Take a look around you and tell me what do you see? If you’re inside maybe you see furniture, wall décor, open space or the TV where you binge watch your latest Netflix show. If you’re outside perhaps you see trees, buildings, or the dog park you pass by daily as you convince yourself not to steal your neighbor’s pets. All these things may be true and although they are all different they share a commonality. All these things contain some form of design, everything contains design. The architecture’s design of your favorite building, fashion design on the attractive person across the bar, mother nature’s design. Design is everywhere and it wasn’t until I moved to Detroit that I actually became aware of that and appreciated it.

Now I’m not saying I’ve never considered the idea of design, of course I have. I’m simply in a place now where design is emphasized and magnified by my peers and groups I am apart of. Detroit has opened my mind’s eye to design and I have become fascinated by every detail and facet of it. From the old historic buildings which are unlike any in the nation to sound design and the music I find myself saturated in. Even design thinking has changed the scope of my work and how I process tasks that are presented to me by non-profits. As I said, design is everywhere.

I originally noticed the emphasis on design within my first month of moving to Detroit when I attended the Detroit design festival. I was blown away by the attention to detail from fashion to music, art to graphic design and have been coming back for more ever since. I make it a point to attended every drinks x design and have actually cultivated a relationship with Kiana who runs that event monthly. I have also sought out opportunities with the Detroit Creative Corridor Center or DC3 and met multiple designers across Detroit. I’ve learned about Detroit’s involvement in UNESCO’s and how the city’s approach to design is worthy of honor.

Since moving to Detroit my newly found awareness of design has changed the way I approach life. The confidence and uniqueness of these designers has given me more confidence in myself and I am forever grateful for that. I would encourage every new Detroiter to get out and experience these events and become involved whether they considered themselves a designer or not. To learn more about design in Detroit I recommend visiting this website: http://detroitc3.com/