Our Mission

Design in Public embraces design to create a healthier, more livable city. We demonstrate the value and relevance of design in public life. We empower citizens and leaders of Seattle to participate in design thinking and processes to optimize Seattle’s future.

Our Vision

Design in Public inspires Seattle to boldly imagine a vibrant urban environment in which citizens and leaders embrace design as an essential element for addressing community challenges and enhancing future vitality — a city that routinely asks, How can design help solve this issue for our community? We believe that design is a profound way of thinking and working that can address real, complex, systemic problems in the public realm.

What we do

We research, convene, and share knowledge on best practices of design and the built environment. We advance Seattle’s livability in the 21st century by working with individuals, businesses, government and organizations to:

• think more deeply and creatively about community challenges;
• imagine innovative design-based solutions; and
• enhance community decision-making informed by good design.

An Initiative of AIA Seattle

Design in Public is a strategic initiative of AIA Seattle, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Design in Public was founded in 2011 to promote more public dialog about the role and impact of design on urban life.