Transparency, collaboration, and storytelling take centre stage for Northern Design Festival 2025

Taking place across Lancaster from 15–17 May, the Northern Design Festival aims to spark honest conversations around the creative industry’s hidden barriers, opening up space for connection, critique and knowledge sharing beyond the London bubble.

This year's Festival theme is Transparency, all about sharing challenges and lessons to create an honest community within out industry.

Antonia Arbova, Co-Founder and Director of NDF, says:

“This year’s festival is centred around uncovering the raw, honest stories that often go untold – stories that may not have come to light without the dedication and encouragement of our team. Each speaker invited to take part has been thoughtfully selected for their alignment with our core values: fostering an inclusive and equitable creative community, not just in the North, but across the wider industry.”

Ya’Qub Mir, Lead Designer at Studio Up North, comments on the festival theme: 

“Transparency really resonates with me – it’s a celebration of identity, resilience, and the power of design to shape culture and community. To me, transparency is not only a necessity, but also a responsibility that all designers should want to commit to, and I’m looking forward to the panel discussion around this topic.

“The festival is such an important event, giving northern creatives an opportunity to connect, be inspired and showcase the strength of talent in our region. It’s an honour to be part of it.”

Programme highlights

From intimate workshops to keynote conversations and live podcasts, this year’s line-up captures the creative industry’s drive for openness and authenticity.

Festival highlights include:

• Live podcast recording: My Life in Design Claire Blyth (Red Setter) and Claire Parker (The Chase) kick off Friday morning with personal reflections and lessons from a life in branding and design.
• Work in Process with Hondo Studio A keynote unpacking the behind-the-scenes realities of studio life, from navigating collaboration to embracing transparency as a creative principle.
• Typographic Truthiness with Louise Sloper Exploring the role of typography in shaping (and sometimes skewing) meaning, this keynote challenges designers to engage more critically with type as a tool of communication.
• The Transparent Brand A panel exploring how honesty in branding builds trust – from pricing transparency to values-led collaboration. Featuring voices from SUN, M1 Studios, BAGGI and more.
• Honest Storytelling: Being Authentic BBC Creative, Wash, The Chase and The Engine Room reflect on how openness can drive more inclusive, impactful storytelling, and what it really means to show your creative process.
• Over a Pint: Dave Sedgwick x Abbey Bamford An informal, evening conversation on the creative grind – from independent practice to industry observations – in a laid-back pint-fuelled setting.

Other sessions cover practical career advice, from diverse pathways into the creative industries to growing up in design. Portfolio reviews (led by Craft and partner agencies including Robot Food, Studio North and Ultralight), design thinking workshops, and hands-on sessions like a tile ceramics workshop offer tactile ways for attendees to engage.

Special events include an Opening Night at The Storey Gallery, Closing Night at Mint Cafe Bar, and Demystifying the Agency: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - a relaxed and informal open conversation with small groups for storytelling and Q&A.

A festival for the next wave

Designed for emerging talent and industry leaders alike, NDF’s 2025 edition reflects its mission to democratise access, dismantle barriers, and showcase the richness of design culture outside traditional capitals.

Aaliyah Rice, BBC Creative and NDF panelist, comments:

"Northern design festival is such a great space for beginner designers to really understand their industry, especially with a theme like transparency where they can be involved in honest conversations surrounding design to better understand the career path they might be facing. Design can often have a certain glamour and sheen to it as a career and I’m really looking forward to having these conversations, I can’t wait to hear and answer all their insightful questions on the day."

Niamh Cartwright, Co-Founder and Director of NDF, says: 

“The NDF team is so excited to bring together such an incredible lineup of speakers for the second Northern Design Festival. It has been such an honour getting to know all of these amazing creatives and agencies that are involved this year. Their 'transparent' approach to innovation and creativity truly represents what we are trying to champion. We hope that our talks and workshops inspire you and that you are able to leave Lancaster with the confidence to be open and honest as a creative, knowing that you have a supportive community around you!” 

For the full programme, tickets and updates, visit https://northerndesignfestival.co.uk/