A round-up of must-see projects

From January 24 to February 2, 2025, Canada’s largest design festival, DesignTO, will transform Toronto into a hub of creativity and innovation. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the festival features over 100 events and exhibitions, ranging from art installations and furniture design to engaging talks and immersive experiences.

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Photo credit: DesignTO

Since its inception, DesignTO has welcomed over 1 million attendees, showcased the work of more than 6,500 artists and designers, and contributed $120 million in tourism revenue. Highlighting the role of design in addressing global challenges such as sustainability and social justice, the festival underscores the power of creativity to shape a better future.

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Photo credit: DesignTO Net Positive Speakers:
April Barrett, Aason Budd, Judith van den Boom, Fran Erazo, Deepikah RB, Netami Stuart

Featured Projects

DesignTO Talks: Net Positive

This talk explores innovative approaches to the climate crisis through the lens of abundance. Artists, designers, and thinkers will examine how humanity can be seen as part of nature rather than apart from it, exploring ways to repair ecosystems and design for whole living systems.

  • Date: January 31, 2025
  • Venue: Ace Hotel, 51 Camden Street
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Photo credit: DesignTO Talks: Net Positive

DesignTO Launch Party

Kick off the 15th anniversary of DesignTO at the official launch party! Celebrate with a one-night-only installation by Toronto artist Asli Alin and view “REVIVE,” a group exhibition featuring local and international artists

  • Date: January 24, 2025
  • Venue: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
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Photo credit: DesignTO Launch Party_DJ Delicious

Ensemble

Showcasing talent from Montreal’s design community, this exhibition emphasizes collaboration and innovation. Furniture and objects, some newly created or reinterpreted, offer a fresh perspective on the creative process.

  • Date: January 24 – February 2, 2025
  • Venue: the plumb, 1655 Dufferin Street
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Photo credit: ensemble_Simon S Belleau

Ideas Forum: Labour in Architecture

This forum, organized in partnership with the Toronto Society of Architects, focuses on diverse business structures in architecture, including co-operative, union, and employee-owned models, exploring architecture as a project of redesign.

  • Date: January 28, 2025
  • Format: Virtual
DesignTO Talks: Material Expressions

Join glass artists Nadira Narine and Lauren Rice as they discuss their expressive, colorful works exploring themes of identity, memory, and emotion.

  • Date: January 26, 2025
  • Venue: Collective Arts Taproom Toronto, 777 Dundas Street West
Design Collection @ STACKT Launch Party

Meet designers and curators at this event celebrating 10 days of designer residencies and creative showcases.

  • Date: January 25, 2025
  • Venue: STACKT Market, 28 Bathurst Street
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Photo credit: Asli Alin - Terrestrial

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Photo credit: Asli Alin - Terrestrial

The Legacy of Claude Cormier: Screening & Panel Discussion

Celebrate the legacy of landscape architect Claude Cormier with a screening of a 45-minute director’s cut of his oral history project, followed by a panel discussion on his impact and vision for future public spaces.

  • Date: January 30, 2025
  • Venue: Daniels Building, 1 Spadina Crescent
Surface Impressions

This exhibition explores the interaction between materials and creative techniques, showcasing unexpected outcomes by nine designers.

  • Date: January 20 – February 21, 2025
  • Venue: Umbra Concept Store, 165 John Street
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Photo credit: Surface Impressions

DesignTO Tours: Dualities

This walking tour highlights three temporary artworks in Toronto’s Yonge + St. Clair neighborhood, delving into themes of self-image, perception, and reflection.

  • Date: February 2, 2025
  • Starting Point: 2 St. Clair Avenue West
To Hold: A Group Exhibition Curated by Yabu Pushelberg

Canadian artists present personally meaningful objects in an exhibition that connects design with personal narratives.

  • Date: January 25–30, 2025
  • Venue: Yabu Pushelberg Toronto Studio, 55 Booth Avenue
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Photo credit: Yabu Pushelberg

The Hospitality Effect

Explore how design transforms fitness and wellness spaces into destinations with David Ingram and Craig Stanghetta.

  • Date: January 29, 2025
  • Venue: Sweat and Tonic at The Well, 486 Front Street West

DesignTO

DesignTO is a non-profit arts organization focused on creating a sustainable and just future. Running from January 24 to February 2, 2025, the DesignTO Festival features over 100 free events across Toronto, showcasing works by numerous artists and designers. To date, the festival has welcomed over 1 million visitors, supported 6,500+ creators, and generated $120 million in tourism revenue. Co-founder Christina Zeidler describes DesignTO as “an anti-loneliness machine,” fostering connections and vital conversations about the role of design in shaping a better world.