Design 2025 submissions

About the Open Call

This October, LCB Depot’s programme, Design 2025, is dedicated to creative individuals working across architecture, product, graphic, digital design, and other design disciplines. It serves as an annual platform for showcasing and selling work, hosting events and workshops, and fostering connections among professional designers. The program is open to all artists, whether based or studying in Leicestershire, the East Midlands, or internationally (international work can only be displayed digitally). Submissions should creatively respond to this year's theme, 'home'. The program is brought to you, in part, by LRSAs Love Architecture festival. While entry is free, LCB Depot, as an unfunded organization, cannot pay for submitted work but offers in-kind support. Exhibitors are encouraged to sell their work, with a 20% admin fee charged by partner @vehiclearts on each sale. The opportunity also welcomes proposals for funded projects seeking a home and promotes related events happening elsewhere during the season. A panel of professional designers will select exhibition submissions. Selected work will be exhibited at LCB Depot (with potential for other venues) and online via social media (#design @lcbdepot). LCB Depot is also interested in hosting craft-related events during the season, including demonstrations, workshops, talks, and screenings. Opportunities exist to get involved in the family day on October 11th, the launch at street food nights on September 26th, or during other open times. Additionally, artists are invited to use the space as a free studio for collaborative work, administration, or general gathering, provided it remains open to the public. The Design 2025 programme will launch on September 26th and be open to the public from September 29th to October 24th. Applicants are advised to submit pre-made work due to a tight turnaround for selection.

What is Offered

In-kind support, opportunity to sell work (with a 20% admin fee on sales), promotion of related events, free use of studio space, exhibition opportunity (physical and digital), networking with professional designers, opportunity to run events/workshops.

Requirements

Open to creative people working in architecture, product design, graphic design, digital design, and other design fields. Submissions must respond to the theme 'home'. Work chosen for exhibition must be delivered by September 19th. Applicants should enter work they have already made. Artists are responsible for their own insurance as LCB Depot's public liability insurance does not cover individual artworks. Physical work should be mirror-plated for hanging.

How to Apply

Submissions are made via a Google Form, which requires signing in to save progress. Ideas for events and workshops should be sent to exhibitions@lcbdepot.co.uk. For media uploads (images/videos), applicants are directed to use WeTransfer via the provided link: https://we.tl/r-ZPuc6CvfXQ. Files should be renamed 'Your Name, name of work'. Instagram-ready images/videos are encouraged, with videos under 60 seconds and max 1080p. A maximum of 6 images (JPEGs or PNGs) or 3 videos (MP4) can be submitted.