Dates: January 7–14, 2026 Format: Virtual · Global · Collaborative Hosted By IxDF Washington D.C.
What’s Happening
Join designers, developers, researchers, and makers from across the U.S. (and maybe around the world) for a week-long design jam where we’ll collaborate across disciplines to take an idea from concept to prototype in just 7 days.
This jam is part hackathon, part design sprint, and part creative playground. An opportunity to explore, experiment, and learn from others with very different skill sets.
Who We’re Looking For
Our goal is to foster balanced teams with diverse expertise and perspectives. If you have experience or curiosity in any of the following, we want you on board:
UX / UI Design
User Research (UXR)
Service Design
Product Design
Front-End / Full-Stack Development
“Vibe Coding” (creative coding, generative visuals, motion, or sound)
Data Visualization
Physical or Tangible Prototyping
Illustration
Accessibility Design
Interior Design
Anything else! You name it!
How It Works
Kickoff: Wednesday, January 7 Meet your team, get your challenge prompt, and plan your approach.
Daily Weekday Check-Ins.
Final Presentations: Wednesday, January 14 Teams share their prototypes, insights, and reflections.
Each team will define their own tools and workflow
Before the Jam
We’ll host info sessions (TBA) to help you prepare, meet other participants, and learn more about how the jam will run.
What You’ll Get
Hands-on collaboration with new people and new disciplines.
A full week of creative focus on a meaningful challenge.
Opportunities to prototype, test, and present your ideas.
IxDF
Senior Leader distinction: Strengthened the IxDF community through sustained leadership.
IxDF
Local Leader distinction: Local Leader of an
IxDF Local Group
IxDF
Community Leader distinction: Awarded for serving as an influential IxDF community leader
IxDF
Best-in-Class distinction: Completed an IxDF Course
with a score of 100%
+10
Alexandria, United States
Matt Burgess
Designer at Design Your World
View Profile
Why Join
Meet people who love design as much as you do. Together we learn new skills, grow our networks, and discover new job opportunities.
Questions? We've Got Answers
What is an IxDF Local Group and why should I join one?
An IxDF Local Group connects you with people in your city who are building and applying design skills in their work. Together, you'll strengthen your craft, expand your network, and put theory into practice.
IxDF Local Groups meet regularly in person at cafés, company offices, or creative spaces to share ideas, give feedback, run workshops, and learn from each other. Many groups also organize IxDF Design Dinners, where the conversation goes deeper over a meal. These aren't just social events. Members find collaborators, clients, job leads, and future teammates through them.
You'll also have access to a private online forum where you can get career advice, honest feedback, and support from people who understand the work.
You don't need to have a "designer" title to join. If you care about how design shapes products, careers, and organizations, you belong here.
Join and you'll discover new skills, explore job opportunities, and build relationships with people who understand the power of great design.
IxDF Zagreb
IxDF Accra
IxDF Oslo
IxDF Santo Domingo
IxDF Stockholm
IxDF Quebec
IxDF London
What goes on in an IxDF Local Group?
Your IxDF Local Leader organizes meetups based on what members want most. Sessions range from hands-on and structured to relaxed and informal.
Some examples of what you'll find:
Presentations from local designers, followed by Q&A
Lightning talks where members share lessons learned from real projects
Workshops where you work through a real design challenge together
Portfolio reviews where you get honest, practical feedback
Coffee meetups and design dinners with open conversations about where the industry is heading
Any member can propose, organize and post a meetup. You don't have to wait for your Local Leader to take the initiative.
What stays consistent is the people. You'll find designers and professionals who ask good questions, share what they know, and show up for each other between meetups too.
I'm not even a designer. Should I still join an IxDF Local Group?
Yes, absolutely!
Design skills make you more effective in any role. Product managers, developers, marketers, researchers, and founders all work better when they understand how to think like a designer.
IxDF Local Groups reflect that. Members come from all kinds of professional backgrounds, not just design. What they share is an interest in how design shapes products, decisions, and careers.
You'll fit right in regardless of your background.
You don’t need to be a designer to have a seat at the table. IxDF Pune
Curiosity and good coffee are the only requirements. IxDF Santo Domingo
From designers to business thinkers, every voice adds value. IxDF Bordeaux
You don’t need to be a designer to think creatively. IxDF Chennai
Everyone here learns from each other and grows together. IxDF Salvador