10 Degrees Cooler is a signature initiative of the DTLB Design District, one of Studio One Eleven’s public engagement programs designed to connect people, place, and purpose through design. 

The exhibition features visually dynamic posters installed throughout the DTLB Design District, with designers expressing what makes Long Beach “cool” — in both climate and attitude. These works capture the city’s unique identity, cultural vibrancy, and creative edge.

At the Greeting Plaza of Long Beach Airport, 10 Degrees Cooler transforms the arrival experience with bold, striking visuals that celebrate Long Beach’s creative vitality and global reach. Seen by more than 250,000 travelers each month, the installation reinforces the airport’s reputation as “America’s Coolest Airport™” while spotlighting Long Beach’s role as a hub of culture and creativity.

At the Long Beach Civic Center Welcome Plaza, the exhibition continues on the ground-floor digital screens of City Hall. This highly visible installation reflects the City’s commitment to supporting Long Beach’s creative economy and aligns with Mayor Rex Richardson’s vision of embedding culture, design, and public art into civic life.

The 10 Degrees Cooler open call received over 400 submissions from 31 countries, representing a vibrant spectrum of local, national, and international voices. Together, these works create a compelling visual dialogue about Long Beach as a port city, a diverse cultural hub, and a community shaped by exchange and creativity. [See full list of selected works here.]

By placing design in key civic and cultural spaces, the initiative affirms that creativity is not only integral to Long Beach’s identity but also essential to how the city defines and expresses itself to the world.