CDW25 SCHEDULE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
Equity, AI & the Future of Inclusive Design
The Jackson | 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Equity in design isn’t just about who’s hired—it’s about who holds influence, whose voices are heard, and whose perspectives shape the work. With Huenited Collective, we'll explore how equity impacts design now, and what the future of truly inclusive design might look like.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Refresh with Relevance: Creating Brands that Cut Through
Graphic Village |
9:30 – 11:30am
In today’s crowded marketplace, brands don’t win by being louder—they win by being clearer. This session explores why clarity has become the new competitive edge, and how brands can refocus to connect with today’s consumers without losing their core identity.
Led by Emily Flannery of LPK, the discussion will provide actionable insights into strengthening brand expression across visual identity, packaging design, and communication strategy.
Attendees will gain practical tools to create culturally relevant, emotionally resonant, and strategically intentional brands that stand out in saturated categories.
Who Should Attend
This session is designed for CPG brand leaders, marketers, and creatives in the food, beverage, and wellness industries who are rethinking how their brand shows up in 2025 and beyond.
Sponsored by: Graphic Village
Strategy to Solutions: User Centric Approaches
1819 Innovation Hub | 6:00 – 8:00pm
In this hands-on workshop, you will apply design thinking, the double diamond framework, and principles of Lean methodology to ideate, prioritize, and prototype a user-centric. solution while collaborating with other attendees
Speaker/Facilitator: Barkley Anderson
Presented by IxDA Cincinnati
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
CDW Creative Crawl
The Think Shop | 6:00 – 8:30pm
The Annual Creative Crawl is your chance to take behind-the-scenes tours of several creative companies You will get a peek into the Cincinnati creative community and meet some of the awesome people who work in the city. The participating companies are excited to welcome you, so join us for a few adult beverages and a whole lot of fun. Registration is limited, and this popular event sells out quickly, so be sure to secure your spot!
Crawl begins at:
6 pm | Check in at The Think Shop
Stops on the Crawl:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
Sense the Design: Vision & Touch for Inclusive Experiences
Art Academy of Cincinnati | Noon – 1:00pm
Discover inclusive design beyond vision. Through vision-simulation activities and tactile exploration, this immersive workshop helps participants understand the challenges of vision impairments and learn practical strategies to create inclusive, multisensory, and user-centered design solutions.
Led by Taekyeom Lee
Lunch will be provided
Skyline Chili HQ Tour
Skyline Chili HQ | 6:30 – 8:30pm
Take a first look inside the brand-new headquarters of Cincinnati’s own Skyline Chili. This exclusive design tour highlights how the new office brings Skyline’s culture, history, and community spirit to life through its workplace environment.
From collaborative spaces to branded details, the office design reflects both the company’s legacy and its future. Attendees will hear about the vision behind the project, explore how design supports employee experience, and see how an iconic Cincinnati brand translates its identity into a modern workspace.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
CDW Wrap Party
Rhinegeist | 6:00 – 8:00pm
A designer and a marketer walk into a bar…
Let’s raise a glass to another incredible Cincinnati Design Week! Join us, along with our friends at AMA Cincinnati and our sponsor Adobe, as we close out a week of inspiring talks, workshops, and connections with one big celebration.
We’re taking over Rhinegeist in OTR for a night filled with creativity, community, and plenty of fun. Mix and mingle with fellow designers, marketers, and creatives, share your favorite moments from the week, and toast to the talent that makes our city such a vibrant hub for design.
This is more than just a party, it’s a chance to celebrate you and the energy, ideas, and collaboration that made Design Week possible. Don’t miss the chance to wrap up the week in style with food, drinks, and great company.