design-driven-innovation-stories-san-diego.png

Stories from Our Region

Help us to demonstrate the wonderful creativity of the people, organizations, and communities in the San Diego-Tijuana area.

The Design Forward Alliance wants to tell the world about the creative environment of this region, with its unique mix of perfect weather, the ocean, mountains, and desert as a playground, a wide range of diversity of cultures and skills, together with vibrant education, healthcare, telecommunication and sports industries.

Why?

We plan to showcase how design—whether practiced by professionals or the creative spirit of everyday citizens—can energize a region. We want to apply to the World Design Organization for the San Diego-Tijuana region to be designated as World Design Capital for the year 2024. 

What stories are we looking for?

We are looking for inspiring and successful stories of design-driven innovation in…

BUSINESS (Example: LunaDNA)

  • Innovative products and services and/or new enterprises started in San Diego, that are inspired by people, developed with people’s involvement, solve people’s problems and clearly improve people’s lives

  • Industry adopting human-centered design and design thinking in their corporate strategy and/or product development, and the expected/achieved ROI associated with it

  • Best practices in human-centered design from the design firms in San Diego

PUBLIC & GOVERNMENT (Example: SANDAG’s Forward SD)

  • Regional and city plans, public service initiatives and interventions, designed with the involvement of citizens and community

  • Public service initiatives and interventions that solve social problems and improve the quality of life for all  citizens

  • Public service initiatives and interventions that address environmental sustainability (air quality, renewable resources, natural resources preservation, inclusivity, equal opportunities, etc…)

COMMUNITY (Example: Quartyard)

  • Community initiatives that show people creativity and activation to solve problems or improve community living and/or address specific problems

  • Initiative to strengthen the connection between San Diego and the Baja Region and promote collaborative and positive exchanges

EDUCATION (Example: Urban Discovery Academy)

  • Initiatives, organizations, institutions promoting design thinking, entrepreneurship, creativity, inclusivity and peer opportunities to all kids and citizens

Have a story you’d like to nominate? Fill out the form below: