Beyond Helvetica: Seattle Design Festival Debuts September 16

In less than a week, the first Seattle Design Festival will delight typography nerds, color enthusiasts and letterpress lovers, by filling the streets of Seattle with more than 30 design-centric events in just over 10 days. Phew!

Apparently, mega design organization AIA and their 10 partners in putting this festival on subscribe to the old adage "go big or go home," because it's going to be big. Lisa Richmond, AIA Seattle executive director, explained that the festival, which begins this Friday, and runs through the 25, "puts design often times invisible in our society at the forefront of conversation, policy and thought and raises the bar for what is possible — through great design — for our city."

The festival offerings are broad and deep, including tours, films, exhibits, speakers and even some family friendly fare. And, as a bonus, all events are open to the public..

Here are a few highlights:

• Three days of films about architecture and design at SIFF Cinema

• A workshop for kids and parents to build a model of the city (Seattle Architecture
Foundation)

• A “pop-up design center” in Pioneer Square

• A free, chartered bus to the grand opening of Brightwater, the King County waste
treatment plant, environmental learning center, and 72-acre park

If you're at all enthusiastic about design (which you probably are, because you live in Seattle), you'll definitely want to find the events that suit your fancy. For information visit the Seattle Design Festival's website.