A guide for attendees
We are delighted that you are joining us at Leading Design London. We hope that the information below will help you prepare for the event. If there's anything we haven't covered please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions via events@clearleft.com.
Are there any gatherings happening the night before the conference?
Yes! We've booked a few tables at The Fable on Tuesday 5 November from 6:30PM - 8:30PM. Join the team and some of your fellow attendees for some informal drinks. With lots of people traveling in from around the world it'll be a lovely way to kick off Leading Design 2024.
Where is the event taking place?
We look forward to welcoming you to the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. There are several entrances. The Silk Street entrance is the most straightforward.
Our event registration desk will be on Level 4 by the Conservatory Terrace.
Registration is 09:00 - 09:45. You can find a full schedule here.
What’s the best way to get to the Barbican Centre?
Heads up! There's a London Underground strike action scheduled for early November. Please review the TFL site for up-to-date information.
The Barbican is within walking distance of a number of London Underground and Elizabeth Line stations, the closest being Barbican, St Paul’s, Farringdon and Moorgate. Check out the Barbican’s Maps & Directions guide for more extensive options.
You can also walk to the Barbican within 30 minutes from much of central London and explore the city on your way. Car parking is available if you are travelling by car and can be booked in advance.
To help you pinpoint the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance, you can use this what3words address: ///planet.work.spicy
For up-to-date travel information and routes, visit the Transport for London Journey Planner.
Is the event accessible?
The Barbican Centre is committed to making the venue accessible, and our conference takes place across floors 3 and 4 which are fully accessible via the lifts.
There is an induction loop provided in our Leading Design auditorium which you can use by adjusting your hearing aid to the T setting - for the best reception we advise sitting near the walls or the front of the auditorium.
For more detailed information about the venue’s accessibility, check out Barbican’s accessibility guides.
Please help us to improve the accessibility of the event by flagging any requirements in advance via events@clearleft.com.
Do you have any accommodation recommendations?
There are plenty of places to stay close by. Options tend to be more expensive the more central you are, but check Tripadvisor for some hotel ideas. Some of our team often stay at the Travelodge London Central City Road, which is a short 10-minute walk. Alternatively, there are lots of travel options to the Barbican Centre, so you can stay in an AirBnB further away and easily travel in.
How do I register my arrival?
On arrival, you will find our friendly events team to welcome you at the registration desk on Level 4, just outside the Conservatory Terrace entrance. There's no need to print anything, we just need your surname to locate your booking.
Registration is 09:00 - 09:45. Name badges will be organised alphabetically by last name, which will be attached to a Clearleft lanyard for you to wear for the duration of the event. This gives you access to all Leading Design areas, and has the event schedule attached.
Where can I store my valuables at the event?
You can store bags, luggage and valuables in our fully staffed conference coat check, located next to the registration desk on Level 4 by the Conservatory Terrace.
Is there WiFi at the event?
Yes! You’ll find WiFi login details on the event programme.
Are there any charging points?
There are a few charging sockets in the Conservatory Terrace, which you are welcome to use during the breaks. However, we recommend you bring a power pack with you. If you’re travelling from outside the UK, remember your adaptor.
How do I find out who’s talking and what’s happening?
For event timings and information about what the speakers are talking on, please check out our event schedule. You will also be provided with a physical copy of the programme on arrival.
Is the event catered?
A light breakfast, break time snacks and a sit down lunch will be provided on both days, catered by the brilliant Searcys. There will be plenty of coffee, tea and water available throughout the day. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements that you haven't previously mentioned at the time of booking.
Is there a space where I can work/breastfeed/relax/pray/take a nap during the event?
We have a quiet room for all attendees to access which will be signposted. Plus there's plenty of space to wander around the lovely conservatory if you need a break from the crowds.
Hopefully you'll be able to switch off work notifications and fully engage in the conference. But if something urgent does come up talk to us at the registration desk about your options.
Can I bring my baby/preschooler?
We are committed to making Leading Design London as accessible as possible for everyone. You're welcome to bring your baby or preschooler along - we'd appreciate it if you could let us know via events@clearleft.com.
Will there be Q&A with the speakers?
During the last session of each day we'll be gathering all the speakers on stage for a group Q&A session. If you have a question for any of our speakers please submit it via one of our question cards. These will be available at the registration desk and on the front of the stage.
We believe this is the best way to get to as many of the most common questions as possible during the limited time available.
How do I sign up for a themed lunch table?
Hosted by some special guests, these lunchtime conversations can be signed up for on the day at the registration desk on the morning of each day.
Is there a hashtag for the event?
Yes! We will be using the #LeadingDesign and #LDConf hashtags on our LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. Feel free to tag our Leading Design accounts in any posts.
Is photography/videography taking place at the conference?
Yes, we have photographers and videographers onsite to capture the talks and activity at the event. If you would prefer not to be included please notify one of the Clearleft team at the registration desk.
All attendees will have access to the event photos via our Flickr account. We'll share the link a week or so after the conference.
Will there be a drinks reception after the conference?
There will indeed!
Conference day 1 - we're hosting a drinks reception in the Barbican Conservatory from 5PM - 7PM.
Conference day 2 - we have reserved an area at the Barbican Brasserie from 5PM - 7PM for those who would like to continue the conversation.
How do I sign up for a Barbican Architecture Tour?
You can sign up for a tour on the day at the registration desk. These tours are always extremely popular so we recommend arriving in good time to get your name on the list.
Will the talks be recorded, and will I have access to them?
Yes, all the talks are being filmed and videos will be shared with you via our password protected Vimeo account after the event. However, our ‘Off-the-record’ segment is an unscripted, unrecorded conversation where our speakers dig deeper into the themes from the day.
Is there a way to connect with other event attendees before and after the event?
You can check out some of the people coming to the conference via our LinkedIn Leading Design London 2024 event, with the opportunity to follow or connect with people before and after the event.
We also have our Leading Design Slack channel which design leaders can apply to join, and chat with like-minded peers in a friendly, supportive space. Access for this is via application only.
Is there a way to access Leading Design’s archive of talks from previous events?
Yes, our Leading Design On Demand platform hosts an extensive archive 100+ talks from the world's top design leaders available for an annual subscription fee. This is a great way to share Leading Design content with your teams, especially your up and coming design leadership talent. Explore the talks and find out more.
What plants and animals are there in the Barbican Conservatory?
The Barbican’s conservatory is pretty iconic. It is home to over 1,500 species of plants and trees, along with exotic fish, terrapins and… there are turtles! There will be plenty of time during the breaks and lunchtimes to explore, and learn more about the rare and endangered plants that thrive in this green oasis.
Is there a code of conduct for Leading Design events?
Please do read our Code of Conduct. It applies equally to the team, the speakers, the sponsors and the attendees.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns or questions, please speak with a member of the Clearleft team – they’ll be wearing a green coloured lanyard. You can also text or call our Head of Events, Louise Ash, on 07899 812837.