Design City Conference

Creative Tourist

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Design City Conference

13 October 2016

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Book now

Now in its fourth year, this day-long conference of ideas and inspiration features internationally celebrated and influential speakers discussing ‘Design City’ and showing an insight into their creative work.

The conference will be hosted by Patrick Burgoyne, editor of Creative Review. Speakers include multidisciplinary interaction designer Jason Bruges, immersive tech artists FIELD, graphic designer Alexandra Wood, Dutch design collective Trapped in Suburbia, Warner Bros.’ senior VP of creative affairs and head of Blue Ribbon content Peter Girardi, with more to be announced. Ben Young and Joe Hartley from the the Pilcrow pub will also be there, explaining how the community has designed and built a contemporary pub in Sadler’s Yard.

The Royal Northern College will host a full afternoon of creativity, with supporters G. F Smith hosting a showcase of print and others joining them in the foyer to be announced.

Abel Selaocoe_Spring 2026_credit Phil Sharp_sq
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MusicManchester
Inspirational Artists at RNCM

The RNCM launches its second Inspirational Artists series, spotlighting a huge range of touring musicians and ensembles, each bringing something unique to the stage.

From £12.50
Promotional image of Branford Marsalis playing saxophone
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RNCM Autumn Season

The RNCM unleashes a season of daring stories, fearless players and performances ranging from jazz and opera to film scores and full-blown orchestral spectacle.

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CinemaManchester
Faust: A German Folk Legend at RNCM

F. W. Murnau’s silent-era masterpiece Faust: A German Folk Legend gets the big screen treatment at the RNCM, with a live improvised organ score.

From £12.00

Where to go near Design City Conference

Manchester
Restaurant
San Carlo Fumo

San Carlo Fumo is a sun trap on St Peter’s Square, serving up traditional Italian food at its best

Utility Gift Shop
Manchester
Shop
Utility Gift Shop

Utility Gift Shop on Oxford Road is all about products that are new, unique, quirky and cool. High street shopping at its best.

exterior of Contact Theatre building
Manchester
Theatre
Contact Theatre

Following a major redevelopment, the iconic venue on Oxford Road will be reopening its doors to welcome the public back into the building this autumn. 

The Salutation pub in Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Salutation

This traditional boozer, surrounded by imposing flats and university buildings, was taken over by Trof (of the Deaf Institute fame). The Sally, as the regulars call it, hosts an energetic, arty crowd – and its recently expanded outside area is another good reason to visit.

What's on: Exhibitions

Experience a unique deep listening art installation inviting audiences to lay down and be bathed in sound and light.
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
ORIGIN at Dunham Massey

Art and wellness come together in the beautiful surroundings of Dunham Massey, in ORIGN, a new immersive sound installation.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Picks this month include bold visual art, wondrous opera and cinematic dance - plus a touch of ghostly storytelling for the Halloween season.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.