Friday, June 12: GRADUATE DESIGN SHOW 2026
The MS Design graduating Class of 2026 (known as "the Loftees") present their capstone Design Show—a celebration and exhibition showcasing the entire cohort's work from their time at Stanford. Each graduate will exhibit three projects from their academic portfolio, including their thesis project. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience the creative solutions developed by Stanford's newest design graduates.
Opening Night: Friday, June 12, 2026 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Public Exhibition: Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 10:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Stanford d.school, the Atrium, 550 Panama Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
This event is open to the public. No RSVPs required.
Sunday, June 14: DESIGN DIPLOMA CEREMONY 2026
THE MAIN EVENT
The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (d.school) is thrilled to host the Design Diploma Ceremony and celebrate the Class of 2026 with their friends and families. Our ceremony will take place immediately after the main ceremony held at Stanford Stadium.
All students who are participating in the Design Diploma Ceremony must complete the 2026 Design Diploma Ceremony Participation Form before Friday June 5, 2026 at 5:00pm. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to participate in the ceremony or be included in the program if you do not complete this form by this deadline.
- What: Design Diploma Ceremony hosted by the Stanford d.school
- When: Sunday, June 14, 2026 starting at 1:30pm
- Where: Kennedy Grove, Stanford, CA 94305
- Who: Graduates of the Class of 2026 (BS and MS) + their guests
- Food: Yes! Lunch will be available starting at 12pm at the Stanford Humanities Center Patio, adjacent to the Kennedy Grove.
Due to the fact that our ceremony venue is an open grove, we highly recommend all attendees to avoid wearing heels or risk getting stuck in the soft terrain!
The best way to get to Kennedy Grove from Stanford Stadium is to drive and park at the Tresidder Parking Lot at the corner of Mayfield Avenue and Lagunita Drive. Kennedy Grove is a short 5 minute walk from the Tresidder Parking Lot.
The Program
11:30 - 1 pm: Student Check-In table Open
12 pm: Lunch available
1 - 1:30 pm: Students & Faculty Line Up
1:30 pm: Ceremony Begins- Faculty and Graduating Student Procession
1:45 pm: Welcome
1:50 pm: Presentation of Design Faculty
1:55 pm: Various Speakers
2:05 pm: Student Awards and Recognitions
2:15 pm: Awarding of BS Degrees
2:40 pm: Awarding of MS Degrees
2:55 pm: Closing Remarks
3:00 pm: Ceremony Concludes
Guest Invites
Tickets will not be required for the Design Diploma Ceremony. Each graduate is suggested to invite up to 5 guests to join the celebration. Please keep your invite numbers reasonable. Guest seating is limited on a first come, first serve basis. We will not be turning away any standing guests if all available seats fill up.
Cap and Gown
Cap and gown must be worn to participate in all Stanford Commencement ceremonies. Make sure to place your cap and gown orders through the Stanford Bookstore. Visit the Stanford Commencement website for the regalia rental timeline and information on the Grad Fair at the Stanford Bookstore.
Accessibility
If you need accommodation for accessibility for the main Stanford Commencement Ceremony hosted by the university, please reference the Access, Mobility, and Transportation Resources site.
If you have any accessibility requests for the Design Diploma Ceremony hosted by the Stanford d.school specifically for yourself as a student or for a guest, please fill out this form by Monday, June 1, 2026 at 5pm at the latest.
Driving and parking directions for guests with disabilities from the main ceremony:
From Stanford Stadium you will exit the Track House Lot (parking lot reserved for disabled parking) and turn right onto Galvez Street. Turn RIGHT onto El Camino. Turn RIGHT onto Serra Street. At the roundabout take the third right onto Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive around until you get to Mayfield Ave. Turn RIGHT onto Mayfield Ave, then turn RIGHT onto Lomita Drive. Turn RIGHT at the corner of Santa Teresa and drop off in front of the Humanities Center, located on your right. You can then park along Santa Teresa or in the parking lots on Lomita or behind Tresidder on Mayfield or at Roble Field parking garage further down Santa Teresa near Via Ortega. Submit a request here if you would like updates on disabled parking near the ceremony location.
Photography
Our ceremony’s photographer will be GradImages. They will be on stage to capture the moment each graduate receives their diploma. Please fill out this contact information form so GradImage can follow up with graduates individually on graduation photo orders after commencement weekend.
For Family + Friends
Plan Your Visit
Visit commencement.stanford.edu for the complete university resource on visitor information, featuring maps, lodging, dining options and more.
Communications on the Design Diploma Ceremony
The d.school staff will be communicating the Design Diploma Ceremony details with our students + graduates only. If you have any questions, please continue to follow this webpage or reach out to your graduate.
From Degree Progress
STUDENTS CONFERRING THEIR DEGREE
The Design: Degree Conferral Form should be used by all Undergrad and Graduate students seeking to confer their Bachelor’s (Product Design / Design) or Master’s (Design) degree in Spring 2026 from the School of Engineering. Requests for degree conferral are reviewed by the student’s degree program, School of Engineering, and the Office of the Registrar to verify completion of degree requirements.
- Apply to graduate in Axess as soon as possible (no later than the quarter deadline).
- Download your Unofficial Transcript.
- Fill out a final Program sheet with all classes, grades, and unit calculations.
- Meet with us at Office Hours for a required Program Sheet check
- First with a Peer Advisor (*Undergraduates Only*)
- Second with your assigned Faculty Advisor (*Graduate and Undergraduates*)
- Submit your Program Sheet and Unofficial Transcript to the Design: Degree Conferral Form.
Once you do this, Design will begin reviewing your program sheet diligently along with your My Academic Path (MAP) page. Should there be any need for clarification, or questions, we will reach out to you.
WALKTHROUGH PETITIONS
For students not conferring their degree in Spring 2026, but who wish to still participate in the commencement ceremonies, there are two separate walkthrough petition processes to be aware of.
Stanford Commencement Ceremony Participation:
This is for participating in the main Commencement Ceremony hosted by the university at Stanford Stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026 starting at 9:30am. Students can check their participation eligibility, and access the ceremony’s petition form, by visiting the Can I walk at Commencement page. Visit https://commencement.stanford.edu for all further information on the main university ceremony.
Design Diploma Ceremony Participation:
This is for participating in the d.school Design Diploma Ceremony hosted by the Stanford d.school at Kennedy Grove on Sunday, June 14, 2026 starting at 1:30pm. Students must complete the 2026 Design Diploma Ceremony Participation Form and request a walkthrough exception to participate. Student Services will respond to all petitions as soon as possible, and by early May at the latest, to confirm whether the walkthrough petition is approved. Students who have previously participated in a d.school Design Diploma Ceremony are not eligible to participate as a walkthrough.
