If you work in graphic design, digital design, or visual creativity, have a calendar of events, fairs, congresses and awards It's no longer a whim; it's practically part of the job. These meetings are where future trends are forged: trends, new tools, key contacts and projects that are shaping the sector, both in Spain and internationally.
Throughout the year, the map fills with festivals of branding, UI/UX, motion, interiors, digital culture or advertising, but also of small, intimate gatherings, specialized awards, and networking events that can change your career path. Let's take a calm and critical look at the most important graphic design events, fairs, conferences, and creative awards that you should keep an eye on if you don't want to miss anything.
Must-see creative festivals in Spain
In recent years, Spain has become a veritable hotbed of festivals of graphic design, digital creativity and visual communicationMany of them combine conferences, workshops, live shows and awards, with a very strong networking and community component.
Selected (Bilbao)
Selected is one of those events that, if you're interested in the strategic and conceptual side of design, you should definitely mark on your calendar. It takes place in Bilbao and is heavily focused on... innovation, the exchange of ideas and networking among creative profiles Branding, motion graphics, illustration, packaging, and related disciplines. More than a portfolio showcase, it's a space to share processes and reflect on the craft.
One of its distinguishing features is that it has the Stone and Wood awards, accolades you can apply for. uploading your project to their online platformIn addition to being eligible for the award, your work will be published on their website, providing an extra opportunity for professional visibility and potential contacts.
Another great advantage is that the Talks from previous editions are available on their website.These are accessible for free by creating a profile. This allows you to get a very accurate idea of the level of the presentations and, at the same time, keep up to date with quality content without leaving home.
In 2025, Selected will be held November 27th and 28th in Bilbaoconsolidating itself as one of the most powerful events on the creative scene in northern Spain.
FESesDESIGN (Barcelona)
The FESesDESIGN festival, organized by the Barcelona School of Design, takes a highly educational approach. It goes beyond a series of inspirational talks: It combines lectures, practical workshops, and themed city tours that connect the theoretical content with the urban and cultural context of Barcelona.
In addition to that educational aspect, the festival is distinguished by its clear social commitmentFor every ticket sold, a donation is made to the Arrels Foundation, an organization that works with homeless people in the city. In this way, attending the event is not only professionally enriching but also contributes to a very specific social cause.
The 2025 edition is planned for the May 30th and 31st in Barcelona, which places it right in the middle of the peak season of creative activity in the city.
besignFest (Castellón de la Plana)
besignFest, in Castellón de la Plana, is conceived as a multidisciplinary festival where design is not understood in isolated compartments. Its objective is to become the meeting point between different creative branches: graphic design, product design, interior design, visual arts, editorial design, illustration, multimedia design, etc.
The program alternates presentations by leading Spanish creators with workshops where you can get your hands dirty designingExperiment with new techniques or delve deeper into specific tools. It's a particularly interesting event if you work across disciplines and enjoy learning from areas outside your own.
The festival's visual identity is the work of the GetMe studio, which reinforces its connection with the national professional design sceneAlthough the exact date is usually defined later, it is normally celebrated in October in Castellón de la Plana.
Zestafesta (Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa)
Zestafesta is the complete opposite of macro-festivals: a a one-day event, with a few carefully selected presentations and a friendly atmosphere that encourages casual conversations. Its small size has earned it a reputation as a great option for those who value authentic networking.
The event is now in its second edition and is being held in Hondarribia, a charming location on the Gipuzkoa coast. Attending at this early stage has a clear advantage: It's easier to truly connect with speakers and attendees. before the event grows and becomes more widespread.
The next edition is scheduled for May 31th 2025, so it fits perfectly into a spring calendar of creative getaways in the north.
Day C – c of c (San Sebastián)
Although Día C is more closely linked to advertising and communication than to pure graphic design, it's impossible to ignore it in a list of creative events. This festival, organized by the Club of Creatives (c of c)It is considered the most important meeting of the Spanish advertising industry.
It is held in San Sebastián and brings together every year the more creative advertising campaigns of the country, in addition to conferences, concerts, and the renowned National Creativity Awards gala. For designers and art directors, it's a perfect opportunity to understand how creativity is being applied to brands in major agencies.
In 2025, the festival will take place on March 21st and 22nd in San SebastiánThis year, the c de c will also become the first institution to obtain the Festival UnaDeDos seal, a distinction intended to promote a greater presence of professional women in the main forums of the sectorSomething the industry had been demanding for some time.
BONUS: Ladies Wine & Design (episodes in Spain and around the world)
More than a festival, Ladies Wine & Design is a international network of informal encounters Designed for women in the creative sector. It was created by Jessica Walsh with the idea of creating safe and horizontal spaces to share professional experiences, challenges and opportunities.
The format is usually simple but effective: after-work events with one or two short presentations by designers, art directors, or creativesfollowed by a relaxed time to chat over a glass of wine. In many cities, admission is free or symbolic, which opens the door to junior professionals or those transitioning into design.
The network already has active chapters in some 285 cities worldwide and 18 locations in Spainincluding Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville, and Zaragoza. If it doesn't exist in your city, you can even apply to open a new local chapter and strengthen the creative community in your area.
In cities like Barcelona, these monthly meetings have become a an important support point for freelance or remote creativeswho find here a "boost" of social energy and inspiration that is rarely found in everyday life.
Events and conferences focused on digital design, UX/UI and product
Beyond graphic design festivals, the Spanish scene offers a good list of Meetings focused on digital design, UX/UI, product and technology, where designers, developers and digital business specialists come together.
UX/UI Fest
UX/UI Fest 2025 is presented as an event geared towards those who want to put user experience and interface concepts into practice. Its strength lies in the practical aspect: workshops focused on real workflow, AI chatbot design, and creative use of Freepik AI and other advanced tools.
The event takes place between January and February 2025 in Madrid, in a format designed for professionals seeking to quickly update their knowledge of techniques, interaction patterns, and new possibilities of artificial intelligence applied to design.
OFFF Barcelona
OFFF Barcelona is one of the leading international festivals for digital creativity, graphic design, and motion graphics. In 2025, it celebrates its 25th anniversary with more than 70 international speakers, once again making Barcelona the epicenter of contemporary visual culture.
For three days, talks, screenings, workshops, and parallel activities alternate, connecting design with other disciplines such as illustration, generative art, and audiovisual media. The next edition will take place from May 8-10, 2025 in Barcelona.
Leadership Ateliers Barcelona
Design isn't all about creating screen layouts or polishing typography. Leadership Ateliers Barcelona is an event... intensive training in design leadership, aimed at professionals who lead creative teams or aspire to do so.
Their program includes practical workshops and personalized coaching sessions to develop skills such as stakeholder management, business communication, and strategic decision-making for digital products. It will be held on the following days: May 5 and 6, 2025 in Barcelona.
Config (Figma conference)
Config is the annual conference of Figma, a leading name in interface and systems design. Although broadcast from San Francisco, the 2025 edition combines face-to-face sessions and online contentwhich allows it to be easily followed from Spain.
Between May 6 and 8, the following will be presented New features of the tool, case studies of major digital products, and talks on collaboration between design, product, and developmentIt's a must-see for those who base their daily lives on Figma or similar ecosystems.
The Product Conf Madrid
Product Conf is a conference heavily focused on digital products, but it always reserves a significant space for design. In 2025, at its Madrid edition, there will be specific talks about design systemsbehavioral design and the relationship between UX and product strategy.
The date marked is the May 22, 2025 in Madridand usually brings together product designers, product managers and technical profiles seeking a more holistic view of the digital product lifecycle.
Paradis Valencia
Despite its name, Paradis Valencia will hold a conference in Madrid in 2025 dedicated to exploring in depth the role of design as a generator of value. The event will focus on conferences that revolve around inspiration, creativity and visual culturewith a special emphasis on how design can transform businesses and experiences.
The appointment is scheduled for June 7, 2025 in Madridand is especially attractive to those seeking a dose of motivation and medium-term vision.
Atlantic Conference
Atlántica Conf, held in A Coruña, is a technology event with more than 40 talks across various tracksAlthough its main focus is development, content related to digital design, UX, and accessibility is gaining importance every year.
The 2025 edition will take place on June 13th and 14th in A CoruñaTheir agenda includes several very interesting sessions for design professionals:
- "Why are Japanese websites so different?": a comparative exploration between Japanese and Western sites, analyzing cultural factors, visual density, color palettes and consumption habits that directly influence usability.
- “The border and union of Design and Front”: talk focused on how to efficiently translate a design into code, delving into design systems, accessibility, reusable components and best practices in frontend development.
- “Empathy is overrated: how good intentions destroy products”A presentation that questions the superficial use of the concept of empathy in UX, proposing more nuanced approaches critical, ethical and inclusive in the definition of products.
- “Ethical Design in the Digital Era: What Are We Creating?”A reflection on the real impact of design on everyday life, with ethical dilemmas, examples of dark patterns, and proposals for creating more sustainable and responsible digital products.
- “The importance of icons in the usability of digital products”Analysis of the role of icons in the interface, with recommendations to ensure clear interactions, intuitive and accessible.
Blanc! Festival
Blanc! is one of the festivals of design and creativity with the most personality in the Spanish sceneIt was born in 2009 and, since then, it has been responsible for connecting the creative community of the entire State year after year with a friendly, direct and unpretentious tone.
It is celebrated in two major annual events: one edition in Madrid (in May) and another in Catalonia (in October). In 2025, the Catalan edition will take place from October 16-18 in BarcelonaEach year, the festival brings together more than 60 national and international figures who share processes, ideas, mistakes, lessons learned, and unconventional paths to continue evolving in the profession.
One of Blanc!'s greatest strengths is its clear stance "against meaningless noise": in a sector saturated with events, it opts for Honest content and experiences lived from within the professionwhere people come to learn, enjoy themselves and rethink what they do, rather than to pose for a photo.
Penpot Fest
Penpot Fest is a very special event for those who work at the intersection of design and code, and who also have an affinity for the open source model. Organized by the team behind Penpot, It celebrates the intersection between design, development, and free software..
In 2025, it will be celebrated from October 8-10 in Madrid, with technical talks, product demonstrations and roundtables on how to build collaborative design ecosystems based on open standards.
Upscale Confidence
Upscale Conf, organized by Freepik, is an international conference that sits at the crossroads between artificial intelligence, design and creativityIt brings together leaders from the creative industry to explore how new AI tools can enhance (and not replace) the work of illustrators, graphic designers, motion graphics artists, and other visual professionals.
The 2025 edition will take place on November 4th and 5th in MalagaThe program combines workshops, keynotes, and networking sessions designed to better understand the immediate future of technology-assisted creative work.
Design, interior design and visual culture fairs and congresses
In addition to strictly graphic or digital festivals, there is a whole ecosystem of Trade fairs and conferences focused on interior design, industrial design, decoration and digital arts that can contribute a great deal to any creative profile.
Trade Mart (Utrecht)
Although held in the Netherlands, Trade Mart is a leading European event for design-related sectors. It takes place in Jaarbeurs UtrechtFrom September 14 to 16, 2025, and brings together exhibitors of consumer goods, children's fashion, men's and women's fashion, accessories, decoration and, of course, Graphic design applied to product and retail.
It is especially useful for those who work in branding and packagingbecause it allows you to see how brands present themselves in real commercial contexts and what aesthetic trends are prevailing in physical retail outlets.
Madrid Inside Art & Design (MIAD)
For a few days, MIAD transforms the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid into a veritable showcase of Contemporary European designThe 2025 edition will be held from February 26 to March 9 and will bring together around fifty spaces where art merges, interior Design and design.
Its corridors intersect interior designers, artists and international brands They showcase their vision of contemporary design, with proposals ranging from conceptual installations to meticulously designed living spaces. It's an ideal event if you're interested in the intersection of interior design, art, and spatial experience.
Madrid Design Festival
Madrid Design Festival is one of the major design events in Spain. Between February 6 and March 15, 2025, the capital will be filled with exhibitions, showrooms, talks and activities spread across different spaces. Its motto for this edition, "Redesigning the world", reinforces its multidisciplinary character, encompassing everything from graphic design to interior design.
Within the program, there are three proposals that deserve special attention: the Ibero-American Design Biennial (BID24)The exhibition “The line dreams” and the project “Weaving networks”. Each one approaches design from a different perspective, but connected by the idea of social, sensory or sustainable impact.
Ibero-American Design Biennial (BID24)
BID24, at the Matadero Madrid Design Center, brings together more than 90 projects from contemporary design from Latin America, Spain and PortugalThe selection focuses on sustainability, inclusion and social impact, offering a rich overview of disciplines such as industrial, graphic, textile, interior and digital design.
Spain leads this year's list of countries with the most awards, with 11 prizes awarded by its innovation and creative qualityAmong the highlighted projects is “Sightwalks – Guiding Pathways”, a system of tactile paving designed to help visually impaired people in urban spaces.
As part of the Biennial's activities, an event is also held in the Callao Square with more than 100 flamenco cajons playing in unisonThis collective “boxing” mixes design, music and Ibero-American artisanal tradition, demonstrating the extent to which design can be a meeting point between disciplines.
The exhibition “The line dreams”
At the Fernán Gómez – Centro Cultural de la Villa, the exhibition “The Line Dreams” proposes a sensory journey through light. It presents some 70 pieces by 45 international artists, including Davide Groppi, Michael Anastassiades, Marre Moerel or Antoni Arola, among other important names.
The works range from minimalist lighting fixtures to immersive installations that transform the exhibition space into ethereal environmentsThe exhibition invites us to reflect on light not only as a functional tool, but as an artistic medium capable of altering our perception of the environment.
“Weaving networks”
“Weaving Networks” addresses sustainable design by using wool as contemporary material with high potentialThe project brings together collaborations between designers and artisans who explore new ways of working with wool in interiors and objects.
You can see rugs, tapestries and furniture that demonstrate how a traditional material can be adapted to the current trends without losing its artisanal essenceFurthermore, the importance of ethical practices is emphasized: responsible production, integration of local communities, and respect for the rhythms of craftsmanship.
The exhibition is complemented by workshops open to the public where you can learn traditional textile techniques and experience firsthand the use of wool as a design resource.
Cevisama (Valencia)
Cevisama is one of the major international trade fairs for lovers of ceramics, natural stone, bathrooms, and construction materials applied to design. It will take place from February 24-28, 2025 at Feria Valencia and will bring together more than 800 exhibitors from some 40 countries.
Brands like Porcelanosa, Roca, Marazzi or Villeroy & Boch They will present their new collections, heavily focused on sustainability and innovative finishes. For interior design and architecture professionals, it's a prime opportunity to discover Trends in surfaces, textures and technical solutions.
The fair also features dedicated areas for designer pieces, where architects and interior designers such as Ramón Esteve and Teresa Sapey present recent projects. In addition, there are trend workshops, conferences by international experts, and an experiential zone where visitors can explore the possibilities of ceramics. residential and commercial spaces.
Intergift (Madrid)
Intergift, which takes place from February 5 to 8, 2025 at IFEMA Madrid, is the Leading trade fair in Spain and Portugal for decoration, interior design and giftsMore than 900 brands from 30 countries showcase their collections, turning the pavilions into a comprehensive display of styles, materials and decorative solutions.
This edition features the "Handmade" section, dedicated to contemporary craftsmanship and the design of unique piecesIt's a perfect place to discover products from small brands and designers that combine tradition with a modern visual language.
Confirmed exhibitors include Vical, with its rustic-industrial style furniture; Kartell, with its focus on furniture made from recycled plastic; and LZF Lamps, specializing in handcrafted sculptural light fixturesIn addition, there will be talks with interior designers such as Lorenzo Castillo or Erico Navazo on how to integrate these pieces into residential and commercial projects.
Le Chic & Antique (Madrid)
Le Chic & Antique is a pop-up shop returning to Calle Serrano 59, in Madrid's Salamanca district, for two runs (from February 4th to 9th and from February 11th to 16th, 2025). It is designed for lovers of... antiques, auctions and flea markets with a good eye for detail.
The event brings together more than 20 exhibitors specializing in furniture, decorative objects and vintage pieces with history, including names like Pedro Gonzarreta, El Atelier de Argensola, Dos Buscadoras de Tesoros, Verde Gabán or Amaltea Antique.
The proposal aligns with the current trend towards sustainable materials such as wood, stone, or marble, and with a color palette heavily inspired by nature, where the terracotta, ochre, and green tonesOrganized by POP UP CHIC, it's a great opportunity to find pieces with soul and character.
ANTIK Auction House (Madrid)
ANTIK Almoneda, which will be held from March 22 to 30, 2025 at IFEMA Madrid, is a must-see event if you are passionate about the antiques and objects with a pastIt brings together more than 200 exhibitors with an offering ranging from Art Deco furniture and vintage pieces to unique jewelry and textiles.
In addition to the trade fair, the program includes antique furniture restoration workshops and talks on how to integrate vintage pieces into contemporary spaces. Among the most sought-after items are 19th-century prints and Art Nouveau lamps, ideal for adding a strong personality to any interior.
The event also features a contemporary art section, where emerging artists present sculptures and paintings that engage in dialogue with the other objects, creating a A very interesting mix between past and present.
Other key festivals and awards in the design ecosystem
In addition to the events already detailed, there is a constellation of festivals, conferences and awards that have been (or continue to be) fundamental for the development of design culture in Spain and Europe.
Design festivals and fairs in Spain
At the national level we find proposals such as the International Congress on Dual Design, which in its first edition focuses on interdisciplinary design experiences and projects based in Madrid. Also the FADFEST, the annual FAD festival in Barcelona, which brings together activities related to design, architecture, art and thought.
In the north, ABLA is a design and communication fair at Ficoba (Irun)Meanwhile, the Association of Designers of the Valencian Community organizes the International Typography Congress, a reference for lovers and professionals of lettering.
MAD in Spain, although no longer held, was for years a key event surrounding the design, creativity and advertisingwhere top-tier studios, agencies, and creatives gathered. Alongside it, the historic UX Spain and MADinSpain have left a clear legacy in the Spanish digital design community.
In the realm of awards, the Laus Awards, promoted by ADG-FAD, remain one of the most prestigious recognitions of creativity and quality in graphic and audiovisual communication in our country.
International festivals of art and digital culture
If we look outside of Spain, there are events that any digital design professional should know about. OFFICE, which began as a post-digital culture festival, has established itself as one of the leading creative events internationally.
In the field of electronic arts, Art Futura explores the relationship between technology, art and society; ResonatorIn Belgrade, he works on the intersection of art, culture and technology through workshops and performances; Ars ElectronicaIn Linz, it is an icon of electronic arts and interactive media; and TransmediaIn Berlin, he critically examines digital culture from the perspectives of art and theory.
The London organization One Dot Zero It has been another important player in promoting the moving image and digital arts, with touring programming and collaborations with festivals and museums around the world.
Major international conferences on graphic and web design
Globally, there are a number of conferences that set the pace of the industry each year. graphic design, web design, and user experienceAlthough many are held outside of Spain, almost all offer online or hybrid options.
Adobe max
Adobe MAX, usually held in October in Los Angeles, is one of the world's largest gatherings for digital creatives. It brings together conferences on Graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, and tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Adobe XDwith workshops and live demonstrations.
For professionals who work extensively with the Adobe ecosystem, this is a prime opportunity to Learn advanced tricks, discover optimized workflows and to understand where the tools are headed in the coming years.
Awwwards Conference
The Awwwards Conference, scheduled for 2025 in Paris, brings together the best web designers and front-end developers in the worldIt combines talks on UI/UX trends, web technology, performance, and award-winning digital experiences.
It is especially recommended if you are interested in high-quality website design, with a focus on interaction, micro-animations, typographic experimentation and accessibility.
SmashingConf
SmashingConf, traditionally held in Freiburg, Germany, is a very practical conference on web design and developmentHis presentations usually delve into accessibility, advanced CSS, modern layouts, performance, and user experience.
The added value lies in the fact that many sessions feature real-world examples, code, and applied casesThis makes it a good investment of time for those who are involved in the day-to-day construction of interfaces.
CreativePro Week
CreativePro Week, based in US cities like Denver, is specifically aimed at those who work in Editorial design, print production, and workflow with InDesign, Photoshop, and related tools.
The program includes very specific training sessions, focused on gaining efficiency and quality in projects of layout, editorial branding and multi-format content.
UXDX, Design Matters and other UX/UI events
UXDX, held in Dublin, focuses on digital product design from a cross-cutting perspective: UX, engineering and product working together. It's ideal if you're looking to better understand how your design role fits into product-oriented organizations.
For its part, Design Matters, in Copenhagen, is very focused on digital design, UX/UI and brandingwith topics including ethics in design, sustainability, the future of user experience, and responsible design. It brings together creatives from around the world and offers a very current perspective on the challenges facing the industry.
Looking at this whole picture, it becomes clear that the offer of graphic design, digital and creativity events The coming months are overwhelming, but also incredibly rewarding. Choosing wisely where to invest your time and budget can make a huge difference in your future. inspirationyour network of contacts and the quality of your projectsWhether you're looking for major international festivals or small local networking events, there's practically an event tailored to every type of creative professional; you just need to plan your schedule and go experience them.
