Design at Dreamforce ’24: Everything You Need to Know

Design at Dreamforce '24: Everything You Need to Know

Your guide to the sessions and demos featuring how-tos and the latest innovations from product UX.

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Dreamforce 2024 is only weeks away. Join us for the largest and most trusted AI event in the world on September 17-19, 2024, in San Francisco and on Salesforce+.

We invite everyone - developers, designers, admins, partners, and anyone who uses Salesforce - to be a part of the design conversation. This is your go-to source for Dreamforce design sessions and demos, so you know where to be when.

Overall, our community is buzzing with excitement about the enhanced Lightning User Interface (UI), a refreshed visual style that's gradually rolling out. It makes working on the platform easy, fast, and approachable.

Whether your org is using the enhancements now or preparing for when it's widely available, we've got helpful tips.

• Admins won't want to miss a showcase of how each style choice leads to an improved user experience.
• Developers will feel confident with best practices on preparing an org for enhancements to the UI, including styling hooks.
• Designers can learn how to work with components in the new Figma kit.
• Partners and consultants enjoy a glimpse of even more design innovations.
• And everyone benefits from knowledge shares on inclusive design and accessibility.

Here's your guide for what's in store at #DF24:

• Get to know our design system in Platform Park
• Learn about UX/UI at Dreamforce design sessions
• Register and get started

Get to know our design system in Platform Park

Bring your questions to our UX experts. Additionally, we'll have both Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS) and the new visual style pulled up and ready to explore.

Demo 1: Enhanced Lightning UI

Learn how we're improving the user experience with a streamlined UI. Plus, get before-and-after views of visual designs and supported code changes that help users work faster. There's even a way to dig a bit deeper with a Trailhead Badge and Trailmix.

Demo 2: Salesforce Lightning Design System

Discover how to build modern UX with prebuilt UI components and customization best practices. After that, keep the learning going with a Trailhead Badge and Trailmix focused on SLDS.

We're here to connect and have fun. Bring some friends, enter for a chance to win a certification voucher, and come grab a sticker, too.

Learn about UX/UI at Dreamforce design sessions

It can be hard to curate your own personal hit list from the 1,500+ available sessions. We're here to help.

When you have a solid agenda, make sure you use the Salesforce Events app. It's your go-to companion for the onsite event experience. Download in the Apple App Store or the Google Play App Store today. If you're remote, stream the keynotes on Salesforce+ and follow recaps on Salesforce Designers LinkedIn.

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Start your AI event experience with in-demand Dreamforce design sessions.

8:00-8:20 AM PT

Unify, Harmonize, and Activate All Your Data with Data Cloud: Learn how to bring together data from different sources, create unified profiles, adn use your unified data in Salesforce applications and to power predictive and generative AI. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, AI + Data Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: ​​Victoria Spaulding-Burford, Salesforce VP of Product Design/UX, Data Cloud

8:30-8:50 AM PT

Glimpse the Future of Design at Salesforce: What does it mean to build AI-first experiences? Learn how Salesforce is approaching the future of product design, how design insights influence outcomes, and how work culture needs to evolve. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: ​​Liz Trudeau, Salesforce VP, Cross-Cloud UX

10:00 AM-12:00 PM PT

Main Keynote: Join Marc Benioff and guests to discover how every business can become an AI enterprise. (Moscone South, Lower Level Keynote Room) *Add to Agenda

Speaker: Marc Benioff, Salesforce Chair, CEO & Co-Founder

1:00-1:20 PM PT

Improve Agent Creation with Advanced Planner: Discover how to create next-generation agents by using Topics, Actions, and Advanced Planner. Enhance error handling, ensure accurate responses, and achieve seamless conversational flow. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Cassy Funk, Salesforce VP, User Interface/User Experience

2:30-2:50 PM PT

Explore the Enhanced Visual Style of the Lightning UI: Learn how intentional design choices lead to great experiences. Understand how the refreshed Lightning UI design improves navigation, time on task, and approachability for a diverse set of users. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speakers: Angie Elko, Salesforce Senior Director, UX Foundations & Hilary Rich, Salesforce Senior Director, Product Management Design Systems

​​(Miss it? This session repeats in the same location on Thursday 9/19 at 1:30-2:00PM PT.)

3:00-3:20 PM PT

Use SLDS Best Practices to Opt In to Enhanced Lightning UI: Is your org set up to take advantage of the enhanced Lighting user interface? Get essential advice for best practices and learn about the updated tools that will make opting in a breeze. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speakers: Shelby Hubick, Salesforce Principal Engineering Architect, UX Foundations & Timothy Yeh, Salesforce Product Manager, Design Systems

3:30-3:50 PM PT

Keyboard Accessibility: Marketing Cloud's Inclusive Design: Learn how inclusive design enhances user experience. Explore the power of keyboard accessibility in Marketing Cloud, alongside new innovations in generative AI UI accessibility. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speakers: Scott Pitkin, Salesforce Director, Product Design & Katie Puskarich, Salesforce Sr. Manager, Product Accessibility Enablement, Salesforce

4:30-4:50 PM PT

Designing Trusted AI: Salesforce's Trust Patterns: We integrate trust patterns to enhance the reliability and usability of our AI products. Discover how these principles are woven into our offerings and the new features that empower ethical AI usage. (Moscone West, Level 2 Einstein Theatre) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Leah Koshiyama, Salesforce Senior Director, Responsible AI & Tech., Salesforce

​​(Miss it? This session repeats in the same location on Thursday 9/19 at 11:00-11:20 AM PT.)

Wednesday, Sept. 18

Dreamforce design sessions continue on Day Two.

8:30-8:50 AM PT

Discover What's New in the Enhanced Lightning UI Figma Kit: The introduction of the Enhanced Lightning UI means designers and developers need to know how to use the new Figma kit to build great user experiences. Get a closer look at the latest capabilities. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speakers: Alwin Mulyono, Salesforce Principal Product Designer, UX Foundations & Kara Black, Salesforce Senior Product Designer, UX Foundations

12:30-12:50 PM PT

Design for User Success: Build Better Lightning Record Pages: No more default Lightning record pages. Admins can use design thinking to shape a user's experiences and enable smarter and faster work. Learn to upgrade your pages and delight your colleagues. (Moscone West, Level 2, Room 2000) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Michael Kolodner, Salesforce MVP & Consultant

​​(Miss it? This session repeats the next day downstairs on Level 1 in the Admin Theater at 2:30 PM PT.)

2:00-2:20 PM PT

Embrace Lightning Design System to Tap Future Innovations: Explore Salesforce Design System innovations that support improved UX and AI-first solutions. Learn how the advancements boost productivity and make Salesforce easier to use and customize. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Adam Doti, Salesforce VP, Design

2:30-2:50 PM PT

Say Yes to the Power of Styling Hooks: Styling hooks are robust CSS custom properties that are platform-agnostic, easy to maintain, and reusable. Learn how styling hooks can enable designers and developers to build with confidence. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Stephanie Green, Salesforce Lead UX Engineer

Thursday, Sept.19

Don't miss big names on the last day of Dreamforce design sessions.

9:00-9:20 AM PT

5 Effective Ways To Support Neurodiversity When Using SLDS: Accessibility is everyone's responsibility. Learn best practices for how to use Salesforce Lightning Design System to ensure your experiences support a range of disability and neurodiversity needs. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Stephy Hogan, Salesforce Director of UX, Red Argyle

10:30-10:50 AM PT

Boost Promotions and Gamify with Salesforce Loyalty Cloud: Customer loyalty is more than points and rewards. It's about driving deeper engagement. Learn how to create seamless promotions and gamify programs in Salesforce Loyalty Cloud. (Moscone West, Level 1 Trailblazer Forest, Redwood Theater) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Malhar Gupta, Salesforce VP, Product Design, Industries UX & Ram Machiraju, Salesforce VP, Product Management

10:30-11:30 AM PT

True to the Core: Hear directly from Co-founder and CTO Parker Harris and product leaders as they share highlights from our product roadmap and answer your questions live. (Moscone West, Level 3, Keynote Room) *Add to Agenda

Speakers: Parker Harris, Salesforce Co-Founder and CTO, Slack, & product leaders, including Kat Holmes, Salesforce EVP, Chief Design Officer

2:45-3:30 PM PT

Salesforce's Product Design Evolution: As CEOs and CIOs future-proof their platforms with AI, it's essential to understand how UX decisions drive success. Learn how AI agents and interfaces are leading an evolution of product design. (Moscone South, Lower Level Content Pavilion, Stage 1) *Add to agenda

Speaker: Kat Holmes, Salesforce EVP, Chief Design Officer

Register and get started

So, what's next? There are a few things you can do today to get ready:

1. Register now if you haven't already.
2. Start building your perfect two-day DF24 agenda now with Agenda Builder.
3. Also, check out this year's Admin Guide and Developer Guide.
4. Then complete the Dreamforce Ready 2024 module on Trailheadto get the most out of this must-attend event.
5. Later, connect and learn by joining the Design Trailblazers Groupon Trailhead.
6. Finally, follow us on LinkedIn for daily updates.

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For 20 years, I've explored the intersection of design and technology. My interest deepened during my tenure as senior copy director at Conde Nast where I wrote across titles, including Wired. I later covered business and digital innovations for Forbes and The Atlantic Re:think.