Bulgaria

What?

Design WeekEnd is a three-day design competition aimed at high school and university students. It features an introductory evening with a discussion panel, lectures by professional design mentors, and 26 hours of team work to create a brand from scratch.

The Story of Design WeekEnd

We are a small team of volunteers, and every bit of support means the world to us.

Nearly 10 years ago (yes, 10—we are just as surprised) we launched Design WeekEnd with a small design conference in Sevlievo. Since then, we have been creating and participating in diverse design events in Bulgaria, developed three original formats, moved to Plovdiv, built valuable friendships and lasting connections, endured a pandemic, and came back stronger. Today, we continue to create with the same childlike enthusiasm—though perhaps a little more grown-up.

Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working with incredible people as part of the team, as lecturers, or as mentors.

2015 – The Beginning
After participating in Startup WeekEnd @Blagoevgrad, EU Code Week Blagoevgrad, and HackConf 2015, the idea of Design WeekEnd was born. We weren’t sure what we were looking for or how to achieve it, but we tried—and just a few months later, the first event came to life.

2016 – Meet the Experts
In 2016 we began in Sevlievo with the city’s first design conference. Our speakers included Ivan Ginev, Zhustin Tom, Meri Hristoforova, Daniel Lidyanov, Viktoria Raycheva, and organizer Emil Totev. Nearly 100 participants with an interest in design and photography joined the two-day conference at “Vasil Levski” Secondary School.

2017 – Challenge Your Limits #limitations
A year later, in March 2017, again in Sevlievo, Design WeekEnd hosted a design competition for students. More than 70 participants from across the country joined the three-day event. Speakers and jury members included Svet Simov and Plamen Motev from FontFabric, Dimitar Petrov from Studio Zmei, Miroslav Marinov from Sofia Photography School, Alex Kostov from BrandЪ, and Georgi Kandev from Netpeak, with returning participants Meri Hristoforova and Zhustin Tom.

By Sunday evening, five teams presented their projects, and the jury had the tough task of evaluating their work. Sweet energy came from Cherno Morets chocolate candies, while the winners received unique 3D-printed awards with live Scandinavian moss, created specially for us by 3DEA Design Studio.

2017 – Design Conf
That fall, we experimented with a larger format—Design Conf, a two-day design conference in Sevlievo featuring exciting presentations by Bulgarian and international speakers.

2018 – Creativity. Passion. Design.
In 2018, we moved to Plovdiv, hosted by Limacon Event Center. From March 30 to April 1, we filled the venue with creative, curious, and talented young people. Returning speakers included Meri Hristoforova, Alex Kostov, and Spasimir Dinev, along with new additions like Elena Rapondzhieva and Krzysztof Filipiuk from Studio Zmei, Vanya Ananieva, Bogdan Vasilev, and Botyo Botev.

2019 – Design Connects
The second Plovdiv edition took place March 22–24, 2019. With a new team, new mentors, and many new participants, we created a vibrant atmosphere at the Rowing Base and beyond. Mentors included Baycho Georgiev, Svetoslav Stankov, Milena Trifonova, Ana-Maria Stefanova, and Minyo Kostadinov, alongside returning faces Meri Hristoforova and Daniel Spasov. The speakers included Vera Mihaylova, Docho Katsarov, and others.

2020 – Spark the Fire
The 2020 edition was canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

2023 – A New Direction
After a three-year pause, we returned to Plovdiv, hosted by the Technical University of Sofia, Plovdiv branch. Despite cold November days and even a snowstorm, the enthusiasm and creativity of our participants shone bright.

Ten student teams competed, creating brand identities in just over 24 hours. The winning team “Bad girls and one langur” designed a brand for winter sports gear, followed by teams “Moles” (a bakery brand) and “Zaroyad” (a board game store brand).

2024 – Team up. Create. Stand out.
From November 22–24, 2024, we were back in Plovdiv at the Technical University. This edition broke records with 19 teams, guided by our dedicated mentors. In just 26 hours, the participants built brand identities from scratch. The winners, team “Tara Dara,” impressed with their innovative brand for chocolate products. Teams “Razlichim” and “Yunashki Hapki” took second and third place with a men’s fashion magazine brand and a packaged sandwiches brand.

2025 – Creative Pathways
Once again in Plovdiv, we are ready to explore both familiar and untrodden creative paths. Join us from November 14–16!

Why is Design WeekEnd a good practice?

Design WeekEnd is a good practice because for nearly a decade it has brought together people with shared interests, connecting young talents with professionals and creating a space for creativity, growth, and passion. The event proves that with consistency and dedication, an idea can grow into a sustainable platform that inspires new generations of designers.

Learn more about the upcoming edition here – Design WeekEnd 2025.