Do you identify as a geek in any way, shape, or form? Do you enjoy supporting local artists that produce often niche and geeky items? Have you finished–or even started–your holiday shopping for those that matter in your life? Or maybe you’re just looking for something to do that weekend before Thanksgiving.
Regardless, bring or escape the family at the upcoming DesignerCon being held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The convention will run Friday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 24th and will host over 500 vendors and 300 artists, combining the design world of “collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and so much more with urban, underground and pop art” into one design-centric convention.
Tickets are available for purchase on the DesignerCon website, and if early entry, exclusives, and/or rubbing shoulders with industry celebrities are your jam, be sure to purchase a VIP ticket as Friday night is VIP Night. Not only that but being a VIP will provide early access to the convention floor both Saturday and Sunday.
LOGISTICS
So let’s talk logistics of attending the convention. Paid parking is available at the Convention Center as well as several surrounding parking lots, including the Disney Toy Story Lot. Food will be available for purchase in the convention center’s concessions as well as outside on the GrandPlaza in the form of a variety of tasty food trucks. For those who don’t like dehydration, there are water fountains located within the convention center as well, so bring your reusable bottles. In regards to survival supplies, the convention recommends bringing “comfortable shoes, a bag and/or backpack, sketchbook and pens/Sharpies.” Be aware, that oftentimes there is a security bag check in order to get into the convention center.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
This convention is more than just a place to holiday shop, despite what this article’s writer may have led you to believe. It’s meant to be an experience for attendees, providing panels, art installments, live demonstrations, and much more. Even the badges, designed by Steve Harrington, are meant as a “limited piece of art” for each attendee of the convention to take home.
See below for a list of experiences that we recommend you check out while at the convention.
- NTWRK Stage – Partnering with NTWRK, the stage will broadcast live panels, demonstrations, discussions, and special release announcements. Get the NTWRK App to partake.
- Beyond Eden Galleries – Showcasing global galleries and artists in the convention center hall. Recharge your introvert batteries with a quiet art walk, or join another for an inspired discussion.
- Secret Walls – Witness the dynamic creation of art as artists “battle it out for victory.” Whatever this means exactly, it’s sure to be an experience like no other.
- Lounge Juxtapoz – Juxtapoz Magazine is providing a VIP listening lounge right on the floor of the show. Yet another VIP ticket perk.
SCHEDULE
Panels will include a variety of topics, including the following:
- Fine Art, Design & Counterfeiting
- Walking Your Own Path: Turn Sneaker Passion Into Income
- SNKR Inc. Artists Discussion
- Radio Juxtapoz LIVE
- NoPro Live with Host Noah Nelson
- Augmented Reality In the Spider-Verse & Beyond
- Wacom x Secret Walls Tablet Duel Grand Finale
Select artists will also be holding scheduled signings.
- Vance Kelly (Hero Complex Gallery)
- Ilse Valfré (Valfré)
- PEPPERJERRY (Urban Devil)
- Eric Walker (Dollar $lice Bootlegs)
- Tom Neely (Rocom Toys)
- D*Face (3DRetro)
- Hip Hop Trooper (EndlessTees)
- SHAG (SHAG)
- Camille Rose Garcia (CRG Booth)
- Lauren Tsai (MEDICOM Toy Booth)
The convention floor opens at 10am both on Saturday and Sunday for general admission, and closes at 7pm and 6pm respectively. Find the full schedule, including times and locations, here.
Of course there will be venders galore in attendance. To see the full list of 500+ vendors as well as a show floor map, please visit this DesignerCon website page.
As the event draws closer, be sure to follow DesignerCon on social media for show updates.
Won't you join us next weekend? 😁https://t.co/d5gt80heul https://t.co/d5gt80heul
— DesignerCon (@DesignerCon) November 14, 2019
Edited by Maddie Morrow
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