The room,in 2025
Two focused days. Big-stage perspective, small-group depth, and time to think.
250+ design leaders at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Here’s what it felt like — and why the seventh edition is three days.
Shot in the room,
not staged.
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto. The same venue hosts the seventh edition — November 17–19, 2026.
Straight from
the room.
Not a recap deck. The sentences people sent after they got home.
“DLS 2025 felt less like a conference and more like a room full of sharp minds pushing each other to think deeper.”
Umar Rehman · Head of Design
“The packed schedule of talks and roundtable discussions left me energized and overflowing with ideas.”
Justin Godard · Design Director
“They created a space for 250+ design leaders that was about human connection.”
Natasha Green · Design Manager, Experience Design
“Incredibly insightful, with many amazing conversations that wouldn't have happened otherwise.”
Lennie Lu · UX & CX Leader
“I leave Toronto refreshed and encouraged by this generous community.”
Ryan Rumsey · Chief Executive Officer
“A great opportunity to network and connect with individuals both online and in person.”
Meghan Logan · Staff Product Designer
Don’t take our word
for it.
7 mainstage recordings from the sixth edition. The seventh-edition programme is being built now.
Design at the Strategy Table
Crossing the Chasm
The G.R.I.T. Framework
The Future of Design Leadership
You Will Have a SuperPower
Back to Basics
Craft is Counter-Intuitive
Doors 9:00. Mainstage after lunch.
Interactive sessions at The Well in the morning. Mainstage talks at TIFF Bell Lightbox from 1:30pm. November 19, 2025.
Intuit, The Well — multiple hosts
Connect over design leadership archetypes
Beyond Pixels: The Impact Past Design
Deliver Undeniable Impact — Capital One
Designing with No Interface — Yum!
AI Design for Good — GoFundMe
Unraveling AI & Design
Conference closing
Two rooms the day before.
These ran at Spaces Toronto on November 17, 2025. Seventh-edition workshops sit inside the three-day pass.
The seventh edition is three days.
Same high-trust room, a stronger lineup, and one extra day. November 17–19 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Get the summit pass ↗