International Design Festival showcases creative professionals in San José

Meet Speto. He’s an urban artist from Brazil, who draws his inspiration from hip-hop music and paints bombastic murals across São Paolo walls. He’s also one of many artists presenting this weeks’s International Design Festival (FID) in San José, which begins today.

For this three-day event, diverse speakers hail from all over the world, and their presentations are multimedia feasts for the eyes. Founded in 2010, FID incorporates live music and an Art City Tour of San José, plus plenty of opportunities to sip cocktails and kibitz. The event is expected to draw about 2,000 attendees.

Online ticket sales are no longer available, and latecomers must pay at the door. Owing to its popularity, the third edition of FID takes place at the massive Old Customs House (Aduana Antigua) in Barrio Escalante. The days are divided into themes: March 13 is the Day of Inspiration, Friday is the Day of Innovation and Saturday is the Day of Creativity. Each day is dedicated to different activities and events, exploring various aspects of design.

Each day culminates in “FID Nights,” including discounted meals and libations at area restaurants and energetic after-parties. Will Club Vertigo be able to contain 2,000 bohemians for the final celebration on Saturday night? They may have to get creative.

Festival Internacional de Diseño takes place March 13-14 at Aduana Antigua in Barrio Escalante, with associated events in other locations. $75-140. Info: Festival website.