Square One

Square One is Advanced Design’s annual design conference. The conference was founded in 2017 by a small group of students at the University of Illinois-Chicago looking to make their voices heard within the evolving climate of design education. Since then, it has evolved to having an international presence—attracting an audience of nearly 1,000 attendees from over 17 states and 4 countries within its first two years. Square One began as a design conference focused on visual communication and sketching techniques, and has since grown to encompass various design practices and dialogues. Square One is built on the principles of inclusiveness and affordability, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone.