The Northern Design Festival is BACK for 2025 — and we’re proud to support the second year of this fantastic volunteer-lead, purpose-driven initiative, built for the Northern design community.
The location? Lancaster
The dates? 15–17 May 2025
The theme? ‘Transparency’ in the creative industry. This topic is borne from an aim to dismantle hidden barriers and foster open, accessible career pathways in design fields, often perceived as exclusive.
The partners? Craft, of course, alongside industry giants such as DixonBaxi, BBC Creative, TypoCircle, LOVE and D&AD.
NDF 2025 offers a rich program of talks, workshops, and networking events. Festival directors Antonia Arbova and Niamh Cartwright have highlighted the need to address the realities of the creative sector, moving beyond its polished exterior to tackle obstacles hindering sustainable careers.
A significant goal of NDF 2025 is to challenge the centralisation of the UK’s design economy, where 60% of the workforce is based in London and the South East. By hosting the festival in Lancaster, NDF highlights the vibrant creative communities in regional cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle, promoting the wealth of opportunities available outside the capital.
Our Brand & Marketing Director Daisy Crowder also has a role to play in the festival, in her position on the NDF Advisory Board. Again she is in good company, and together the board are curating a festival that drives towards the goals of being helpful, aspirational, and inspirational.
Through candid discussions on career setbacks, financial realities, and the evolution of design in a post-pandemic world, NDF 2025 aims to equip creatives with the knowledge and networks necessary to navigate their careers confidently. The festival is committed to fostering a more transparent and inclusive future for all design professionals.