The Design Conference (TDC), one of Australia’s largest meetings of creative minds and industry trailblazers, returns to Brisbane Powerhouse from 5 – 7 June 2024.
The bold and unconventional conference celebrates its 14th iteration with a world-class program of international speakers, provocative ideas and – for the first time in 2024 – a series of tailored workshops.
The three-day TDC sees a total Brisbane Powerhouse takeover with 29 speakers across 23 transformative talks, eight hosted discussions, 14 small-group workshops and an abundance of valuable networking opportunities and experiences.
From animation and illustration to architecture and product packaging, TDC’s line-up of industry mavericks is drawn from across the globe; selected via a rigorous nomination and pitch process to ensure a rich diversity of new ideas and inspiring presentations.
They include Casey Martin, Founder and Executive Creative Director of San Francisco-based branding and design studio Play, who shares his unorthodox background and non-traditional success metrics in ‘Down with Pretentiousness’.
Another is Julie Solvstrom, a Canadian artist who forged a decade-long career as a graphic designer before reinventing herself professionally as a world-class illustrator.
Her talk offers an honest glimpse into the fear and uncertainty of career pivots while championing a culture that celebrates progress rather than perfection.
They will be joined by some of Australia’s leading pioneers and provocateurs including independent designer Oliva King, Atlassian Design’s Head of Design Tarra van Amerongen, Founder Paul Balfe and Creative Director Kiel Tillman of Gold Coast creative studio Pennybridge and designer and Pipit Restaurant Co-Owner Yen Trinh.
TDC Founder Matt Haynes said vulnerability, inclusivity and a thirst for understanding and adventure sat at the heart of the much-anticipated event which is expected to attract up to 730 in-conference delegates and thousands more streaming globally.
“TDC is not just about design, it’s about removing gatekeeping from the industry, creating a space of self-actualisation and helping people find the courage to participate in their hopes and dreams,” Haynes said.
“No matter where someone is at in their career, everyone has a milestone they’re working towards: starting a career, launching a start-up or quitting their job and going freelance.
“Stepping into the dark takes guidance, support and guts so we put people on stage who have blazed that path already and want to speak vulnerably about how they created growth mindsets to reach their position.”
The new workshop and masterclass series is designed to practically support delegates to acquire a deeper and more intimate understanding of their craft and accelerate their skills.
The diversity of topics includes how to incorporate Indigenous practices into design principles, compose digital collages, build a sustainable creative practice and write authentic and captivating brand copy.
“These workshops are designed to offer an affirmation to someone that the way they are thinking is the way their creative leaders are too,” Haynes said, adding the small-group sessions would cater for between five and 50 people.
“It’s one thing to address 750 people, another to sit with someone and show them, to resonate with people in a way a talk cannot.”
Workshops and masterclasses will go on sale from midday Monday 6 May.
Single-day and three-day passes to TDC are selling fast with limited third-release discounted tickets on sale until Friday 3 May unless sold out earlier.
Three-day streaming passes are also available to Australian and international delegates and include live access to every talk and interactive Q&A plus six months of video-on-demand access following TDC.
For more information, to view the full TDC program and register for the conference and workshops, visit thedesignconference.com.au
