Your SLDW 2025 Lineup is here and the event is just around the corner (October 6-10), and the theme Form & Function: Where Beauty Meets Purpose is shaping up to be more than just a slogan – it’s the foundation for everything we do. At The Shop Workspace, we believe design should both inspire and act. That it should look good and work well. And this week, we’re proud to host a series of conversations, workshops, and panels that embody exactly that.
Below are four confirmed events we’re hosting. These are designed to give designers, makers, entrepreneurs, and freelancers the tools, inspiration, and connections to level up.
Confirmed Events at The Shop
Here are the details of the confirmed events being hosted at The Shop. Click through to register or get tickets — many are pay-what-you-want or low cost, and designed to be super accessible.
| Event | Date / Time | What You’ll Experience | How to Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Brains Behind SLDW’s Branding | See Luma page for exact date/time | Join Jace Goodwin (founder of Goodwin Studio) as he walks through the branding process for Salt Lake Design Week itself. How did the visual identity get shaped? What came first — form or function? Learn about the creative decisions, constraints, inspirations, and how branding supports a broader design event. | Get tickets / Suggested donation ($5 or Pay-What-You-Want) |
| Founders by Design: When Design Meets Entrepreneurship | See Luma page for date/time | For anyone who’s thought “Can design be more than visuals, more than projects?” — this panel is for you. Design founders share how they moved from practicing design to founding and running businesses. What does it take to build product vision, strategy, operations, etc., informed by a designer’s mindset. Panelists include Nicole Martinez, Jared Strain, Jennie Moser, and Clint Savage. | Register here |
| The 411 on Freelancing | Doors open at 6:30 pm, event 7-8 pm | Unfiltered conversation about being a freelancer: pricing, finding clients, fulfillment, building sustainable workflows, navigating burnout, etc. Plus: build your “freelancer’s toolkit”—tech tips, pricing formulas, and real advice from people who’ve been there. After the talk, keep the vibes going at the after-party at Sunday School Rooftop Lounge. | Register here |
| Form + Function with Laura Levitt | See Luma page for date/time | Laura Levitt (Design Lead at Philo Ventures) leads a discussion around what “form + function” really means in practice: balancing aesthetics, usability, data, and impact. From her background in graphic design, branding, UX, and startup work, she brings stories and frameworks you’ll be able to use. | Get tickets / Suggested donation |
Why These Events Matter – And Why The Shop Is the Place to Be
These four events reflect the heart of what The Shop Workspace is all about — more than just desks or meeting rooms; we’re a place where creators of all backgrounds can learn, share, and grow. Here’s how these events connect to our core philosophy:
- Bridging theory & practice: It’s one thing to talk about design; it’s another to see how branding for a city-wide event is built from the ground up, or how a product founder brings form + function into their business.
- Support for all kinds of creative careers: Whether you’re freelancing, forming a company, or just wanting to deepen your craft, these sessions give you practical insight, not just inspiration.
- Access to real people, real stories: The panelists and speakers are folks you can connect with — not just distant names. Their journeys are varied; their advice will be honest.
- Community + conversation: Learning doesn’t happen in isolation. These events are designed with networking, connection, and collaboration in mind. After all, meeting someone in the hallway or over coffee can shift your perspective or project in unexpected ways.
How to Get the Most Out of the SLDW 2025 Lineup at The Shop
To make sure your Design Week is full and fulfilling, here are some tips:
- RSVP early — Some events have limited space or suggested-donation pricing. Doing this locks in your spot.
- Plan ahead — Check the Luma pages for times and venue details; some have doors-open vs event start difference.
- Bring the right tools — Notebook, laptop/tablet, voice recorder or phone for notes, business cards or portfolio (if you want feedback or making connections).
- Be present & ask questions — These panels and talks are only as good as what you take away; engage with the speakers, ask what you’re curious about.
- Stick around for the social moments — After-parties, mingling over drinks, brief conversations in between — those are often where ideas, collaborations, and support networks form.
Why The Shop Workspace Is Where Design Lives
In a city like Salt Lake, creativity is everywhere – in the architecture, nature, local crafts, digital design, music, art. But creatives need more than inspiration; they need space, resources, community, and support.
At The Shop, we offer:
- Beautiful, functional space — Natural light, flexible layouts, tech-friendly meeting rooms, places to work quietly or collaborate openly.
- Community-oriented culture — Members support one another; we host learning, critiques, sharing. It’s not just renting a desk — it’s being part of something.
- Ease & access — Centrally located; multiple membership levels and day passes; accessible to people at different stages of their creative careers.
- Belief in the power of design — We believe design isn’t just decoration. It has impact — for people, for business, for environment. During SLDW, those intersections are front and center, and The Shop is where they come alive.
Final Thoughts & Signup Details
We’re so excited for these confirmed events and that there are more likely to come. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out:
- Bookmark the event pages on Luma
- Subscribe to The Shop’s events / newsletter so when something new drops, you hear about it immediately
- Share with friends, colleagues, or anyone you think could use a spark this week — the more creatives in the room, the more powerful the week becomes
Ready to compare your SLDW 2025 Lineup with ours? Let’s make “form + function” more than a theme. Let’s live it.
— The Shop Workspace Team