WORLD DESIGN FACTORY DAY
12TH OF MAY, 2026
EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD
WHAT IS THE WDFD?
The World Design Factory Day (WDFD) is a moment to celebrate our community.
On this day, we show the world every DF's awesomeness and the power of local and global collaboration. We look into the initiatives that DF leads and the impact that it makes on the global and local contexts. It's impossible to showcase all the amazing projects that our DF's around the world do in one day. But, World DF Day brings enthusiasm, talent, and passion in a series of activities hosted by our members on a program of 24 hours in different time zones.
Your participation is crucial to making WDFD a success. Join us in celebrating the innovation and impact of Design Factories globally and locally.
HOW CAN MY DF PARTICIPATE?
Are you part of a Design Factory and interested in leading a session? Explore the suggested session formats for WDFD below for inspiration. Remember, we encourage creativity, so feel free to propose any session ideas outside these formats. We'll do our best to incorporate them into the event schedule. If you have a session idea ready, please reach out to the DFGN team by the 31st of March. By that date, we would need a name and a short description of your activity.
Now, let's take a look at the potential formats for hosting a session at WDFD.​
DFGN
COFFEE
CORNER
(30 min)
The objective of this session is to create a casual, global meeting lounge where you can get energized and see familiar faces. Think of it as a relaxed get-together in the most comfortable part of your Design Factory, like welcoming friends for coffee
Examples of activities:
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Share your favourite coffee brewing method from your DF
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Use this time for a fun, casual game with other DFs.
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Host a relaxed chat and look forward to seeing familiar faces.
DFGN
ROUNDTABLE
(60 min)
This sessions gives the network the opportunity to discuss DFGN wide matters together. The DFGN team will share about the value proposition and other development work happening. In addition, the participants are encouraged to bring their own topics they'd like to discuss.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DF
(30-60 min)
As our network expands, we aim to strengthen our connections. Use this session to introduce or re-introduce your Design Factory, showcasing your facilities and the amazing people working behind the scenes. Share insights about your ecosystem, collaborations, passions, and why they matter to you.
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Examples of activities:
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Conduct a virtual tour of your facilities.
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Host a session to introduce your staff and community.
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Have a discussion with one of your institutional partners about how you have supported them and make your ecosystem visible to the network.
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SHARING
THE
PASSION
(30-60 min)
Join us for a dynamic, community-driven session to share what’s new and what makes you unique. This is your space to showcase fresh projects, courses, research, or initiatives—and to spotlight the talents and passions that energize you. Whether you’re unveiling a new DF course, exploring a theme your DF cares about, or bringing a personal skill to the forefront, come inspire the network and learn from one another in our virtual marketplace of ideas and abilities.
Examples of activities:
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Showcase a new or in-progress DF course
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Highlight a DF theme
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Share ongoing projects—from research to practice-based work
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Teach a technique you recommend
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Present a passion project you’re excited about
PROJECT
MARKETPLACE AND
SPRINTS
(90 min)
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This is a great chance to sell your project (ideas) and win the perfect collaboration partner for bringing it forward. Or to be inspired by others and find an existing project to join. No matter if it is a thought through idea or a forever-work-in-progress, it can be shared in this session!
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After finding your perfect match, you'll have time to start planning or executing the collaboration together on the spot!
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WHAT'S
UP
DFGN
(30 min)
At the midpoint of the day, this session invites everyone to listen to a short recap of the past half-year since the last IDFW, followed by a glimpse of what's coming next from the DFGN team. Then, the conversation is opened for an informal conversation to share updates, wins and worries.
MOMENTUM BOOSTER
(20 min)
This session is a check up on all the exciting ongoing projects started at IDFW25. As you might remember from the IDFW25, the project can only be ended in a Momentum Booster and by filling the Harvesting template. In the Momentum Boosters, we’re interested to hear how the project is going and if you'd like any support from the DFGN team.
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All Momentum Boosters sessions are open for the Network members to attend, listen, learn, and get inspired.
ABOUT DFGN
Design Factory Global Network (DFGN) is a network of 39 innovation hubs in 25 countries based in universities and research organisations on five continents worldwide. DFGN is on a mission to create change in the world of learning and research through passion-based culture and effective problem-solving. Shared understanding and common ways of working enable Design Factories in the network to collaborate efficiently across cultures, time zones and organisational boundaries fostering radical innovations.