The Best UX, Design and Creativity Conferences in 2022

It is a confusing time for the event world. Organizers around the world have to choose to plan their annual gathering as an in-person on-site event, a virtual one or present a mixed festival. With new health and safety measures or even lockdowns a day away it makes it hard and risky to book big venues, international speakers or expect a large group of international attendees due to travel restrictions.

In a world of lockdowns and social distancing, many organizers moved their conference to a virtual venue, these past two years. They experimented with new virtual platforms or metaverse like experiences. Some use AI-based tools to put 1:1 peer connections and human interaction at the forefront of their event. Although the experience is different from an in-person event, every virtual event has its own unique tone of voice which creates that special community feeling which is often as delightful as in real life.

Looking at the number of creative conferences that are announced for 2022, organizers are optimistic about creating safe in-person events for you to network, hear personal stories and learn from industry-leading speakers.

To help you find the perfect conference, I’ve pulled together a wide-ranging array of design conferences from across the world. Featuring everything from graphic design to animation, technology and electronic music to attend in 2022. There is sure to be something that piques your interest so, if you can and it’s safe to do so, get out and support your favourite festival.

Quick tip on how to decide where to go?

When I attend a conference, I consider the speaker line-up, travel time, city, the ticket price, the event’s track record, and don’t forget the attendee list. I also check if there are any interesting workshop or network events, before, during, or after the conference. A bonus for me is attending locally organized side events and exciting exhibitions or tourist attractions to visit.

Graphika Online 2022

Asia's most influential creative conference takes place online. This one-day creative feast features 6 amazing speakers from all over the world, sharing their works and inspiring stories. Including Ross Tran, Natasha Jen, Christian Alsmann, Campbel Walker, Alexie Bochenek and Annie Atkins.

When: February 5, 2022
Where: Online
Ticket price: ~$34

Leading Design New York

Leading Design is an event for people leading design teams, overseeing design direction, or championing a culture of design within their organisations. Speakers will share years of experience in finding talent, building culture, structuring and developing their teams, managing upwards, coping with stress, and maintaining personal wellbeing.

When: In-person March 16-18 & Online 29-31 March, 2022
Where: In-person & Online
Ticket price: from $885

SXSW Conference & Festivals

Annual creative conference South by South West (SXSW) returns for a physical event in Austin, Texas. SXSW features a diverse program of exhibitions, music and comedy shows, film screenings, professional development sessions and networking opportunities for creatives and budding creatives.

When: 11-20 March 2022
Where: In-person & Online / Austin, United States
Ticket price: from $399

The Art Department Berlin 2022

The Art Department focuses on concept art and design for film, animation and games. The Art Department dives into the process of creating and put a spotlight on the artists that are responsible for designing worlds, characters and stories of some of the biggest productions.

When: 19-20 March 2022
Where: Berlin, Germany
Ticket price: From €100

Floriade Expo 2022

Once every 10 years Floriade is the park to enjoy the scent and colour of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit. The Expo offers 40 inspiring country presentations, a spectacular greenhouse complex, pavilions with sustainable innovations and a vibrant arts and culture programme.

When: 14 April to 9 October, 2022
Where: Almere, The Netherlands
Ticket price: From €29

beyond tellerrand // DÜSSELDORF 2022

You are a Designer? You are a Web Designer? No? A Web Developer? Interested in typography? Technology? Want to get inspired and motivated? Well if all this is for you, or only one thing, beyond tellerrand is the event you'd want to attend. For the 11th year in Düsseldorf. Join the event that brings together people from the web, design and technology.

When: 2-3 May 2022
Where: In-person / Düsseldorf, Germany
Ticket price: from €199

Design Matters Tokyo

Design Matters Tokyo is a 2-day design conference with workshops focusing on Japan and Scandinavia. Design Matters is a Copenhagen-based conference on digital design – made for designers, by designers. It is a place to gather together, share ideas, and discuss experiences. Design Matters involves a knowledgeable community of creative and curious minds who share the same drive and passion for digital design, technology, art, and society.

When: May 14-15, 2022
Where: In-person & Online / Tokyo, Japan
Ticket price: from ¥17,495

The Design Conference

The Design Conference is an event for creatives. The event discusses more than the future of design — but what design means in the hearts and minds of the world's favourite creative leaders. By being transparent and vulnerable, the organizers engineer an experience that is designed to move, motivate, and connect your soul.

When: 9-11 Jun 2022
Where: In-person & Online / Brisbane, Australia
Ticket price: TBA

By Design Conference

By Design Conference is an international multidisciplinary conference focused on design and business. For designers, entrepreneurs, and creative minds. By Design Conference brings together the world's most successful designers to share their personal experience and pragmatic insights on how to put theory into action. The event helps to educate people on how good design is born and how powerful it can be. Thanks to the real case studies, By Design offers the unique opportunity to explore the process and ideas that really work.

When: 11 Jun 2022
Where: In-person / Bratislava, Slovakia
Ticket price: €350

Eyeo Festival

The Eyeo Festival brings together a rich intersection of people doing fascinating things with technology. Artists, data designers, creative coders, AI & XR explorers, storytellers, researchers, technology & platform developers all cross paths and share inspiration at Eyeo. Eyeo Festival is 4 days of enthralling talks, unique workshops, a code+ summit, and thought-provoking interactions led by passionate thinkers and makers.

When: 14-17 June 2022
Where: In-person / Minneapolis, USA
Ticket price: TBA

The Conference

The Conference is a two-day conference where curious minds from all over the world meet to delve further into the promises and pitfalls of digital development and the human and machine relationship. Over two days The Conference explores the complexity of systems. The micro and macro of it all. Societal changes. Niche trends. Human behaviour. Art and culture. The future and the past. Stuff like that. The sessions are carefully curated to help you connect the dots between the widespread topics. Speakers, programs, and side events will be announced continuously during Spring.

When: 23 - 24 Aug
Where: In-person / Malmö, Sweden
Ticket price: from €495

KIKK Festival

KIKK, a multi-track festival on the intersection of art, science & tech to explore the economic and artistic implications of new technologies. The conference is on Thursday and Friday, all exhibitions are also open on Saturday and Sunday. The festival gathers people of all backgrounds from all around the world. They are designers, scientists, makers, entrepreneurs, artists, architects, developers, or musicians.

When: 3-6 Nov 2022
Where: In-person / Namur, Belgium
Ticket price: TBA

Which conference are you attending?

If you plan to attend any of the mentioned conference and have a question, drop me a line. I am happy to help you. And if you want to share your experience send an email, submit[at]neonmoire.com.

Every week new UX, design, NTF and creativity conferences are announced. Our ever-changing overview of the most interesting conferences, festivals and expos you can find on the homepage. Or subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Neon Monday.

Have a great and inspiring year, 2022! ✌️