INTL International: The World’s Trendiest Design Festival

INTL International is one of the youngest, fastest-growing, and most influential graphic design events in the world today. Founded in 2014 by Beth Wilson and James Gilchrist—co-founders of Warriors Studio—INTL originated as their graduate project at the Edinburgh College of Art. Initially known as the Scottish Graphic Design Festival, the event was conceived as a collaborative learning platform to connect Scotland with the global design community through bold visual expression and an independent spirit. This vision quickly attracted leading designers, institutions, and professionals from across the local industry and secured sponsorship from Deutsche Bank.

The festival’s first annual publication presented all selected works on a single double-sided poster. Notably, the collection featured both understated designers rarely seen in international competitions and groundbreaking works by globally recognised figures—some of which continue to shape the design landscape today. This distinctive approach propelled the Scottish Graphic Design Festival into international recognition. What began as a student-led, five-day regional initiative has since evolved into a month-long, globally attended design celebration.

This talk features James Gilchrist, co-founder of INTL International, in conversation with Hsing-Kai Peng, chairperson of the organising body. Together, they will examine how designers can use posters—the most distilled form of graphic design—as a medium to participate in the evolution of international visual language. The discussion will also explore how to cultivate a competitive yet constructive environment that empowers independent creators to experiment, take risks, and shape a design legacy for this generation. Additionally, they will reflect on the changing role of awards institutions, which once symbolised authority and centrality, in a world where absolute values are increasingly questioned.