UQAM Annuel de Design 2025 Highlights Student Creativity

Every year, Montréal’s creative community eagerly awaits the Annuel de design at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). And this spring, it’s back — brighter, bolder, and bigger than ever. From May 1 to 7, 2025, UQAM’s Design Pavilion transforms into a vibrant showcase for the work of nearly 200 graduating students, shining a spotlight on the future of design in Québec and beyond. This 11th edition isn’t just about admiring good design — it’s a lively meeting ground for students, professionals, and curious visitors to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate innovation in every form.

Six Floors of Pure Creative Energy

For one full week, UQAM’s Design Pavilion will feel more like an experimental art gallery than a university space. The event spans six floors packed with projects covering graphic design, environmental design, fashion, and even advanced studies in heritage architecture and immersive environments. The energy is contagious — it’s not just an exhibit, but a conversation starter. From bold, interactive installations to elegant, socially conscious fashion collections, every corner of the building hums with fresh ideas and forward-thinking perspectives. And the best part? Entry is totally free — you just need to register online.

The City Becomes a Canvas

One of the coolest additions this year is what’s happening outside the walls of the Design Pavilion. Starting in the fall of 2024, UQAM turned the Pavilion’s façade into a permanent outdoor display space, and it’s about to shine during the Annuel. Throughout the event, student-created video projections will light up the building, adding a striking new layer to the experience. Meanwhile, the façade of UQAM’s Président-Kennedy Pavilion will feature Enchantement: Design in Motion and Visions of the Future, a series of immersive, moving-image works produced by students in the DGX6134 course. Running from late April to the end of August, these eight-minute loops turn the city’s skyline into a living, glowing gallery.

Special Events You Don’t Want to Miss

The Annuel de design isn’t just about admiring finished projects — it’s also a chance to dive deeper. On May 5, a roundtable discussion brings together recent grads from UQAM’s master’s program in environmental design to chat about their work and the future of the field. Then, on May 10, UQAM celebrates the 50th anniversary of its School of Design with Design International, a public event featuring renowned international designers like Na Kim, Fraser Muggeridge, Julie Richoz, Sandra Kassenaar, and Tyl Vergriete. It’s a rare opportunity to hear from some of the most exciting names in global design — and yes, it’s free too.

Where Creativity, Community, and Future Visions Meet

What makes the Annuel de design so special isn’t just the volume of work or the eye-catching installations — it’s the spirit behind it. This is where Montréal’s next generation of designers get to show what matters to them, experiment with new ideas, and build connections that could shape their careers. If you’re in town this May, don’t miss it — this is where creativity lives.

Event Name: UQAM Annuel de design 2025
Dates: May 1–7, 2025
Location: UQAM Design Pavilion, 1440 rue Sanguinet, Montréal
Admission: Free with registration
Website & Social: UQAM official channels
Nearest Metro: Berri-UQAM

Complete Timeline