SF Design Week is here!

San Francisco Design Week Kick-Off Celebration 2011

I try to think back and figure out when my obsession with design began, but I suppose that could be attributed to a multitude of different situations from my past: everything from coloring books to the stacks and stacks of magazines my sister and I used to (excuse me, still) purchase, to my aunt’s old, but awesome red Volkswagen bug that we would all cram into. See, it’s difficult to assess something like this because design is literally everywhere. The jeans you’re wearing, the chair you’re sitting on, the movie poster hanging on your wall, and the building you are in– yup, all because of design.

But no seriously, when you think about it, design is super cool. Designers alter the appearance and functionality of basically everything manufactured we use and everything we see. The way things are designed affects the way we see and use them. Yesterday I was having a conversation about how the old VW bugs had round headlights which, according to my boyfriend, makes it feminine. Ok, I can see that.

If you’re still reading that must mean you’re at least a little bit curious as to where I’m going with all of this, so I proceed: San Francisco Design Week is upon us (June 11 to 17). These events were originally founded as a means of reaching out “to a diverse community of over 20,000 Bay Area design professionals as well as local businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs, students, the design-savvy public, tourists, and more,” according to their website.

Today, along with a valuable workshop on the importance of design and branding, a Kick-Off Design celebration will be held from 6-8pm at Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen packed with guest speakers, Campari cocktails and appetizers, and chalkboard artists performing live during the event.

There will be lots of great workshops and networking opportunities this week. Visit their website for the week’s full event schedule.