Travel like a designer: SS26 Design Destinations

Written By Liz Swaminathan

If you’re looking to round out your Spring/Summer 2026 travel calendar with destinations sure to provide design inspiration, here are a few of the events I’m most looking forward to. Hope to see you there!

  • NYCxDESIGN, May 14–20 — Touted as NYC’s “official celebration of design,” this isn’t one to sleep on. Last year, the team pulled off over 255 events across the city, welcoming over 160,000 attendees, 37% of which were international. In the works already is the debut of a powerful (pun intended) installation which will be unveiled in Battery Park, tracing the origins of the universe’s first light, 13.77 billion years ago (source).

  • La Biennale di Venezia, May 9-November 22 — The world’s biggest, oldest and most influential art exhibition, the Biennale is the gold standard of creative-led experiences. Across over half a year, countries present their standout artists in historic pavilions across Venice, sharing a diverse mix of media. Whether you’re interested in art, architecture, cinema, dance, music or theatre, there’s something here for you (source).

  • The Only True Protest is Beautyat Fondazione Dries Van Noten (Venice), April 24-October 4 — Curated by Dries Van Noten with Geert Bruloot, the Presentation considers craftsmanship as a language of expression and a conduit for emotion. Works from fashion, jewellery, design, art, photography, glass, ceramics, and material experimentation move beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines, responding to one another to challenge assumptions, unsettle expectations, and reveal the profoundly human dimension of making (source).

  • Art Basel, June 18–21 — the O.G.

  • PAD Saint-Tropez, July 2–5 — This is a new one, and just recently on my radar, but seems to be a smaller and more object-focused event than its London counterpart. Color me intrigued.

Follow along via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsd_studio_gallery/

Liz Swaminathan

Liz is the founder of LSD Studio, an Austin-based interior and architectural design practice. A native Texan and proud Longhorn, Liz's background spans architecture, commercial real estate, and executive leadership, bringing both creative vision and strategic insight to every project. When not sketching your new custom closet or trudging through job sites, she can be found in the garden, or chasing her two little ones around Austin -- or around Paris, or San Sebastián... or Tokyo.

https://www.lsdstudio.com
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