For a couple of years @eleanorwheeler.film patiently and faithfully showed up to our events with her equipment, to capture a snapshot of the @designfestbrum@bhamdsgn story...
Though its mostly us (@luketonge and @danielalcorn ) reluctantly on camera, the story is absolutely one of a community showing up for each other – supporting each other & serving each other 💕
It’s just under 8 minutes, but it does encapsulate a story 8+ years in the making here in Brum. Thank you El for documenting this, and to everyone else for helping build it!
You can find it yourself on our shiny new BDF site in the ‘About’ section or in our stories via the link 🔗
T shirt from @designfestbrum a few years ago. ‘Look for joy in your life; it’s not always easy to find.’ Charles Kuralt. Thanks @luketonge@danielalcorn for starting such a joyful festival.
The annual directors breakfast, this year at @bakehousebib (spot our home away from home @blochotels in the background).
Reflections on this year, planning for next year (and years after) and some lovely almond croissants.
More to come from us in terms of sharing pictures, videos and more from #BDF2025 - but for now we leave you with our heartfelt thanks to everyone who was part of the Conference this year. Team, volunteers, the sponsors and supporters, our lovely venue @bmusic_ltd , the wonderful speakers and workshop hosts, our partners and all of you who joined us.
See you later in the year for our Makers Market (26th July) and @bdf_gather in the autumn.
⚓️▶️🧡❤️💙💜💛💚
About yesterday: @designfestbrum Birmingham Design Festival at BCU, Parkside, Birmingham, UK.
I led a series workshops titled ‘AI CAN KISS OUR ART’: With music at the heart of the workshops, disorder was made using analog methods from cut and paste to screen printing, and letterpress’ - with a special section dedicated to making some sound in print in honor of the late great Brian Wilson.
We made art all day in an amazing University room filled with old working presses, Letraset, magazines, stencils and a lot of passionate designers and staff. I left buzzing from the energy with a lot of ideas.
Many thanks to @luketonge and @danielalcorn for the invitation and being such great hosts, and everyone I met including Megan, Daisy, Jane, Naomi (for really making things happen!), and to Mark (Moif) Murphy for all the musical banter afterwards and the amazing framed art he kindly gave me.
#swissgrit #thisisnotai #aicankissmyart #humancreativitymatters
TOP 5 TUESDAY 🍽️
Today’s dose of dining inspiration comes to us from @danielalcorn of @bhamdsgn . This one is short and sweet and the perfect mix of places that are new to us and firm fan favourites. Let’s get into it…
@_tigerbitespig - Bao is my absolute favourite and they do it better than anyone. Quick delivery to the @jewelleryquarter is also a bonus.
@albatrossbhx - The perfect environment accompanied by literally perfect food. No notes.
@trentinajq - Lovely vibes and always al dente 🍝
@oldwharfinn : I have never had a better Sunday roast in a pub.
(We’re letting him sneak in a Stourbridge venue because with that kind of review we know it’ll be worth the journey)
@dezhoustyle - The very best handmade noodles in town (and probably the continent) make for the best spicy ramen.
Thanks @danielalcorn ! We’ll be back, as ever, next week with five more foodie faves ♥️
#birmingham #birminghamfood #birminghamfoodie #visitbirmingham #lovebirmingham
With @luketonge and @danielalcorn
Birmingham Design Festival (BDF) is one of the UK’s leading creative events that celebrates design in its many forms within England’s second-largest city. Founded by creative polymaths Luke Tonge and Daniel Alcorn, the annual festival has grown from grassroots beginnings to an internationally recognised event hosting world-class speakers. And more than a festival alone, BDF holds significant importance as it helps decentralise the UK’s creative industry from London, builds community among designers, and showcases Birmingham’s creative culture.
We caught up with Luke and Daniel to understand their journey in establishing this cultural touchstone, their philosophy on community-building, and their vision for the 2025 festival centred around the theme of ‘Play.’
Read the interview at our link in bio.
Jointworks Team Photoshoot! It’s an adventure building community and running a physical space — so it’s a joy to be on that journey with such good eggs... Thanks for making it happen @andyhartwell and bringing us together 💕@bearwoodmatt Leanne @sammyyha@danielalcorn …swipe for some outtakes 🤪 …and if you’ve not visited before, come and check out the @bhamdsgnshop & have a tour / cuppa ☕️
This week we announced our first 7 speakers for ‘PLAY’ BDF2025 @designfestbrum , taking place on 12-13th June in our amazing new venue, #BirminghamTownHall @bmusic_ltd — there’s still 4 more legendary speakers to announce plus all our incredible workshop hosts… we are so excited for you to join us this summer! Thanks to our gold sponsors @clarkeprint@blochotels@mybcu (& the many more who help make BDF happen)
Tickets on sale now! ⭢ bdf.events 🎟️
Get to know our lovely speakers!
@booksloveliza
Liza Enebeis, Creative director @studiodumbar@malikafavre & @george_wu_
Co-curators of @icantaffordthisbutmaybeshecan@chrisclarkecc
Chris Clarke, Creative Director @guardian@t_e_m_p_l_o@palipalavathanan & anoushkarodda of TEMPLO
@javier_jaen
Founder of Javier Jaén Studio
150 tickets have gone already, with folks booked in from Ireland, Argentina, Germany, Canada and Australia! Don’t miss it friends — come play with us! 🎉 Shout out to BDF team heroes @rosie_clarke_ for beautiful brand work and magician @vivapica for awesome animation 💥💕
We’re so back!! Announcing the 2025 BDF Conference and our new theme ..PLAY! We’re excited for a day of hands on workshops on Thurs 12th June, and then an amazing day of talks at our new venue Birmingham Town Hall, on Fri 13th June! 🎉 Tickets are on sale NOW at BDF.events (no price rises) and speakers will be announced soon — trust us — you won’t want to miss this! #birminghamdesignfestival #bdf #bdf2025 #play
