CDW25 SCHEDULE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
CDW Kickoff Party
+ Panel!
Equity, AI & the Future of Inclusive Design
The Jackson | 5:30 - 8:00 pm
We’re opening Cincinnati Design Week with an unforgettable night that blends powerful ideas with a high-energy party!
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.
Then, stick around for the CDW Kickoff Party, a chance to connect with Cincinnati’s creative community, meet new collaborators, and celebrate the week ahead with great vibes, food, and drinks.
This is more than an event, it’s the start of something bigger. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation and the celebration!
Panelists
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 – 7:30pm
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, Lantern
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
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.
SOLD OUT
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.