Thriving Together

Our anniversary marks three years of impact achieved through the collaborative efforts of our member companies, individual contributors, and community partners. We are celebrating by reflecting on our progress and showing gratitude for those who have supported us along the way.  

 Growing Stronger: Celebrating Our Members and Supporters 

Highlighting the growth of our membership and the invaluable contributions of our supporters. 

Three years ago, we embarked on our journey to foster a diverse and equitable design industry. Now, we celebrate the progress we've made, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of our members, partners and community members. 

DID’s strength has always been connected to our collaborative nature. In 2021, DID launched with 19 member companies. Now, we have grown to nearly 100 members. Within our member companies, we have nearly 300 individual participants across more than half of the U.S. More than 85 of these individual participants are program developers from 16 working groups that shape our programs and expand our reach to communities across the nation. Additionally, nearly 80 event volunteers have provided extra support during each program iteration.  

To everyone who has supported DID over the past three years, your dedication and passion have been the driving force behind our success. Your contributions, whether big or small, have helped us progress toward meaningful change. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and commitment to diversity in design.   

Inspiring the Future: Empowering Teens and College Students   

Emphasizing the impact of educational and awareness programs aimed at the next generation of designers. 

We are committed to increasing awareness, advancing design education and creating new opportunities for young, aspiring creatives. Since 2021, we have reached more than 1160 high school students during 11 Designed By programs in Detroit, Philadelphia and New York City. We have engaged nearly 250 college students through internships, mentorship and portfolio reviews. We have also connected with more than 80 educational institutions through our high school and college programs.  

 To the students who have participated in our programs, you are the heart and soul of DID. Your talent, creativity, and fresh perspectives inspire us every day. Thank you for allowing us to support you on your design journey. To our members, partners and supporters, thank you for remaining committed to inspiring the next generation of designers.  

 Building Bridges: Expanding Our Design Networks 

Showcasing the development of new connections within the design community.  

We believe offering avenues of connection builds knowledge, increases a sense of belonging and drives systematic change. Over the last three years, we have offered 9 learning programs to nearly 1,000 attendees covering a variety of DEIB topics. We engaged more than 1300 diverse creatives during our networking experience, Beats+Bites+Backgrounds, in Philadelphia, Austin and Detroit. This year, we also partnered with Corgan to launch the Creative Connect in Dallas and connected with more than 80 local community members.  

To those within our program networks, thank you for inspiring us with your willingness to learn, engage and connect. Your participation and open-mindedness are crucial to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all designers.  

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 Let’s continue Thriving Together! Since 2021, we have achieved several milestones, from launching impactful programs to creating lasting partnerships. None of this would have been possible without the collaborative effort of our members, partners, and community members.  

As we celebrate three years of progress, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received. We are excited to enter the next chapter of our journey and drive further change in the design industry. Thank you for being a vital part of our story.