The much anticipated Detroit Month of Design returns tomorrow for its twelfth annual celebration. This year, over 175 designers will participate in 80 events that will take place in the form of exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and more. The Detroit Month of Design, hosted by Design Core Detroit, runs from September 1st through September 30th and will offer virtual activities online, as well as in-person programming at outdoor and indoor locations throughout the city.

The theme of the celebration is United By Design. A blurb on Design Core’s website explains that the “intention with the 2022 festival is to bring unity to the forefront. We believe this element holds the key to creating a future in which all people, and our planet, can thrive.” Topics that are explored through the festivals programs include collaboration, sustainability, and equitable design. Hawkins Family Legacy, an exhibition sponsored by The Kresge Foundation and Live6 Alliance, will explore the role that design plays in cultural preservation while paying homage to the family who owned the first Black-owned women’s apparel store on Six Mile (McNichols). 

The 2022 season will be especially exciting as it marks the return of its signature event Eastern Market After Dark. The district-wide nighttime market and open studio featuring live music, retailers, art galleries, and other attractions had previously been put on a two-year pause due to pandemic restrictions. Eastern Market After Dark will take place on Thursday, September 15th from 6pm – 11pm with family-fun activities taking place from Riopelle and Gratiot to the Dequindre Cut. 

Although I plan to experience Month of Design to the fullest, a few exhibitions that I am looking forward to attending is Craft in the Digital Age, Sneaker House, and Design Jam.

Most of the events taking place as part of the festival are free and open to the public. For a complete list of events happening during Detroit’s Month of Design, visit the official calendar of events via Design Core Detroit’s website here.