Taking place this May in Lancaster, the Northern Design Festival will bring together studios, strategists, and storytellers to tackle the creative industry's hidden barriers, one honest conversation at a time.

Now in its second year, the three-day event is fast becoming a standout moment in the northern design calendar. With a focus on dialogue over dogma, this year’s event promises a candid exploration of the creative industry's less polished corners and the conversations that too often go unspoken in studios, agencies, and portfolios.

Co-founder and director Antonia Arbova explains the motivation behind this year’s theme: “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."