San Diego Tijuana is the first ever cross-border region to be designated World Design Capital®.
There are four values that guide WDC 2024:
community
, connection
, collaboration
and celebration
.
World Design Capital
The World Design Capital® (WDC) is designated every two years by the World Design Organization® (WDO) to recognize a city’s innovative and effective use of design to strengthen economic, social, cultural, and environmental development. Through a year-long program of design-related events, WDC provides a platform to showcase best practices in design-led policy and innovation, increase civic engagement, and attract business and tourism.
About WDC
The future is is at our doorstep. Our region has earned a year long international spotlight celebrating 366 Days
of Design. Our goal together: Envisioning the San Diego Tijuana region over the next three decades to maximize
the transformative potential we hold in our hands today.
WHY SDTJ?
From San Diego’s pioneering semiconductor innovations to Tijuana’s thriving culinary culture, architecture to arts and humanities, our cross-border region is a hub of design thinking and doing that is shaping the world. Our diverse community lies at the heart of this dynamic, and now, as we come together to envision a brighter future, the legacy of WDC2024 embodies our regional commitment to innovation and collaboration.
OUR MISSION
Envision the San Diego Tijuana international border and mega region as a beacon of collaborative design,
driving impactful change through a systematic process. By integrating design thinking and practical
implementation, we identify needs, strategize, engage communities, and implement purpose-driven solutions,
embodying a commitment to meaningful action and transformative progress.
Our Team
From San Diego designing the semiconductors that enabled the mobile revolution, to Tijuana’s culinary renaissance, our region is already shaping the world through design.
Meet our team
As our community comes together to design a better future, the legacy of WDC 2024 will take shape. Our goal is to leave a long-term impact in the following areas:
Economic Impact
Job creation, and visitor spending at local businesses
Social Impact
Improved transportation and housing access
Environmental Impact
More accessible public spaces, and better water and air quality
Policy Impact
New public funding dedicated to design that benefits our communities
The staff of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 are united by community, connection, collaboration, and celebration.
With deep roots throughout the San Diego Tijuana region and longstanding connections to the design community, we all work together to advance the mission of WDC 2024: to design a better future.
Meet them
The WDC 2024 organization represents the collective leadership of organizing partners City of San Diego, UC San Diego Design Lab, Burnham Center for Community Advancement, Design Forward Alliance, and City of Tijuana, as well as numerous community supporters.
We are also grateful to all our sponsors who are contributing to the success of WDC 2024.
Partners & Sponsors
The WDC 2024 Board Members include a group of diverse individuals from the San Diego region who have years of experience in design, education, leadership, innovation, and a dedication to steering the organization’s mission to serving the community.
Team
FAQ
Focusing on these areas allows us to best display our region’s design and innovation, and to pay attention to our region’s most pressing issues as we come together to design solutions through WDC 2024. If you have more questions, check out our FAQ page to learn more.