EXHIBITION MANIFESTO
AN EXHIBITION OF FORGOTTEN WORK
Every designer knows that much of our work never makes it into the world. Our archives are filled with sketches, studies, prototypes, and concepts abandoned because of project constraints, shifting priorities, budgets, or a client who chose another direction. Sometimes they're simply the result of an afternoon spent exploring a new material or idea.
These works are not failures. They are lost ideas from our process, dense with experimentation, creativity, and unrealized potential.
DESIGN GRAVEYARD invites designers from across Chicagoland and beyond to resurrect one of these forgotten works, removed from its original constraints, recontextualized through a new medium, and give it new purpose.
WHEN
OPENING NIGHT
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 27, 2026
SUBMISSION
GUIDELINES
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- PRODUCE NO NEW WORK
-
Crop all media to a 17" × 17" canvas using the provided InDesign template.
- Don't treat the canvas as a presentation board. Each submission should present a single lost idea, recontextualized as its own subject.
- Dimensional and digital media are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to display constraints. Contact SEGD Chicago to discuss feasibility.
- Submissions should respect confidentiality and remove or obscure references to clients, brands, or other identifying information when appropriate. Participants retain ownership of their submitted work. SEGD & Design Graveyard will use submissions only in connection with this exhibition and its promotion. See our Terms for full details.
SUBMIT
SUBMIT YOUR FORGOTTEN WORK TO DESIGN GRAVEYARD.
Your submission already exists. Unearth your lost ideas and give them new purpose together with the Chicago design community for the exhibition in October.
FAQ
WHAT TYPE OF MEDIA SHOULD I SUBMIT TO THE EXHIBITION?
A sketch, study, prototype, concept, or other design idea that was abandoned, cut, rejected, left behind, or never realized.
SHOULD I CHANGE OR UPDATE MY LOST WORK AT ALL?
The spirit of Design Graveyard is to curate a collection of lost ideas with new purpose. We encourage you to crop, scale, rotate, or color correct your lost idea to be printed on high quality photo paper by our sponsor. Exactly how much time you put into recontextualizing the idea is up to you.
HOW MANY WORKS CAN I SUBMIT?
Submit one lost idea per submission. Multiple sumissions allowed.
WHAT SIZE IS THE PRINT SUBMISSION?
Crop all media to a 17" X 17" canvas using the provided InDesign template.
CAN I SUBMIT DIMENSIONAL OR DIGITAL WORK?
Yes, but we need details. Dimensional and digital media will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to display constraints. Contact us to discuss feasibility.
RECOGNITIONS
Design Graveyard is curated by Katie Osborne and Ryan Odom, AIA of SEGD Chicago.
Thank you to all who have made Design Graveyard a reality.
VOLUNTEER
Design Graveyard is looking for volunteers to help bring Chicago's forgotten ideas back to life with an exhibition of forgotten work called Design Graveyard.
From exhibition installation and event support to welcoming visitors and helping behind the scenes, volunteers will play an important role in creating an exhibition that celebrates the work that never made it into the world.
You'll meet designers from across Chicago, experience the exhibition from the inside, and help create a memorable event for the Chicago design community.