The Design Forums engage Cannon Design’s professionals in collective, collaborative, creative design activities focused upon real situations, deepening and enriching Cannon Design’s unique firm culture of collaboration and mutual support. To promote experimentation, creativity and innovation, the Forum convenes 40 design professionals from all offices and from all levels of experience to work in non-hierarchical teams, addressing design challenges laid out in a briefing package distributed beforehand. While there are no rules about how teams work, nor the “product” they produce, the last day of the Forum is always devoted to pin-ups, where each team shares their work with the entire group. Video tapes are later distributed to all offices so those who did not attend can experience the spirit of the Forum.

These Design Forums represent a practice innovation unique in the country. No other firm in the nation has invested in such a sustained pursuit of design experimentation, innovation, and discovery, nor committed to institutionalize it as a central feature of its practice culture.