Registration is now open and will remain available through June 6th.
Your registration includes access to all presentations, breakfast on both conference days and lunch on the first day.
- Students: $150
- AIGA Members: $250
- Non-Members: $300
The 2025 AIGA Design Educators Conference, Weave, invites design educators, students, practitioners, and researchers to submit proposals that explore the threads that connect us and the collective impact of design education. This year’s theme encourages us to interlace diverse perspectives, foster collaboration, and co-create inclusive and transformative futures for design education.
- Date: June 12-13, 2025
- Location: Illinois State University, Normal, IL
We invite submissions for panels, papers, workshops, posters, and student work that explore the conference theme, Weave. Proposals should present original, thought-provoking work and engage with at least one of the following focus areas:
- How can design education interweave diverse voices to create a more equitable future?
- Case studies or frameworks that demonstrate the power of co-design, interdisciplinary partnerships, or community engagement.
- Examples of transformative teaching practices, curricula, or projects that have reshaped perspectives and outcomes in design education.
- Strategies for amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering students or educators in challenging contexts.
- Insights into how design education can prepare students to navigate and address societal challenges.
Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Opens: February 17, 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline: March 17, 2025
Submit Your Proposal Here
Please use the abstract template for guidance.
Acceptance Notifications: May 1, 2025
Conference Schedule (coming soon)
Location & Travel Info
About Illinois State University
Founded in 1857, Illinois State University (ISU) is the oldest public university in Illinois and a leading institution dedicated to excellence in education, research, and community engagement. Located in Normal, Illinois, ISU is known for its strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovative learning environment. The university’s picturesque campus blends historic charm with modern facilities, providing an inspiring setting for learning, collaboration, and creativity.
As the host of the Weave: 2025 AIGA Design Educators Conference, Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts offer a dynamic space to explore design education’s evolving role in shaping equitable and transformative futures. With a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, ISU provides an ideal backdrop for meaningful conversations on design, pedagogy, and community impact.
Your Trip to Normal, Illinois
Nestled in the heart of Central Illinois, Normal is a welcoming town known for its blend of small-town charm and vibrant cultural scene. Alongside its twin city, Bloomington, the area offers a mix of local art, unique dining experiences, and green spaces perfect for exploring between conference sessions.
Getting to Normal is convenient, whether traveling by car, plane, or train. Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) in Bloomington provides direct flights from major U.S. hubs, and Amtrak connects Normal to Chicago and St. Louis via the Uptown Station, just minutes from campus. If driving, Normal is easily accessible via Interstate 55, 39, and 74. Once here, visitors can enjoy walkable downtown areas, bike-friendly streets, and a variety of local coffee shops, restaurants, and parks that add to the city’s creative energy.
Reserve your stay nearby:
Conference Proceedings
The Fall 2025 issue of AIGA Dialogue will serve as the official proceedings for the Weave conference. It will feature revised abstracts from accepted presentations. Presenters are invited to update their abstracts based on feedback received during the conference. We will collect these revisions after the event. Those interested in publishing a full paper are also encouraged to submit to AIGA Dialectic, the scholarly journal of the AIGA Design Educators Community.
Planning Team
Zack Tucker, Weave Conference Co-Chair
Yvette Shen, Weave Conference Co-Chair
Katie Krcmarik, DEC Co-Chair, Peer-review coordinator
Natalie Tyree, DEC Co-Chair
DEC Communications: Vinicius Lima, Lisa Elzey Mercer, Yvette Shen, Patricia Childers
Design Streak of Illinois State University, Weave Branding Design
Questions and inquiries, please contact: info@designeducators.aiga.org
