01Monzo
Vuokko AroA summit about the work
we never finished.
we never finished.
Design’sUnfinishedBusiness.
The promise was bigger than the screen.
Nov 17–19, 2026TIFF Bell Lightbox · Toronto · In-person only
Get the summit passUS$699From the room / DLS ’25Talks, roundtables, Q&A, the social
Early speakers announced
This year’s voices,announced.
5 confirmed so far. More voices and session details announced soon.
02Shopify
Cynthia Savard
03Gusto
Amy Thibodeau
04TD Bank
Christian Rohrer
05Humanism at Scale
Peter MerholzConfirmed roster in progressCurrent speakers ↗
Join the seventh editionNov 17–19, 2026
Seventh edition. Three days.
One pass.
US$699 + 13% HST · invoiced in USD. Full programme access. Smaller sessions are subject to room capacity.
Bringing the team? Groups of 6+ save 15% with code TEAMPASS →
02 — The premise
We tried this before.We did not see it through.
There was a moment when design seemed ready to change more than interfaces. The iPhone reset expectations. Design thinking entered boardrooms. Experience design pushed beyond usability. The opportunity was real.
But over time, much of design was pulled back into production. More teams. More rituals. More screens. More delivery. The mandate got smaller.
2008 / The promiseShape products, services, organizations and value.
2012–2025 / The narrowingShip the visible layer. Faster.
Now / The openingMaking is easier. Judgment matters more.
03 — Three days. One mandate.The argument
The argument
unfolds together.
Day 01Tue · Nov 17
Workshops + opening
Morning–afternoon workshops are included in all-access. The 3 Day Summit Pass starts at 5pm badge pickup, then the 6pm opening panel and social.
Day 02Wed · Nov 18
Talks + roundtables
A full day of honest mainstage talks, followed by curated conversations under Chatham House Rule.
Day 03Thu · Nov 19
Sessions + closing
Hands-on sessions, lunch with the room, and the expansive half: the new organization, the whole experience, and quality.
04 — How the room worksLess performance.
Less performance.
More participation.
Built for senior leaders who need more than inspiration.
Set the frame
Main-stage stories without the conference theatre.
Pressure-test it
Debate the parts that do not have clean answers.
Do the work
Apply the thinking to your own organization.
Off the record
8–12 peers, under the Chatham House Rule: use the information, not who said it.
Build the trust
The conversations after the microphones are off.
05 — Proof from the room
Real people, real work,
no trade-show theatre.
DLS is a working room for senior design leaders: mainstage stories, floor questions, smaller sessions, and conversations that keep going after the microphones are off.
Contact sheet / DLS ’25Shot in the room, not staged
DLS 2025 felt less like a conference and more like a room full of sharp minds pushing each other to think deeper.”
06 — The venue
At TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto.
A cultural institution for a summit about what people see, feel, remember, and trust.
350 King St W · Toronto, Canada
07 — Before you bookFull FAQ ↗
The few things
people ask first.
Dates, the room, the pass, and what happens if plans change. Everything operational lives on the full FAQ.
When and where is DLS?
DLS 2026 — the seventh edition — runs Nov 17–19, 2026 at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West, Toronto. It is in-person only. Travel details ↗
Who usually attends?
Senior design professionals — staff designers, design managers, directors, VPs, and heads of design. The room is built for people who already lead the work, not a generalist conference audience.
What does a pass cost?
The current summit pass is US$699 + 13% HST · invoiced in USD. Checkout shows the complete total before payment. Get the summit pass ↗
What is the refund policy?
Passes are transferable to a colleague if your plans change. Email support@designx.community and we will move the registration.
Ready when you areTake another run
Take another run
at the work.
The pass is on sale. If you need the team rate, an invoice, or a letter for your manager, start with tickets or send us a note.