From May 15 to 21, 2025, New York City transformed into a global design hub as the NYCxDESIGN Festival unfolded across all five boroughs. Embracing the theme "Design is for Everyone," the festival showcased over 280 events, highlighting the city's diverse and vibrant design community.

The 2025 NYCxDESIGN Festival underscored the city's commitment to inclusivity and innovation in design. Through a multitude of exhibitions, keynotes, and interactive experiences, the festival not only celebrated established designers but also provided a platform for emerging talents and students, reflecting the evolving landscape of the design industry.

Established in 2012, NYCxDESIGN has grown into a significant annual event, uniting various design disciplines and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration within New York City. The 2025 theme, "Design is for Everyone," emphasized the festival's dedication to making design accessible and inclusive, resonating with broader societal movements towards diversity and equity.

Key Highlights:

1. Design Pavilion at Hudson Yards: In partnership with Lexus, the Design Pavilion presented "Lexus Ambiance," an immersive installation allowing visitors to create personalized environments using light as a medium. This exhibition ran from May 10 to 19 at Hudson Yards' Public Square and Gardens.

2. International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and WANTED Design Fair: Held from May 18 to 20 at the Javits Center, these fairs showcased global design innovations, featuring over 450 design houses from more than 35 countries.

3. NYCxDESIGN xSouvenir Exhibition: Curated by Cool Hunting and Boym Partners, this exhibition featured works from 73 artists, including Joey Zeledon, Karim Rashid, and David Weeks. The showcase presented unique collectible pieces inspired by New York City's energy and culture, with many items available for purchase. The initiative was sponsored by Kikkerland Design.

4. Keynote Series:

5. Coca-Cola: On May 15, Coca-Cola launched "Contour," an exhibition celebrating 110 years of its iconic contour bottle, featuring photography by Guy Aroch and Anna Palma.
6. IBM: On May 16, IBM presented "AI: Sci-Fi to Society," offering insights into how artificial intelligence and automation are transforming design.

7. Life Time: On May 20, Life Time's Chief Creative Officer, Nicholas Berglund, discussed how design influences wellness in hospitality, culinary experiences, and travel.

8. Student Exhibitions: The festival emphasized education by featuring student exhibitions from institutions such as Cornell Tech, Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design, School of Visual Arts (SVA), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). Additionally, a guided tour program was organized for high school students.

The festival's theme was evident in events like "The Shape of Care" exhibition, which showcased inclusive design solutions for individuals with different abilities. Neighborhoods across the city, including SoHo, Dumbo, Harlem, NoMad, Atlantic Avenue, and Madison Avenue, hosted district-wide celebrations, engaging local communities and businesses.

"The Festival is not just a showcase—it’s a celebration of the diversity and vitality of New York’s design scene," said Ilene Shaw, Executive Director of NYCxDESIGN. Betsy Smith, President & CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, added, "Investing in and celebrating New York City’s design and architecture community is crucial to maintaining the city’s vibrancy and livability for tens of millions of locals and visitors."

The festival attracted a global audience, boosting local businesses and reinforcing New York City's status as a design capital. By highlighting student work and offering guided tours for high school students, the festival played a pivotal role in inspiring and educating the next generation of designers.

The NYCxDESIGN Festival 2025 successfully embodied its theme, "Design is for Everyone," by creating an inclusive platform that celebrated innovation, engaged communities, and fostered educational growth. As the festival continues to evolve, it remains a testament to New York City's enduring commitment to design and creativity.