Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Part of Our DNA

In our path to developing educational content for digital designers, we create spaces that open the conversation around the industry’s challenges, but also honest questions about our own humanity and role as designers. 

Through the themes we tackle at our conferences, we encourage design leaders and practitioners to reflect on relevant topics related to inclusion and diversity, promote awareness, foster social responsibility, and encourage empathy. The outcome we aim to achieve is DEI progress in the design industry, as well as the development of a global community that creates powerful change, connecting and empowering each other – regardless of ethnic, religious, economic background, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities. 

Allies for Diversity

We believe that a real community can only be formed by learning from each other. Through our speakers, participants, partners, and collaborators, we seek to learn and join the battles fought by underrepresented groups. It is thanks to their support, that we can create a space that provides opportunities for diverse designers to expand their network and continue to become the leaders of an industry truly engaged in inclusivity. 

As a team, we strive to create and support a culture of inclusion and belonging, where people, culture, and systems, nurture a digital design industry that embraces diversity in the workplace, equal opportunity, and inclusive practices in all aspects of our work.

A Conference for Everyone

Involving designers from different backgrounds on and off stage at our conferences is a challenge we meet with pride. This is why we’ve come up with different ticket types and price levels, tailored to our audiences and with a focus on including designers from underrepresented groups. 

The DEI ticket is more accessible and is intended to support the participation of people with indigenous backgrounds, who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and/or with disabilities. At the same time, we want to include students, independent designers, and non-profit staff who may have a harder time accessing the conference at regular prices. 

If you want to know more about how Design Matters implements its DEI agenda and what concrete steps we take to make sure our work guarantees a diverse, equal, and inclusive approach, take a look at this document.