DesignThinkers 2025 branding by The Garden revealed

The Garden joins the notable group of firms that have taken on the conference branding over its 25-year history.

Canada's largest conference for the communication design industry, DesignThinkers, gathers visionaries from a variety of disciplines to explore creativity, the design process and the future of design thinking. DesignThinkers 2025 will be held in-person and via live streaming in Vancouver on May 13-14 and in Toronto on Oct 1-2.

Registration for Vancouver is open!

"DesignThinkers 2025 aims to challenge how designers see and approach design. We all spend years refining our "eye for design," but what happens when we’re all trained from the same perspective? Design thrives when we push boundaries, question the norm and explore new ideas. We’re taking ownership of this shift. As designers, we can shape how people see the world, open their minds and shift perspectives. At its core, DesignThinkers 2025 is about breaking free from comfort zones, reimagining design possibilities and expanding how we interact with the world around us," says  Adriana Ivory RGD, Design Director at The Garden.

The Garden has developed the branding and concept for DesignThinkers 2025, hoping participants will walk away with renewed curiosity and a broader perspective on design. The goal is to challenge attendees' preconceived notions, question established norms and explore new ways of seeing and thinking about design. 

Adriana explains, "Beyond this, we envision participants carrying these insights into their daily work, fostering a ripple effect of innovation within their teams, organizations and communities. DesignThinkers 2025 is more than an event—it’s a spark for ongoing growth and a catalyst for meaningful change in how we approach design."

“We’re excited to see how attendees and speakers will interact with the design and theme and how these interactions will inspire them. We look forward to witnessing how these engagements will challenge their thinking, spark new conversations and ignite unexpected ideas and perspectives that have the power to transform our understanding of design and creativity.”

Adriana Ivory RGD

The Garden journey of developing this project has led to some unexpected lessons, including realizing just how deeply ingrained some of our design perspectives and processes are, even when we actively set out to push boundaries.

They naturally gravitated toward familiar methods, visual styles and frameworks during brainstorming sessions. This tendency to default to what’s comfortable made them acutely aware of how challenging it is to break free from established ways of thinking. It highlighted the need to intentionally create space for unconventional ideas, encouraging everyone to step outside familiar patterns and embrace fresh approaches. This realization has been a crucial part of the agency's process, reinforcing the idea that pushing creative boundaries requires constantly questioning and disrupting even the most habitual design practices.

“Without giving too much away, we’re especially excited about the ways we’re incorporating tactility into traditional design deliverables. Physical interaction has become a key element in this project, creating a multi-sensory experience beyond the typical visual and digital engagement. We’re eager to see how these hands-on elements come to life, offering participants a new way of interacting with design that transforms the typical conference experience.”

Adriana Ivory RGD

Stay tuned for more details to come.