Alvarado and Danica Vallon’s visionary work on bionics and human resilience, this project brings innovation, culture, and storytelling together.

Shot by The Holyfield in collaboration with award-winning designer Steffi Reyes-Thoma, "Master of My Mind" is a powerful blend of sustainability, biofeedback, and creative expression. Inspired by mentorship and a shared love of Hip Hop, it captures the transformative magic of collaboration.

Don’t miss this tribute to design, music, and community! Head to the link in bio to watch the full video.